Whitey’s Army & Navy Stores

Even though I didn’t fully experience Whitey’s the way it was «meant to be experienced» — meaning, I dropped by after hearing that they were liquidating and closing up shop, so it was packed and the pickings were slim — this place really is as good as it gets. Flashbacks of taking the subway to the Village and ducking in and out of multiple army/​navy stores in high school flooded through my brain as I perused the picked-​over thermals, bomber jackets, trench coats, and pea coats.
The reason I actually came was because I’ve been looking for a new pea coat but wasn’t up for spending a fortune. Visiting Whitey’s and purchasing one from this local staple at a great discount (20% off) made me feel really, really happy. Got a couple of huge glow-​sticks for the girls, too, because, well… glow-​stick bathtime is awesome. I am really never in Berea, but I’m glad I made the trip out to visit just once before they close their doors.

I arrived at Whitey’s after a friend’s recommendation and not knowing what to expect. I walked in the door and said out loud to myself, «Where is all their f#%*ing merchandise?»
Well one of their helpful employees must have overheard me because she came up from behind me and just said, «Camouflage.»
I was confused what she meant until the extremely helpful staff taught me how to adjust my eyes and what to look for. I felt like I was walking point in ‘Nam on a third tour and could see all their beautiful gear like being able to spot Chalie in the trees from 3 klicks out.
They had all of the military gear, camo, boots, tshirts, militaria, cold weather, camping, and Carhartt gear I could ask for. Maybe they even had TOO much (no no, it’s the perfect amount). This is the perfect store for hunting, Halloween, camping, hunting, and even for preppers. I was able to purchase a set of custom dog tags WITH MY NAME ON THEM. THEY MADE THEM FOR ME IN THE STORE. Beat that, internet.
I bought a bunch of Camo and decided to pull a prank on my wife and kids. It’s been 5 days and they still can’t find me and I haven’t even left the house. I’ve had time to make a lanyard out of paracord I purchased there for my sweet custom dog tags while they’ve been looking for me. I’ve left trails of M.R.E. wrappers as clues but they just called the police, who couldn’t find me. Sure I hear my family crying every night thinking I left them and my kids are asking my wife when they’ll meet their new daddy, but I’m positive that I can pull this off for a full week.
THANK YOU, WHITEY’S!

As a child my favorite toy/​cartoon was G.I. Joes. My all time favorite movies are Platoon, Apocalypse Now, Dirty Dozen and Glory. My favorite video games were Contra and Rush n Attack. I make machine gun and grenade noises when I play with my dog. War is in my dna. Did I ever consider joining the military? Hells no. Do I like the swag? Sir, yes sir.
Haven’t been in a military surplus in ages. The reason being mostly my work schedule and this is about the only one I see around. Just happened I was around for once during open hours. Ordered food at brewery next door and popped in for some browsing. It was like the prop trailer for Expendables. Berets, canteens, GRENADES, messenger bags, camo everything! Listen, here’s a sad truth about yours truly. I make videos with my dog and put them on youtube. This place was a smörgåsbord of potential props. I’m like «the dog can wear this hat, and this vest, and this badge…». Dogspendables III coming soon.
I needed a nice winter coat for probably the last ten years. I never get one. I wear a crap Timberland khaki deal to work. And way too light fall numbers for going out. I have a super heavy military Russian wool coat, but it’s for emergencies only. Like shoveling blizzards and December Browns games. Why have I never invested in a nice going out coat? I have no idea. Why do I not have a retirement fund or tv newer than 1998? Beats me. Anyhow, I got a green gabardine (let that roll off the tongue) heavy trench coat for forty bucks. It is gorgeous. Also a three dollar canteen for my Explorers Bar. Told my wife to go in. She bought some long coveted combat boots. She wore shit like that when I first fell in love with her 20 years ago. Hold on, I think I’m having flashbacksssssss…
Ok, I’m back. So to summarize, Whitey’s is amazing. Friendly folks, super fun G.I.Joe vibe and reasonable prices. If you like the color olive or have jungle warlord assassination fantasies as much as I do, this is your place.

Great local business. Very friendly and knowledgable staff. I live in Strongsville and they offered to bring a ordered item to their Berea location to make pick up easier for me. Very cool for them to offer. They have everything my son needs for cub scouts.

Whitey’s is a local business that’ll have you visiting over and over again. I’ve been through plenty of times and always find myself browsing for much more than I came for. It’s even a great place to stop in with no particular agenda and walk through. With a father in the military, I like to wear my support and Whitey’s has always been the business I have needed. Plenty of clothes, flags, and other military-​grade merchandise can be found in rooms and clothes drawers at my house. All proudly purchased at Whitey’s. Government issued is a term you’ll hear floating around from aisle-​to-​aisle. This goes to show the quality of the items in this store and gives you the realest sense of what much of the military is wearing and living with.
The owners are another reason this business works so well. Though personal friends of mine, they are friendly as ever and eager to help navigate the store and explain exactly what you’re sifting through. They’re the kind of people you hope to run a local business and will know you on a first name basis after only a few regular visits. I’m glad to support owners like this. Always look forward to these visits and will be back plenty of times! Their business should be yours.

Great military surplus store with character
This place is a favorite stop with my son before camping trips. We both spend at least 30 minutes wandering the aisles finding outdoor survival equipment we didn’t even think we needed. Plus it’s just cool to have military-​grade stuff. My son gets a kick out of playing with just about everything on the shelves, strapping himself up with canteens, utility belts, binoculars, hats, boots and more.
Some great picks we be their heavy coats, boots, goverment-​issued sleeping bags and duffel bags, ponchos, – basically anything you’d need to survive a weekend in the woods, or an alien attack. Kidding… sort of. The glass cases hold collectibles, knives, old grenades, and more.
The guys runs the place is always really nice. When we’re there he’ll tell us crazy stories and explain what everything is to my son. Definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the area.

Whitey’s is a clear example of those few local businesses that makes Cleveland really, really cool.
Why? Because we still have a city where if you have a passion strong enough, you can follow through with it and make it your business.
Do I have a real need for what Whitey’s offers? Not necessarily… unless we’re going on a kick-​ass camping trip. But I do find myself stopping in every time I’m in the neighborhood, and I always discover something new with an incredible story behind it. That’s what really makes a business special. And let me say, any outdoor survival equipment/​real camping stuff you could possibly think of is here. He even has a dutch oven for under $ 50! Are you kidding me?
I saw all sorts of folks in here today. A father and son were looking for hunting and camping gear – even a wife collecting things for a care package to send to her husband in the service. It truly just an experience to walk through, see the items that were actually used in a war and imagine what that must have been like.
Now, I will admit that I’ve never been to another army surplus store in my life, so my opinion may be skewed. But, this place has a character like no other and I suggest stopping by if you’re in the neighborhood.