Kaufman’s Reporting for Duty

By Mary Cunningham May 23, 2012

Fleet Week 2012 kicks off today! Sailors will be infiltrating our island for a week of patriotic festivities & fun like only the Big Apple can provide. If you know Girl Around Town, you know we love sailors. Actually, Leigh is more into football guys, but I can’t get enough of the naval uniforms.

Those who have watched our little commercial will notice that–of course–we included a sailor in the Girl Around Town party scene…not to mention that I {somehow} end up in his uniform. The historically accurate sailor costume would not have been possible without the support of Kaufman’s Army Navy, the New York institution that is so much more than a military surplus store.

This 3rd generation retailer is the oldest business in continuous operation on 42nd Street, having first debuted in 1938 in Downtown Manhattan, on the site of what later became the World Trade Center.

It’s location in the heart of the Theater District distinguishes Kaufman’s above other military surplus stores because– in addition to the core business of most surplus stores (which, from my experience, is selling high-quality camo shorts at affordable prices to college guys)– Kaufman’s is integral to costuming theater community, to the tune of supplying Biloxi Blues, A Few Good Men and The Sound of Music with military gear, as well as high-quality wardrobe pieces for many other productions without a military focus; such as Swiss Army goggles sported by the Wizard in Wicked and outfitting the hyenas in The Lion King with boots that take a beating eight times a week.

And then there’s film.
The olive green field jacket worn by Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver? Yep, Kaufman’s supplied that. Along with the U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War period gear and uniform accessories for Born on the Fourth of July. And many more.

We were fortunate to have a personal tour of the musty goodies archived in the basement by Jim, the keeper of the treasures. Like a human card catalog, he can reference the history and significance on each piece in his shop. This knowledge comes in part because this is the family business he was raised in, but as his eyes warm with affection while explaining the relevance of a button’s insignias or variation in ornate detailing on officer’s coats from today and ages past, it’s clear that it’s not just his business, it’s his passion.

Kaufman Surplus Inc.
319 West 42nd Street (b/w 8th & 9th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-757-5670
[email protected]

Oh, by the way: You don’t have to be a big-time production to get outfitted by Kaufman’s. Whether you’re a film student working on your thesis or a sorority girl prepping for the Sig Ep Top Gun-themed Spring Fling, check with Kaufman’s for all your costume rental needs.

Let’s be honest: With that in mind, I totally thought that over the years at least a couple civilian guys might have come to Kaufman’s for a sailor’s outfit so that they too could benefit from the female attention lavished on the naval servicemen during Fleet Weeks. But according to Jim, that hasn’t happened. (Yet.)

Accessorize: …with the well-made wears from Kaufmans! Seen below, some of my favorites are their berets ($20), striped Russian sailor shirt ($18), not to mention the oh-so-Top Gun flight jumper.

Kaufman’s peacoats and leather jackets come in both male and female sizes, look just like ones from high-priced designers, are better made and cost a couple hundred dollars instead of a couple thousand! Love.