Allow me to introduce ourselves. We are The Mountain View, a surplus store located in Campbell, CA. Our original roots date back to 1947 when my grandfather David Bonner opened the first store in El Cerrito. The store was a traditional surplus store focusing on surplus items. The way it worked back then was the government operated a program where veterans were given the initial opportunity to purchase surplus. You can imagine that there were probably a number of things being sold at a government auction, my grandfathers first purchase......a batch of 12 inch rulers. This is something my father will always remember as a lesson from Grandpa Dave that you can sell anything and everything and such collectibles are always valued.
From the time The Mountain View opened, my grandfather's specialty business as I mentioned was always surplus, although in time he gradually expanded to working clothes. In 1956, Grandpa Dave decided to move the business to the nearby town of Mountain View. With a new location, came a new name and therefore the store was re-named Mountain View Surplus. By 1976 my grandfather's business has grown so much, he had opened 4 store in California. My grandfather needed help, so he went to his youngest son (my father), Roger Bonner. My father was no stranger to surplus, he had grown up around it and was somewhat interested in it. A CPA by profession, my dad had been studying for a Ph.D. in accounting. No questions asked though, my dad left the CPA world and went to work for Grandpa Dave.
Upon retiring in 1986, Grandpa Dave had closed the Mountain View store. Two of the stores had already closed, leaving only the Campbell store, which my dad then bought from his father After purchasing the business, my mother quickly joined the team and together my parents molded the business. They focused on the store for a solid 6 years and for the last 24 years have continued to grow their business!
The Mountain View continues to strive to supply Northern California residents with genuine military surplus. We have always stayed true to "real" surplus with a lot of merchandise still being obtained directly from the government. Now a days my dad will bid on such things as military bags, uniforms, equipment, apparel, collectibles, etc. I am always amazed at the history and value that many of the items that my dad either has in his own collection, or to be sold. You can really find some cools things in our stores!
One thing that has been really exciting is the launch of our new website. WWW.THEARMYNAVYSURPLUS.COM. We established our on-line store August 2009 and already have seen business gradually grow, having a presence on the internet. Right now our on-line store only displys a 1/3 of the items that we carry and we are constantly encouraging our customers to contact us if they don't see something they are looking for. We also ship anywhere including International and use USPS or UPS. We carry a variety of brands and are constantly expanding our inventory. At our store you will find but are not limited to VOODOO TACTICAL, ROTHCO, MAGNUM, STURM, TRU SPEC-ATLANTCO, ELITE FIRST-AID, STANSPORT, COGHLANS, ONTARIO KNIFE COMPANY, and so much more!
Here is just a quick peek at some of the new items I have added in the last couple days. Enjoy!
MILITARY S.P.E.A.R. COLD WEATHER POLARTEC FLEECE JACKET ACU/FOILAGE:
Military S.P.E.A.R. Cold Weather Polartec Fleece Jacket. NEW, Genuine US Military Issue. Polartec fleece jackets, for use as a goretex parka liner on the extreme cold weather system used by our military. The jacket provides exceptional warmth and thermal insulation. It has a high level of breathability and does not restrict movement.
This also makes a great stand-alone jacket, featuring underarm zippers with corded pulls to help regulate heat/cold. The wrist have velcro adjusters for comfort and heat retention. There are zippered pockets in front at the waist and two large mesh pockets inside the jacket, great for storing your valuables. The jacket also has an elastic drawstring waist with friction-lock adjusters at each hip. Shoulders feature extra layer of nylon to help repel water. 100% Polyester. NSN 8415-01-538-6742
http://www.thearmynavysurplus.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=APPAREL77
MILITARY S.P.E.A.R. COLD WEATHER POLARTEC FLEECE JACKET COYOTE:
Military S.P.E.A.R. Cold Weather Polartec Fleece Jacket. NEW, Genuine US Military Issue. Polartec fleece jackets, for use as a goretex parka liner on the extreme cold weather system used by our military. The jacket provides exceptional warmth and thermal insulation. It has a high level of breathability and does not restrict movement.
This also makes a great stand-alone jacket, featuring underarm zippers with corded pulls to help regulate heat/cold. The wrist have velcro adjusters for comfort and heat retention. There are zippered pockets in front at the waist and two large mesh pockets inside the jacket, great for storing your valuables. The jacket also has an elastic drawstring waist with friction-lock adjusters at each hip. Shoulders feature extra layer of nylon to help repel water. 100% Polyester. NSN 8415-01-503-0224
http://www.thearmynavysurplus.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=APPAREL78
VOODOO TACTICAL 42” DELUXE PADDED WEAPONS CASE
Vodoo Tactical 42" Deluxe Padded Weapons Case. Outside Pockets Hold 6 Rifle Mags, 8 Pistol Mags and 2 Pistols. This bag was designed for carrying two 42” rifles and two hand guns. Made with rugged ballistic pack cloth construction for durability. Includes heavy duty locking zipper pulls with padlocks for security. The bag features wrap & carry handles, universal webbing, closed cell foam padding, 2” padded interior perimeter lip with padded divider to keep your weapons safe and secure. There is a detachable padded, adjustable, shoulder strap with outside universal attachments straps. The pistol and mag pouches have locking zipper pulls and zipper protective flaps. Holds six 30 round rifle mags and holds eight pistol mags. Hook-N-Loop I.D. Patch. This bag can hold tactical weapons not over 42" in length.
http://www.thearmynavysurplus.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BAGS46UBACS UNDER BODY ARMOR COMBAT SHIRT
UBACS Under Body Armor Combat Shirt. Brand New genuine British Army Issue UBACS shirt. These shirts are cu rrently issued to British Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Specifically designed to be worn under body armor and quality constructed for MOD from Coolmax fabric. The sleeves and shoulders of this garment are IR treated British Desert DPM. The sleeves also have large Velcro closure pockets with elastic to hold pens, etc. For added comfort, the lower sleeves, shoulders, forearm and elbows have extra padding, with removable foam.The bottom of each sleeve has button adjusters to make sleeves tighter or looser. The neck has a zipper for easy on/off. The shirt is highly breathable and wicking, microbiological. Shaped lower back, 2 upper button flap pockets and 2 lower arm pen pockets. Color is Sand.
http://www.thearmynavysurplus.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=APPAREL75
More and more in fashion magazines we are seeing that military is the popular trend for the upcoming season. Both for men and women, military jackets, pants, boots uniforms are gracing the runways all over the world, taking the old look of the 19th century military and blending it with a new more fashionable look. In the March 20101 Issue of Vogue Magazine it was discussed how military styles are the new trend for spring, not to mention that every where you look people are sporting an array of military garb from celebrities to the runway.
