A hunter’s haven filled with laughter and the warm feeling of home, Circle Star Firearms has come a long way from its humble beginnings on a kitchen table. Owners Jake Cawthon and Jason Westmoreland turned their lifetime hobby of shooting sports into a career of selling guns, accessories and ammunition while sharing knowledge and laughter with their customers.
From the first step inside their new shop, visitors are greeted with a friendly smile and hometown hospitality. Many stop by intending to buy a gun and end up staying for a chat and drink with the Circle Star Firearms staff. Experts in their field, they provide not only knowledge but a welcoming environment for gun enthusiasts.
Cawthon, a former Texas game warden and Grimes County police officer, reflects on the relationships made from behind the counter.
“This is a great place for people to come in to share the good, bad and in-between moments of life with the Circle Star team,” says Cawthon, recounting marriage proposals made in the shop and how he officiated a wedding.
Cawthon’s 11-year-old son working behind the counter adds to the family atmosphere. Travis loves sharing his passion for firearms, showing off his favorite guns—a boot pistol and an 1877 Colt Lightning.
Running a firearms store also comes with the incredible responsibility of knowing how to safely operate the dangerous equipment Circle Star carries. The team educates every customer on the correct use of purchased items as well as laws and regulations pertaining to proper hunting practices. In addition, they conduct license to carry classes on the premises.
Before moving to its new location, the gun store struggled with electric and internet reliability. As longtime residential cooperative members, Westmoreland and Cawthon were confident relocating into MidSouth Electric Cooperative’s service territory would solve both issues. Due to the nature of the products they sell, the speed and reliability of MidSouth Fiber internet is critical to conducting business.
Westmoreland shares the long list of procedures required to operate a high-functioning business. From running background checks to accessing federal documents, operations are more efficient with the shop’s new internet service.
“Without MidSouth Fiber, none of this would be possible considering the amount of data we use to run this place,” says Westmoreland. “From our web server and security cameras, to our TVs streaming in the lobby, none of this would be possible.”
Circle Star Firearms is not only a vendor for guns and ammunition but also a sanctuary of camaraderie and a destination for knowledge. The team’s dedication to education and commitment to community have ensured the continued success and growth of their passion.
Stop by and visit their new location on Highway 90 between Roans Prairie and Anderson.
