Meet Jeff Zaglin. Most folks know him as the fun loving, Greenville Native who owns Greenville's beloved Army Store.
Lots of us know that he's the proud grandson of the first Rabbi in Greenville, but how many of you know that Jeff is a collector? Yep. A collector.
Exclusive Photography: FishEye Studios, Greenville, SC
Jeff grew up in the Army Store, which his dad opened over 65 years ago. “There was a JOKE counter with all kinds of strange doggie doo and snakes and cigarette loads, skunk perfume. So as a young kid I was exposed to odd things. Things that would really peak a kid's imagination and it kind of just flowed from there.”
As a fan of everything off the wall, Jeff collects Pee Pee boys, Kewpie dolls, crossbred trolls dolls, face jugs created by SC folk artist, Steve Ferrell, naughty wind up toys and everything Shepard Fairey. His Fairey collection includes stickers, shirts, and almost 100 signed and numbered prints.
After graduating Emory University, Jeff decided to return to Greenville. “I like Greenville so I stayed and took over the Army Store. Growing up in Greenville, I always thought it was a great place - it's the people that make it.”
In Victorian times (1890-1910), these German bisque Naughty Pee Pee Boys were "bathroom humor and was off the grid for these people. They're naughty!" reminds Jeff. While Jeff corners the market, he's lets us know that "They go anywhere from $35 to $150 bucks each."
"We collect people down here at the store too," with a long history of an open door policy, we still have 4-5 street people that come in and are as nuts as can be," Jeff explains. Pictured here is Bobby Jones (and Kevin) who used to organize tractor polo games.
Customer Favorites: knives, camping gear, military clothing, personalized dog tags and any size foam rubber you could imagine. In the 'olden' days, the occasional pair of foam rubber hips were created for local proms.
With life-long friends and long-term employees, Tod (16+ yrs) and Kevin (15+ yrs) take joy in watching 3rd generation families come through the doors. “We let kids be kids in here, touch everything except the machetes is our only rule.”
