Los Alamos, New Mexico: The Black Hole: Atomic Surplus Store (Closed)

A unique store of junk castoffs from the nuclear weapons industry. Creator/owner Atomic Ed died in 2009, and the store sputtered to a final closing in 2013.

The Black Hole is closed for good; a sad day for Los Alamos.

Atomic Ed Grothus' end-of-world prediction was for 2013; but so far the planet is still here, and so is Ed's store, albeit without Ed, who passed away in 2009. Ed's son Mike Grothus writes: "We had a liquidation sale last year, but did not liquidate the entire inventory. There are still many things available -- probably about six semi trailer loads remain, so still plenty of stuff to see. The giant slide rule was sold. The sunflower made of 500 lb bomb casings is still there."

Mike thinks even without Ed puttering around, there will be continued interest in the site. "One thing that will be a draw is the Obelisks that my late father had fabricated. They are not yet installed, but they are impressive to see."

Unfortunately, Atomic Ed died February 12, 2009. It seems his children want to keep the shop.