Here in Denver, CO, there once was a number of electronics shops that sold surplus/overpurchased inventory, as well as new old stock, etc, that they bought at auction, or whatever.

Today, there are none. There's one shop here in the Denver area, and I'd point out, for those who don't know, that Denver is the largest city in Colorado, with a population of over a million, and with several disk drive manufacturers and many dozens of other electronics manufacturers within 40 miles or so, that sells the fruits of bankruptcy auctions, and the like, but no new components. From what I know of their business practices and procurement policies, I don't trade there.

There's one, of long standing, in Boulder, which is about 35 miles away, but that's IT!

If I need parts, I buy 'em from out of town.

There is one other shop that sells parts, but the newest of them are over a decade old. It's a good source for vacuum tubes (valves for some of you guys, but which we, here, call wattsuckingfirebottles) or 40 year-old meters, etc. I stop in there when I'm feeling nostalgic. The place still smells of the founder's cigars, though he passed on about a decade ago. Some of the ashes are still on the floor.

Now, if I can get by, so, too, can Jan, or anyone else. It just requires a little planning.

RE