Ken Niese, a Shelby electronics enthusiast has turned his lifelong hobby into a local business, focusing on eliminating E-waste and offering a place for other hobbyists to find everything they need for their projects. Niese has been in electronics since graduating from Pioneer Career and Technology Center.

In college, Niese studied industrial electronics and robotics and from there began traveling with friends to Hamfest & Computer Shows across Ohio and Michigan, selling his discounted electronics and equipment there.

After 15 years of doing roadshows, Niese saw an opportunity to be a resource for his local community and opened a storefront called ESL Surplus in Shelby. However, opening a storefront in downtown Shelby proved to be challenging for Niese who was still taking his business on the road.

In August 2016, he decided to close the storefront down and manage his inventory for the Hamsfest shows solely out of their warehouse on Hinesville Rd N in Shelby. 

“Tearing down the store and trying to maneuver large trailers in downtown Shelby was too much. On top of that, we would take our inventory to a show for a weekend, and return with almost nothing. Our store wouldn’t have much product leftover,” he said.

Since the storefront closing, Niese has been obtaining inventory, partnering with new vendors, and scooping up store close-out inventory from places like Radio Shack and Toys R’ Us in bulk.

The inventory ranges from new to refurbished items, and currently Niese estimates a majority of his inventory is made up of new items. The bulk pricing allows him to keep his prices on the brand new merchandise significantly lower than retail. 

Electronics are more than just a hobby to Niese; it’s also about building community and camaraderie. This took shape in the early stages of his business as it started as a joint venture between friends with a shared interest. Now he is excited to spread his passion to the local and surrounding communities as well. 

For Niese, the warehouse is more than a business. It’s a place to serve the whole community from the hobbyist and electronic enthusiast in search of components for their projects to the farmer who needs tools and LED lighting to the everyday consumer searching for a 10’ phone charger or headphones.

Rather than making a long trip to a neighboring town to pick up a phone charger ESL Surplus is the local option, and the specialty items and discounted pricing attract neighboring towns to shop here as well. Customer Paul Allen’s experience was worth the drive.

His comment on ESL’s Facebook page says, “Took my first visit to El Surplus today (Tues. AUG. 18TH). The 12-mile trip from home was VERY WELL worth it! I could go on & on about this great store, but the best thing to do is check it out for yourself! Stock is fantastic & prices are unbelievably cheap, but not cheap quality! Will I return for more? YOU BET I WILL, AGAIN & AGAIN!!!”

Though Niese officially resumed local sales from the warehouse location for ESL Surplus in Oct. 2017, they were still getting their operations established. Niese is excited to announce that the warehouse location for ESL Surplus is officially ready for the attention of the Shelby community and will be hosting their official ribbon cutting grand re-opening, Monday Oct. 15th at 11:30 a.m.

As part of the celebration, ESL Surplus will have a prizes kiosk available for customers who stop by the store to sign up to win prizes like Cedar Point and Columbus Zoo tickets and more. 

The grand re-opening of ESL Surplus’ local store isn’t the only exciting thing on the horizon either. Niese plans ESL Surplus to be a multifaceted business—eCommerce is also an aspect of service he plans to offer the community. The ESL surplus website is undergoing changes to include options for online shopping options as well. The project is planned to be ready in time for the holiday shopping season. 

ESL Surplus is located at

4280 Hinesville Rd

Shelby, Ohio 44875

M W F 10 am- 6 pm

S 9 am- 3 pm