The Retroist

The Retroist

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
A Rainy Day Trip to American Science and Surplus
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

A Rainy Day Trip to American Science and Surplus

Retroist's avatar
Retroist
Apr 13, 2008
1

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
A Rainy Day Trip to American Science and Surplus
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Moving to a new area has its high points and its low points. As a big fan of the familiar, I can tell you I have had a ton of low points over the last month, but I am happy to say I am starting to adjust and get my bearings. Now all sorts of cool things are at my disposal. New Flea Markets and garage sales, brand-new thrift stores, and wait for it… I live only a few minutes away from American Science and Surplus. Pinch me.

As a kid, we used to receive their oddball catalog in the mail and I would beg my Mom to order me assorted flasks, doodads, and boxed shrunken heads. Of course, being the fiscally responsible adult, she said no and then would throw away the catalog before I found it. Well, guess what? Now, I am a fiscally irresponsible adult who lives minutes away from this mecca of madcap merchandise. Take that upbringing!

Now, in all the rush and bustle of moving, it didn’t even occur to me that I was near AS&S. It was during a drive to find this bakery that I spotted their sign and almost drove off the road. Sadly, I was in a rush that day and had to wait until this weekend to visit. It was like waiting for that first summer weekend when you would get to go down the shore with your friend’s family. Sweet anticipation. I got there at opening on Saturday – 2nd person in the door. When I smelled the dust in the air and spotted the humorous handwritten signs, I knew I was in Retroist heaven.

I bought a bunch of things:

  • Lots of Stickers

  • Mickey Mouse bookmark.

  • American Science and Surplus Mug

  • Nerd Magnets

  • Rocky and Bullwinkle Magnets

  • Dragon Dice Mats

  • Nose themed Pencil Sharpener

  • Miniature Painting of a sailing ship

  • Rattlesnake Egg Magnets

  • Boiling Flask

  • 3 Fotonovels

  • Skateboarding Patches

  • Mountable Bottle Opener

  • Assorted Plastic Clips

Grand Total – About 28 bucks.

Here is a photo of some of my haul. I tried to not include dupes. I did buy a bunch of those Nerd Magnets, and a stack of those Deadtime Stories stickers.

Not a bad way to pass a morning for me. On the way out, I signed up for their catalog (feels good to be reunited) and I made a promise to myself not to go there more than once a month.

Note: OK, Promise broken – I went back this morning – just to look at the lab stuff again. You are not my Mother. Stop judging me!!


Subscribe to The Retroist

Launched 4 years ago
A Retro Podcast, Blog, and Newsletter.
1

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
A Rainy Day Trip to American Science and Surplus
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Discussion about this post

User's avatar
The Mystery Of The Red Quarters…Solved!
Did you ever find a quarter painted red and wonder if that red served a purpose? It does.
Feb 11, 2017 â€¢ 
Retroist
45

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
The Mystery Of The Red Quarters…Solved!
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
6
Remember when Mickey Mouse decided to commit suicide?
Unless you lived in the 1930s or are a fan of vintage comic strips you might not be aware of the attempted Mickey Mouse suicide.
Aug 30, 2017 â€¢ 
Retroist
9

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Remember when Mickey Mouse decided to commit suicide?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Monkey’s Blood (Mercurochrome) for those boo-boos
Remember when you were a kid, and you would were out roughhousing with your friends.
Oct 23, 2019 â€¢ 
Retroist
4

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Monkey’s Blood (Mercurochrome) for those boo-boos
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
2

Ready for more?

© 2025 Retroist
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Create your profile

User's avatar

Only paid subscribers can comment on this post

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Check your email

For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.

Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.