By Jill Bellefontaine
Richard Toulany of Porters Lake is no stranger to the business world. At 14 years old, he started helping out with his parent’s family business, Toulany’s Pizza, in East Chezzetcook. Ten years later and now 24 years old, Toulany is the Owner/Founder of Nova Tactical on Windmill Road, Dartmouth.
It all started for Toulany when he was working for a supply store that sold hunting and fishing gear. “As a salesman I could see there was a high demand for certain gear that wasn’t being carried in store and I saw an opportunity in the space for rent upstairs and went for it,” recalled Toulany, who opened Nova Tactical on his 20th birthday.
But he didn’t stop there. After settling into his store, Toulany later jumped at an opportunity to occupy both levels of the store and add a firearm/archery range called Nova Shooting Centre onto the building. After a year of construction, the newly built ranges are the center of attention at Nova Tactical. There is a spacious lounge area with a pool table, foosball table, TV and sofas, popcorn machine, speed bag, and a phone charging station.
The gun range consists of 9 lanes, including a wheelchair accessible lane. No license is required to shoot at the range and there are a variety of membership packages available as well as packages for non-members. The archery range has 13 lanes.
“I am extremely happy with the success of the range so far, I really wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Toulany. In November, Nova Tactical will have simulators for customers to use. “A simulator is a real firearm with no ammunition,” Toulany explained. “They are CO2 gas powered. They’re essentially for anyone young or old who does not feel comfortable shooting a real firearm.”
Nova Tactical is big on promoting firearm safety. They offer the NFARSO (National Firearms Association Range Safety Officer) course, an in-house holster course, and advanced shooting classes. They also offer bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and special shoots for occasions like, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and more!
Nova Tactical is currently in the process of expanding to a second location in the Halifax area. The second location will also include a firearm/archery range along with the tactical shop. The current projection date for opening is mid-2019. People with memberships to the Dartmouth location will also be able to access the new location when it opens.