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American Science & Surplus
Categories: Shopping Toy Stores Shopping Arts & Crafts Education Toy Stores, Arts & Crafts, Education
5316 N Milwaukee Ave(between Central Ave & Parkside Ave)
Chicago, IL 60630
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park
(773) 763-0313
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Fri 10 am - 7 pm
Thu 10 am - 8 pm
Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Sun 11 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
111 reviews for American Science & Surplus
Review Highlights
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"Telescopes so mighty you'll see Saturn's Rings." In 10 reviews -
"Sure, plenty of beakers and rock samples." In 10 reviews -
"Got lots of cool stuff on my visit." In 4 reviews
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111 reviews in English
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Review from Freddy O.
5/6/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I love coming here for no reason, but I do not love how I can always find something to purchase!
Some stuff is antique, geek, awesome, cool, and I don't know what else. I have purchased a few things and turned them into gift giving items, which people loved and still has after years of receiving it. Employees were also awesome and willing to help, and I can't say I ever had an issue with them.
Great random store, that I can't classify or put in a few words how they are, you just have to stop by and see for yourself. Apparently there are only a handful in the state of IL, and I'm lucky to reside walking distance from this one. =]
Check them out!! -
Review from Pam D.
4/6/2012
If you are in need of any kind of whackadoodle freebestat, this is your "go to" place. Christopher and I have been coming here for more years than either of us can recall. It is always an adventure, but to be honest, for as much strange and bizarro stuff as they have, it pales in comparison with the legendary "old days". Also, as in all things, the prices have gone up. That is life.
I still managed to find what I needed for the top secret project I am working on. I got everything from orange end caps to pipe cleaners and small glass bottles. My biggest score was an orange lava lite. Christopher got a soldering station and oh yes, he got me a crystal radio kit for my birthday. As I turn 60 nest week, I am blissfully reliving childhood memories. I had a crystal radio as a kid, now I have one again.
Thanks American Science & Surplus!!! -
Review from Rob R.
4/4/2012
Galvanized rat traps and velvet leprechaun hats.
Thirty dollar disco balls, nesting robot dolls.
A book about penguins, a box o' bones.
Wind-up nun-zillas, elastic-powered birds.
American Science & Surplus is like Target® for nerds
It's a versatile store, not to mention they also have hardware, school supplies, and vintage military clothes. It's all in good spirit, and I admire the truth in their advertising; the sign over the battery powered boxer dogs ($2) admits, "most are defective... good for parts!"
There are also just so many things here that I could never, ever, in a million years possibly want. Such as: dot matrix paper (good as a prop when filming retro 1980s movies?), floppy disk holders, digital parking meters ($20), zombie finger puppets (under a dollar), giant teeth "in the mold of Steven Tyler's mouth," wind-up mice, and "16th Century Text Message Carriers" (i.e., glass bottles with corks).
I bought those last two anyway.
I came in with a very specific shopping goal in mind, and still managed to get diverted. In a last ditch attempt to follow through on my original mission, I asked the checkout clerk for some help. Namely, that I was trying to put together a costume for a 2180s party.
He made the facial expression that one makes spontaneously when confronted with a question that triggers vague physical pain associated with trying to access the distant reaches of one's brain. It happens to the smartest of 'em. But then his face softened.
"Mylar!" he proclaimed. "They wear it in all the sci-fi movies!" They had mylar blankets for real cheap, so I picked up one of those, too. It's gonna come in handy.Listed in: Jeff'n Park
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Review from Rene F.
Chicago, IL
3/3/2012
Awesome place! Science nerds, aspiring engineers, science teachers, and others who just like "stuff" enjoy this quirky, unusual store. A good place to purchase little empty bottles, lava lamps, geodes, telescopes, little rubber pigs, ammo cases, marbles, wire, beakers, cammo band-aides...you get the picture! My husband and I have been enjoying this store for years.
A good place to find weird little things to leave in geo-chaches! -
Review from Allison V.
Chicago, IL
Wow this place was not what I expected.
I loved it.
It is a combination of dollar store/army surplus/bargain bin/garage sale place.
There is military gear, bike chains, just add water growing alligators, halloween costumes, medical equipment, gumbis and pokeys, and much much more.
You just kind of walk around a see what treasure you can find. Also you may find yourself spending some time because if you go back to an area you have already covered, you will find NEW stuff you didn't see the first time around.
Kids would probably love this place for science fair ideas.
Bike parking is across the lot at the street.
This place made me smile. -
Review from Jeanne K.
Skokie, IL
1/11/2012
We took two 12 year-old girls and a 10-year-old boy and we all had a blast at this eccentric store.
A great thing to do when you can't be outside having fun. -
Review from Jess I.
10/21/2011
This place has just about as much junk as it does useful stuff.
My dad would bring me here as a little girl and we'd spend hours in here. I'm not kidding.
They have a million types of random tool pieces and wires and batteries and all that stuff you guys need to fix things. They also have really cool--you guessed it--science stuff! Anything you can imagine. Who doesn't like STUFF?
The staff has always been extremely awesome and helpful in finding whatever it is you need to find or even just making suggestions.
My favorite thing was always getting those poppers that you throw on the ground to make noise. That and all the cool visuals they have out on display.
They have rubber chickens, black lights, nuts and bolts, medical equipments...seriously I told you they have EVERYTHING. You probably can't leave here without something. The most intriguing store I've ever stepped foot in.
I have to admit I liked the old location better because it didn't seem like many people knew about and so it was more tucked away. Now it's brighter and got more people roaming around but it's also got way more room for way more STUFF. -
Review from Linda D.
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Let's play a game. Think of a random object. A rubber chicken? Yeah, they have those here. A transparent calculator? Psh! They have a couple of boxes of those. LED lights for the new robot your building? Oh, don't even get me started on robot parts.
This store is so full of awesome that I didn't even know what to do with myself when I walked in. I never knew that I wanted to build a robot, but when I found an entire section devoted to robot engines I felt like I had committed a crime against nature for going so many years without ever attempting it. You'll find crazy toys, telescopes, equipment for your secret, non-drug making laboratory, and just about anything else that makes you say "Whoa, COOL!" Oh, and stuff that will make you say, "What the heck is that for?"
If that's not enough, they also host cool events like stargazing. It's a great place for kids and adults alike. My advice: just stop in and look around. At the very least, you'll enjoy yourself while perusing their aisles. But who knows, maybe you'll find a new passion (anyone wanna build a robot with me?) If you don't think at least one thing in American Science & Surplus is interesting then we probably can't be friends. -
Review from Jennifer Q.
Chicago, IL
1/8/2012
What a cool little fun and funky store! I read about this place AGES ago! It was on my "Chicago 'To Do' Bucket List". FINALLY, I stopped by. It's almost like a resale store in that they have this crazy mix of stuff. They had some cool military stuff. Combat helmets, camo gear. They had beakers and flasks...I can't even really describe it. You have to go to appreciate it. Fun stuff that would make unique gifts, especially science oriented people. But they have more than just science stuff. Cool place. I bought a few things to add to my avant garde decor style. A fun place, highly recommended!
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Review from Emily H.
3/25/2011
I've been an Edmund Scientific fangirl for years, but when I spotted the Groupon for American Science and Surplus, I had to check it out. I went in armed with $20 and a desire for STUFF.
I was not disappointed. They had electrical engineering equipment. They had kid-friendly and adult-friendly projects and kits, as well as scientific equipment ranging from beginner to pro. They also had one of the largest collections of miscellaneous surplus and random craft goods I've ever seen!
The staff is friendly and genuinely helpful. They're also chatty, which I like and think fits well into the store's microcosm. If you sell 6 kinds of everything, you should be willing to talk about it.
In the past I had received many goofy and interesting gifts bought at American Science and Surplus from my family, and now I think I'll be buying quirky presents from there for others. PLUS they're having a big sale April 1st - 3rd too, everything is 10%-70% off! See you there! -
Review from Dan D.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2011
What is NOT to love about American Science & Surplus?! From designing a science fair project, to making your very own robotwars battlebot that will reign rampage upon anything below knee-height, this place is amazing! Telescopes, testtubes, mechanical wirings, gears, anatomy supplies. everything for a gradeschool science teacher, plants, and so much more.
Honestly, this is the coolest store that any grown adult can go into and still feel like a kid in a candyshop. Here is a fun game: come in with ONLY $20 bucks, and see what you leave with.... I bet a fake plastic frog, some silly putty, a giant Slinky, and a book about constellations.
Go, enjoy, and be a nerd! -
Review from Matthew S.
Chicago, IL
8/13/2008 ROTD 10/16/2008
I had never even heard of this store before.
A friend (who lives in Hyde Park) asked me if I would stop and pick him up some test tubes. Sure I will! I'm a fantastic, and equally attractive Northsider friend.
I ended up spending money on myself here! A large beaker to keep my toothbrush and toothpaste in, a white lab jacket for the office (libraries are noted repositories for dirt and dust!), and some other random scientific lab glass containers to separate out my other bath supplies.
The staff at this location really seemed to like their jobs. They were teen aged guys, and I felt dirty because the one in glasses was geeky and I wanted to touch his bathing suit areas.
This place is fun. They also sell some random novelty crap...and tons of science/lab supply equipment. And tons of gizmo electronic parts.
A fun rainy day afternoon adventure!Listed in: My RoTD's. hot.
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Review from Colleen C.
Chicago, IL
12/2/2008
(to the tune of LeAnn Rimes, How do I live without you)
How do I live without you?
I want to know.
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go...
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I...oh, how do I?
How do I live.
Ok, that was downright terrible, but I do not care. I am frankly STUPIFIED as to how I survived without this place in my life. Seriously? Seriously.
It's just my dream come true...
1. Create random uses for random stuff. I love fantasizing about what I could do with 578 yards of old silvery tape, or beakers as vases, or disco balls as ornaments, or...or...or...yeah, you get my point. This is the most beautifully, random collection of crap that I've witnessed in Chicago.
2. And, it's' cheap. Like super awesome cheap mostly. I bought surplus cookie tins (no, not for cookies) for 10 cents each! 10 cents! What!? Tell me the last thing you purchased for a dime. Honestly, it's less than sales tax. Take that! There are some things that are a bit pricier, like...I totally wanted to buy this light show, star thing...but it was $150, and it just wasn't in my "must have for survival in life" collection. It was just short by a fiberoptic hair, though....
3. The cute nerdy boys that work there. Seriously, it's like a sitcom or some cool indie film. They are so excited about all that crap in there, and I love it. And 4 of them checked me out (at the cash register, don't be thinking I'm trying to pick up collegiate boys, mmmk?), and they appropriately oooo'ed and ahhhhh'ed over all of my selections. And meant it!
4. Parking lot. Cool, I know it's the NW side and so parking isn't AS MUCH of an issue, but I would've been hurtin' had I had to trek with my 11 bags of stuff to a car parked far away. Bonus on the parking lot.
Yeah. Awesome. Go kill a few hours and come out a better person. For real. It's more fun than you think...especially if you like random crappola for really cheap. YAY!Listed in: Individual., Throwing a Party!
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Review from Jami K.
Chicago, IL
7/1/2007
Blue beads on sale and bright caution tape
Clear glassen beakers and wood of all shapes
Colorful bird-kites that soar up on wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Chrome colored gadgets and foam body parts
Magnets and motors and pens for all arts.
All sorts of tools, and nails, screws and springs
These are a few of my favorite things!
Kids' science projects and white starched lab coats
Special phone bells and paint for model boats
Telescopes so mighty you'll see Saturn's Rings
These are a few of my favorite things!
When I'm bored!
When it's gift time!
When I'm feeling blah....
I simply remember American Science and Surplus
And then I don't feel so bad!
I've tried to take quick trips here but I don't think that it can be done. Whenever i come here I feel the uncontrollable need to go down every aisle and see all the awesome stuff.
If you meet someone who doesn't like American Science and Surplus you should not hesitate to shoot them with a silver bullet or drive a stake through their heart because they must not be human. -
Review from Kathy R.
Niles, IL
5/21/2007
Impossible to catalog everything this store has to sell. I'll just say it's a paradise for nerds, science buffs, kids, kids-at-heart, the curious and people who love a deal. This is particularly great for teachers who are looking for ways to educate students with fun props, manipulatives, etc.
I ordered their catalog and was going to place an order, but instead decided to see everything they had in their store. Huge place, plan to spend a couple of hours to do it justice. Almost every aisle held something of interest for me.
My fave purchase was Touchabubbles - blow bubbles and they magically become more solid in the air; they land on surfaces and you can touch them. And although science was never my best subject, I couldn't resist buying the nurse stethoscope that really works.
I'll be back - there's more hidden treasures to be found. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Chicago, IL
9/9/2008
Much like Uncle Fun, this is a great place for a first date, where
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know, what do you want to do?"
"We could go to dinner...or a movie...."
becomes
"Let's build a wayback machine and then make out in it while wearing matching labcoats and goggles." -
Review from Michael G.
Rockville, MD
6/30/2009
Like so many other seemingly innocent musical numbers of my childhood, Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science" is about sex. I'm still not completely sure what the metaphor means and I'm not sure that I was blinded by science thanks to this strip mall store on Milwaukee Avenue.
But I can say that I left the store wanting more a.s.s. in my life.
Far from a dry independent Radio Shack-esque business (though all the necessary parts are here to build your own crystal radio) or a teaching supply store, American Science is actually probably only slightly less goofy than Uncle Fun or the Boring Store. They don't specialize in pranks or anything but they are a good source of funny nostalgia and cheap trinkets (I almost bought a 40 cent miniature "angry" elephant). It's an amazing toy store without all of the cookie cutter mall games and diversions.
And for people who are actually into science, the entire back of the store is a DIY electronics project wonderland (though there is some fun to be had even with this). There's also a small military surplus aisle - with better prices than Belmont. I don't know though. While this section made me dizzy with its actual intelligence, it didn't exactly blind me. Although the bargains still might have, given the chance (if I were even slightly handy).
The prices make this a perfect gag gift store as well and if you're not good at humor for these, all the placards come with jokes (or at least quips) to memorize. Even their free catalogs are funny. I picked up two of them to put in my bathroom for good time reading. Just please, if you're ever over at my apartment, don't use them while blinding yourself with science. That's just gross. -
Review from Marie L.
Chicago, IL
2/4/2007 ROTD 3/21/2007
My uncle used to get the AS&S (ASS?) catalog back in the day and I would flip through it with wide eyes darting from item to ridiculous item, coveting each useless, educational, pretty, shiny, magical thing.
Being in the store is no different. You're overwhelmed by all those useless, educational, pretty, shiny, magical things IN PERSON and that child-like wonderment hits you again. Nose-shaped pencil sharpener? Check. Crystal growing kit? Yes, please. A clock that you can power with a banana? I'll take four.
The front half of the store holds all the knick-knacks, kits, and labware and the back half has all the parts and motors to make little automatons or what have you. I'm pretty sure that if you were looking to reanimate something (dead squirrel, Frankenstein, grandma), this would be the place to go. -
Review from Michelle B.
Seattle, WA
8/16/2007
I've loved their web site for years and now that I know it exists in real life I am ridiculously excited to come to Chicago!
OMGWTFBBQ!!!!
Beakers and wires and unidentifiable objects, oh my! -
Review from C S.
Princeton, NJ
7/4/2010
I love this store!
Yes, if you go inside the actual store, it may not live up to some of your expectations, but if there's ever a gauge, bottle, stopper, tube, electrical part, or other assorted crap, they have it. And are friendly. It's kind of like Edmond Scientific for burners, homesteaders, and hippies.
Once I bought the giant Jello Pudding boxes as an ode to Andy Warhol to decorate my apartment.
I love their tiny amber dropper bottles for essential oils (nothing too strong though, as the rubber will dissolve); I think these were about $4/dozen.
The aluminum cannisters; smallest come in an aluminum case, and I sort my jewelry and gems in them (just get a bag of cotton balls and then you can organize everything and keep even your silver items tarnish free while the gems are on display and not scratching one another). These are the same as the ones Martha Stewart used for organizing spices.
Reflective lenses for creating a projector.
LEDs
Microscopes
Yes, lots of stuff most of us never need, but if you like tinkering, it's great. Word of warning--if you order from the catalog, make sure you list out precisely why you bought things, and for what project, because by the time you get it you may be completely lost, wondering "why in the hell did I buy this????" -
Review from Laura P.
3/17/2010
HOLY CRAP do I have a new favorite store. I mean I almost peed on myself there was so much cool, geeky stuff here! Rock tumbler, check. Chunks of obsidian, rose quartz and agate, check. Police helmet, check. German road signs (used), check. Guy who knows about the gauge of wire, check.
This is the most awesome place on earth. They have everything from school supplies to vintage yarn. When I expressed my interested in a rock tumbler (out of my budget now but recommended their March madness sale when it would be 20% off...) the guy who had been helping me in the wire section (yes, they have a wire section) told me how long it takes to tumble rocks. Did you know it takes almost 28 days to get highly polished rocks? Me EITHER....anyway, he brought out a box of rocks they had tumbled in the store and threw in the one that I loved the most as a gift with purchase!!!
I love you American Science and Surplus, you have brought out my inner geek and frankly I want to let it shine just like the rocks in my rock tumbler, that I will have, soon. I hope....Listed in: I like it here.
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Review from Manda V.
Blue Island, IL
10/30/2011
Love this place! Amazing deals on... Anything needed for inventors and creators!
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Review from Amanda L.
Chicago, IL
1/16/2009
When I was in the 5th grade ("The year of the bad perm"), I entered my school's science fair with a project I was for certain would stun + amaze (and completely win out over those attention-starved gerbil mazes). I called it "Fizzle, Fazzle". The basis of my experiment was to determine the rate of Alka-Seltzer dissolving in various liquids (milk, Coke-a-Cola, apple juice, water, Vernors ...Very high-tech stuff). For lack of suspense: I lost but then again in the 5th grade everyone is a winner.
I now know that if I had gone to the American Science + Surplus, I could have won. This place makes me want to petition re-enrollment into an elementary.
Perfect for not only science fair goodies but ample art supplies + household gadgets that have been perhaps forgotten or undiscovered.
During my recent visit I purchased an original metal Slinky (I figured it might help me meet some of my neighbors in my apt. building's stairwell) and a recorder (to get rid of any neighbors when I grow tired of chit-chat).
Snow days, rainy days, AC-seeking humid days, oddball gifts, the refusal to turn towards scrapbooking and for when you need inspiration beyond a standard museum or El ride ...American Science + Surplus is great for all occasions. Prices are unbelievably cheap + it's a great shopping venture for when you're with that friend ...Yes, that friend, you know the friend that refuses to go thrift shopping with you because everything is "used".
Afterwards, walk across the parking lot to the Blue Angel diner + have a cup of coffee. If you opt for a bite to eat, I suggest ordering a glass of soda. Your Alka-Seltzer will dissolve quicker. -
Review from Rhonda G.
2/21/2009
MacGuyvers Graceland:
In this store you will find everything you don't need but things you just want to have in your possession. For example a thousand beads, a stack of notepads advertising prescription meds, glass beakers, wind up rat toys, birthday party treat bags, wheels, outlets, wiring and the list goes on.
If you're ever in an " I need a bunch of random crap" kind of mood then this is surely the place for you. -
Review from Jen R.
12/21/2009
This place makes me want to tease my hair and rock some Einstein shit. The employees are always welcoming which is a plus. Also, this place has the perfect everything for anyone who digs anything remotely scientific. Oh, and the merch here range from the serious to the perfect gag gift.
Do you remember those thingies w/ the liquid in them that you held in your hand when you were a kid, and then it was like the coolest thing ever when the liquid rose to the top? Well, I have no idea what the hell they're called, but I found them here. I also found a million cool anatomy/medicalesque posters and knick knacks that my sis the med student will be finding in her bday/xmas/whatever gifts from now on. And another thing - the price range here is great. You can find something for ten, twenty, thirty bucks - or even when you're broke you can rock the dollar bins. So tease that shit and get your ass over there, stat. -
Review from Dennis K.
Chicago, IL
5/13/2007 2 photos
Simply a wondrous place located way the hell out on Milwaukee Ave.
This is the kind of store every nerdy 10 year-old fantasizes about. The people who love this store are the kind of people who built model rockets for science class and took apart everything they had the right screwdriver for.
AS&S specializes in special junk for special needs. The store is just row after row of shelves and pegboard crammed with random, bizarre, and esoteric *things*. Half of the fun of the store is reading the hand-lettered product cards taped to the shelves.
There are such things as:
*museum-store type toys (gyroscopes, brain teasers, water rockets, &c.)
*off-off brand copies of various radio shack style gadgetry
*things you typically only see at suburban garage sales
*bins of mechanical and electrical components yanked from obsolete devices
*tiny glassine ziplock baggies and tiny ampoules, phials, and jars that scream "put drugs in me"
*army surplus stuff that army surplus stores don't want
*a good selection of middle-quality laboratory glassware
*tons of other shit
Everything is extremely cheap.
The staff are amiable and geeky. There are often little kids in the store, but since they're nerds, dorks, and geeks, they're generally well-behaved--on the surface anyway.
Conclusion: did you ever want your own 5mW helium-neon laser? You can get one from AS&S. Astra quinque. -
Review from Michael F.
Chicago, IL
12/28/2008
American Science and Surplus has a very odd assortment of things at reasonable prices. It is certainly the place to go if your looking for a piece of something that you are missing or accessories for a Halloween costume. Also, I'm not saying that you should go and do this, but if you were looking to make a bong, you would go here. This also may be a good place to go if you needed to build a device to blow up the moon.
Here are a few examples of the random things that are found here:
Hundreds of motors of various size and power
Lawn Mower Wheels
British Police Riot Helmets
Sea-Monkeys
Lab Equipment
Telescopes
Miniature Pigs -
Review from Jacob J.
8/4/2008 1 Check-in Here
When all the other Asian kids were spending a part of their summer preparing their science projects for the following year.. I was having a great effen summer! Then the dreaded science fair would roll around and I'd have nothing!
That's when I'd beg my Ma' or Pa' to bring me out here. Decades ago they were located on Northwest Highway I believe. Bigger store too. I was always able to find some unique idea for a science project.
I still go sometimes, pick up awesome cool stuff I don't need but looks awesome on my desk at work. -
Review from Dan E.
Chicago, IL
8/18/2008
I was going to take a look at my review of this place when I was shocked to see I've never reviewed it. I never need anything special from this place but always pop in if I am in the area.
The departments in this place are: electronic parts, telescopes, crafts, army surplus, medical surplus, holiday decorations, science fair stuff, and on and on.
My find on my last visit: bandaids that look like bacon strips.
Four stars for the place plus an extra star for the music the staff has playing on the intercom.Listed in: Chotchkis anyone?
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Review from Kyle T.
Portage, IN
12/21/2007 2 photos
I can not believe how incredible this place is. Let me first start off with some history involving me and this store.
Back in my early teen years (probably 13 or 14) I stumbled upon a site online in which you could check random boxes and have catalogs of all sorts delivered to your house (we had the internet early). In that list, I found two of my favorite stores - Archie McPhee and American Science and Surplus. The magazines came and went. I fawned over the fact that I could purchase a gas mask, a beaker, a parachute if I so desired (although I never really ordered - I didn't have the funds even if the stuff in there was megacheap).
Fast forward to a month or two ago. I've far from forgotten American Science and Surplus (I visited the site once a month just for fun), and one day browsing I find out that there is a store near me! I freaked and immediately planned to visit with friends.
We finally made it there and we all loved it. Gadgets galore - a large majority of it we had no idea what the hell it did. There was seriously so much there that I never ended up purchasing anything because I was just browsing. It's like a friggin museum of oddities in there. I plan to go back again and hopefully pick something up. -
Review from Tom Z.
3/2/2006
A unique store. If I have a project to work on, this is the first place I check for supplies. I grew up in the neighborhood, so I remember the store on NW Highway. I can remember when they would have tent sales in the back of the old store with the train tracks being on the other side of a fence.
What a cool place to visit and look around. You will find something you just have to have when you go. If you are ever in the area and have about a half hour, you need to visit American S.S.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Jose C.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2011
American Science and Surplus is quite possibly the lost Wonder of the World.
If you need (or know someone who needs) materials for a science project for school or otherwise, you will find it here. They've got everything. Seriously, everything and then some. Why not pick up some decommissioned military gas masks with those beakers? Or if that isn't to your liking, maybe some tiny plastic farm animals to go with your wiring, batteries, lab coats, and useless round plastic disks that don't seem to serve any purpose. I usually end up staying here at least an hour when I come here. Some of the last items I have purchased here, aside from science project materials for my nephew, have been a huge pirate flag, rubber chicken, ant farm, and small battery-powered monkey that laughs and bangs cymbals together.
This place is a geek mecca, but fun for anyone. Don't forget to check out the authentic shrunken heads! -
Review from nikki c.
6/27/2007
The next time you're throwing a party of any kind, stop by here before you buy a thing as this place will add the perfect 'twist" to your shindig.
Let your imagination run as you can use test tubes for shots of condiments or alcohol at your next BBQ, or Bunsen burners to make smores, or ant farm kits to decorate your next picnic or indoor bbq(who doesn't love ants;)
For those into the hip and now, they have all of the fixins to make your own homemade hookah aka water bong.
And for anyone with a birthday or special occasion like its Tuesday and you know a kid who is hard to please, get them miscellaneous hardware pieces and place them in a box and OPAH ... garbage in a box!!!! or paperweights or stuff to throw at those bullies down the street.
FUN TIMES!!!! -
Review from Jean C.
6/25/2007
Yes, this place rocks, no question. It is the biggest collection of weird, random and shockingly useful stuff I've ever seen. I don't go there very often because I am tempted to race up and down the aisles grabbing armloads of tiny bottles, strange electrical devices and holographic papers, muttering "I need that, I need it... must have more!" If I shop via their catalog or even on their website I can remain a bit more detached, and force myself to actually think about what I'm buying and what it's going to cost (Usually not that much, even if I go nuts in the aisles.)
But -- and here's where the fifth star went -- I remember their old store on Northwest Highway, and feel terribly sad that the new place isn't nearly as ramshackle and loaded with character. When you were there you felt as if you were doing something vaguely illicit. When you coveted the army surplus or the odd medical/scientific gear, there was a frisson of the sinister. In the new place it's all kind of neat and wholesome. Mind you, that doesn't take away from the wonder of AS&S, but it just isn't the same.
This is the best place for high weirdness that I know of in the city. And until we get our very own Archie McPhee, or Ruby Montana resurrects her late, lamented Pinto Pony here in the Windy City (spam-carving contest and all) AS&S is, IMO, about as good as it gets.Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Christine S.
Chicago, IL
7/20/2009
I've been coming to American Science & Surplus since I was a wee one.... I used to go to the location at Northwest Hwy and Bryn Mawr when I was a tot... When we were younger we used to buy the "crime scene" tape and section our own crime scene (hours and hours of fun when you're 11). Now that I'm not a tot, I stopped in there a few months ago to buy a funnel for a flask (perfect size). They have every random item you could ask for from 1 inch rubber penguins to materials to make a bong.
Enjoy!Listed in: Hood Rich
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Review from Ross F.
Chicago, IL
3/27/2007
Magnets- Big a$$ Muther-Truckin Magnets.. and lots of other cool stuff.
Its more like a museum of cool things that you can buy. Plan on browsing a bit. -
Review from Len L.
12/6/2009
This store is a cross between a radio shack and a hobby shop. It's a candy store for anyone who is interested in science or a mechanic for electronics . There were mechanical birds flying around the store (radio controlled). How cool was that!
Everyone there was very helpful and very knowledgeable on all their products. There were a person who brought in a vintage music box with broken blinking lights, they looked at it and replaced the lights. Now that is what I call service with a smile. -
Review from John T.
Houston, TX
1/2/2010
The coolest pilgrimage we have made. After years of getting the catalog in the mail we finally got a chance to visit the geek's paradise on earth.
More stuff than you can possibly imagine. They have two guys that buy surplus from anyone and anything.
Our shopping basket included:
Binder size foldout Periodic Table of the Elements
Car Alarm Speaker
Soldering Stand with Magnifying Glass
Helium Filled Ball - Bounces 50 Feet!
Genuine Reproduction of the Preamble to the Constitution
Pirates of the Caribbean Pez Dispenser
Many of the items have colorful back stories written on the display rack such as a box of crayons "Toxicity not tested by manufacture. Only by Ted."
or on a pet frog kit: "Grow your own invasive species - illegal in Missouri, Ohio ......"
Retail insanity conveniently located at the intersection of Milwaukee and I-90. -
Review from Camille O.
Chicago, IL
10/30/2005 2 photos
This is GEEK HEAVEN!
http://www.sciplus.com
I cant drive by the place without stopping in and then I may as well just hand the cashier $25 as a cover charge 'cause I'm sure to spend at least that. A bit of advice: leave your credit cards at home!
These guys have everything except a slide rule (the kid behind the counter had no idea what I was talking about). But if you're looking for a rubber chicken, whachmacalits, widgets, or just the right gift for the guy or gal who has everything you're sure to find it at American Science and Surplus. And the product descriptions are often hilarious!
Hours:
Monday - Wednesday and Friday 10AM - 8PM
Thursday 10AM - 9PM
Saturday 9AM - 5PM
Sunday 11AM - 5PMListed in: Holiday Shopping, What a bargain!
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Review from Virginia T.
Chicago, IL
9/17/2007
I *LOVE* this store! It's so unique and really an experience. I'm such a dork that I walk through this store and have trouble not buying all of it because I have ideas of projects to do/make with THIS, and THIS, and THIS.
I got scented modeling clay, a seatbelt buckle key chain, the beverly hillbillys on DVD, uber-powerful magnets, a lab coat, bacon tape and some switches and relays in one visit. I really *wanted* the antique radiation detector, the roll-up keyboard, and a really awesome telescope but couldn't afford them...
You will very possibly spend HOURS there.Listed in: My 'Hood, Shopping Chicago
