After 18 years, the Ranger Surplus store on Wisconsin Avenue has closed.
The store, known for its unique array of products and military clothing, actually closed its Bethesda location (8008 Wisconsin Ave.) on Jan. 31. Blogger Robert Dyer reported the news over the weekend.
The store was on Wisconsin Avenue for 18 years, one of a locally owned chain that also included a now vacated store in Wheaton. Ranger Surplus still has stores in Rockville (811 Hungerford Dr.) and Vienna with a new location slated to open next month in Frederick.
Ranger Surplus stocked camping gear, work clothing and stuff you certainly couldn’t find anywhere else in Bethesda. The Army Navy store had knives, pepper spray, airsoft guns, battledress and even MREs (military-inspired Meals, Ready-to-Eat).
A representative of the store did not return a request for comment.
D.C.-based Douglas Development Corp. bought the block including Ranger Surplus for $9.2 million in December, with plans to turn it into an apartment over retail project starting in 2015.
The block includes the next-door Bethesda Valet and the KNL Beer & Wine on Woodmont Avenue, the detached house/beer and wine store next to Bruce Variety.
