A piece of me died last week when I learned that Cheerful Al’s Union War Surplus Store, here on 6th Street in Downtown San Pedro a few blocks from the Los Angeles Harbor, is packing it up after over sixty years.
Over the years I’ve headed down to Union War for everything from fleece-lined Levi jackets to Navy peacoats to Dickies hoodies to long underwear to fedoras to used Army fatigues to canteens to sleeping bags. I even bought a butterfly knife there when I was a kid.
With signs on the front announcing 40% off everything until the doors close for good, I had to duck in there today for one last souvenir on my way up to the Farmers’ Market. Grabbed a pair of G.I. boots and a couple rucksacks. Just for the hell of it. Get in there while you can; I think they have a few mosquito nets left. Maybe even some dead grenades.
Union War. A classic that we’ll all miss. I’m just glad Pete was able to stock up on what he needed while he had the chance.
RIP minus x.
Comments on this entry are closed.