An institution in downtown San Pedro for 63 years, Union War Surplus -- where shoppers could by everything from World War II mess kits to cast iron skillets and double-kneed overalls -- is closing up shop.
Founder and owner Al Kaye, now 84 and in failing health, made the decision about a month ago, said Tom Thomas, a former business partner whose parents lived next door to Kaye. Thomas, 45, went to work at the store in 1976.
"I've been sick to my stomach over it," Thomas said. "I was raised in that store, I worked there for many, many years. The store is very dear to me."
A 40%-off sale will be launched May 1. Many of the work clothes will be transferred to the stock of Urban Feet, which Thomas owns.
The 1920s era store at 355 W. Sixth St., formerly housed a Woolworths. The building is owned by Kaye's nephew and Thomas isn't ruling out a revival of the business down the road.
But until then, many will miss the working-class store that stocks jeans, jackets, camping gear, knives, boots and fishing lures.
"I hate to see a place that's been around so long, somethng that's a real staple of the downtown -- and there aren't many of them -- go out," said David Lynch, owner of the Sacred Grounds coffee house up the street.
"It's an icon in San Pedro," Thomas said. "There are three generations of people you can talk to who will tell you their father brought them into the store when they were kids."
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