State of the Local Hobby Shop?

[patmat2350]

Another thread here started to talk about supporting our suppliers and LHS's; clearly if we don't, we'll have trouble even if we're scratch building, 'cause where we gonna buy our CA and basswood?

I've seen a couple stores close up near me, and occasionally hear someone bemoaning the loss of a cherished LHS in other parts of the country. On the other hand, I'm in one of the most depressed areas of the US-- SE Michigan-- home of fewer and fewer automotive jobs… and the closings I've seen were all in a local chain (Rider's), where it looks more like a consolidation of stores than a pull-out. I still have at least ten well stocked LHS's within a 45 minute drive… and one of them just moved into upgraded digs.

So how are things where you are?

And how strong is your loyalty to these shops?

I admit that I buy a lot through mail order… usually because the LHS doesn't stock what I want, and/or their price isn't competitive. I do hate to pay $8.95 shipping for a $4 item, so I try to build up orders. Of course, my usual buys wouldn't support the LHS that much anyway, four bucks here and there and rarely a $500 kit!

And is the LHS doomed by the internet, just as local stables and blacksmiths were doomed by the automobile?

And what will we really lose if they are? What are your thoughts?

Pat M

[Tug Guy]

We had 2 shops when I first moved here in 2000. One was run by a pair of sisters that had long put off retirement. No one stepped up to buy them and keep the store open. Now it is a junk store you can't even walk through the isles for all the 2nd hand stuff offered.
The 2nd store was run by a very young guy that had a bad location. He never had any real model supply inventory. His main interest was cars and for that he had some inventory. A year later he too closed up.
Now all there is left is the internet. Thank God that hasn't shut down yet.

Don

[toesup]

Yeeeesh...

I have several (so called) model shops within a 25 mile radius of where i am sitting, just outside LA. The closest two are of the big chain type, who seem to employ the .. shall we say, the less educated.. :rolleyes: assistants. One i frequent regularly as they have a reasonable stock of ply, balsa and glues, the other.. yeah, right..
The next nearest is a drive away and is an 'independant', is better stocked and has better staff.. although, thats for aircraft and car bits.. and has very little boat parts.

Others i have visited within the 25 mile rad. are a mixture of the three local shops.. some are good, some are bad.. and some are.. well, i wouldnt visit them again!.

Yes, i order through the net, as the LHS's dont carry what i need, but where-ever possible, i buy from the LHS.. or ask them to order it.

I dont think the LHS is doomed by the net, but to survive, they need to cater for all modellers wether new, seasoned or vastly experienced... and need to get better assistants.. at least not 'spotty young oiks' who think they have enough knowledge to tell you what you need after buying a RTR car!..:mad::mad::mad:

I came from GB, where model shops are (now) few and far between, they hadnt used to be like that, there used to be lots of shops that catered for the modeller.. even 'toy' shops carried a basic stock of balsa and ply!.

When i moved here (to central California) the LHS was incredible and stocked virtually everything i needed (Shaun H knows who i mean) and if they didnt have it in stock, would bend over backwards to have it special ordered and delivered within 48 hours.
I base my (now) LHS's on my 'first' experience over here in the US of A of a LHS.. and nothing comes close.. Yes, Shaun H, you can tell them that!. :o

[CG Bob]

First, I'm currently the president of the CMBC (http://www.clevelandmodelboat.com/). Secondly, I work part time at a LHS.

There are two hobby shops within 10 miles of my home. One is 5 miles away, and is a mom & pop store, dealing mostly with trains, plastic models & diecast. I go there at least every other month to check in and make sure they have enough fliers about our club and upcoming events. I don't spend too much money there; but their prices are reasonable. They do refer boat questions to me at the store where I work; and our store sometimes refers diecast questions to them. This shop doesn't carry a lot of rc stuff, but does carry quite a bit of plastic models that can be converted to rc.

The LHS that I work at is about 10 miles from home. We expanded the store about a year and half ago. The owner is a model railroader (HO scale); he tries to hire people with actual experience in the different hobbies. Even though I'm a scale boater, I get all of the gas/nitro & sailboat questions - those I can't answer right away I ask the guys in my local club. We have about 10 people working in the shop. Most of them are car guys because we sell a lot of cars & trucks. A local rc airplane club meets at the shop monthly. The rc boat area ia a double sided shelf unit 12 feet long, with rtr boats. The scale boats, plastic & wood, are in another part of the store and utilize about 20 feet of shelf space. I do provide fliers on the local club, SSMA, and SubCommittee at the rc boat rack. The rc boat rack is near the rc car counter where we do repairs. Since rc cars and boats have similar parts requirements, I think the arrangement we have is pretty good. While we don't carry everything that I or my club members need or want, we can special order items; the local sales tax (6.75%) is less than the shipping from most of the e-tailers. I do buy quite a bit of the daily suplies like paint, glue, wood, plastic, etc., from my employer; the employee discount helps some. The last "big ticket" I bought from the shop was a 9 channel radio at Christmas.

There are several other shops within an hour drive or so, but I don't frequent them as much as the two closer to me. Some of the other shops specialize more in trains. Things seem to be pretty good at the shops where I live, each one seems to have their own little niche.

I don't think the LHS is doomed by the internet; maybe the LHS has a slight flesh wound. The e-tailers may have lower prices; but have you tried to get warranty repairs done by them. Some of the LHS will replace the defective part, from shop stock, and send it back to the manufacturer for you. There is a lot to be said for the staff at the LHS; we know the product and what works. You can bring the model in and have a person take a look at it and help you trouble shoot and fix the problem. Customer service from the e-tailers can't provide the "hands-on" tech support the LHS can.

[SDJ]

In Australia most of the LHS stock mostly ARF's and very little else, the nearest one to me has good staff and are very helpfull and patient, often rounds down purchases to the nearest $10.00 and lets me drool as much as I like.
I think the part of the problem is alot of people want instant gratification, we want it and we want it now!! this is not entirely their fault as most advertising is aimed at so called instant gratification. the old, why wait when you can have it now, only 3 low payments of blah blah blah.
planing and building skills teach patience, appreciation and acountability, there is much greater satisfaction in a job that is built from a kit or scratch built than just pull it out the box, maybe have to put decals on, charge the battery and lets go boating, though there is nothing wrong with this its not for me, (to each their own).
I get alot of satisfaction teaching my children how to plan and build things, be it models or billy carts or camping skills, its great to see the penny drop and then I just get out the way and enjoy seeing them work together, (much better than their usual Dad he's got his foot in my room, sigh) just my 2 cents worth.

an important thing to rember is: Treat a mans opinion like you would treat his dog, if you like it tell him so, but he should not expect you to take it home. just my 2 cents worth.

[der kapitan]

Here in western New York, the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area can boast of several well-stocked hobby shops, one of which bills itself as "the largest hobby & craft store in the U.S." :rolleyes:

Oh, it's big all right, and does have a wide range of hobby items that will suit one's needs, but I've seen larger shops in Phoenix and San Diego. ;)

Then we have several small "specialist" shops, that cater to the airplane and train people. These little places have a surprising inventory of stuff, and a knowledgable staff to go with it. :D

We also have a "Hobbytown USA" store, which I believe is part of a national chain. :)

The great feature of the shops here is that all of them seem to be doing a good business, and there havent been any hobby shop closings in many years. :D

I'm a scratchbuilder, and as such am not in the market for anything other than tools and materials, but it's good to see that things are available for the average modeler. :)

[SDJ]

[ There is a lot to be said for the staff at the LHS; we know the product and what works. You can bring the model in and have a person take a look at it and help you trouble shoot and fix the problem. Customer service from the e-tailers can't provide the "hands-on" tech support the LHS can.[/QUOTE]

Amen!! as a beginer I can relate to that

[patmat2350]

Close to me near Detroit is "Nankin Hardware", which is about half local hardware store (a rarity with so many Lowes & Home Depots nearby), and half hobby shop. Don't know if one half props up the other, nor which might do the propping- both seem well stocked and busy.

They have a lot of tools & materials not found in most shops, and a lot of trains, plastic models, and RC planes. Best, they even carry a nice range of RTR and kit RC boats... I'm there frequently!

Personally, I expect that aging boomers will keep the retailers afloat for a long time yet, whether they're online or surrounded by bricks & mortar.

PM

[der kapitan]

I was always into model boats, even as a kid, and I would visit every hobby shop I could cycle to in the area back then. :)

I couldn't afford a lot of the stuff I saw, but I can still remember the atmosphere that the shops exuded. :)

The store windows would have displays that piqued the imagination, but they were only a prelude to what was inside. ;)

You'd walk in, and there would be model airplanes hanging from the ceiling, display models of cars, tanks, figurines, dioramas, etc. in glass cases, ship models on top of shelves---. Wow! :D

(sigh) Don't see much of that anymore---. :(

[Aerominded]

Too true- I used to go to a favorite "LHS" of mine that fit that description... though mine had the added benefit of being dimly lit and was poorly organized- to me, it was 'adventure', a place to spend time- I bought everything there- even though it was a small shop, they catered to every interest (I still remember some of the Sterling C*C kits on the walls that I didn't consider buying... :censored: ) The knowledgeable owner worked the cash register 6 days a week and did the books on the 7th day- hard work for sure-

Now I buy from several LHS' and online- the LHS' in my area are generally 'sterile' by comparison- flourecent lights, ARFs and barcodes. I buy mostly materials and paint from them- the electronics, motors, etc I usually go online or direct to the factory- we still need the LHS and they need to be supported but they aren't the same to me anymore... who knows, perhaps it is just age :o

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

The hobby shops around here do all right. I would say we have about 12 in and around Portland. Three are train stores, one is a large mall "toy" store, one Hobbytown USA with some good folk, Three are almost exclusively RC car "plus" stores. Two are well established all around hobby shops, and two are Car/plane plus stores.

I would say that frequent four of the shops regularly, at least enough to be known as"trouble". :p

[Kmot]

There are plenty of hobby shops in Los Angeles County. I suppose there are dozens spread out around Southern California. In my little neck of the woods, (5 minute drive) I have Smith Brothers and Hobby People.

Smith Bros is a really nice hobby shop. But not if you are into r/c boats. They have tons of plastic models, including plastic boat kits so if you want to convert to r/c you hae a choice. But they do not know r/c boats nor really care. They are mostly r/c airplane guys and going along with the market have mostly ARF's. But they do still carry some kits, mostly u-control. They are also very big in the HO trains and have tons of that stuff. However, they have a very nice selection of building materials, tools, wood, etc. I can say though, that they are staffed with some of the most knowledgeable people about model airplanes. Tony Naccarato came here after closing his hobby shop, T&A Hobby Lobby in Burbank. Dick Waddel, Vice President of the San Fernando Giant Scale Squadron also works there.

Two guys who really know model boats/subs are customers there, Steve Neil (U812) and Harry Hollins III (Horrible Harry) so some really good info has been gleaned from both of them.

If I want to spread out to a 1 hour drive, I have more hobby shops than I am probably aware of. Some of them include Ultimate Hobbies, Pegasus Hobbies, Marty's Hobbies, Gizmo's, Robins Hobby, Hobby Zone, Evett's Model Shop, Hobby People Corporate, Hot Rod Hobbies, Hobby Town, etc.

To answer Pat's question, I do not believe LHS's are becoming extinct. I do think the cream is floating to the top and the others will go by the wayside.

[patmat2350]

I'm thinking much can be said about our supply base. We have many good folks who know their stuff and will be around as long as they care to be. We have some who don't know how, or don't care to pursue this niche, and may be "going away".
What really encourages me is all the NEW entries- Model Solutions is just the latest... but every two months I'm amazed at how much new product I'm able to report on just in R/C boats... Tian Jie for one, but also lots of new releases from Billing, Graupner, Deans, etc.- but not much from US sources! Oh well, international trade is good, right?

PM

[smart_racer]

I try to do my weekly (for the past 30yrs) visit and purchase to my LHS, it plus a train-only shop are the only two left. The LHS still carries that kid in a candy store atmoshere, planes hanging, kits to ceiling, the area no body know's what is there. The father has passed on, but the son has carried on very well. The prices seem to be more competitive lately, they say a different supplier (may be on-line shops). I also use on-line shops on a regular basis,(north and south of the border) but being in Canada you have to have a sharp pencil, because of the exchange rate, shipping, customs, handing costs, that may occur. Ebay is also a favorite

[jeepers1940]

Aero-,
Your reminiscences rang a bell with me; back in the late 40's and throughout the 50's, all we had were the mom and pop hobby shops. They were magical places to a youngster with a few dollars in his pocket and an extensive want list. Our lawn mowing and paper routes never seemed to produce enough money to really do any serious 'damage' at these shops, but we prized what we were able to haul home on our bicycles (and later a Cushman motor scooter).
The motor scooter - cost $ 75.00, a 1950 model paid for in 3 monthly payments in 1956 - gave me somewhat wider shopping latitude in the community. Gasoline was around 25 cents a gallon; I might burn 50 cents worth a week, in a busy week.
It's interesting to see some of the items that we purchased back then appear from time to time on eBay, and see the prices that they command today, often in used if not abused condition.
The mom and pop stores are gone from my area, replaced by the chain stores where most things are bubble-wrapped, computer-inventoried, pretty predictable, and yes, my word too, sterile. The people are nice, try to be helpful, a couple are knowledgable, but it just isn't magical any more.
Perhaps that's just a function of our ages now, and the times we live in. But it's a shame that our children and unborn grandchildren will never know that excitement and sense of anticipation that we felt when we eagerly walked into an old-fashioned dimly lit, slightly mysterious hobby shop where anything was possible, or so it seemed.

[Kmot]

The first hobby shop I patronized, and did so for many years, was Reginald Denny's Hobby Shop in Hollyweird. The 2nd one. On the corner of Sunset and Western. It was a very long bike ride from my home. I got my Mom to drive me whenever possible. ;)

I only built plastic models back then. Had no way to afford 'gas' models and no one to mentor me in that area. Reginald Denny's, at that time (early 60's) mostly specialized in plastic models IIRC, and slot cars. They had a large slot car track in there. One of the highlights of my young modelling was when the owner of Reginald Denny's allowed me to put one of my hand painted models (Curtiss P-40) on display in his central model case. I was very proud! I also got my first job at 12 years old and started saving up to buy a Binks Wren airbrush and compressor that when I finally got it in 1965 cost $225. That is $1453.56 in todays dollars! :eek:

I wanted my models to look better and an airbrush was the only way to go. I still have that airbrush system. If products cost the same today as they did relative to 1965 I would not be a happy modeler!

Reginald Denny's Hobby Shop closed its doors many, many years ago.

[der kapitan]

Jeepers, Aero, in reading the notes about your rememberences of the old hobby shops, really kinda brings the whole flavor of the thing back more vividly. :)

I'd almost forgotten about the dimly-lit upper shelves, dusty corners and the
back rooms, with broken kits of all kinds that you could pick up for pennies. ;)

One store in the area, "Field's Hobby Center", is one of the survivors of the mom-and-pop stores in our area. It's presently located in the suburbs, but I remember it being in no less than three other locations in Buffalo. :)

The present owner/proprietor bought the business from his father some time ago, and runs it pretty much the same way it's always been. :)

Though better-lighted, there are still airplanes hanging from the ceiling, glass
cases displaying various treasures, and a nice range of merchandise. And business is brisk---. :D

[green-boat]

If I knew years ago what I know now :eek: :eek:

Years ago when there was numerous mom/pop hobby shops around and I first started to drive, I wish I would have gone to these hobby shops and checked them out to see what they had. Instead I was more interested in cars and girls, what a waste.

[jeepers1940]

Wellllll, not a total waste, green-boat! :)
Bill

[bluesy]

In our small city (the capital of the province no less) we have one, yep 1 hobby shop. They are an enthusiastic group and the owner is a prince of a guy. It is a "combo" shop with emphasis on trains and planes. He has an expanding section of fairly up to date car and truck goodies as well. Model boating is fairly represented and orders can be placed for items not in stock with a resonable delivery time. The stock of "consumables" (paint, tools, ply and other woods) is very good. So any time I need anything extra for one of my kits I can usually find it there. All in all, a fun place to hang out.

doug in victoria, bc

PS.....loads of planes hanging from the ceiling, models on display etc.

[Tregurtha1013]

Here in the NE suburbs of Detroit the best hobby shop is P&D. They are heavy on trains, rc cars and aircraft. They do have an area for boat specific stuff, it is small but the best i've seen around here. A good selection of plastic models of all types. Great selection of styrene, paints and such. Thats what I mainly go there for. They are pretty friendly there and if you have questions they will do anything they can to help.

Their used to be a hobby shop less than a mile from my house called Ar-Jays. It was a pretty good place, much like P&D but lacking much of the model train stuff. In my younger days when I build plastic kits i went there an awful lot. The place has since closed, and its downward spiral to that point was most distressing. Slowly a section of the shop developed for beanie babies and other such things that they called 'collectables'. Over time this section grew. One day i went in there and a section of the shop was tarpped off for remodeling and i was pleased that they were doing well enough to be making improvements to the store. When the remodel was finished i was stunned. They installed a starbucks like coffee stand in the hobby store! The owner apparently wanted to do new things as she was bored with the hobby store, i wished her well on it but doubted that people who would buy that kind of coffee would be stopping in at the hobby shop. It seems I was right as the place closed shortly after that. I did try the coffee just to see, and it sucked. I could do better at home.

[der kapitan]

If I knew years ago what I know now :eek: :eek:

Instead I was more interested in cars and girls, what a waste.

Ohhhh, guys, this boy needs some therapy---. :eek:

Maybe he fell off his work stool, and bonked his noggin? :D

[Kaskazi]

"Maybe he fell off his work stool, and bonked his noggin?"

Or maybe he took Winston Churchill too seriously - "A woman's just a woman, but a cigar's a good smoke!"

[empirebuilder]

We have a few model train stores within 30 minutes that fit the old style poorly lit adventure genre in this area, mostly holes in the wall with very friendly owners.

I've often entertained the thought of opening a local hobby store as our in town store closed recently, but I think it is a very tough business to be in and make money. Even if you include online sales, the cost of a store presence and hiring staff seems to outweigh the number of folks coming in and purchasing.

I would imagine to keep afloat the shops need to sell the big ticket items, unless a shop were to focus only on the scratch building market... hmm. Most people say they go into the store to pick up hobby supplies, perhaps a store that just sells paint, scale wood, etc?

[smart_racer]

empirebuilder...Make it a small home based business to start(one man show), tax write-off for sq.footage, power, plus other usage, I know location-location-location, but potential customers will come if you provide good products and service,let them see work in progress, finished builds, word of mouth is the cheapest and best advertising,.

[empirebuilder]

Good point, smart racer. And with my variety of hobby interests I may just involve stuff I would be building anyway (model boat, model railroad, etc) into display, as in the future I will run out of display space in my home...

[der kapitan]

...Make it a small home based business to start(one man show), tax write-off for sq.footage, power, plus other usage, I know location-location-location, but potential customers will come if you provide good products and service,let them see work in progress, finished builds, word of mouth is the cheapest and best advertising,.

Right on, Smart Racer, start small, stay small, keep track of the deductibles and expenses. ;)

Taking a phrase from Kevin Costner's movie, Field Of Dreams, "If you build it, they will come"---.

It works for me, and should work for anyone who has a good product. :)

[smart_racer]

At least try and pay the bills...( the important ones any-ways )...LOL

[green-boat]

Having a hobby specific hobby shop is hard to keep afloat. Years ago I worked in a family owned hobby shop that had 2 stores in town. In the summer when hobbies were slow the crafts would pull us thru. In the winter it was the hobbies that would pull us thru when crafts were slow. Yes, I would like to see a boats only hobby shop but there isn't enough of us around to keep such a store open where I live. If I was independantly wealthy and money was not a worry, I would open one up just because I wanted to. Maybe somewhere on the coast where boats are more of an everyday thing but a shop like that would not survive here in the Midwest. There is a boat only shop up in Chicago, Ill. but it has been there forever. It is run by 2 very retired guys who only work on Friday evenings and Saturdays if they feel like it or able to. They have drawers and bins of fittings that date back to the 50's. It's like going back in time.

[Kmot]

Okay, anyone have pictures of their LHS? Even if it is a webpage, as long as it shows pictures of the insides, let's see them. :)

Here's mine, Smith Bros:

http://www.valleybest.com/smithbros/

[der kapitan]

Impressive, Kmot, thanks for the photos.

[smart_racer]

Very clean,organized lay-out...nice

[der kapitan]

Taking the cue from Kmot, here's Niagara Hobby's website: www.niagarahobby.com

This is the one billed as the largest hobby & crafts shop in the U.S.A. :rolleyes:

[der kapitan]

And, the last of the mom-and-pop shops to survive in our area. There's even a little history on how the shop started: www.fieldshobby.com

[Tregurtha1013]

Here is a link to the website of my LHS. The site isn't very extensive, but has a few pics.

http://www.pdhobbyshop.com/home.php

[CG Bob]

Here's the hobby shop (http://mentoroh.hobbytown.com/) where I work. Don't blame me, it's based on the corporate website. IIRC, our current RTR boat inventory as of 5 PM today, when I clocked out was:
Proboat Clasic Runabout
Aquacraft Pirate Ship
Aquacraft Atlantic tug
Traxxas Villan
Traxxas Blast
Traxxas Nitro V
Aquacraft Miss Vegas
Proboat Miss Llumar
Proboat Catamaran
Aquacraft Paradise sailboat
3 Kyosho Surfer dudes
Proboat Vortec airboat
Several Nikko & Nkok rtr toy boats
Hobbico Sharks and subs
1 Kyosho mini tunnel hull
Aqaucraft Electric Hammer
Aquacraft Nitro Hammer
Reef racer

Over on the palstic model aisle, suitable for rc are:
2 Revel U-boats
PT 815
Trumpeter Kilo class in 1:144 scale
Several 1:350 carriers by Trumpeter, Tamiya

[Kmot]

Niagra looks like a pretty darned big store! But mostly crafts? I like the look of Fields frontage. Same with P&D. Hey, can't knock Hobbytown stores. At least you have one!

Here are a few massive hobby shops that are about a 1 hour drive or so from me:

Pegasus Hobbies
http://www.pegasushobbies.com/

Ultimate Hobbies
http://www.ultimatehobbies.com/

Marty's Hobbies
http://www.martyshobbies.com/

And a massive Hobby People in Camarillo:

http://graphics.hobbypeople.net/graphics/storefront.jpg

[smart_racer]

I have read a few posts about guys ordering on-line from Ultimate Hobbies, then having credit card problems later because they do not have a secure site, plus they will not ship to Canada - eh!....nice shops any-way

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Galaxy Hobbies of Lynnwood, WA (Seattle) has some of my loyalties as well.

http://www.galaxyhobby.com/

Very good shop, even mailed my drivers license back to me after I left at the shop.

:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[smart_racer]

I have heard alot of good comments about Galaxy, unfortunately the time I had a quick chance to visit it was 10:30 on a Sunday, they opened at 12:00, had to head back north to catch the ferry, but had a good look in the window...I will be back!

[keith S]

I have 4 hobby stores in my home port and 8 more north & south of me that I frequent ( depending on what I need). The local stores are pretty much specialty stores.
Eagles: gaming and plastic models with some building supplies.
Mikes R/C World: cars and radio equipment.
Hobby Town USA: combo toy/hobby store. Some supplies and craft items.
Train Depot: just what it says.
Most of my LHS purchases go to Preformance Hobies in Burlington and Gallaxy Hobby in Lynwood ( also happens to be the home port for our club meetings!).
For specialty stuff with scale boats I go North of the 49th parrelel to Burnaby Hobbies for fittings and other special things that the locals don't carry. He still imports a lot of fittings/kits from overseas that can only be found on the net.
As far as the state of the local hobby stores, they have been doing fine. The problem I have is that they usaally cater to a specific group ( cars /planes) as that is where the $$ are. Boats are ( as stated in previous threads) a minority for these folks. Reasons for this, boaters don't usally destroy a model boat on a weekend ( consistantly). Tend to have 1 or 2 prodjects that be come detailed and well cared for. After all, how many really detailed planes do you see fly compared to boats on the water? Another reason boats are not as previlent is just the availability of information and organizations for those interested. Boaters tend to be independent a swe have a special enviromental needs (water) that limits visibility--fewer people participating. Cars /planes on the other hand can be found just about anywhere theese days making them more popular-- $$ viable for some one trying to make a living.
As far as a boats only store, well it would be nice, but not practical in my area. I always hear people saying it would be great if we had one here, yet they will also not travel more than 10-30 minuits for specialty items. Also here them say "I can get it on line for cheaper". Might be a true statement.But, consider cost of shipping and wait times. LHS have it stock, get it now and progress with prodject.
I support my LHS as much as I can. The ones in my area will do what they can to get items if they can. They all have my phone number to call for answers to model boat questions or for help also. Lately there have been more calls. When I find out which store gave them the info, I prefer to encourage them to do more business with them for that prodject. If not direct them where to go for the help they need ( medical/mental not included).
Support the stores that I can, with what I need, and they will help support the hobby too.

[der kapitan]

Niagra looks like a pretty darned big store! But mostly crafts? I like the look of Fields frontage. Same with P&D. Hey, can't knock Hobbytown stores. At least you have one!



Kmot, Niagara, isn't mostly crafts, though they do have a big selection. The plus there is that they have a good selection of magazines and books of interest to boaters, and an aisle devoted to hobby tools, like X-acto, Zona, Badger, etc.

You know, if you look at this thread, it should be put up as a "sticky", just
go back and check out the list of sources---. :)

[Aerominded]

Reasons for this, boaters don't usally destroy a model boat on a weekend ( consistantly).

You sure are right about that Keith!!! Seems for every 15 seconds of flying time, my planes need an hour for rebuild!!! :eek: ;) (well, it might not be that bad, anymore- but you get the idea! :o )

I introduced a flying buddy to model boats a couple of years back. Run the boat, put the boat away- He was pleasantly surprized that was all there was to it!!! :)

Does make it hard to sell a lot of replacement parts (kits) under these circumstances! :)

[Boatfox]

Franciscan Hobbies (http://www.franciscanhobbies.com/) Is one that has some basic stuff as well as a small boat section. They mainly like train stuff.
J & M hobby House. ( No web sight) This is a Gem of a store. Very small, but the owner "Cliff", knows his stuff and can get almost anything in a few days.
Couple other small stores that don't carry anything of value to me...but always fun to go snooping about.

[der kapitan]

Franciscan Hobbies (http://www.franciscanhobbies.com/) Is one that has some basic stuff as well as a small boat section. They mainly like train stuff.
J & M hobby House. ( No web sight) This is a Gem of a store. Very small, but the owner "Cliff", knows his stuff and can get almost anything in a few days.
Couple other small stores that don't carry anything of value to me...but always fun to go snooping about.

Boatfox, the owner of Franciscan Hobbies is the kind of guy who will order any kind of stuff for you, even if he doesn't carry it in stock. :)

He once ordered some hulls from me for a customer, that's how I know. ;)

[rlboats2003]

Well Der Kaptian did a good job on the hobby shops in Buffalo/NF, but since were talking about the good old days, I grew up in Southeastern Pa in the Doylestown Pa. area. I think what is stocked is what sell and what is available Trains and plastic models of cars and aircraft were king. Only the rich people had ponds or lakes and the creeks and delaware were not great for scale boats. In fact static model ships are about the only thing you would find. Herb's Hobby House was king and still is. As I got older and could drive I could get to Lansdale were there were 2 great shops Hennings (now Lins) was all railroad but Penn Valley Hobby Shop was the kind of shops that had all kind of nocks and crannies (always wondered what a crannie was) and a bargin basement. Bill Shive still runs it on a limited open basis, and when my mother was still alive I would get down to visit Herbs and Penn Valley which were places that I enjoyed visiting. If your going for model boats not the most popular thing, but great people that made my hobby interest grow.

Happy modeling,
Rich

[Shaun Hendricks]

There are 3-4 major hobby shops within 25 miles of me either way. One is doing very well, expanding like crazy, trying to carry everything, I go there when I have money. The others take their local customers a bit for granted and carry only high profit items, letting the internet deal with the lower margin stuff.

In the end, the niche for the LHS will likely be 'that part I gotta have NOW' or the hobby social club, at least that's my prediction for the LHS's that have no desire to join the internet madness. Those that do will need to sink or swim on price. Ebay offers some cutthroat deals and nobody with need for a normal profit margin can survive that for long. LHS's have overhead and higher rentals than just someone running out of a wharehouse. So, they kind of need to see internet traffic as supplemental income and a place to dispose of the 'non sellers' and still have a chance of breaking even.

So wether you see the LHS become a hybrid or isolated will basically be driven by the proprieters and what their local customer base can support.

I like my LHS but when the budget pinch is on, I look to the internet.

[patmat2350]

A new hobby shop just opened near me!

Actually a branch of an old one. Nankin Hardware & Hobby (http://www.nankinhardware.com/)in Westland MI is a bit of a drive for me... but they have lots of stuff. And now they just opened a pure-hobby shop a good bit closer to me in Farmington Hills.

Just went there after a meeting of the MSMBC (http://michiganmodelboats.com/) at a great new site just down the road (indoor clubhouse AND a lake!). The club adjourned and then we all met at the new hobby shop for an extended bull session.

Does this shop support boats? You bet! Lots of general R/C stuff, but also a whole bunch of brand new ARFs (lots of the new IMEX boats), and plenty of the new large scale plastic models (PT-109, Gato, etc.).

And what might be even neater? They have a meeting room available! What a way to engender loyalty...

Pat M

[der kapitan]

A new hobby shop just opened near me!
Does this shop support boats? You bet! Lots of general R/C stuff, but also a whole bunch of brand new ARFs (lots of the new IMEX boats), and plenty of the new large scale plastic models (PT-109, Gato, etc.).
And what might be even neater? They have a meeting room available! What a way to engender loyalty...
Pat M

Pat, a new hobby shop that stocks boat stuff has to be a biggie---. :)

Better yet, you have an active local club to hang out with. :D

A lot of modelers don't have EITHER ONE nearby---. :(

[Prins Willem]

Pat,

Having meetings in the hobby shop is a double edged sword. It can be hard to start a meeting on time until the stragglers wander in from shopping. For the most part it is a symbiotic relationship. The shop owner does engender loyalty and make a few extra sales on meeting night. I will try and plan to buy some needed items on meeting nights to reduce travel. Our LHS owner was made a honorary member of our club several years ago. He is a active supporter of hobbies and crafts.The shop donates a kit for raffle to our annual club picnic. They also give a 10% club member discount.

The next question. Is there a Bakers Square near by for the meeting after the meeting? In the WSBA a good pie is as appreciated as much as a good model.

[Bob Bighinatti]

Hi Pat . My wife and i are coming to MI in July For a family vacation. My wife is from Livonia . About how far is this Hobbyshop from Livinia?
Bob Big

[patmat2350]

Right next door! Farmington Rd & 9 Mile. So new it might not be listed anywhere yet.

Stop by our club's fun run on July 12. Info at http://michiganmodelboats.com/calendar.htm , as soon as I can update it!


Pat

[valo]

i have 2 shops in 10min walking distance from home :p

one specialises in plastic and airbrush and carries all the extra stuff for airbrush (colors, primers, and so on....) and some plastic profiles, i go there for colors and associated stuff

the second one is nearly a boat only shop, has some rc trucks and plastic boats, color, tools, ply..... i go there mostly for ply and stuff i need now

a few very nice shops in vienna have closed in the years i did'nt do modelling... :(

the rest i order from the internet, mostly from germany...

[romap]

Pat - Chomping at the bit for Nankin's Grand Opening this week. My closest LHS closed little over a year ago. He was light on boating but met my needs for scratch supplies. The new HobbyWorld at Green Oaks is also light on boats. He's expanding but won't commit to stocking more boat stuff. An obscure shop in Brighton has never been big on boats. In all cases they've told me there's practically no demand for boats. This is curious since we (you and I) live in the midst of so many lakes and ponds. Shipping costs to buy online probably offset gas needed to reach the nearest store but, I like to see what I'm buying.

Rom

[patmat2350]

Hi Rom-
The Grand Opening should be fine, but the store is already open for business!

Pat

[Prins Willem]

Pat,

Is the July 12th date for your fun run firm? If so I'll put it on the WSBA events page. I may even use it as an excuse to take a ride on the Lake Express.

Model boat event and a hobby shop to check out. Can't pass up a twofer.

[patmat2350]

Date is firm, but the calendar needs updating still with sites... which is the Taylor site on 7/12, but check ahead of time as we sometimes have last minute changes!

Pat

[blkft1]

If I may chime in,here in DFW Texas I have 3 Hobbytown USA's within 20mins from me,also 5 independent LHS's about 10-30mins away.As in these chain stores they stock enuff of everything,plus stuff my kids like which keeps em busy while I shop.Mikes Hobby Shop in Addison is pretty big and carries a wide range of stuff for planes,boats and cars plus has a indoor track and battlebot arena.Texas Rc Modelers in Plano Tx pretty nice too.A1 in Mesquite is nice,dont carry much boat supply stuff but are very helpful.Indy Rc in Garland Tx have a indoor track,cool place to take the kids on sat/nite and hangout till 12a.m. and watch the racing.Then theres Wild Bills ,that place is crammed like you wouldnt believe,and carries a good selection of trains,planes,boats,cars,models and etc,,,.I like to dig around cuz sometime you can find stuff that is unique and OUP.All the LHS I've been to here have been helpful,although I do buy my kits off the internet at times.I spend about $20-$50 a week buying peripherals at one shop or the other,guess I'm pretty fortunate here.

[blkft1]

Hello Mr Patmat,it saddens me to hear about the problems in Michigan.I grew up in Gennessee co,Flint Mich.We left in the early 80,s and moved to Texas.I was about 11 at the time.My brother went back 2yrs ago and told me our neighborhood was real bad.Looked up on the City's website and noticed almost every house on ours and surrounding blocks was owned by the city or a law firm for tax leins and foreclosures .I have alot of fond memories growing up there as a kid,especially the snow,we hardly have any here in DFW Texas.Although my Dad tells me "you did'nt have to drive in it,just play in it!".

[Greg Hiltz]

A northern response;
Here in Eastern Canada, Local Hobby Shops are scarce, one in Halifax, NS, fair stock of varied hobby supplies, approx. 4X8 peg board size of boat stuff, couple radios, etc, helpful in store, gives our club members -10%, tried to have them mail me items that were out-of-stock, never did get them.
I'm in Saint John, New Brunswick, one "hobby shop" in suburbs, specializing in RR stuff, no boat stock, will not order either.
However, we in the model boat hobby are very fortunate due to a long-time connection I've had with Lowell Briggs Hobbies in NS, specializes in strictly model boats, Lowell is foremost, a decent boat builder, having tackled various commissions, and some for himself. Years ago, he bought out the stock from Valleyfield Hobbies in Quebec, and expanded from there. He carries all the brands, mostly from Germany, Spain, England, US and many others. At one time, he had an electronics whiz design and build Electronic Speed Controls for him, which he sold approx 60% of the price of the German built ones, but now he sells the ProBoat line, and only keeps a few of his around. I've known Lowell for years, and I currently have approx. $15,000.00 of his stock here in Saint John, on consignment for fellow members of our Saint John Marine Modelers Assoc, and othere who hear from word-of-mouth. People can buy from my stock, or order from him, and either pay me, or pay him. I deposit his money monthly. I take no cut or commission, we are just thankful to have access to all the great stock of boat fittings, running gear, kits, electronics and supplies. I visit his store every couple months while visiting my Dad, and can walk into his store, fill up boxes of whatever I think will sell, or is wanted by people, he writes me up the invoice, and I bring it home. I help him, he helps us.
-Greg Hiltz

[patmat2350]

Lost a couple more LHSs here (Rider's), but we still have a wealth of shops in the Detroit metro area... I was just looking for some mold rubber, nothing left close to me, so I went to a place across town in Royal Oak that I had heard of but never visited... Michigan Toy Soldier (http://www.michtoy.com/)... WOW! Huge shop FULL of toy soldiers (and not even ANY fantasy gaming stuff!). Everything from 1:6 scale GIs to the smallest cowboys and Indians... and yes they had PLENTY of mold rubber (my usual shop only has 1 unit in stock at any time, and I already cleaned him out)... and plenty of other stuff, including low-melt alloys and melting equipment, and paints I've never heard of before, etc. And there were customers in there!
A whole 'nuther world...

[Aerominded]

Pat, if you are doing any driving around when you are here for WBOP, check out J&M Hobby House in San Carlos... Classic store, classic service... I was there the other day and the owner was helping a customer diagnose a problem with his RC car... He broght out various test equipment and ran it while talking the customer through the process and the findings- spending all the time the customer needed to get the probelm solved... Very Cool!!! (and they carry a wide selection of boat stuff!!!)

[der kapitan]

Aero, you don't find that kind of dedicated service in too many places anymore---. :o

We have one shop in Buffalo, N.Y. that has that kind of knowledgeable service, and it's just down the road from the largest shop in the area. Go figure---. :rolleyes:

It's called "Field's Hobby Center", and they've been around for a lot of years,
though they did move from their original location to the "burbs" some years ago. :)

Though they tend to cater to the flyboys, they do have a nice selection of boat stuff, including Octura props, which the larger nearby shop does not---. :p

[green-boat]

A month or so ago we lost another LHS, a Hobby Town USA. I didn't know they were closing when I went there but with the discounts they were offering, I couldn't help myself.

[Habanero]

I purchased a tank online from Red Rocket and they "upgraded" me to a inferior (and less expensive) model.

From then on I always gave my local HS a chance first. If they can't get it THEN I order online. It usually ends up saving me $ on shipping AND I also usually get it faster.

I also like that you can bring something right back if there is a an issue. It may take some moaning but they have always done me right.

Here in South San Jose I go to California Hobbies. Paul there is whip smart and he bound my TX to an RX and replaced the motor my boat both without me even asking I just put them on the counter. Most other places just want to take your $ and be rid of you.

[Prins Willem]

Two weeks ago I went out to the Hobbytown USA in New Berlin and found that they were closed down. They had closed a month earlier.

The Hobbytowns around here that are farther out (Germantown, Grafton, & Delafield which are all about 30+ miles from downtown Milwaukee) seem to do better and have better selection than the ones that were in the close burbs.

[patmat2350]

Looks like we'll be losing another old time LHS in our area (Joe's in Farmington Hills, MI), but I thinks the others are getting stronger.

In addition, I found a new hardware store today- woo hoo! I've been in the area for 15 years now, always knew about this hole-in-the-wall hardware store, but for some reason I never went in. Did today, and wow! They have metals (picked up some 1/4" brass rod, couldn't find it anywhere else), and they even had M5 stainless steel hex nuts, which I needed for a prop shaft- didn't find those anywhere else either, not even in the LHS!

Happy happy joy joy.

[der kapitan]

Pat, we have several of those old hardware stores in my area, full of stuff you never knew existed---. ;)

Dark, dusty, lined with walls of old wooden cabinets, which have rows and rows of these little drawers, full of ---, oh my! just what I needed---! :)

Buy it, even if you don't need it right now, you know you'll need it later---. :D

The place has been there for probably 100 years or so, but might not be there next year---. :eek:

[HoaRC]

The old hobby shop business is no longer viable. Sad, but true.

[der kapitan]

The old hobby shop business is no longer viable. Sad, but true.
It may be true that the old traditional hobby shops are finding it more difficult to maintain their niche, but the more creative ones are still doing well. :)

For the modeler, this is a good thing, as the only other choice is shopping online---. :p

[Mrs. Toe's]

It may be true that the old traditional hobby shops are finding it more difficult to maintain their niche, but the more creative ones are still doing well. :)

For the modeler, this is a good thing, as the only other choice is shopping online---. :p

Well said, der Kap. Tammies Hobby in Beaverton is just such a place. Creative with a feel of that old dusty corners, nooks and cranies full of the odd bits. Reminds me of Fonk's back home...

[der kapitan]

Mrs. Toes, could you imagine the only choice for hobby stuff being Flea-bay---. :p

That would be like the only store around being Sprawl-Mart---. :eek:

[charlie eaton]

Up here in the northeast we lost another one,Fitt's Foto in North Hampton N.H. That's 5 in about 2 years.

[patmat2350]

Ya didna buy enough stuff, eh Charlie???

[der kapitan]

Ya didna buy enough stuff, eh Charlie???

That's a cheap shot on the old boy Pat. He probably bought out the last 30 hobby shops in his area years ago---. ;)

Check out what he has stashed away in plans, etc.. You can do this by reading his postings on this and that. ;)

Charlie probably might be a a lot of some old modelers' best friend---.

[jeepers1940]

Gosh, if only we knew some old modelers. :rolleyes:

[der kapitan]

Gosh, if only we knew some old modelers. :rolleyes:
Hee hee---. :)

[charlie eaton]

Gee, I usta no some olde modlers but now I are one! I done did got some stuff but I ain't done got it all.

[jeepers1940]

Charlie, judging by the pictures of your shop shelves, you may not have it all, but you "done got most of it." I used to not be able to spell "olde modlers" either, but now I are one, too.