Don't Miss Out on the Best Electronics Store in Houston: EPO!

[@jasondodt4328]

This is not only a electronics shop, its a museum, an archive and insanely nostalgic. I would go to the US just to visit this shop! Thanks for sharing...

[@MindBodySoulOk]

Don't open the red cases, that's where they keep the Arc of the Covenant.

[@PaulHayman-tq5kb]

Me too

[@vicmac3513]

This is how every seriously-taken electronics shop should look like and yet I've seen one with my own eyes. Thanks for the tour!

[@BjornV78]

Even the music was from the 80's. Such old Electronic parts store can be a treasure hunt if you are looking for old absolete parts.

[@jikosauce]

Are they still good to use? How long do components last? The ones with chemicals I guess wouldn't last as long as the ones that are only metal

[@byktorvictor]

Thank You for advertising EPO on your channel. Long time EPO customer After Radio shack and fry's going out business EPO is the place to go

[@joshuaweaver5284]

I’m in the Houston area on and am sitting here wondering what I’m going to do on this hot Saturday afternoon. Now I know. This place looks awesome and if the algorithm had not suggested this video I would never know they existed. Thanks great video.

[@Lb-bj6st]

Another cool place is Game Preserve, a retro arcade with 80s and 70s arcade games and pinball

[@christiansantos7164]

I’m in Houston and quickly forwarded this video to my group text friends asking who’s down to meet up!

[@shyamdevadas6099]

There was once a time when these stores were common all over America. New York's Radio Row was a huge one. Sadly, we've become a country of cheap, disposable junk electronics. Not only do we not repair and build anything anymore, but we've largely forgotten how to do so. When Radio Shack went out of business, the last bit of the hobbyist electronics industry left the national presence. Places like this are national treasures.

[@louistournas120]

Radio Shack is sort of back. They don't have their own stores. They make a deal with a certain store to store the items. Apparently, there are a few such places.

[@johnsradios484]

I remember going to radio row in nyc. Everything electronics!

[@DavidChatterton-j6b]

Thank Democrats for selling us out to China.

[@ernestoterrazas3480]

I am a Mexican electronic engineer 75 years old, I started learning electronics by mail in NATIONAL SCHOOLS IN 1964 But I'd use to go to LA one or two times a year (I have family there) So I been around there fore ever and used all the electronic stores around and in the last two or three years I just go to the places this Electronic stores use to be and Cry actually Cry. The nostalgia is so big that I can't help it. But the saddest part of the story is thinking where the young people are going to get elements for their investigations, their professional personal development. I invented a lot of things because I had the opportunity to play around with all this components Vacuum tubes, transistors relays, etc. etc. also in the field of chemistry the same things happened and more because a lot of substances available then are bound now.

[@MrBonez208]

Self taught 46 electronic technician. Later became an engineer and went to school for testing out of electives. I took 4-6yrs and condensed it into about 18 months. I have an associate and bachelor’s degree in electronics and broadcast engineering. I also studied and have a bachelor’s degree in RF engineering. The American school of broadcasting is one of them. Tampa Technical Institute is the other. It’s no more either. Upset by its credibility, I still had to prove myself by my results. I became who I am today. As a child and teenager, I absolutely loved every minute to be in this kind of environment! The nostalgia is infectious and incredibly inspiring to want to understand and create and or fix something! I certainly hope that we can keep these kinds of places alive; via internet connections and the in the know folks. We return to places of such for the convenience of having it in hand or to look without having to directly ask for a specific part. We could find it in something else thats around. Couldn’t agree more @ernestoterrazas3480 !

[@TexasMike713]

I spent a lot of time in this store with my daddy back in the day He let me piece together my first PC from this store and helped me build it. I completely forgotten this store existed. I'm glad the algorithm kicked this video to me. I'm currently working of a few projects I need a parts for i was about to order on amazon. Now I have a reason to revisit one of my favorite childhood stores instead. Thank you for visiting and posting this video.

[@tomg1956]

We used to have a store like this called Electronics Exchange, but on a smaller scale. If the owner knew you, you could go in the basement where all the stuff was that didn’t sell but too good to throw away. It is obvious the person who set this up has OCDP. Very organized and no junk in the aisles.

[@emptywig]

I knew where you were when I saw you on the corner. I'm a Houston native and I love EPO!

[@steeldamiano]

This came up in my feed and the second I saw that corner I knew as well. I bought a old 1950s record console that was up front when I walked in one day. Sits in my steampunk gameroom to this day.

[@elmerhomero666]

so this p[lace is in houston?

[@TheKuptis]

@@elmerhomero666 Yes. The address is in the video's description.

[@Dennis-uc2gm]

I remember these type of stores were everywhere back in the day. Man I miss these places !

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

Same here.

[@gusmekx]

In Orlando there is one similar called Skycraft Surplus

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

A hobbyist dream place.

[@TheMaddogronh]

I'm 72 years old,, my uncle use to take me to Sparkys in Fresno when I was 10 years old,,,, this brought back some good memories !! Thanks for the video.

[@big8news]

That was sad win they torrid it down just so they built a another Walgreens right there. I know they did move the store but I went out of business. I know I have a few components from there because they threw them in the trash out my old job I used to work at

[@arttrek2]

I worked at Sparky Electronics back in 1981; it was my very first job. They only had new merchandise (and some new old-stock stuff), not any used equipment. When I moved to the San Francisco Bay area, we had Weird Stuff Warehouse, Excess Solutions, Halted/HSC, and Fry's. Alas, they are all gone now. The effects of aging owners and a changing hobbyist market. The only thing we have left now is a ham swap meet that occurs once a month for about half the year.

[@yumpinyiminy963]

This brings back many memories. I started building electronic kits in the early 70's. Majored in electronics in college. Stayed in the field my entire career. Did well enough to retire at 50. Love this store. Nice mix of vintage electronic and odds and ends. I'm going to save this video. I may need to get some rarer parts.

[@mpwiedemann]

Pretty much the same path for me and I couldn't be happier. I would love to visit this store.

[@jcost0099]

I love EPO! They also have seminars and workshops!! We are sooo lucky to have it. Houston is awesome!!

[@vanlife4256]

You took us back to the 70’s! Love it!

[@congaman100]

You are so lucky to have a store like that in your area!

[@lerepjames4129]

The place has been legendary for decades in our area. I used to own a computer repair shop right down the street and would often reach out to these guys. Great people.

[@houstonmuseum]

ADORE EPO! It is my personal heaven! - Johnny

[@philholmes4183]

Wow what a place absolutely fantastic ,everything electrical and more,a great upload thank you for posting ,I'm watching from england all the best for the future and keep going I hope the shop remains there for years to come

[@xII_EU_IIx]

never knew this store would be so near me n i overlooked it throughout the years!!! its just 2 miles away!!!

[@sketchypoodle1236]

"I'm looking for crimp connectors"! 😆 I wouldn't have done any better...awesome tour. Now I have a reason to visit Houston.

[@BetterBiomedChannel]

Visit houston to find some crimp connectors - that's the kind of thing I'd tell my wife! 🤣

[@kevinsellsit5584]

Very impressive store with *everything to offer* literally. The custom wooden cabinets and educational displays of things like motor controllers and power window regulators are a sign of someone who loves what they do and wants to teach others!

[@stickerhoggz]

YES!!!! This place is amazing!!! Has so much, and cannot say how many years i have been buying from here... since really 1990's.... EPO to the rescue!

[@GroovyG0]

That optometric instrument at 17:39 is an American Optical non contact tonometer, the first of the now myriad air-puff gadgets for measurement of the eye's internal pressure. It will date from the early 70s.

[@cajuncoinhunter]

AKA Glaucoma puffer ...

[@gorak9000]

@@cajuncoinhunter aka the only thing i hate about eye exams - yes, puff air into my eyes so they get all watery, and THEN "which is clearer - 1 or 2", "neither, because my eyes are still watering from that stupid puffer"

[@Livinfast85]

There used to be an EPO over in Clearlake area. They shut it down probably 10 years ago now. But I used to go in there all the time. I absolutely loved it. It always reminded me of Doc's workshop from Back to the Future! I will definitely have to go stop by here!

[@erik61801]

that stores music system sounds great. perfect soundtrack looking around

[@ozanpress]

When I see those things I always think about the memories stored in them in the format of a particle of dust from places and people's lives

[@printerpr0n]

i've spent so many hours just wandering through EPO when I lived in Houston.

[@pfb3264]

Awesome video. Wow what a find ! Absolute treasure trove . Thank you for sharing with the community. 😊 Shared the video with my local Makerspace group

[@akdm82]

This IS the coolest store I’ve ever seen! Thanks for sharing! At 12:00 there is an old Commodore Pet computer!

[@thechuckyboi1438]

usually pisses me off when people ask for likes and subs but after an hour and 3 mins of some of my favorite content on you tube recently I had to fold. Looking forward to next upload!

[@jackprick9797]

Yep. This store has bailed me out a couple of times. Recently i needed a pair of caps for my vent hood, otherwise I would have had to spend a lot of money for an oem appliance repairman or even potentially replace the whole thing if parts are nla. Micro Electronics did not have what I needed, but then EPO to the rescue! They had the caps in the exact rating and michicon no less. A fantastic and eclectic collection of stuff. Love this store!

[@One-way]

“What the heck is that”…? LOVED that genuine response !!!

[@ArchetypalCat]

"They definitely do not make stores like this anymore." My first thought was simply, "nope, they do not!" while remembering many an old Burstein Applebee and a few of the original Radio Shacks. I'd love to own a store like this, but then again, I'd never get any projects done. :)) Thanks so much for the trip down Memory Lane!

[@WillH1776]

I know it's been a year, but I hope it's still around cause my electronics parts store had to close up shop not too long ago. Help keep it alive whatever you can do. These stores are becoming defunct when online stores are taking over, it's sad.

[@stephendumars9727]

It is still there; I go there once every 3-4 months as necessary.

[@WillH1776]

@@stephendumars9727 that's good. The store owner must not want to see it go either.

[@allannagar5026]

Been going her for 20+ years. You can spend hours wandering the aisles

[@Biokemist-o3k]

This place is incredible!!! I get the impression this place is in Texas? I am in Pennsylvania and I do research into many 1800's technology D'Arsonval and Tesla subjects. That place would be awesome. Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful place to us...

[@SHSPVR]

It in Houston, Texas

[@johnmorlan1790]

been using EPO for the last 30 years to keep old equipment in my laboratory running. it's fun to just poke around in there and see what you find.

[@jikosauce]

Where is this? For someone getting into circuits I'll definitely come back to this video for project ideas

[@DavidSherman1980]

I've lived in Houston 5 years now and somehow never knew about this store! What a great place! I'm going to go visit this weekend!

[@KC-pf4tj]

Wow, how cool! Brought back memories seeing some of the old oscilloscopes. Even the old dbx audio boxes we used 30 years ago to get better S/N ratio on our music. Thanks sooo much for the walk through!

[@dentman67]

Amazing! What a bonus, it's 17 miles from my house! Thanks.

[@timthomas9105]

Started in the Navy 1979 at 17 years old. Had a 30 year career in electronics. Now that I'm retired am thinking about doing all of those electronics hobby projects a had no time for while in the BIZ. I have a Granddaughter who turns 15 on Saturday. She has expressed an interest in robotics and I bought her a big kit. Then I found out that she has a plastic molding machine. I offered her a laptop when she's ready.

[@tfm1449]

We had a good electronics store in my neighborhood, called ELECTRONIC WAREHOUSE, not even close to what EPO is, but very decent amount of electrics and oddities. After being there since about the 70's, they finally had to throw the towel in. I miss that place.

[@leocastro1776]

I dont know if it was mentioned already, but i Loved Fry's electronics store. It had so much in it, i was a kid in a candy store. The size of the store was the size of a Walmart. One had a replica of the front part of the space shuttle. Too bad they closed.

[@OurDodgeRam]

You must have visited the Anaheim store off the 91 freeway. Every Friday nite my daughter and I would go to Frys City of industry, spend a lot of money thousands over about a 5 year period, then go to Norm's and go eat. It was our ritual.🎉

[@RASbit]

This place looks like a electronics hobbyist lucid dream. I have to go visit this some day. Thanks for sharing :)

[@mrchazmar10]

In addition to what I might spend on their merchandise, I would sign a contract with the owner of this store allowing them to auto-bill me for $500 a month with the hope that would help them stay in business. It is a dream come true!

[@BVoris6977]

Been a few years since I've been to EPO, it is one of the best stores you can go to if you love electronics. computers. etc.

[@erikribeiro5772]

I haven't been to EPO in something like 20 years. Time for me to go check it out again!

[@rEdf196]

As a teenager I visited a similar store in 1979 Called Capitol Iron in Victoria BC Canada which sold outdoor camping gear, fishing gear workwear, and down in the basement was an antique electronics pawn shop with vintage military surplus radio, radar equipment. Loads of antique 1930's to 40's telephones. 1920's black knob radios, dozens of pre 1950's radios, record players. I bought a liter of 3/16x1/2 inch brass nut and bolts (still have some of them today) a 1940's metal 365 tuning capacitor (still have it) and a 1000 ft roll of 26 gauge copper magnet wire. Capitol Iron still exists today although the vintage store section closed in the late 2000's

[@MrDoneboy]

Justin, this store is on Fondren...I need to go back and check it out, and not arriving just before closing time on a Saturday! Lol

[@BetterBiomedChannel]

I'd meet you there! I'm definitely headed back soon when I have more time.

[@jamieostrowski4447]

Wow that place is SO cool!! I just love places like this. Great background music, even. Thanks for sharing!

[@t9cstudio]

The only "parts house" left in my hometown, but of course it's much more than that. Before the internet EPO was a regular on my call/go to list for repair parts, tools and consumables. Lots of those test instruments and oddities were there in the 90's. Great place for a techie to spend an afternoon or two.

[@bonanafannafo4076]

Living in Houston, Ive been there many times. Back even further was Madison Electronics down town. Others also gone by the wayside were Electrotex, City Electronics, Anchrona. There was another EPO other side of town near NASA but it was unaffiliated with this EPO on the west side.

[@seaningram3285]

4:48 I have that exact CB radio. Still works. Bought it at a hamfest either in Richmond, Virginia or at the Raleigh Hamfest in North Carolina some years ago.

[@clinttoney]

I'm at the store EPO and it's awesome.

[@BetterBiomedChannel]

@@clinttoney I was going to stop by today

[@YouMustBeConfused]

This is a gold mine for diy and hobbyists! There was a store like this in Dallas but they closed a few years ago. I've been looking for a similar location in the DFW metroplex without success.

[@bz7427]

That looks like the exact kind of store in Orlando, Florida, that's called Sky crafts.They got every kind of electronic item you could think of. I love these kind of stores.

[@Omiefury]

This is really a cool store... I must visit... thanks for sharing.

[@Omiefury]

Would be nice if you could have sllllllooooooowwwweeeeddd it down a little bit.... since I have schizophenia... :).... but it's still watchable... I just have to look away often...

[@WSallai]

The music being played over the store’s speakers is awesome. Wish I had a store like that in my neck of the woods! I think you may go in for a particular item, but may very well walk out with a couple of other items.

[@tbuddy3005]

Every City in the US used to have a store like this, a mix of ham radio, home and pro audio and semi conductor and other electronic parts and then along came 90's and NAFTA and the internet and it all went a way or off the grid if you will. I have a fondness for old home audio and often find myself browsing Ebay and the likes hoping to get my hands on the right one. Great video, really enjoyed it cant wait to watch part 2.

[@TaylorMadejdm1975]

It's on Fondren and has been there for years they used to have one out here in Clear Lake where I live but it is gone now just like the Fry's Electronics is gone now here

[@MadMax351]

This store should never be allowed to disappear like stores like this have done, Thank you so much.

[@jethrobo3581]

They used to have a somewhat similar place here in the Dallas area called "Tanner Electronics." That place closed several years back. I sure do miss it... Wish some other similar store would open... Each Saturday that place seemed to be packed w/customers. Oh well, Fry's couldn't make it either. Farewell to the electronic hobbyist trying to get a glimpse of the past and present electronics parts and tools.

[@kensyootoob]

Yes yes. I miss Tanner-bo-Banner ... good times there.

[@DougRowland-sw4nt]

@@jethrobo3581 I miss Tanners. It was on my way home from work when I went into the office. I stopped by quite often. Like if I needed a 100 foot VGA cable or a couple of random resistors. They’d likely have it.

[@cajuncoinhunter]

Did you notice the bigger bins with the circuit board dividers , extra cool electronics touch right there .....

[@davidwaller3790]

There's a place exactly like this in Hillsboro, Oregon called Surplus Gizmos! I go often! 😄

[@GUNMETALGUYUSA]

Nostalgic Ear & Eye Candy. WOW, if the tour wasn't enough the ASMR value of the background soundtrack was awesome.

[@BetterBiomedChannel]

@@GUNMETALGUYUSA I have 2 other videos exploring this store since this was recorded. Tours!: kzbin.info/aero/PL5CYegjtMCQ7wt_EbK15meuYDhAtvlmUO

[@GUNMETALGUYUSA]

@@BetterBiomedChannel thank you for heads up. I will check them out 💯👍🏽

[@hexdude24]

There was a store on 285 in Atlanta. It had a lot of parts but was not a museum like that store is. I live in Georgia and really want to make that trip.

[@paulwarner5395]

Thanx for the tour. In a town I lived in had one of these stores called SurplusTronics They still exist but have become more of a parts retail store no preloved items any more.

[@rogerhayhurst7144]

This is the best store ever!! When I lived in Houston I went all the time. I miss it so much since I moved.

[@theluckyvix]

EPO was the first place i ever worked - truly no other place like it! It doesn’t look that different shockingly from when i worked there!

[@adamv242]

The Commodore PET computer at 12:00 is a real hit of nostalgia. My elementary school had those.

[@kennixox262]

What a treat to see something like that! One of those places to where you could find some great stuff .

[@patriot7083]

My wife says that store looks like my garage. We finally agree about something. BTW, I looked up this store on Google Maps and discovered that it's across the street from Piney Point Elementary where I was in the 5th grade in 1970-71.

[@randallthomas5207]

There used to be a store in Las Vegas, called Buck’s Surplus. It was similar, in it was crammed full of all kinds of esoteric, and obsolete equipment and devices. The fun part was Buck knew where everything was. And if you were trying to replace a broken device, you could bring in something broken, and Buck would walk right to it. Buck died, the store sat for a few years, and then burned to the ground.

[@pomonabill220]

WOW!!! I druel when I go into these types of stores!!! I am in LA, CA and there aren't very many in my area, and the good one that used to be in Pasadena, ca is now closed.. C&H Surplus... That was mostly Army/Navy surplus but you could spend several hours just going through the store. One unique thing about your store is the well lit isles pretty well organized and labeled, and the music!!! I always wonder how long they keep the stuff, and how do they dispose of the stuff? Thanks for posting.

[@RandyZimmerman-pp5wj]

My dad took to radio shack in NY as a kid and said please don't blow up the basement again salesman died laughing

[@samspade7522]

We didn't have EPO in Denver but had Gateway electronics. I had the same sort of inventory. I used to work for an independent x-ray company and we sold a lot of old equipment removed from retiring chiro's to the store; but we also bought a lot of other stuff. It was truly a day of mourning when they closed their doors for good. (howdy to a BMET from a CRES)

[@Remembergoodolddays]

Thanks for the video and for the very good music in the store !

[@scottgfx]

I just drove past this place today. What are the odds that YT would send me this vid… TODAY?

[@TimDyb]

Wish this place was near me about 60 years ago! Great find. Fun just watching your video! Like a cross between Fry's, Radio Shack & Digi-Key. Nice

[@BetterBiomedChannel]

I have 2 other videos of this store in subsequent visits. It's more so amazing that their stock actually does rotate.

[@HisXLNC]

This is the store I always dream about, but wake up sad because it doesn’t exist… But it does exist.

[@chrisapolinar1102]

It does and it is great. The video doesn't do it justice. This store has Anything you need and everything you wanted. I'm lucky to live in Houston and go to this store at least twice a month just to look at stuff even if I'm not going for a reason. The inventory of vintage stuff changes to, it's not always the same stuff .

[@outlawrebel4209]

Wow! Adding to bucket list! I remember as a kid going with my dad to a place in Minnesota, called "The ax man". A trip down memory lane. Thanks for sharing this.

[@MikeD0162]

It's if someone threw an antique store, thrift store and a Radio Shack on steriods in a bag, shook it up and this store fell out. Too bad this store is in Texas. My brother-in-law would love this place.

[@nielsdaemen]

Holy moly. My dream store

[@Richard_K1630]

Going to our local antique radio swap meet on Friday. Held twice a year spring and fall.

[@maarkaus48]

I miss places like this. Thank you for sharing.

[@michaelallen2971]

We used to have something like that here in Arlington, Tx. It was called electronic discount sales. You could buy anything there

[@rayshowalter6265]

There is one in Orlando, Fl called "Sky Craft". I haven been in a while but I know they moved and it is now bigger. I can't wait to go check it after seeing this. Thanks for getting me stoked!!

[@Neicoman]

I remember just about everything in the store. Thanks for the trip down mem or lane.

[@rca7591a]

Oh, you're down there on Fondren in Houston Texas. I shop there from time to time.

[@fenech97]

There are so many items to choose from. I wish I didn't live so far from Houston, I 'd visit the store often.

[@tpobrienjr]

Got to go there next time I visit Houston. We used to get free coffee on Saturdays at the EPO in Webster.

[@sayedrezahossaini501]

That is my favorite place I can spend hours😅

[@cowprez]

Thanks for sharing this. AMAZING how much 'stuff' is in one place. Very cool video. It would be hard to leave..

[@scottfirman]

The really scary part is my dad had lots of those electronics stored in my bedroom. My room was also his hobby room. This was pre- computer age. I used to pull stuff and play with it. Wiring up things, just to see them work, or go up in smoke. He didn't care if I messed with anything in the parts bin, but never touch anything on his bench! I learned how to solder pretty good using his gun style soldering gun. I compair one to a club now.

[@jamesmchugo9422]

When I was I kid we had three stores like this. Now they’re all a distant memory. Cool find.

[@wizengy]

I still have a lot of my specialized tools and parts from EPO in my electronics tool box. I have been visiting there since the 1980's . Always something new and a lot of old there.