River Valley Arms and Ammo: A Redwood Falls family sells firearms for everyone — but with an especial focus on women.

Until recently, perhaps the closest store specializing in firearms and hunting supplies was in New Ulm.

When that store closed, it created a empty space in the Redwood area market for hunters and firearms enthusiasts.

Steve Anderson of Redwood Falls, along with children Zach Anderson and Heather Koffler, thought maybe they could fill it.

“We’d been talking about opening a store of our own sometime, and we thought it might be the time,” Steve said.

Although the lack of a closer store was the jumping off point, Heather had her own reason for wanting to be part.

“It’s been a passion of mine to get more women involved in this sport,” said Heather.

“There’s one issue with being a woman who likes firearms; there’s not a lot of products and services out there that are designed to work well for women.

“This has become my mission. I want to make sure that at River Valley Arms and Ammo, women have access locally to products and services that make being a sportswoman even more fun.”

Thus River Valley Arms and Ammo was created, currently based in Steve’s home just off Highway 19/71, at the top of the Morton hill.

Starting a firearms store isn’t quite like starting a store that sells anything else.

“We’re regulated at each level: federal, state, county, and city,” said Heather. “There are lots of little rules you have to follow with ever transaction, but this is above and beyond your other business transactions.”