Mike Zarlenga / The Trophy Room

Mike Zarlenga / The Trophy Room

210 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 837-8215

www.trophyroomonline.com

About Mike:

Mike grew up in Ohio, where he gained an affinity for the outdoors. As a kid he would head out of the house and go varmint hunting. In 1994 after both finishing Ohio State Law School, Mike moved to the area with his wife. They both practiced law for the next 6 ½ years. However, the “call of the wild” soon had Mike yearning for a career change.

About The Trophy Room:

Mike opened shop in 2001, seeing the need for a high-end hunting and outdoors shop in Alexandria. Beretta (an Italian company famous for their firearms and high-end sporting clothing) had moved their Alexandria store out of the state and had left a void. Mike started with no employees and worked 7 days a week.

Help was soon to arrive when Gary Rothrock left Beretta USA headquarters in Accokeek and came to work for him (he’s now a partner). The pairing has worked well. They’ve found their respective interests are complementary - while Mike and his wife are the hunters, Gary and his wife are the fishermen.

The store is an authorized dealer for sporting apparel from names such as Barbour and Orvis. It also carries everything you need to outfit your hunting or fishing expedition - whether the trip is just down the road or to the other side of the world.

Business Philosophy:

Mike says their golden rule is, "We treat our customers the way we would like to be treated". He also added, (a bit mischievously) “Nothing says love during the holidays like a new firearm".

Why did you choose to do this?

"I got the idea while I was on a hunting trip in New Zealand with my brother and uncle. We were hunting for Red Stag. There was a real need in this area for a full-service hunting shop - to find a rifle you would have to travel all the way to Warrenton”.

Why Alexandria:

“I chose Alexandria because I’m familiar with the area and love the people here - I also live three blocks from my store!”

Funny Story:

Well, when I was moving in I’d heard of a documented ghost in the building. When I first got this space I was working late each night to get the store ready.  One night I was sitting down for a quick break when I heard a loud noise from inside.  I immediately thought of the ghost, since I was the only (live) person around. I got my courage up and went to inspect the noise. I came in to the building and found an enormous acorn sitting in the middle of my floor - it had appeared from nowhere! I then looked up to see two mice sitting there looking at me as if to say "could you give that back?"