Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Claire.
Hi Jason, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a profound love for history. I remember my Mom taking me to a sidewalk sale when I was four years old in my hometown of Racine, WI. There I found a set of US President cards with their bios on back that I begged her to buy. Even though I couldn’t read them yet, she gave in and bought them for me. Nearly 50 years later, I still have them and was the start of a lifelong collecting passion. At about age 12, I had developed an interest in military history and had talked my Grandmother out of my Grandfather’s WWII memorabilia; which was supposed to go to an uncle. By age 19 I was buying and selling collectibles at flea markets and antique malls in Phoenix to pay for college. After graduating with degrees in history, my wife Julie and I moved to Kansas City, KS for a job at Manion’s International Auction House as a description writer/appraiser of military collectibles sold through the internet and catalog. In 2008 we had the opportunity to take over a failing antique store in Leavenworth which Julie renamed Overlooked Antiques and Military Surplus. In 2013 we launched our website and have organized and promoted the annual Leavenworth’s Overlooked Military Collectors Show since 2014.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Getting established is the biggest challenge for any new family business. You have to get your name out there and provide a product or service people will want. When we first opened, we were open seven days a week, splitting Sundays between the two of us. That was not easy with two kids, a four year old and a six month old baby!
We’ve been impressed with Overlooked Antiques & Military Surplus, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in vintage military collectables from the Vietnam war and older but, also serve our soldiers at Ft. Leavenworth with modern surplus and equipment needs. Additionally, we are very active in our community. We curate displays for our local schools and invite the JROTC to perform at our events with the opportunity to conduct fundraisers that benefits their program. And as a board member on the Leavenworth County Historical Society, I have lent and donated artifacts that help promote the organization.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Our customers. We have had the opportunity to meet and befriend some really awesome people from across the globe. Those customers sometimes become contacts who keep in touch not only as customers but as friends whom I’ve visited with here in the States and abroad.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wwiigimilitarysurplus.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overlookedantiques.militarysurplus
