When Clyde Miller opened the doors of his new archery shop more than three decades ago, he had no idea that one day it would become the largest archery shop in Texas, not to mention the longest-operating one.
Miller started Clyde’s Archery Lanes because he saw the need and interest in the Coastal Bend for a sport he and many others love.
“We had an archery club here,” Miller said, “but we had nowhere to buy our equipment or to practice.”
His resolve to open a store in Corpus Christi solidified after attending an archery competition at the University of Texas at Austin.
“The competitors from our area did not do well, and I knew it was because they really had no place locally to develop their skills,” he said. “So I went to my wife and said I would like to open an archery shop, and here we are!”
Today, Clyde’s Archery carries all the equipment any archer might need including top-of-the-line compound or recurve bows with a full range of arrows from the latest high-tech designs to the more traditional makes.
Equipment is not all that has kept Clyde’s Archery in business all these years. Clyde’s son, Erik, who helps his dad run the business, said success comes from an easy-going, supportive atmosphere in the store and from friendly staff and archery regulars who love to share the sport with others.
“Customers have the confidence knowing that they are getting the very best professional help from knowledgeable employees and professional archers,” Erik Miller said.
When purchasing a new bow or crossbow, customers are fitted to the equipment to ensure they have the right size bow for optimal use. This means having the draw length properly measured and determining the best weight of a bow for each individual. The shop also handles equipment repair and has an indoor practice range.
The shop’s primary customers are hunters, but Clyde Miller said people get into the sport of archery for many reasons.
“We have people who like to compete at a high level or some people who do archery as a way to relieve stress,” he said. “And there are more women taking up the sport.”
Every fall, Clyde’s offers archery classes for children by certified instructors. Miller’s love for the sport shines through when he talks about introducing the sport to kids.
“In the evenings during the fall, you will see the little ones line up [at the range],” he said. “They love it.”
He proudly refers to his young archers as “his kids.”
“When we go to competition, my kids win,” he said.
Clyde’s Archery proudly displays the trophies to prove it in cases overflowing with about 100 state championship awards and several national championships. Among those most honored belong to two-time world champion Emily Fischer, who is 15.
Clyde’s Archery Lanes was awarded Shop of the Decade by the Texas Field Archery Association as well as Top 100 Mathews Dealers in the nation. Miller, himself, was inducted into the TFAA Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.
With all of the success, Miller admits building a business can be a struggle.
“It has been an up-hill battle at times, but we are at a place now where we can enjoy what we have built,” he said.
Clyde’s Archery Lanes is located at 5564 Ayers St. in Corpus Christi. For more information, call 361-855-3116.
