People Are Cracking Up At These 32 Hilariously Labelled Items From A Surplus Store In Minnesota, As Shared By This Twitter User
Interview With Author
Going to places like thrift stores is always an adventure. The amount and variety of goods found in these types of stores is so wild that you can’t but be drawn to it with all of its bizarrity. Is that a word? It is now, I guess.
But there is one store in that vein that blows everything out of the water with not only what it sells, but with also how it sells.
And this person recently went to Twitter to show just how bonkers it can actually get in their now-viral Twitter thread.
More Info: Twitter
Each store has its own unique design, and sometimes it’s so unique it becomes a tourist trap, like this Ax-Man Surplus store in Fridley, Minnesota
Image credits: EnfysBook
And author and singer-songwriter Enfys J. Book recently visited and thoroughly documented it in their Twitter thread
Image credits: EnfysBook
Author and singer-songwriter Enfys J. Book, with whom Bored Panda got in touch for an interview, has recently gone to Twitter to share an adventure they had in an Ax-Man Surplus Stores in Minnesota.
Well, all right, the word adventure is probably a bit of an understatement because Enfys explained it as an “absolute bananas” surplus store best described as an “internet [poop]post turned into an *extremely questionable* place of commerce.”
Going there was their cousin’s idea, and once pictures hit the Twitter machine, everyone got a chance to experience something magical.
But it ain’t your regular store, oh no, it’s definitely some sort of a social experiment in design and marketing
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
“My cousin Theresa and I were just hanging out and browsing thrift stores and such before she took me back to the airport at the end of my visit to the area. She’d told me about the St. Paul location of Ax-Man, which has an iron lung on display, and she was curious if the nearer-to-her location in Fridley was just as weird. We were not disappointed,” explained Enfys.
In their thread, Enfys posted a good handful of pictures best describing the vibe of the store. This not only included some interesting choices of goods, like (for a lack of better words) a strawberry beholder costume and sexy positive reinforcement pins, as well as an interesting choice of advertising of said goods.
Not only are some of the goods weird, but the signs and tags for them make it into an experience to be had
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
In a boring store, you’d see a price tag and 2-4 words signifying what the item on sale is, but this store took it a step further and added some social commentary wrapped in a so-trashy-it’s-good meme format which you can’t but love.
Like plastic toy soldiers that “look like they’re 12 years old,” 4-pack suction cups where the price tag is a doodle of a hairy quadruped sporting them, and an “abacus?” sign on something that is probably an abacus but not even the store people know what it is, so they’re just shooting in the dark at this point.
And this sort of commentary was on almost every product—ceiling hooks, celebration bracelets, a bunch of prom 2020 paraphernalia, festive quilted boxing gloves, thermo cups… the list goes on and on.
Most of these feel like they’re self-aware, or that the employees are fighting boredom through creativity. Or both
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
“The weird strawberry holding a mannequin head, with a sign saying ‘I do not like being touched’ in the front of the store certainly left an impression,” explained Enfys when asked about their favorite part of the store.
“But I was also intrigued with their selection of random but useful things, like an extensive collection of corks and little bottles of varying sizes. I feel like, if I lived in the area, I’d go back to buy some of those. Ax-Man seemed to carry a lot of stuff like that, things people occasionally need but aren’t available in your average hardware store.”
It’s as if a Pandora’s box was opened and instead of something mysterious, we got something so random it raises more questions than it could possibly answer.
Enfys’ cousin took them there, and pics of the comical randomness soon found their way onto to Twitter where they got a lot of attention
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
“The only other photo I took that I didn’t include in the thread was a pic of the various sizes of springs they sold,” elaborated Enfys. “I’m a fan of MST3K and Rifftrax, and was going to make a reference to the short ‘A Case of Spring Fever,’ which is all about appreciating the many uses of springs in our everyday lives, but decided not to. They didn’t have a funny tag, and I was more interested in highlighting the employees’ amazing signs.” We did, however, include that photo later in the article for the curious types.
While the thread had some modest virality, clocking in at a bit over 5,500 likes, people loved it. Some pointed out that this interesting approach to retail, one that battles the drudgery of working there. In fact, it would be a fun place to work at, when you think about it.
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Others straight up said it’s awesome and began inquiring on how the heck you can get there, and it’s in Fridley, Minnesota. Some even said that the signs and oddities have a vibe of the Archie McPhee location in Seattle.
And it didn’t stop there, as the thread was also reposted on Imgur, where it got a similar reaction, except people began pointing out other Ax-Man locations that are weirder, and also got over 128,000 views.
Needless to say, Enfys was surprised by this sudden virality, and they’re happy it brought joy to so many people. “I hope it brings Ax-Man some additional business and gets their employees some well-deserved recognition for their hilarious signage,” added Enfys.
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
You can check out the thread on Twitter and Imgur, or browse other articles we have on weird stuff here.
And you can check out everything Enfys does as well: they’re a part of the 4-piece naughty nerdy comedy band called The Misbehavin’ Maidens, they also run a blog called Major Arqueerna, and they’re also the author of Queer Qabala: Nonbinary, Genderfluid, Omnisexual Mysticism & Magick, which is set to come out in June, but can be pre-ordered now.
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
This is that one photo Enfys ended up taking out of the final cut of the thread
Image credits: EnfysBook
Image credits: EnfysBook
Have you been there? If so, what’s your favorite item or part of the store? Or simply give us your thoughts in the comment section below!
I like the suction cups that will allow me to hang my cat from the wall or ceiling.
Also, those ceiling hooks are for drop tile ceilings that many retail stores have, they twist on to the metal cross pieces
Yes! Is the "abacus" a centimeter measuring stick?
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I get their sumptuous paper catalog delivered. Same off kilter funny slant as Axman. Campmor out of Paramus NJ used to have a paper catalog with the funniest hand drawn representations of camping products also.
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I live a mile from St Paul store, my favorite place to kill 2 hours as it has so many random things from tiny screws to human size how up dinosaurs. Need a wine glass from Sven & Lena's wedding, a 2" square sandpaper, wiring for the robot you're building? They probably have it. Things change regularly so it's like a different store each time, w/VERY low prices. Plus, you can ask staff for a particular O ring, for example, and they will show you exactly where it is. And, yes, it really does have an iron lung, it's not for sale, it kinda gives me the w*****s seeing it up close knowing people actually had to stay in one for months or even years.
I love the Ax-Man in St. Paul never went to the one in Friday. It has an amazing selection of electronic components so you can fix stuff yourself.
That’s not Prince, that’s Dave Chappell as Prince which makes it even more awesome!
Omg! There's a store just like this in Wisconsin called American Science and Surplus, right down to the goofy signs, I would have believed all of these photos were taken there. Damn now I wanna go!!!
It’s a great store! Somehow around here (north side of Chicago) they remain something of a hidden gem. Go have a fun field trip!
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There is another Axman in St Louis Park that has always been my go-to location. Same vibe, same random stuff. Always entertaining. A perfect place to find the bits for your next Rube Goldberg.
When I lived in Minneapolis and had out-of-town visitors, I always took them to Ax-Man!
We have Olly's, which is a chain surplus store with similar vibe but without the mom and pop vibe... Or the Midwest pricing. Probably the same amount of unwanted Christian literature though
I'm going to say this town must not have a craft store, if people have no idea where else to buy corks and tiny bottles.
i wonder if they're affiliated with American Science and Surplus. the signs look almost exactly the same and have the same air--i actually came here to see if it WAS ASaS
Reminds me bit of Seattle fave Archie Mcphee's. So much fun to visit!
I would waste so much money in this store buying stuff I don't need, and couldn't use just because of the signage. 🤭
I love how when they were selling those masks that could either make you "beautiful or creepy", if you look down you'll see this teeny tiny text that says "freak.." LOL!
Just found on American Science and Surplus: a banana baker! It's a clay, banana-shaped baking dish for, you guessed it, baking a single, whole banana. 😂
I would love to shop here! I think the "abacus" is a measuring stick with only centimeter marks. The ceiling hooks are for a suspended tile ceiling; they twist onto the struts.
The Ax-Man is a magical place, and this report isn't even from the original store!
My brother and his friends used to put firecrackers on the little green army men and blow them up!
This seems like that store in Las Vegas that mat pat did theories about
There are 3 stores, St Paul, St Louis Park and Fridley. You can see some products on their website.
Load More Replies... There was a store like this in Portland called Wacky W***y's, I swear some of these signs came from there when it closed. I loved that place seriously. One year I bought several brightly colored random parts and pieces and decorated a Christmas wreath with them. People would say "oh how prettty- wait, what's this thing??"
Lol same. We don’t really have to many exciting stores in NE Ohio 😂
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What's the point of this store it seems to be really random Nik knacks . How to they make ends meet?
I like the suction cups that will allow me to hang my cat from the wall or ceiling.
Also, those ceiling hooks are for drop tile ceilings that many retail stores have, they twist on to the metal cross pieces
Yes! Is the "abacus" a centimeter measuring stick?
Load More Replies... I get their sumptuous paper catalog delivered. Same off kilter funny slant as Axman. Campmor out of Paramus NJ used to have a paper catalog with the funniest hand drawn representations of camping products also.
Load More Replies... I live a mile from St Paul store, my favorite place to kill 2 hours as it has so many random things from tiny screws to human size how up dinosaurs. Need a wine glass from Sven & Lena's wedding, a 2" square sandpaper, wiring for the robot you're building? They probably have it. Things change regularly so it's like a different store each time, w/VERY low prices. Plus, you can ask staff for a particular O ring, for example, and they will show you exactly where it is. And, yes, it really does have an iron lung, it's not for sale, it kinda gives me the w*****s seeing it up close knowing people actually had to stay in one for months or even years.
I love the Ax-Man in St. Paul never went to the one in Friday. It has an amazing selection of electronic components so you can fix stuff yourself.
That’s not Prince, that’s Dave Chappell as Prince which makes it even more awesome!
Omg! There's a store just like this in Wisconsin called American Science and Surplus, right down to the goofy signs, I would have believed all of these photos were taken there. Damn now I wanna go!!!
It’s a great store! Somehow around here (north side of Chicago) they remain something of a hidden gem. Go have a fun field trip!
Load More Replies... There is another Axman in St Louis Park that has always been my go-to location. Same vibe, same random stuff. Always entertaining. A perfect place to find the bits for your next Rube Goldberg.
When I lived in Minneapolis and had out-of-town visitors, I always took them to Ax-Man!
We have Olly's, which is a chain surplus store with similar vibe but without the mom and pop vibe... Or the Midwest pricing. Probably the same amount of unwanted Christian literature though
I'm going to say this town must not have a craft store, if people have no idea where else to buy corks and tiny bottles.
i wonder if they're affiliated with American Science and Surplus. the signs look almost exactly the same and have the same air--i actually came here to see if it WAS ASaS
Reminds me bit of Seattle fave Archie Mcphee's. So much fun to visit!
I would waste so much money in this store buying stuff I don't need, and couldn't use just because of the signage. 🤭
I love how when they were selling those masks that could either make you "beautiful or creepy", if you look down you'll see this teeny tiny text that says "freak.." LOL!
Just found on American Science and Surplus: a banana baker! It's a clay, banana-shaped baking dish for, you guessed it, baking a single, whole banana. 😂
I would love to shop here! I think the "abacus" is a measuring stick with only centimeter marks. The ceiling hooks are for a suspended tile ceiling; they twist onto the struts.
The Ax-Man is a magical place, and this report isn't even from the original store!
My brother and his friends used to put firecrackers on the little green army men and blow them up!
This seems like that store in Las Vegas that mat pat did theories about
There are 3 stores, St Paul, St Louis Park and Fridley. You can see some products on their website.
Load More Replies... There was a store like this in Portland called Wacky W***y's, I swear some of these signs came from there when it closed. I loved that place seriously. One year I bought several brightly colored random parts and pieces and decorated a Christmas wreath with them. People would say "oh how prettty- wait, what's this thing??"
Lol same. We don’t really have to many exciting stores in NE Ohio 😂
Load More Replies... What's the point of this store it seems to be really random Nik knacks . How to they make ends meet?
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