With a name like American Science & Surplus and a mascot named Jarvis, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect before stopping by the Oklahoma Avenue store. But even I, inner nerd and all, was shocked by the sheer number of unique items.
Founded by Al Luebbers “around 1937,” the store has come a long way since its inception in Chicago. Originally called “American Lens & Photo,” Luebbers and his wife were selling reject lenses from the company next door who said the Luebbers could have the lenses for free if they “haul[ed] them away.” After partnering with their son Jerry – and later Scott McCausland – the business expanded to Milwaukee in 1981. Fast forward to 1999, the company started up online sales, and one year later, current owner Philip Cable took over to continue the legacy.
Walking into the store feels a little like entering Ripley’s Believe it or Not. “Welcome to Science & Surplus,” a mystery voice says. “The strange. The bizarre. The slightly interesting.” And it is. At first glance the store is a bit overwhelming – like a neighbor’s rummage sale or a weekend flea market. Not sure where to start, I headed left and ended up in front of a stack of hard, black cases. But not just any cases – Manly Cases. For $39.50, they were practically a steal (or could be used for one). Unfortunately the dead body was not included. I continued on and after a once-over, was able to discern that there was rhyme and reason to the layout, and that areas were, in fact, clearly marked. Even so, one could easily spend hours wandering around American Science & Surplus.
The two areas I was most impressed with were the telescopes and the military gear. From $69.95-$599.95, you could find a telescope for a beginner or an experienced star-gazer. As for the military aisle, it gave me my first laugh-out-loud of the day. For $39.50, you could purchase a rather beat up looking “French” helmet. Whether it’s an authentic French helmet, I do not know, but more important is the description, which channels one of my all-time favorite movies Monty Python and the Holy Grail. “Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries,” the sign taunts.
But the store has more than just gimmicky items. Bottles, motor parts, wires, leather scraps, whole aisles of things that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere fill every corner of the store. In need of some emergency crutches? Check. Printer paper and office supplies? Check and check. “If you can’t find it here, it means we don’t have it,” the mystery speaker at the front door says. I, however, am convinced this store has everything. Even something called “The Vortex,” for which I obviously needed a demonstration. For $69.95, this would make a perfect gift for an inventive child (or child-at-heart), coming with instructions on how to re-create the Vortex or other Mouse Trap-like contraptions.
From teachers to techies, college kids to grandparents, the store has something for everyone – especially things you didn’t know you needed.
