2008 Woodie Awards
Army Navy Surplus Still Popular After All These Years
Caroline McKay
Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: Entertainment
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Richard Backman, 63, is the owner of the Navy Surplus Store on historic Thames in Newport, Rhode Island. Originally from the Boston area, Backman moved to Barrington 28 years ago. In 1977 he became the new owner of the Army Navy Surplus store that was established in 1937.
The small store, easily identified with a large wooden Indian proudly standing near the front door, is packed with a vast array of military items. Customers have described the store as weird, wild, unusual and interesting.
Backman's job is anything but ordinary. He has sent goods globally in places such as Mongolia, France and Germany. Whether it's sending wind resistant tents to Mongolia for an expedition or working with props for blockbuster movies such as The Great Gatsby, True Lies, Thirteen Days and Our Town everyday brings new surprises.
Q: How did the Army Navy Surplus Store in Newport get started?
A: "The history goes; it started out as a tailor shop in 1937… and right after the war, which was in the 1940s, the owner converted it to an army navy store. There were lots of unwanted and used goods that the military had and people would go and buy the goods, but once you buy something from the government there are no returns."
Q: What do you sell?
A: "Clothes, camping goods, nautical brass items, military goods, a whole array…knives, shoes, Levis, Carhart, hats, gloves, socks. A lot of what we have is basic clothing you normally do not find anywhere else."
Q: What is your most popular item?
A: "Right now we are quite involved with vintage military clothing for woman."
Q: What is the most unique item in the store?
A: "I have a German flag that's in the store but sort of hidden. It was signed by a group of GI's in France when the Germans were using a church as a fortress. They had this flag outside… and the GI's came into town and they shot and captured the Germans and the flag. They all signed the put… their name, city or town they were from and state. I met one of the men who had his name on the flag. He never talked about the war to his family. I felt there was closure with that flag."