Dee, owner of Ground Zero Surplus

When I was handed the assignment of interviewing the owner of the just opened army surplus store, I immediately pictured a heavy set man with a long, thick beard that looked like he could be part of the Duck Dynasty.  If television and movies have taught us anything, it’s that these are the types who own surplus stores.  So with my mind wrapped around a stereotype, I set food inside the shop to start my usual line of questioning.  What I saw instead was anything but what I had imagined all this time.  On the counter sat a short red haired woman with piercings in her lip, named Dee.  In addition to being the owner operator as she proudly told me, she’s also the woman responsible for jabbing a knife into my shoulder just a few weeks ago, requiring a good bit of stitches.  (Note to police: reread that last sentence.)  However, being the professional that I am, we both agreed to set aside that animosity for a good old fashioned interview.

Underneath the glass counter that so easily held Dee’s weight sat the merchandise for sale.  There were boots, fatigues, bits of survival gear such as lanterns and canteens, and at the end of the case, the light glinted off a row of knives that are sure to capture the most attention from future customers.  But it didn’t just end at survival or self defense gear:

“Also we have brought in a large supply of MRE’s. Ya know Army rations. This is probably going to help out the town with all the shortages.”

It was stores such as this that Dee credits for helping her stay alive during her turbulent teenage years when she lived on the street, drifting from city to city.  When she was in need of inexpensive clothing or self defense gear, she always knew she could find what she needed at a surplus store.  It was those experiences that led her to find a way to bring one to Dead End, along with a firm grasp of the economic state of the city due to limited shipping lanes, soaring prices and unruly unemployed dock workers.

“I think we are opening at a perfect time in this city. It is a time of need and having these survival supplies available at low cost, makes me feel like I’m doing good for the community.”

The grand opening of Ground Zero Surplus will be Sunday March 2nd, starting at 7pm during which time they will be offering a 10% discount on all MRE’s, dehydrated food items  and canned water.  Those with proof of veteran status will receive an additional 15% off of all purchases.  To bolster the festivities, they will also be selling cartons of cigarettes at discount and offering free beer.  The store is located 2 shops down from The Red Herring and next to the DMV or just a stone’s throw from the offices of the DE Daily if you have a good enough arm and a handful of stones.  

Vance Clayton, DE Daily Reporter