If you’ve been to a movie lately that has someone dressed in military or police garb, chances are good the costumes came from Buffalo.
The entertainment and film industry has grown to represent more than 20 percent of sales at Uncle Sam’s Army Navy Outfitters, helping the company expand its presence to a worldwide audience.
Uncle Sam’s provided authentic uniforms and equipment sourced from military surplus from 26 different countries for such movies as “Resident Evil,” “Moonrise Kingdom” and “The Thing,” as well as superhero movies “Batman” and “The Incredible Hulk.”
Robert Geist, whose family owns the business, said Uncle Sam’s delivers authentic fashion.
“We are the real McCoy,” he said. “We’re the authentic items and we stick to that – being authentic, true finds. People who shop in our stores really find unique items and it makes their wardrobe – and makes themselves – unique because of what we’re selling, and also fun.”
You’ll find Uncle Sam’s on a sidestreet in the Larkin District just off Exchange Street, in a 500,000-square-foot building marked with flags. Inside you’ll find rack after rack of military garb, equipment and accessories from around the world in a 25,000-square-foot retail store, which is set to expand to an adjacent 15,000 square feet.
The place also houses camping and outdoor gear – some new, some used. There’s a bit of a musty smell here, but that only bolsters the feeling that you have stumbled into a military outpost.
Thirty percent of sales come from the local retail business, as well as sales from stores in Toronto and New York City. The remaining 50 percent comes from online sales and wholesale business. About 18 of the company’s 50 employees work at the Buffalo site.
