Surplus City closing after years of declining sales

Woodside's Surplus City Inc. is liquidating its assets ahead of a planned Nov. 12 closure.

Mike Appleby, who owns the 54-year-old 3114 W. Sunshine St. store with his brothers Rob and John and father Bob, said the company’s sales have fallen roughly 25 percent the past eight years to $1.8 million in 2015.

“Brick-and-mortar sales are suffering a little bit, and we’re one of them,” Mike Appleby said. “We felt the brunt of the economy and internet sales.”

Through the scheduled closure date, the owners hope to sell out the remaining inventory - around $500,000 worth - at a 20 percent discount, as well as fixtures and any other physical assets. Twelve employees are scheduled to work through the end of the liquidation sale.

The Applebys hired Lee McLean III of Sperry Van Ness/Rankin Co. LLC to list the property. Comprising the 13,500-square-foot retail building fronting Sunshine and a warehouse with 5,000 square feet, the property is for sale at $1.95 million, according to its online listing.

Surplus City, purchased in 1962 by Bob Appleby, sells military surplus, inventory closeouts and camping gear. The elder Appleby, who retired over 20 years ago, passed the business on to his sons. The business has operated at its current location since 1968, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.