By: Caroline McKay
Posted In: Entertainment
Photo credit: Caroline McKay
Richard Backman in front of his store standing with one of his most prized possessions, the wooden Sagar Indian.
Customers call the Army Navy Surplus, “The store that’s like a museum.”
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.” Q: Has present day war had an effect on your business? A: “Well after 9/11 everyone was very patriotic and buying anything that had to do with patriotism. flags, bumper stickers, and shirts. It has now died out. When the war started in Iraq a lot of the soldiers who were serving their tour of duty were not wearing complete armor. Some bought their own clothing and boots. Parents are buying bullet proof armor for their sons and daughters because they want them to be well protected and there is a shortage of that.” Q: Is The Army Navy Surplus Store a chain? A: “No. They are all independently owned. Even though another store may have the same name, they are not necessarily buying the same items I am buying. Many customers may say, “I’ll get this back at home.” The answer is no, they may not necessarily have it. I buy from all over the place. Over the years I have made contacts and I don’t give anyone any information about where I buy my things from. Q: What is the most exciting aspect of your job? A: “I really enjoy working with the movie people. I like to find something they are looking for and then I dig to find it. We never know who is going to come through the door. For the most part I do not bother them. I let them do their own thing.” Q: Is this store a big hobby? A: “I used to do a lot of flea marketing. it isn’t what is used to be. I used to come home with my car filled with goods that I have now sold all over the world. I started off the gentleman who is now in the Guinness Book of World Records with the largest collection of deep sea diving helmets. I gave him six. he has many more today though. Last time I saw him, his stuff was on loan to Ripley’s Believe It or Not.” Q: Does the off-season effect business? A: “Yes, but Newport is a destination for tourism during the summertime, that’s what it is known for. Local shoppers unfortunately avoid Newport. We all pay taxes and support the community. These big conglomerates have taken away from the real flavor of what Newport is all about. During the America’s Cup we did not have to pay for any kind of advertising at all because Newport was known for sailing. The state missed the boat because they should have had a Newport Cup. They could of made so much more money, but that’s another story.” Q: What items do you refuse to sell? A: “I would probably give the German flag to the Smithsonian. I won’t sell my Sagar Indian in the front of the store. I was able to sell and buy many other Indian wood pieces, but I can’t find them anymore.” Q: Would you rather be in the Navy or Army? A: (Laughing) “Since I’m in a navy town I would have to say Navy. My uncle was in the navy. and they were very good to my uncle.”
