Open List Home >> Chicago, IL >> Shopping >> Hobby & Model Supplies >> American Science and Surplus
Here at American Science & Surplus we are fascinated by discovery and invention. And we are dedicated to having fun along the way.We offer an eclectic range of products, many with a science or educational tilt to them, others simply handy or amusing. Value is important, and whenever we can, we carry surplus at prices well below retail. We love closeouts, inventory overruns, mis-manufactures, and items whose time has not come.
4.0 of 5 stars.
Dude - I bookmarked this place...and actually went one day!! This place is cool. If you are looking to browse the aisles of a cheap store that has crazy kookie items, go no further. Just check out...
yelp.com - user review - 08/04/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 07/20/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 06/30/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This place is like crack -- snap crackle pop and I'm all a-twitter over the goodies here. Anything and everything, especially nothing you intended on finding but always perfect and filling that void...
yelp.com - user review - 05/28/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This is the Land of No Bad Moods. Prepare yourself to be amazed and delighted. Yeah, it's out of the way but if you combine this with a trip down the road to Superdawg, it will be one of your best...
yelp.com - user review - 05/18/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Quote of the Day : Salesperson : Can I help you find something?Me : I have no idea what i'm looking for...Salesperson : You'll fit in just fine here..Now on to the review...I picked up LCD's, a...
yelp.com - user review - 05/14/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Welcome to the weird science version of Joanne Fabrics. I love the tongue in cheek humor for all of the product descriptions. The staff is also really laid back and friendly, for working in retail...
yelp.com - user review - 04/30/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I have spent hours upon hours here. And every time I come back, they have something new and random and wonderful, (usually) accompanied by a witty description.It's way cheap, and spending a couple...
yelp.com - user review - 04/03/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This place rules. Check them out online if you are not in the Chicago area!
yelp.com - user review - 03/04/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
You will find anything and everything at this store. If you are easily amused, I guarantee you will easily spend an hour plus wandering around and playing with everything they have.Some of the staff...
yelp.com - user review - 03/01/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 02/21/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Listen closely children, for you are to hear of the dangers of American Science and Surplus.After being covered in formaldehyde for the better portion of my workday, I decided it was time to replace...
yelp.com - user review - 02/14/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Its a hate it or love it store. They have what ever you need there. Some stuff is just plan junk others are a treasure. Aisles are kinda small but they have tons of stuff. The parking lots a bitch...
yelp.com - user review - 02/13/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 01/16/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This place is way they hell out of the way, but totally and 100% worth it!!!I somehow managed to escape having spent under 20 bucks - but I couldv'e wasted my entire savings here.I got the round...
yelp.com - user review - 01/13/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Celebrate your inner geek at American Science & Surplus. Get all sorts of well-priced goodies for science fair projects, scouts projects, entertain-the-kids-at-home projects, halloween, etc., etc....
yelp.com - user review - 01/03/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Um, this is definitely an interesting place. I'm so glad I went once, but don't ever feel the need to return. If you've got lots of time on your hands, you could spend forever wandering the aisles and...
yelp.com - user review - 12/30/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 12/28/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Now this is the true geek heaven. Youwill find there super strong magnets,magnifying glasses, ods and ends ofall kinds of sorts. I like to go there andjust kill time. The place is pretty cheaptoo.
yelp.com - user review - 12/14/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
(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?...
yelp.com - user review - 12/02/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Fantastic store, sooo many fun projects and random little things you never knew existed and always wanted. The employees are generally pretty nice and helpful.
yelp.com - user review - 10/23/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I have been coming here literally, since elementary school. This store is the land of Science Fair, random party accessories, and useful kitchen items. Who knew that Pyrex made so many different...
yelp.com - user review - 10/21/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
These guys really know how to play the game of economics. They could sell a dirty napkin to a debutant and I love them for it. The staff can be nerdy know it all's (in the best sense possible.) I...
yelp.com - user review - 10/07/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 09/09/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 08/18/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 08/13/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I used to work there. I'm a big fan of the store and it's electicism and practicality as well. I hated getting paid 4.90 an hour though.Seriously, the clientele ranged from crackheads and stoners to...
yelp.com - user review - 08/12/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 08/04/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
American Science & Surplus is great store just go in and look around. Sure you might be able to find just what you need for that science project. But you are also going to find something you would of...
yelp.com - user review - 07/02/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This place is super cool. The people are terrific and soooo cool. I almost had a nervous breakdown with this fruit clock for a science fair project. The staff made me feel great! This store has...
yelp.com - user review - 06/27/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
What's the shopping list to make a bong again? Anyone, Anyone?
yelp.com - user review - 06/11/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
As a high school science teacher, this is a nice staple to have when you are looking for last minute lab supplies. I was really impressed with the service here. I did some last minute ordering of...
yelp.com - user review - 06/11/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
American Science & Surplus is one of the most fun stores in Chicago. If you have never been there, you should go just to look around and read the hilarious descriptions of what they have. There are so...
yelp.com - user review - 05/12/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
just a great place to visit every once and a while. I can always find some nifty stuff on the cheap....one of my cube mates played music on his computer, bought him a one dollar pair of...
yelp.com - user review - 04/28/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
"Where great bongs begin!"No, seriously, if you need any type of, oh, I don't know, CASE of 1 oz. glass bottles with cork stoppers, or a laminated chart of the female anatomy, or a cord so you can...
yelp.com - user review - 04/10/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This store has everything you never knew you needed. Very cool stuff. My son is a science lover and this store is great for him.
yelp.com - user review - 04/06/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
If you are an art student, have a sick sense of humor, a lot of time on your hands, or a brilliant plot to take over the world... go. Seriously. Just go. What ever you want is there. Even if you don't...
yelp.com - user review - 03/05/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Playground for geeks, I love this place. A little scattered, and disorganized, so plan on spending some time digging. Visit the website before, and it'll help make your shopping list. Prices aren't...
yelp.com - user review - 02/27/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Like 'WOW', this place is so cool! It's a store for nerds and the only science store in Chicago. The prices on the items are reasonable. Even the cashiers look like enthusiastic scienc nerds that...
yelp.com - user review - 02/09/2008
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Interested in more access to Microscopes. Would like to know where to purchase.I am sure American Science and Surplus could help me.And would like information on how to order by mail.
citysearch.com - user review - 01/28/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I hope this place stays open forever! I have been frequenting the aisles of this store since I was 7 years old. Great store with great things!
yelp.com - user review - 01/14/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
this is a high school kid's part-time job wet dream.the little shits were everywhere...nerdy d&d players, draped in camo, weaving and bobbing in and out of the aisles trying to hit each other with...
yelp.com - user review - 01/13/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
If you have spare money balls of steel, go pick up a shopping cart of discarded toys and refuse and build yourself a MacGuyver hotrod.Watch out for the regulars who will give you odd stares and drool.
yelp.com - user review - 01/09/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 12/21/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
i made a REALLY kick ass smoking utensil using 5 beakers, a stand and some tubing.it is an Engineer's heaven!
yelp.com - user review - 12/20/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
There really is no adequate way of describing American Science. It's a bit of an oversized junk drawer, with all kinds of odds, ends, doodads, and thingamajigs. The store carries a large collection...
yelp.com - user review - 12/11/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 09/17/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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!
yelp.com - user review - 08/16/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
AS&S is one of my favorite places on Earth. If you're a hardware hacker, garage tinkerer, artist, crafter, bong maker, ricer, Lite-Brite terrorist, gardener or science nerd you can easily spend a few...
yelp.com - user review - 07/27/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I first discovered this place 20 years ago, & now it's on my generic visitor's tour of Chicago. PBS covered it in their 'Wild Chicago' program & book. When my son was an infant, I brought him here to...
yelp.com - user review - 07/07/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
If you were ever considering the super-villain profession, this is the one-stop shop for all your villainous needs. WMD?!?! You could make a frickin' doomsday device out of all this crap! Look out...
yelp.com - user review - 07/03/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Blue beads on sale and bright caution tapeClear glassen beakers and wood of all shapesColorful bird-kites that soar up on wingsThese are a few of my favorite thingsChrome colored gadgets and foam body...
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 06/27/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I love this place so much! It's like Uncle Fun did it with Mr. Wizard and they had a baby and the baby was American Science & Surplus! There's all kinds of goofy and/or smart shit you can buy in...
yelp.com - user review - 06/26/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 06/25/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This is the store the Mythbusters would shop at if they were based out of Chicago instead of San Francisco. This is the place the late Mr. Wizard would have bought everything he could ever need to...
yelp.com - user review - 06/19/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is a very interesting place to look around , it is filled with all sorts of weird science equipment.This looks like the place Mr. Wizard shops for his show. To anybody who was or is a kid that is...
yelp.com - user review - 06/13/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This is a great place to go if you are looking for something you just can't find at Walmart :-). Great for buying gifts for science people, or a good source if you are trying to setup an experiment.
yelp.com - user review - 06/10/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 05/21/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 05/13/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This place is the shiznit. This is the place that inspires me to be like mythbusters. You have all types of science stuff here. I picked up some cheap test tubes to use with my jello shots. You have...
yelp.com - user review - 05/09/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I guess I'm a geek too. I haven't been here in YEARS...literally. Last time I ventured out here I think they were on Nagle? Does that say anything? Anyway, tons of awesome fun stuff. I found a paper...
yelp.com - user review - 04/17/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Excuse me while I rub my hands together maniacally and make that mwah-ha-ha-ha laugh. Everything you need to conduct your very own science experiment or build a personal Frankenstein is here, and it...
yelp.com - user review - 03/30/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? How about, before you spend extra money at some museum or Discovery Store check and see if it's here first, you will probably save money...
yelp.com - user review - 03/29/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
it's like some kind of wonderful sciencey magic land place full of things you totally don't actually need but need to have anyhow. us army mule branding kit? every home should have one.
yelp.com - user review - 03/27/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
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.
yelp.com - user review - 03/27/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I can't get enough of this place! My kids and I have always loved shopping here, though I'm the biggest kid of all in this store. There are many, many cool items that are made even cooler by the...
yelp.com - user review - 03/10/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 02/04/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Uh, I'm a nerd so i love this store. They have everything from telescopes, lab equipment, wire & tubing, motors, nick knacks, science and gardening kits, military surplus, science books, craft...
yelp.com - user review - 01/29/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Are you a geek? A maker? Well, then you need to go here. You will not be disappointed.
yelp.com - user review - 01/11/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
nerd heaven. this place has an incredible assortment of stuff. random science flavored stuff. I really wanted to give this place 4 stars, but the novelty & coolness of the store wore off after a few...
yelp.com - user review - 11/03/2006
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5.0 of 5 stars.
When you need to find something unusual,this is the place to find it!!Great store for science projects and Halloween costumes as well as gag gifts!!It is always worth a look if you're in the area.
yelp.com - user review - 10/29/2006
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Geek heaven is right - this place is awesome! It's impossible for me to spend less than two hours in this store. Everything is dirt cheap and you can find the weirdest treasures buried in the...
yelp.com - user review - 10/03/2006
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4.0 of 5 stars.
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...
yelp.com - user review - 03/02/2006
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3.0 of 5 stars.
American Science & Surplus is a great place to visit if you are looking for supplies to make your dream projects and crafts a reality. It is not only a great place for astronomy lovers, but also for...
yelp.com - user review - 12/31/2005
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This is one of the coolest and unique places I have ever shopped at in Chicago. The store is filled with all kinda nick-nacks. I have spent hours just wandering the store looking at all then weird...
yelp.com - user review - 11/19/2005
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This store is great! Along with the requisite science project goodies are a mass of strange, unique and just plain bizarre items. A trip to this store is like a small adventure! Last time I was there, I picked...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/11/2005
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This store is great! Along with the requisite science project goodies are a mass of strange, unique and just plain bizarre items. A trip to this store is like a small adventure! Last time I was there, I picked...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/11/2005
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This is GEEK HEAVEN! www.sciplus.comI 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...
yelp.com - user review - 10/30/2005
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this place is a ton of fun. they have the most unusual things labware, old army stuff, car parts, toys. so much fun to spend an afternoon here, everything is reasonably/cheaply priced.
citysearch.com - user review - 10/20/2005
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This store is jam-packed with a little of everything-and lots of weird things. For example: Windchimes with skeletons, a magic magnetic radio, real British policeman's riot helmet , and robot parts. It has...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/16/2005
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is a bizarre store, but bizarre in a cool way. They sell all sorts of wierd gift items and toys, science and hobby kits, and a huge selection of closeout items you will never see anywhere else,...
yelp.com - user review - 08/06/2005
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I worked here for quite some time, as well. This place has everything you would ever need! From toys, to motors, to optics, telescopes, microscopes, etcetc!! One has to see the store to...
yelp.com - user review - 07/12/2005
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American Science and Surplus has an amazing selection of telescopes, craft supplies, and other items to getting you thinking and dreaming. Better than the Discover Channel Store, you can spend a great deal of...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/26/2005
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This is by far my favorite store to shop at and browse through. Although the name might throw some, this store is much more than test tubes and bunsin burners (although they sell these too). American Science...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/06/2005
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