Marion’s Uncle Stan’s Military Surplus attracts diverse base of customers

A  Marion store brimming with items like Zippo lighters and military jackets also offers customers an education with its packed shelves and displays.

Uncle Stan's Military Surplus, 901 50th St., has everything from military supplies to antique items to camping supplies.

'It's a school, and it's an antique store and an outdoor store,” said Keith Post, the store's owner.

Post, who was a railroad engineer, said when Uncle Stan's opened in 1992 there had not been a military surplus store in the area for several years.

'We just figured it would be a good time to open one,” said Post, 72.

Popular items sold include wool socks, web belts, glow sticks and flags. The store has a kids' department and handles some women's items. It also has a number of rare items in its stock.

The store's customers include collectors that come in on a weekly basis to check what is new, visitors from out of state and individuals seeking trendy items to add to their wardrobe such as military jackets.

Halloween is a busy time for the store. Post said people often try to put together 'Top Gun” costumes.

People interested in history also visit Uncle Stan's. Often, it is students that come in looking for more information.

'Some things have more historical value than monetary value,” said Edward Redbird, a sales clerk.

'We spend as much time as we can with them,” Post said. 'We want to keep that memory alive.”

Post said did not have a background in military history. 'What I know I've picked up over the years,” he said.

Some customers are forced to travel the distance to find a surplus store like this one, Post said.

'Nobody wants to have a real surplus store anymore… it's a pain,” Post said, adding that it can be difficult to find real military supplies to stock the store.

Most of the merchandise found at Uncle Stan's is acquired from wholesalers, but some of the supplies are from military contractors, companies that manufacture the supplies, or people that bring in their items to sell.

'You buy U.S. military items, and they last,” Post said. 'I've got people that use these pants and shirts just for yard work because they're so comfortable and durable.”

Uncle Stan's relocated about a year and a half ago from 900 Seventh Ave. 'We have twice the room that we had down there,” Post said.

Many of its customers followed the business to the new store.

'I like it here, or I wouldn't come back,” said Larry Butler of Mechanicsville, who usually goes to Uncle Stan's to buy baseball caps. Butler added the employees work with customers and answer their questions.