ABOVE: A new sign highlights the front of 219 North State Street in Fairmont as Cameron Kamlitz has opened The Powder Keg after three years of work fixing the building. The store specializes in hunting goods.

FAIRMONT – Cameron Kamlitz has been working on his small business for three years, and now all that hard work has paid off.

The Powder Keg, located at 219 North State Street in Fairmont where Benjamin Moore Paints previously was, specializes in hunting-related products, including rifles, handguns, ammunition, optics and other essential equipment.

Going into the small business field is something Kamlitz said came at the end of his career in law enforcement.

“I spent 20 years in law enforcement,” he said. “Due to my wife’s schedule and the fact that I have a couple of kids, it became a little untenable for both of us to work full-time, especially in the fields that we’re in. I gave that up back in 2023. I had already kind of been planning for that and been looking for a place to open a sporting goods store here in Fairmont.”

While The Powder Keg has technically been there since 2023, the past three years have necessitated several projects be done before it was ready for the public.

“One thing led to another,” Kamlitz said. “The carpet needed to be replaced. We found out there was asbestos tile under it that was cracking. It needed to be mitigated. The way the building was functional for the previous owner and tenants, it just wasn’t for us. We weren’t in a hurry to open it necessarily. We wanted it done right, rather than quickly.”

Part of doing it right for Kamlitz was having as much of the work done as possible by local contractors.

“DeWar did all my electrical,” he said. “Day Plumbing and Heating has done all of my plumbing and heating work here. There was quite a bit. They even did a new ADA-compliant bathroom for me. The sign was made by Minuteman Press over here.

ABOVE: The Powder Keg Owner Cameron Kamlitz stands with his current display cases and inventory. Kamlitz is waiting on a decision from the Martin County Commissioners on whether to enact a shotgun-only ordinance before he brings his first major shipment in.

They have opened a large showroom-style space for all of their eventual inventory. Kamlitz said they will be getting more in weekly, but some of his stock will depend on an upcoming county decision.

“I’m holding off on my primary inventory orders to wait to see what the Martin County Commission does as far as whether or not they’re going to allow Martin County to use center fire rifles for deer hunting, or if they’re going to stay shotgun,” he said. “Much of what I order in my initial large order will depend on their decision.”

The Powder Keg will carry both rifles and shotguns regardless, but the decision will affect what optics he brings in and has available for people.

So far, Kamlitz said the response to his business has been positive.

“We have people calling and stopping in every day since we started holding business hours just to check the place out,” he said.

As can often be the case when opening a new business, Kamlitz said being at the end of a three-year process and finally opening up has given him a mix of emotions.

“There’s always some anxiety when you invest this much into a business venture,” he said. “At the same token, there’s some relief the project is done and we’re finally open, and a little bit of excitement I get to do something that I enjoy.”

As things progress further and more of his standard inventory arrives, Kamlitz said he is considering offering gear and accessories.

“I’m exploring the possibility of offering higher-end hunting clothing, boots, jackets, pants, camouflage,” he said. “Some of that will depend on public demand. If I bring something in the store and no one’s interested in it, I’m obviously not going to keep it. A lot of that’s going to be steered by the client base.”

For more information or any questions, call (507) 399-2038 or email powderkegmn@gmail.com. They are open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.