Portage Park's Ecclection Breathes New Life into Beloved American Science & Surplus Legacy

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Portage Park · February 25, 2026

Portage Park shoppers have a new reason to stop by Ecclection, the funky resale shop at 6059 W. Irving Park Road — and it comes with a healthy dose of nostalgia. Owner Julie Alleyne has stocked her shelves with a trove of merchandise sourced directly from the legendary American Science & Surplus, the quirky Northwest Side institution that closed its Park Ridge location last fall after struggling to recover from the pandemic. Alleyne discovered the warehouse sale almost by accident while scrolling Facebook Marketplace, and once she realized what was on offer, she went back repeatedly — even renting a mini U-Haul for one haul — to secure as much of the beloved store's inventory as she could.

The new section at Ecclection features a wide variety of science gadgets like microscopes and ant farms, arts and crafts supplies, novelty trinkets, and even a few of American Science & Surplus' iconic rubber chickens. Alleyne temporarily closed Ecclection in January to reconfigure the store and thoughtfully incorporate her finds, and she's still working through two storage units' worth of items. For longtime fans of American Science & Surplus — which was founded all the way back in 1937 — Ecclection is offering a chance to reconnect with a piece of Northwest Side history.

It's a heartwarming example of a local small business owner honoring community roots while keeping her own shop vibrant and surprising. Stop by Ecclection at 6059 W. Irving Park Road to check out the new inventory, and keep an eye on the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce at portageparkchamber.org for more neighborhood news and events.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/24/miss-american-science-surplus-portage-park-vintage-shop-is-selling-its-inventory/