Ax-Man Surplus

Ax-Man Surplus Stores is a chain of surplus stores in the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota, known locally for its eclectic atmosphere and unique selection of merchandise.[1][2][3] They specialize in industrial and scientific surplus, as well as manufacturing surplus and failed consumer products.[4][5] The chain has locations in Saint Paul, Fridley, and St. Louis Park, as well as an online store.[5]

Ax-Mans University Avenue location in 1984

History

Ax-Man was founded by Jess Liberman, a native of Saint Paul whose father was a tailor. In the early 1960s, Liberman acquired a large lot of shoes, which he proceeded to sell at his father's business. In the mid-1960s he opened a store in downtown Saint Paul, which he called "The Man With The Ax".[5][6] In the late 1960s, University of Minnesota art school graduate David Gray began working at the store, and in the 1970s he became a partner in the business, with the two developing the store that was to become the modern Ax-Man Surplus. The Fridley location was opened in the mid-1980s. After Liberman's death in the 1990s, Gray bought the business from his estate, becoming the second owner.[6][7] In 2001, businessman Jim Segal purchased the business.[7] A location in Crystal was opened in 2009, and closed on Halloween in 2015.[8]

Beginning in 2010, Ax-Man Surplus was one of many businesses on University Avenue in downtown Saint Paul to voice concern regarding the effects of the construction of the Green Line on their business.[9] At a 2011 Metropolitan Council hearing, Segal criticized the Council, accusing them of downplaying the projected effects on businesses in the area.[10][11] Construction on the Green Line was finished in 2014; the Snelling Avenue station now sits across the street from the Saint Paul store.

The stores were closed for around seven weeks in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, the flagship location in Saint Paul was broken into and vandalized. Segal was inside the store at the time, and had to barricade himself inside of his office as the store was occupied by rioters.[12][13] Following this, the store was closed for repairs until mid-July.[6]

References
  1. Rea, Amy (January 29, 2013). "Wander Minnesota: Ax-Man Surplus". CBS Minnesota. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  2. Koutsky, Linda (April 9, 2014). "Vintage destinations sparkle on new lightrail corridor". Southwest Journal. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  3. Buhler, Brendan (16 August 2007). "Convention Crashing: Associated Surplus Dealers / Associated Merchandise Dealers". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
  4. Hagen, Nina (2016-05-02). "St. Paul's Hidden Gems". Minnesota Monthly. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  5. Pearson, Erica (August 4, 2019). "'We still have the iron lung': Digging through the oddities at Ax-Man Surplus". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  6. Christensen, Tesha M. "Ax-Man Surplus reopens in Midway". Midway Como Frogtown Monitor. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  7. Treichel, Dixie. "Ax-Man Surplus: everything AND the kitchen sink". Public Radio Exchange. KFAI. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  8. "Ax-Man Surplus - Timeline Photos | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
  9. "Jim Segal | Transitions: University Ave". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  10. Surman, Daniel (March 1, 2013). "Ax-Man Surplus: In spite of light rail, a family affair - Twin Cities Daily Planet". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  11. Heilman, Dan (March 16, 2011). "Fury at council over Central Corridor LRT report". Finance & Commerce. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  12. Kaplan, Talia (2020-06-03). "Minnesota business owner says he barricaded himself in bathroom as looters broke in: 'It sort of felt like a movie'". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  13. Davis, Tyler J. "Their stores were burned, ransacked and looted. What's next for Minneapolis-area small business owners?". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
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