SIDNEY – Day and Night Security Services is opening a new office in downtown Sidney and expanding its services to include retail gun sales.

Austin Knight, the owner of Day and Night Security Services, and his staff have provided private security services and firearms training since the company was formed in 2017. With his business now firmly established, Knight saw an opportunity to grow by expanding into retail.

“A lot of it goes with the business, it’s a related business,” Knight said of the retail store, which has a grand opening scheduled for Feb. 27. “And for what we’re selling, I think there’s a large demand for it.”

Knight, a graduate of Sidney High School and Upper Valley Joint Vocational School, always has had an entrepreneurial spirit. He started a towing company when he was 19 years old and operated that business for 20 years until he sold it in 2017.

Beginning in 2015, Knight attended Edison State Community College where he studied criminal justice and political science. He then opened Day and Night Security Services in 2017, shortly before selling his towing company.

“The private security sector, there’s a growing demand for it, and it’s only going to get more of a demand,” said Knight, who also works as a part-time police officer in Port Jefferson.

“It’s a change of pace. I don’t spend as much time laying under a truck anymore or laying on top of a highway.”

Day and Night Security Services has 12 security guards on its staff. They mostly provide security for factories, which in the past year has expanded to include COVID-19 screenings and temperature checks. They also provide security for special events, covering an area from Dayton to Lima.

Along with providing security guards, Day and Night Security Services also offers concealed carry classes and private security firearms training.

“I think what I enjoy the most, I enjoy the training side of it,” said Knight, who leads classes along with two other employees, all of whom are police officers or retired police officers.

Day and Night Security Services offers concealed carry classes about once a month, depending on demand. Typically the classes include 15 to 21 participants, who mainly hail from Shelby and Miami counties.

Day and Night Security Services’ retail store is located at 128 E. Poplar St. in downtown Sidney. It will have one full-time employee and two part-time employees. The store will cater to people seeking guns for security, hunting or recreational shooting.

Knight has enjoyed his shift into the security industry and sees a lot of opportunity for his business.

“It’s the rewarding part that you’re protecting someone’s property,” the Sidney resident said.

For more information about Day and Night Security Services, call 937-658-6244 or visit the Day and Night Security Services Facebook page.

An outside view of Day and Night Security Services.

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2021/02/web1_DSC_3915.jpgAn outside view of Day and Night Security Services. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Day and Night Security Services Manager Rick Roberts, left, of Tipp City, talks with Day and Night Security Services owner Austin Knight, of Sidney, on Monday, Feb. 9, inside the building that they are renovating to become the headquarters of Day and Night Security Services: Firearms and Training. The building used to be home to a jewelry store. The remaining jewelry cases will be refurbished and used to display guns and gun related products. Two ceilings were removed to reveal the original ceiling, which was refinished and new light fixtures installed.

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2021/02/web1_DSC_3904.jpgDay and Night Security Services Manager Rick Roberts, left, of Tipp City, talks with Day and Night Security Services owner Austin Knight, of Sidney, on Monday, Feb. 9, inside the building that they are renovating to become the headquarters of Day and Night Security Services: Firearms and Training. The building used to be home to a jewelry store. The remaining jewelry cases will be refurbished and used to display guns and gun related products. Two ceilings were removed to reveal the original ceiling, which was refinished and new light fixtures installed. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Two ceilings were removed to reveal the original ceiling which was refinished and new light fixtures installed. Knight hopes to have stained-glass, that had been hidden, fixed up if possible.

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2021/02/web1_DSC_3881.jpgTwo ceilings were removed to reveal the original ceiling which was refinished and new light fixtures installed. Knight hopes to have stained-glass, that had been hidden, fixed up if possible. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Day and Night Security Services Manager Rick Roberts, right, of Tipp City, looks over one of several newly acquired handguns that he had to log in to meet Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives requirements. Sitting at a desk is Day and Night Security Services owner Austin Knight, of Sidney.

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2021/02/web1_SDN021021GunShop.jpgDay and Night Security Services Manager Rick Roberts, right, of Tipp City, looks over one of several newly acquired handguns that he had to log in to meet Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives requirements. Sitting at a desk is Day and Night Security Services owner Austin Knight, of Sidney. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News