Sought-After Surplus Sid’s Sign Surfaces at Shuttered Store

More than three months after it was taken, the stolen sign for the shut-down Surplus Sid’s in Carrboro returned to the former shop.

Chip Hoppin, co-owner of The Merch on Lloyd Street, shared a post to social media Wednesday morning saying he passed the former military surplus, costume and knick-knack store on East Main Street around 10 a.m. and happened to see the sign leaning up against the building. It had a note attached to it, which read “I am very sorry. I didn’t know how [important] the sign was.”

For years, the sign stood between two wooden stakes at the entrance of Surplus Sid’s to catch the attention of travelers on East Main Street. The mystery of the its disappearance began in March, after it had been removed and was simply leaning up against the storefront. Both Hoppin and TriangleBlogBlog shared that Surplus Sid’s founder Barry Keith wanted it back to commemorate the store he ran for more than three decades. The shop closed in Sept. 2025 as Keith transitioned to retirement and to focus on his health — news drastic enough to where a GoFundMe campaign raised more than $3,500 to help cover bills and at-home care for Keith.

For now, Orange County community members are celebrating on social media that the wooden, red and white Surplus Sid’s sign is back at the empty store. Keith still owns the building and property at 309 East Main Street, according to Orange County land records, and there is no public indication of what the future of the space may be.

Featured photos via Chip Hoppin.

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