Caffeine & Gunpowder empties stock at downtown Massillon store; posted sign says, 'closed'

Steven M. Grazier
·2 min read
Information detailing the days and hours of operation for Caffeine & Gunpowder has been scratched off an outside window of the downtown Massillon business. The only legible marking says "closed."
Information detailing the days and hours of operation for Caffeine & Gunpowder has been scratched off an outside window of the downtown Massillon business. The only legible marking says "closed."

MASSILLON – A small business known for selling ammunition and gun supplies — along with a side of coffee — has abruptly shuttered downtown after being in operation for less than nine months.

Owners of Caffeine & Gunpowder, which opened March 17 at 155 Lincoln Way W, Suite A-096, have emptied their stock inside the building, as signage on the front door detailing business hours has been scratched out and now reads "closed."

Grant approval: Caffeine & Gunpowder to receive $8,000 via Massillon City Council 6-2 vote

A Wednesday night social media post on Caffeine & Gunpowder's Facebook page acknowledged that the "Lincoln Way location has come to an end," but the business remains afloat.

"We are not closing up for good, and we are still in business," the post states. "Bigger opportunities have been presented to us, and we cannot wait to share all the excitement."

A phone message left on Caffeine & Gunpowder's business line was not returned.

Caffeine & Gunpowder, which opened March 17 at 155 Lincoln Way W, Suite A-096, has recently emptied its stock of merchandise and closed its doors.
Caffeine & Gunpowder, which opened March 17 at 155 Lincoln Way W, Suite A-096, has recently emptied its stock of merchandise and closed its doors.

The business was in a verbal crossfire of sorts earlier this year with city officials and residents when it applied for an economic development inducement grant. Many spoke against — and some in favor of — the shop, which had displayed political signs inside with apparent offensive language.

City Council debated the issue for weeks, finally settling in late May on awarding Caffeine & Gunpowder, a gun shop and coffee hangout tailored to weapons owners, an $8,000 grant.

However, business owners Allison Merry and Tim Boyle never collected the money, according to Massillon Economic Development Director David Maley, who said they did not meet all conditions necessary to receive a check.

Inducement grants are often awarded by the city to new or existing businesses for promoting economic development, expansion and job creation. Funds are provided for suitable property upgrades and building improvement projects.

"They never provided us with any receipts (for work done)," Maley said.

Massillon council voted 6-2 to approve grant for Caffeine & Gunpowder

City Council's vote May 22 was 6-2 in favor of the economic grant. Council members Jill Creamer, D-Ward 4, and Ted Herncane, D-at large, were the two "nay" votes. At-large Councilman Jamie Slutz, R-at large, was absent from the meeting and did not vote.

Slutz last week won the city's race for mayor and is set to take office in January.

Prior to council's vote, some members had been weighing whether awarding city dollars to a business that displays and sells political banners that contain perceived offensive language is sensible, although there's no local or state law prohibiting the action.

At the time, multiple banners displayed on the interior walls of the business contained vulgar words, and at least one had been directed toward President Joe Biden.

Herncane said the closing of Caffeine & Gunpowder is not a shocker.

"I'm not surprised," he said. "During council's deliberations about the (inducement grant), it was clear that they weren't viable."

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Caffeine & Gunpowder ammo store closes shop in downtown Massillon