25-05-2025
American Science & Surplus launches $125,000 GoFundMe to keep the store alive
What does a rubber chicken, a Tesla coil, telescopes, and school supplies all have in common?
They're all at American Science & Surplus, 6901 W. Oklahoma Ave. in Milwaukee. And that list just scratches the surface.
This unique business has been helping to inspire the imaginations of many for decades in Milwaukee and its two Illinois locations.
Now the business owner, Patrick Meyer, is asking for help by launching a GoFundMe to help keep the stores operational.
Meyer purchased the 88-year-old company in 2012 after working at its Chicago store as a teenager. Eventually he opened a second store in Milwaukee and a third in Geneva, Illinois. The company also has a mail order catalog and website.
The GoFundMe description cites 'rising operational costs, the increased pressure from online retail giants, software issues and soaring shipping rates' as the latest and greatest challenges to avoid closure.
The company needs to relocate/downsize its warehouse – a $130,000 cost – update its software for $25,000, and reorganize.
The GoFundMe has raised over $50,000 with over 1,000 donations as of May 24 with a $125,000 goal.
While acknowledging there is some worry about the company, Lilly Ward, assistant manager of the Milwaukee location, said staff isn't too worried in her store, the largest of the three.
'I don't think we're going to go down without a fight,' she said, smiling.
The company as a whole employs around 50 people, Ward said, while the Milwaukee location has 12 staff members.
Ward, who has been with the company 4½ years, said while sales have been down since the COVID-19 pandemic, it was only in the last year the store had seen a steep decline. She attributed a lot of it to online shopping as well as increased shipping costs.
Despite lower sales, Ward said the American Science & Surplus website typically 'has a lot of traffic on it.'
The Milwaukee store has a lot of foot traffic with Ward saying they have a lot of loyal customers.
One of those customers is Herk Wanggaard of Racine and he said most times he visits the store it is packed with people.
Wanggaard said he has been coming up to the store for many years to get everything from motor parts to electrical items.
'There's always oddball stuff here,' he said, noting stock is always different and prices are reasonable.
Missy Vanderwal makes the drive from the Brown Deer area whenever she sees something that catches her eye on the store's Facebook page.
'I love all the craft things and school supplies,' she said.
When asked why she chooses to shop in store versus online retailers, she said online is convenient but shopping at the store is more like a scavenger hunt. She said she often finds stuff she wouldn't think of searching for because she didn't know it existed.
'Every time it's something different,' she said.
The store has cut back on a few products including telescopes and microscopes, but Ward said she has worked to remerchandise the entire store to keep inventory fresh.
Ward and other staff said classic toys like the squeaky rubber chicken and bird that dips its beak into water are still big sellers.
As for some hidden gems, Ward said their 'treasure aisle' is always good to check for unique ever-changing offerings. Specifically, she called out the metal earth models as a favorite.
Tim Kern has been working at American Science & Surplus for almost a decade, and he said one of the most useful items in the store is a 24-volt DC motor which has been used in the store to create moving displays.
He said it's also perfect 'if you're making a scary Santa jumping out of a coffin on your front lawn.'
Contact Erik S. Hanley at Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: American Science & Surplus launches GoFundMe to keep the store alive
