The Story of Gear Up Surplus
Gear Up's Start
Gear Up Surplus has been a staple in Brevard Country for 10 years now. Founded by Lela Smien Hatoum, a Killeen, Texas native who is the granddaughter of a World War I Veteran and daughter of a World War II veteran. Gear Up was able to get it’s start thanks to Charley Smien (Lela’s father) who successfully owned and operated several military surplus stores in the Fort Hood area.
In addition to operating several surplus stores, Charley was also a staple in his community. He developed relationships with his customers and gave back as much as possible. His legacy continues to live on through Gear Up Surplus and his values remain ingrained.
New Beginnings
In December 2018, Gear Up was taken over by Amer Hatoum, son of Lela and grandson of Charley. Since that time, Gear Up has grown in a variety of markets, completely rebranded and has dug their roots even deeper in both the local community and the military surplus, tactical gear and survival market. Gear Up Surplus continues to grow their brick and mortar store in Titusville, Florida and also have established themselves with an online presence offering shipping all over the USA in hopes for store expansion.
Mural Paying Tribute
In 2020, Gear Up added a beautiful new mural on their newly painted building. A mural that pays tribute to our armed forces, first responders and local community. The mural has become a new staple and stopping point for visitors who pose for selfies and pictures with the beautiful design.
Customers
Since Gear Up’s beginnings, we have catered to both active and retired military servicemen with an array of military issued and replicated products. In addition, Gear Up has a strong relationship with local law enforcement, Security Guards, JROTC, Sea Cadets, Fire and EMT.
Products within the store also cater to Air Soft/Paintball, Survivalist, Boy Scouts, Campers, Hunters, Tactical Gear enthusiasts and many more people from various walks of life. Although a military surplus store at its core, Gear Up has grown and expanded into the tactical and survival/outdoor market in order to serve a variety of niches online and in store.
Growth
That growth has now been extended to the web, where customers can support a small business at their convenience, with online ordering. As a thank you for the support, customers are now offered the ability to sign up for the brand-new loyalty program in the store. This program accumulates points for every dollar spent and provides customers coupons and discounts for their loyalty.
Thank You for the continued support of a small local business!
