Surpie's Stories & Saving AS&S!
88 Wonderful Weird & Wacky Years!
Built on Wonder. Held Together by You!
Wow! Incredible stories you have all had about your relationship with AS&S. When we started our call out to our Surpie community for help on GoFundMe, we had no idea all the stories you would share with us. Hundreds and hundreds of them. Funny ones. Heartwarming ones. Stories of school projects built with our motors, marriages sparked by our catalogs, childhoods spent digging through our bins. Tales of treasure hunts, strange discoveries, and unforgettable visits. This isn’t just our history—it’s yours too. And we’ve collected them here, as a tribute to 88 years of shared wonder and surplus magic. So, take a scroll through the memories, and know that whether you bought one thing or a hundred, laughed at our jokes or rolled your eyes—you helped make AS&S what it is. Thank you for being part of the story.
Please keep sharing and we will keep posting.
Skokie resident Mike browsed the shelves at the Park Ridge store on Thursday. He stopped by after learning about the fundraiser. “The GoFundMe made me think I hadn’t been here in a long time,” he said, clutching a car pillow, drink markers, glow-in-the-dark squishy fruit toys, Beavis & Butthead socks and a small pig figurine. “I used to go with my son when he was little and shop for stuff. And even before him, my wife and I would just go hang out."
"For me, this store has been the holy grail all these years," said Andy. "For 35 years I've been coming here."
More Stories From Surpie's Across The Country!
From: Jade (Email Submission)
When we were in grade school, one of the regular outings with my father was to Jefferson Park. It seemed quite the adventure when you're small! He'd let us loose -- we always bought something. It was our gateway to our careers. My brother and I began building all kinds of electronics. I became a software engineer and he a research chemist. I truly believe AS&S gave us the building blocks that shaped our lives. I live abroad now and I brought my partner to the original location. He could not believe how wonderful it was and ended up buying so many bits 'n bobs. We look forward to visiting again.
From: John (Gofundme)
My dad always used to get my brother and I wonderful gadgets and gizmos on birthdays and Christmas for years from the catalogue! When I was finally able to take him to the Milwaukee store after all these years, he was incredibly happy to explore this excellent establishment he'd bought from for so long. Though he has since passed away, I know he would detest seeing AmSciSurp going away, and so would I. I've come to love this store very much, both through my old man and my own love for science and the outdoors. I hope there are many years to come for this place, and to continue shopping for all the great items I know my dad would love.
From: Max (Gofundme)
American Science & Surplus has always been one of those things that I know is always there and that I can depend on to go find something cool! I think it would be a massive loss to our community to no longer have this. Every time I have someone from out of town visit, I try to make time to come here and show it off!
From Peter (Gofundme)
I have fond memories of this place from my elementary years, where I bought parts for my science fair project and won top prize. That experience sparked a lifelong love for science and all things unique, from Science Olympiad to today, where I continue to embrace my builder’s spirit, pushing limits and always striving to innovate.
From Andrew (Gofundme)
One of my earliest and happiest memories was going with my dad as a kid. There was so much to see, so many questions to ask. I marveled at a section of things I had never seen in a store before. I still have some things from back then, namely some Sugar Crisp Cereal Coins Of The World, foreign coins sealed in plastic and cardboard and apparently to be inserted into boxes of cereal. But it was really just being there as a kid I remember the most. I have gotten to share that joy with a new generation, and they still have the same sense of wonder and curiosity. No doubt, this place is responsible for sparking the imagination of many a future engineer, chemist, biologist, artist, and of course, makers. It is maker Mecca.
From J (Email Submission)
I received a Jerryco catalog in the mail in 1979 or 1980 — I think. I’d've been about 14 years old. I don’t know if I ordered it from the back of a magazine, or if it landed in my mailbox unsolicited. The title “Nugatory Contrivances” was pretty compelling. I don’t remember all of that first order, but a pair of extra long US Army forceps and a couple pairs of “disposable” military surplus suture scissors were in the tool box that followed me all the way through grad school. I still have the flare parachute — too large for any of my Centuri or Estes rockets when I received it — stashed with my high power rocket parts. I’ve been a customer, off and on, for at least 45 years.
From Kevin (Facebook)
I’ve been going to your store since the 90s, it’s always captured my imagination and helped form me into the engineer I am today. Got your logo tattooed recently with my own lil spooky twist.
Help Us Stick Around for Year 89 (And Beyond)
Visit Us and Take a Piece of AS&S Home! Locations: Park Ridge, Geneva, Wisconsin!
Shop Your Favorites and Show Your Love. Not local? You can still support us by placing an order online.
Our GoFundMe is up and running, and your support—no matter the amount—truly means the world to us. If we’ve ever made you smile, surprised you with something strange, or sparked your curiosity, this is your chance to help keep the weirdness alive.
Facebook Comments:
The University of Chicago Chemistry department runs on Erlenmeyer flasks I can only find at AS&S! Combined with craft supplies, researchers here use them for transporting toxic samples to and from the analysis lab.
- Josh
I am a PROUD mail order customer of this great Company for many years !!! Prices and customer service are TOP NOTCH !!! Proud to be a Surpie !!!
- Randy
Loyal customer out here in Phoenix, AZ!
Love affair with American Science & Surplus started around 1992, 32+ years ago back when I lived in the Milwaukee area!
- Brian
When I first moved to Milwaukee I lived in a place on 76th and oklahoma. The coolest shop I'd seen anywhere. I used to go in there all the time to get jars for my insects, or get electronic parts for gadgets. This entire community loves your place so much.
-Miles
I grew up on the South side of Milwaukee. Once I found your store I couldn't believe it! Every time I go I try to bring newbies and I have to go down every aisle and make sure I see everything. I also loved the scavenger hunt and all the quirky signs.
- Selina
You guys are THE GREATEST. I just bought a backpack for $9.50 and it's been a lifesaver. I can walk more now rather than when I used a shoulder bag. I love this store and have found many a nifty gift here. I hope you're around for another 88 years at least.
- Jennifer
More Customer Highlights!
My daughter and I happened upon your Milwaukee store one day and it has become a regular stop for me when I am in the area. Several of my projects have used electronic and pneumatic components from there. Many of the non specific components in my most recent lasers were purchased here as well. Your store is an amazing asset to the community. I believe you can make it through this tough patch to continue your incredible legacy!
- Troy
My husband and I are from St. Louis. We visited the Chicago store on our honeymoon in 1990 and have been devoted customers since before that, and remain so today.
- Judy
Back when I was in college, I used to get your catalogs at my parent’s house. You had one of those “what is this?” Items. My father got so excited because he knew exactly what it was. It was a tool used to repair gyroscopes on ships during the second world war. He had used one himself. He cherished the letter he got from you when he told you what it was. I still buy things from you and I still love your catalogs!
- Nancy
I lived in St. Charles, IL growing up and moved back there to raise my son. American Science & Surplus in Geneva, was such an INVALUABLE shop in the Tri-cities! Bored? Let's go to Am Sci! Got a school project coming up? Let's go to Am Sci! Need something for camping? Let's go to Am Sci! Looking for some more mini Devil Ducks for Geo Caches? Let's go to Am Sci! I swear we were there nearly every weekend! So, years later when I landed in Milwaukee I remembered: OH! Wait, there's an American Science & Surplus outlet up here! Crafting, Science projects, Camping, Electronic parts, Nerd Disneyland? YES! YES! YES! I can't imagine a world without it!
- Stacey
You guys have always been my go-to Christmas shopping spot for the kids! When they were in school, we shopped at the Geneva store often to keep a steady supply of gadgets and parts and fun stuff. Every visit is a mini treasure hunt.
- Valerie