Anyone remember Fetlas in Valpo?

[sepe]

I was in there a few times and they had some guns I liked.
But they were VERY over priced and struck me as a store for people who either had no ideas what a fair price was, or had more money than brains.
All I ever bought from them was one box of ammo.

When we made monthly (in the summer weekly) trips, partly because we had a pretty good relationship with Rocket Fireworks in Wanatah, their prices were better than quite a few of the shops I see now. I don't ever remember seeing a $600 Glock, new or used. Some of their stuff was a little high but from stuff we bought, it was better than 3 or 4 shops we would always check out.

 

[Rey B]

I first discovered Fetla's working all over Northern Indiana repairing copiers. I bought a canoe there. Neat place and I was sorry to see them go.

 

[darkkevin]

Don't know if it is fact or rumor, but I recall reading a post here that indicated that Blythe's had purchased the property and would be opening up a new range around April. Can anyone add anything or confirm this?

i don't know if blythe's has anything to do with it but someone is definitely trying to open a range there, they applied for a variance with valpo to get it done. it would have 15 lanes, 5 "long" lanes and 10 shorter pistol lanes according to the article i read.

 

[Hoosierdood]

One of the great things about Fetla's was that EVERY price was negotiable. It didn't matter if it was a gun, jacket, boat, or pair of boots. Price tags were for reference only. I remember them having wooden barrels full of Mosins just sticking out of them. They also had boxes/crates of firearms sitting on the floor. Large selection of Carhart and surplus military clothing. You could spend hours in the place and never see everything.

 

[LtScott14]

Bought my first Service Revolver from them. Had to order it from Smith & Wesson, and during the wait, bought a different, used, similar one. Still have that used one and holsters a plenty from the discount box. Lay away started me to shooting sports that otherwise I could not afford. Miss it. The store did change and lost appeal after the original owner sold out.

 

[edporch]

Quote:
Originally Posted by edporch
I was in there a few times and they had some guns I liked.
But they were VERY over priced and struck me as a store for people who either had no ideas what a fair price was, or had more money than brains.
All I ever bought from them was one box of ammo.

When we made monthly (in the summer weekly) trips, partly because we had a pretty good relationship with Rocket Fireworks in Wanatah, their prices were better than quite a few of the shops I see now. I don't ever remember seeing a $600 Glock, new or used. Some of their stuff was a little high but from stuff we bought, it was better than 3 or 4 shops we would always check out.

I guess we must've shopped at different gun shops.

I was collecting military surplus in those days, and the prices at Fetlas were WAY HIGH compared to what I routinely paid at my local gun shop in Rensselaer.

 

[db1959]

I used to love going there and on the way back we'd stop at Weinbergs in Toto and compare who had the better crap. Bought a single shot 12 guage shotgun at Fettlas in the early 80's for $60.

 

[sepe]

I loved going to Toto. We use to get kicked out of several of the stores for being loud idiots (usually making jokes about the poor handicapped mannequins). It was kind of creepy as we found used feminine hygiene products in one of the parking lots.

We started gun shopping at Fetla's in 1997. Their milsurp prices were lower than Albertson's in Warsaw and prices on other rifles were lower than Midwest. Handguns were also a little cheaper than Midwest for what we were looking at and even a $600 beat up Glock would've been cheaper than Albertson's. If you're ever in Warsaw, avoid that place.

 

[Indy574]

I missed that store. We use to go there and get reloading supplies, cheapest around. I bought my Beretta 92FS Compact and Winchester 9422 there. Sold the Beretta 10 years ago, kind of wish I still had it since it was my first pistol. Just a fun store to go through.

 

[El-Cigarro]

When we made monthly (in the summer weekly) trips, partly because we had a pretty good relationship with Rocket Fireworks in Wanatah, their prices were better than quite a few of the shops I see now. I don't ever remember seeing a $600 Glock, new or used. Some of their stuff was a little high but from stuff we bought, it was better than 3 or 4 shops we would always check out.

Remember the "Tic Toc Truck Stop" in Wanatah????

 

[El-Cigarro]

I miss it! I remember Dad taking me to the ORIGINAL store there! Remember the bear and all! Mostly remember all the great GUNS there!

 

[db1959]

I loved going to Toto. We use to get kicked out of several of the stores for being loud idiots (usually making jokes about the poor handicapped mannequins). It was kind of creepy as we found used feminine hygiene products in one of the parking lots.

We started gun shopping at Fetla's in 1997. Their milsurp prices were lower than Albertson's in Warsaw and prices on other rifles were lower than Midwest. Handguns were also a little cheaper than Midwest for what we were looking at and even a $600 beat up Glock would've been cheaper than Albertson's. If you're ever in Warsaw, avoid that place.

I was in Albertsons this summer. Got swepted by a guy working there. I walked out.

We used to get in trouble at Toto too. Loved the maniquins with missing limbs.

 

[kjf40]

You know they opened up a fetlas in knox indiana...soon as they stocked the guns in the case....stupid hicks broke in and stole a bunch.

So they shut the doors short after opening.

Really takes some dumb *ss*s to ruin a good thing.

 

[.458socomhunter]

Yeah that doesn't really surprise me. Had a couple relatives get killed over a Harley in that area.

I think the original owner of Fetlas is still in the area. Or at the very least I know his kids are.

Never was around for the bear. That would be a sight to see.

Didn't hear about Blythe's buying the site. That would be something I could probably find out though, through the Assessor's office.

Good times.

 

[blamecharles]

The next time I'm bored I'm going to look into some rat poisened 300lb underwear stuffed into a football helmet. Throw in a couple nuns, a German Shepherd and a tub of buttered popcorn and it could be a really neat party

I like your style dude.

 

[bigworm]

I still use my galco holster I bought there for $20

 

[Rollerman]

Back in the late 80ies I worked for a lawn care business that mowed large apartments complexes.
We did a place in Valpo & if we were finished soon enough the boss would let us run around Fetla's for a bit.
I can remember buying a Iverson-Johnson 22 semi auto rimfire (looked like an M1) there.
Fetla's was a neat place, sorry to hear there gone.
Cluttered..but the WOW factor!

 

[repeter1977]

once upon a time, i used to enjoy going there. Always a ton of things, like a surplus store with guns thrown in. Always an interesting visit.
I have read that someone bought it, trying to turn it into a range (indoor) and of course, people complained so its been put on the back burner until.... indefinitely according to the last article I had read. Too bad. Could always use another range in this area.

 

[flatlander]

In 1975 I tried to convince my Dad (God rest his soul) to buy an Automag for $495. I was 17 so couldn't get it myself. Told him it would be a good investment. He didn't get that or the gold I told him to buy at $130 per ounce. Use to love going in there.

Bob

 

[TomN]

I bought my first gun there in 1988 and went there a lot before they closed. It was too bad when they rearranged the store. It lost its uniqueness.