There are no locally owned hobby shops around here. Hobby Town is nearby but the franchise owner only likes radio controlled cars. He once told me that if he could get rid of the "plastic and glue stuff" he would. I would like to support them since they started in Lincoln NE but the local franchise makes it a hostile environment for me.
Hobby Lobby is another mile away and has a good supply of model cars. Their 40% off coupon makes going there a no brainer. I have gotten to know the person who "runs" their hobby section. About every 6 months they move stuff to clearance in all their hobby departments. At her store the clearance items go in a display between the main aisles. I am told their new policy is to discount at least 60% to turn over inventory.
I agree with Greg and Classic, I asked a random employee about the "chrome pens" and he took me straight to the pens.