our facilities
At Deercreek Trading Company, our facilities are built around one purpose: creating a dependable place—both online and in person—where customers can find quality goods, trusted service, and resources that support a prepared, capable way of life.
our staff
Deercreek is a family business with over 40 years of combined experience and knowledge passed down from generation to generation.
our plans
At Deercreek Trading Company, we believe in the timeless values that built strong families, thriving communities, and a free nation: hard work, self-reliance, preparedness, integrity, and stewardship.
The vision for Deercreek began many years ago with my Grandpa Pat. He was an advanced collector of firearms , muzzleloaders, antiques and more. Pat began his business as North Georgia Trading Company and when his youngest son (my father) Zack had graduated high school they decided to have Zack go to the Colorado School of Trades. Zack would go on to graduate as a Master Gunsmith in two years. While he was in Gunsmithing School Pat and his wife Millie prepared the business and even taught people how to build Muzzleloaders from his home. In 1982 Pat found a great location to start the business in Marietta Georgia and changed the name from North Georgia Trading Company to Deercreek Gunshop Inc. establishing ourselves in Marietta just one block north of the Cobb County Civic Center. Pat was 51 years old and Zack was 22 when Deercreek Gunshop Inc. was established. Pat was a master salesman and excited and determined to pursue his passion and create a business doing what he loved. Creating Deercreek also gave his son Zack an opportunity to grow and succeed in a profession that is always needed GUNSMITHING.
Zack & Pat traveled to different shooting events all over the southeast; shooting regularly at the Riverbend Gun Club and growing their business and the name Deercreek. At the time Deercreek was one of the few businesses that sold real blackpowder.
Deercreek Gunshop Inc. continued to grow in reputation as a family business with a real gunsmith and a knowledgeable salesman. Pat had one of the best Marlin Collections in the state of Georgia.
Zack & Melanie
Zack and Melanie both enjoy shooting and shot competitively with a rifle at different shooting events. They married each other at a Rendezvous.
James was born
That's where I (James) came into the picture. Started working early at the shop and grew a great love for Family & History.
James began working at Deercreek in 2006 as an apprentice gunsmith to his dad Zack. When we got busy he would also manage the front with his Grandpa Pat. James quickly learned the basics of gunsmithing from cleaning, repairing and even blueing. He was 18 when he began working full-time at Deercreek. He gained knowledge from Pat who taught him so much from the history of the firearms to what sells best. James became a master salesman like his grandpa Pat and in 2009 he began to work mostly up front due to the increase of sales.
Deercreek Gunshop EST. 1982 now having 3 generations of family working for the business. Grandpa Pat and Millie (Grammy); My dad Zack and myself (James). In 2009 my sister Sarah also began working part time at Deercreek. She helped us upfront and helped us manage inventory and sales. Deercreek was booming as a business after many years of blood, sweat and oil. I could now see a vision of my own of a future Deercreek that we could pass down from generation to generation. Our card at the time said Deercreek Gunshop Inc. We Sell, Buy, Trade or Talk guns. This is something I knew I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Excited and blessed to have this opportunity to continue my passion and work with family.
James begins a family of his own and marries his high school sweetheart (Katie). James and Katie aka Mr & Mrs. Deercreek have worked together well and love building community. In 2008 they started Deercreek Society a community of prepared and passionate individuals. Deercreek Society was a way for them to share their different interests and find like minded people. During the 2008 Financial Crisis James & Katie saw how important it was to be prepared as possible in every aspect of life especially as parents. The slogan they used for Deercreek Society was
Be Confident - Be Prepared - Be Victorious.
Deercreek Gunshop Inc. located in Marietta Ga at 280 S Fairground Street SE for 40 years. Establishing themselves in 1982 and remaining in the same building while tackling every obstacle with an entrepreneurial spirit. Fun Fact in our Marietta location we would use a wood burning stove to stay warm in the winter. Deercreek had 4 generations of family represented at the shop. In 2023 a new landlord bought the building we were in and tripled the rent. Not taking to kindly to that we decided to search elsewhere for a new location to call home for Deercreek. We asked around and one of our good long time customers found a place in Kennesaw Georgia. Deercreek was moving to Kennesaw! Our NEW Location was right next to Wildmans. We moved in record time completely emptying out the old location in Marietta in one week! That was a lot of work but we conquered the move as a family.
New LOCAtion in kennesaw
The below video is a walkthrough of our new location in Kennesaw and the ribbon cutting ceremony. We were welcomed with open arms from the Mayor and people of Kennesaw as you may have heard about Kennesaw Georgia. "Its the Law in Kennesaw" Referring to a rule on the book where all residents of Kennesaw our required to own a firearm. Kennesaw has been one of the safest cities in the Country. I jokingly like to say we moved to Kennesaw to make sure folks were compliant.
Our New Location in Kennesaw took a couple years to settle into. When you are in the same location for 40 years people expect you to be there. We were happy to see our customers in the new location.
The Legacy of Pat and Millie
In 2017 Millie passed away after a long life of love and dedication. Pat, her husband and one of our original founders passed recently in 2025. Pat and Millie were the ultimate Husband and wife team and their hard work, vision and dedication to the family and Deercreek will forever live on. We love hearing and sharing the memories of them with all of you. Grandpa Pat lived to see our new location in Kennesaw and passed away at the age of 94 with his two sons by his side. I think of Pat and Millie everyday as the example of how to live life to the fullest. They will not be forgotten.
“Do what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.”
From Deercreek Gunshop to Deercreek Trading CompanyFor more than 40 years, Deercreek Gunshop has been a part of the community, serving customers from a traditional storefront and building relationships one customer at a time.Now, we’re entering a new chapter.Deercreek Gunshop is becoming Deercreek Trading Company.This transition is not about leaving our customers behind—it’s about finding better ways to serve them.The traditional storefront model has changed dramatically over the years. Deercreek Trading Company is being built around that changing landscape.Instead of relying solely on a physical storefront, we’re expanding our presence online and in person. Our goal is to make Deercreek more accessible, more flexible, and more connected to the people we serve.We’re bringing Deercreek to you.Through our online store, social media, events, and personal interactions, we can reach customers wherever they are while still maintaining the personal service and relationships that have always been at the heart of Deercreek.The name Deercreek Trading Company also reflects a broader vision. Deercreek is no longer simply a gun shop. We are building a company around quality goods, outdoor interests, preparedness, history, community, and the traditional values that have defined us for generations.The storefront may be changing, but the spirit behind Deercreek isn’t.What began as Deercreek Gunshop is becoming something bigger:Deercreek Trading Company.Online. In person. And coming to you.This is the next chapter of Deercreek—and we’re excited to have you along for the journey.
