Howard L.
Yelp
This place is a hoot! I dropped in here after a nearby lunch just to see what this place was like after seeing a review, and having never been in their predecessor Chicago store of some 25 years on the northwest side of Chicago. This store has been in Uptown Park Ridge for only about a year now, and for being on a busy commercial strip, they keep a low and quiet profile and are kind of easy to pass by and skip, because that's what I did for a year apparently!
I was going to rate the store 4 stars, but I gotta give it 5 just because it's really a one of a kind shop. They have all kinds of eclectic, random, fun, goofy, and also educational stuff and gadgets. It's all supposed to have a bias towards science and education though. Random things like military helmets, plastic wheels of various sizes, telescopes, microscopes, old typewriters, a Big Foot crossing sign, beakers and flasks, science kits, goofy models, toys, and trinklets, rubber mice, plastic ants for your next picnic, and whatever. It's a great store for getting that unique geeky gift for someone, and also a place where inquisitive kids and adults alike can putz around and learn and laugh as well.
They have their own convenient parking lot. Their only other stores are in spread-out Geneva IL and Milwaukee WI. Their prices ranged from cheap to modest from what I saw. The staff seems appropriately on the geeky side, but also friendly. I met staffer Deborah and she showed me the signs depicting the company's history (since 1937!), and also informed me that coincidentally just two days ago they were featured on WGN-TV's Around Town morning show. Here is the clip:
https://wgntv.com/video/around-town-american-science-and-surplus/8385863/
Deborah told me after this TV clip, there was a big demand for their Bubble Blaster, which she happily demonstrated for me, and they sold out and had to restock their supply! They also occasionally have free science party nights (next one is Feb 24 from 6:30 - 9pm) and those sound like a hoot for the kiddos. I didn't buy anything this time, but do plan on bringing the grand-darlings back to putz around and probably walk away with who knows what next time lol.