Asheville News

The Old Grouch

Jason Sandford January 12, 2006

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Last weekend, I stopped in Clyde to check out the Old Grouch Military Surplus. Since my teen years, I’ve always had a yen for military surplus stores. I can’t explain why. Guess it’s just the gear. Real gear. Useful gear. Rugged gear.

Seems to me these stores have faded away. But not the Old Grouch. The store, just off Asheville Highway in Clyde, stands packed with tons of military gear, cheap and useful. If you need parachute cord. Or a gas mask (right after 9/11, mountain residents bought hundreds of gas masks from the Grouch). Or jackets, shirts, T-shirts, pants, boots. Helmets, knives, machetes. Canteens, foldable shovels. Meals Ready to Eat. They’ve got it all.

“Part store and part museum,” the lady behind the ancient counter said as I commented on all the stuff.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

Ash January 13, 2006

Less.

Reply
Edgy Mama January 13, 2006

Would the Old Grouch make me feel more or less grouchy?

Reply
Dad January 12, 2006

HOO-Yaaaa. It’s a guy thing!

Reply