Kim Fundingsland/MDN Vic and Dottie Gentry, left; and Jarrod Nielson, all from North Platte, Nebraska, were among those displaying their wares at the Minot Gun Show Saturday.

It is a hidden gem in plain site. Custom Hideaways is one of the unusual items found at the gun show currently underway at the State Fairgrounds.

Custom Hideaways have all the appearance of beautiful shelving used to display family photographs or heirlooms. However, looks can be deceiving. The shelves are equipped with a drop-down feature that allows for hidden storage.

“They are solid oak and meant to go on the wall,” said Vic Gentry, North Platte, Nebraska. “When they are shut you can’t tell there’s anything in it. It works with a magnetic opening. It’s for jewelry, coins, guns, whatever you’d like to conceal in a non-traditional place.”

Vic and his wife, Dottie, along with son Jarrod Nielson, can be found behind several large display tables at the gun show. Vic says the gun show, and the people associated with it, are a big reason for making the trek to North Dakota.

“Without a doubt. It’s the people, friendly people,” said Gentry. “We love coming up here because the people are friendly and open and it’s a good show for us. It’s a win-win.”

One of the display tables set up by Gentry is a stack of ammunition cans, but they are not traditional metal ammo cans so well known to GIs. These are different.

“We sell Tupperware for men, our incredible ammo cans,” remarked Gentry. “That’s kind of the new thing we are carrying and are very, very popular. They are government-issued high-density plastic. You can drive your truck over them if you want to.”

Dottie Gentry was very busy Saturday tending to the selection of merchandise she brought to the gun show for sale, primarily watches and assorted jewelry.

“My wife buys estate jewelry all across the nation on the internet,” explained Vic Gentry. “Eighty percent of it she donates to our local thrift store and 20 percent of it comes to our tables. She sells more stuff than my son and I combined.”

The 46th Annual Gun Show, sponsored by the Minot Rifle and Pistol Club, enters its second and final day today. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the State Fair Center.