Garrettsville – Black Boar Armory & Coatings has been operating at 10524 Freedom Street since December 2015, quietly building up a clientele of firearms enthusiasts and a wide range of customers seeking customized Cerakote application services.
It all began four years ago, when Eric Shafer was bored. Since he had time on his hands, he spray-painted a few of his anonymous-looking black guns with Duracote. It didn’t take long for his friends to notice. They wanted him to customize their firearms with standout designs, too.
Shafer had spent 25 years in the Army, specializing in small arms repair and long-range marksmanship. Add to that his experience working for a firearms manufacturer in Chardon and his service on the Portage County Sheriff’s Department. Taken altogether, Shafer’s friends knew they could trust him to do the job right.
Eight months later, demand was so high, Shafer and his wife, Laura Esposito, bought the building at the corner of Freedom Street and Industrial Drive to provide customers professional sales and service. Eric’s son (also named Eric) is a silent partner in the business. Licensed gunsmith Kyle Amyotte provides specialized craftsmanship to inspect, clean and restore firearm collectibles and antiques.
Black Boar is an authorized Primary Weapon System dealer and repair center. It also carries a line of BlackBoarArmory branded clothing. While it sells select firearms and accessories, it specializes in Cerakote, Duracoat and HydroGraphics coatings on products ranging from pistols and rifles to helmets, beverage tumblers, thermal mugs, car and ATV parts, bicycle frames, golf clubs, tumblers, electrical switch plates, metal door pulls or other items made of metal, wood, plastics and polymers.
Black Boar is Cerakote-Certified Applicator. Developed by NIC Industries for firearms in the 1980s, Cerakote is a ceramic and polymer coating applied to hard finishes in order to achieve bold looks and heightened durability. Company logos, original designs, various finish effects and creative color combinations can be incorporated into the coating.
“We were thinking this would be an early retirement plan,” Esposito said, but business is building faster than expected. Through Facebook and the BlackBoarCoatings website, customers from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Louisiana, New York, California, Texas – even Cyprus – have discovered the Black Boar difference that the local clientele already appreciates. Friendly, helpful, customized professional sales and service at fair prices create repeat customers. Black Boar is also committed to the Garrettsville community through philanthropy, contributing to local fundraisers for first responders and other worthy causes.
Some customers just stop by for friendly conversation, a cup of coffee and a chance to visit with any of the bulldogs Eric and Laura are fostering at the time. Providing foster care through the Buckeye Bulldog Rescue organization, the Freedom Township couple has fostered 10 bulldogs over the past several years. Right now, customers may visit with Charlie, Bumps, Li or Riley when stopping by Black Boar.
People are encouraged to stop by the shop or visit the Black Boar Facebook page or company website to shop, view samples of Cerakote design options or sign up for any upcoming monthly firearms workshops.
Black Boar Armory & Coatings is open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9am-5pm; Fridays, 9am-6pm; Saturdays, 9am-4pm; (closed Sunday and Monday). Call Eric or Laura at (234) 218-9049 or email them at blackboararmory@gmail.com.
