The Black Hole (Black Hole Surplus)

03/14/2021

Remembering Don Eduardo on Pi day 2021. This is one of the great memory photos from The Black Hole (Black Hole Surplus) in the day - Pi Day 2008. I also recovered this Piggly Wiggly t-shirt and a few pens and pencils that reflect the transition of the management of Los Alamos National Laboratory over the years. Next project involves 80 tons of granite. Stay tuned!

02/08/2021

03/01/2019

Time to move on - we have sold the former Omega Peace Institute and Black Hole properties, and the new owners are working with the county on the next phase. Bittersweet times, but it was time for us to move on. Thanks to all for the support over the years. The fans of the business were fantastic. We salvaged (of course we did) the signs and a few momentos, but vandals and thieves made off with many others. Great memories were captured in Janire Najera's recent publication "Atomic Ed" and if you are interested, you can get in touch with her and order your own personal copy. They are very well done. Incredible history preserved in beautiful books. Thanks Janire! As Dad used to say, Do Good, and you did!

06/25/2018

Janire Nejera is publishing a book about Atomic Ed - and if you are interested in a copy of the book - check out this kickstarter -

Discover the journey of Ed Grothus, from working in Los Alamos National Laboratory to becoming an outspoken antinuclear activist.

09/27/2013

Check this out -
http://www.ccasantafe.org/exhibitions/515-atomic-surplus

Atomic Surplus was the name of a store that Eduardo opened in Santa Fe about 40 some years ago. It was not a huge success, but it was one of many interesting Black Hole precursor activities. Eric Blevins might remember a trip back from Santa Fe when the flatbed truck was so full we got to ride in the back with all the stuff. We were somewhat surprised when the police pulled us over to inform Dad we were on the roof of the truck as he drove along the highway. Memories from years ago. Go figure.

Center for Contemporary Arts Santa Fe - to create, maintain and promote a vibrant regional gathering place for the exploration and presentation of diverse and challenging contemporary art forms and ideas through our interdisciplinary programs: film, digital media, visual arts, performance and educat...

04/07/2013

Today we cleaned up the web site a bit - kind of like what is happening at The Black Hole itself. Our web site resources at http://www.starfalldesign.com/ got things back in order. Awesome to get it updated with our business hours as well as other cleanup activity. Thanks Meg.

Starfall Design is an excellent choice for your web, vector art or print design needs.

11/24/2012

No Thanksgiving, Black Friday or Black Saturday sales for us, but we're still working to sell all the remaining inventory, so we're initiating our "Everything must go sale" and will re-open the doors from 10 AM to 4 PM Thursday through Saturday beginning on Thursday, November 29 (weather permitting). We're cleaning up the place this week, and getting things picked up so we'll be ready for all our friends and visitors to come back in for some great deals - stacking metal bookshelves - $10 each, unistrut, hardware, plumbing parts and supplies, desks, chairs, doors, partitions, plastic... the list goes on and on - kind of like The Black Hole. Even with 65 tons of recently liquidated materials, we still have at probably something like 100 tons left, so hurry in for best selection to discover your next treasures from The Black Hole. Happy shopping.

10/24/2012

The latest update from the Albuquerque Journal:
http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2012/10/23/north/around-northern-new-mexico-251.html

The Black Hole’ Closing on Nov. 3

Potential buyers, or even just curious visitors, have until Nov. 3 to get a final chance to sift through the stash at the Los Alamos salvage landmark affectionately dubbed “The Black Hole.”

Barbara Grothus, president of Los Alamos Sales Co., announced the business will close to the public on that date.

Started by her father, Ed Grothus, in 1953, the business has operated at 4015 Arkansas since the 1970s. Grothus died in 2009 and his wife, Margaret Grothus, died this March, leaving the next generation with the job of deciding what to do with The Black Hole, whose inventory includes many items once used at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The family has an agreement with Alex Williams of Pasadena, Calif., to remove the remaining contents of the buildings starting on Nov. 5, according to Barbara Grothus’ news release. The business will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through Nov. 3.

“With this notice, our customers will be able to have a last look at what remains since our liquidation sale,” Grothus said. “Alex is an old friend of my father’s who has previously worked with us.”

Later, there will be a chance for the public to purchase shelves, fixtures and tools; details will be released at a later date.

10/17/2012

We're still open to the public 10 AM - 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday until November 3. We will then be closed to the public while we liquidate large quantities of stuff, so before Nov 4 would be a great time to plan your visit.