12 replies to this topic

[Jantrix]

Hey guys moving to Clearwater area very soon and will be looking for local clubs/contests and the like. I've been out of the area for 18 years and finally moving back home. Good hobby shops?

[george 53]

Rob, try Phil's Hobby Shop,in St.Pete. It's on 62nd way.(I guess thats what they call streets down there) It's just a few blocks from the Seminole Mall. He's got a REAL nice shop,an carries ALL kindsa stuff,Models ,R/C Planes Cars trucks and boats. Plus he's a REAL cool guy an knows his stuff about EVERYTHING he carries! It's only a few blocks from my In-Laws,that's how I found it!

[MonoPed]

I'm a good bit north of Clearwater, but when I get down to Tarpon Springs to visit friends, I usally make a trip to House of Hobbies on US 19 in Palm Habour They have alot of stuff in there too.

[Jantrix]

Good info gents, thanks. There used to be a House of Hobbys in New Port Richey (Pasco County) when I was growing up. I'd heard they closed up a while back. Maybe this Palm Harbor store could be the same folks in a new location. I hope so they were real good people.

[crazyjim]

We have Rob's Hobby in Ocala and a small shop in Beverly Hills. Both cater to the R/C world, however, Rob has been getting new releases lately and not charging an excessive price. He's cheaper in some cases than Hobby Lobby that's further up the road.

[fatkidd]

Good info gents, thanks. There used to be a House of Hobbys in New Port Richey (Pasco County) when I was growing up. I'd heard they closed up a while back. Maybe this Palm Harbor store could be the same folks in a new location. I hope so they were real good people.

rob,
it is indeed the same folks. they had a store in NPR and one on on ft. harrison rd in clearwater. they closed both locations and opened a "central" location.

House of Hobbies
37700 US Highway 19 North
Palm Harbor, fl 34684-1020
Phone: (727) 943-5800

Phil's is a good shop...scratchbuilding supplies are a bit on the slim side, but they are willing to order things for you.

Phil's hobbies
(727) 545-1251
6050 Park Blvd
Pinellas Park, FL 33781

there's ralph's hobbies on 66th street in pinellas park. he only carries models and amateur radio stuff. he doesn't have much in the realm of scratchbuilding supplies, but he is always looking/buying collections of models so he has a good selection. he also has 2 or 3 large plastic crates of misc parts.

Ralph's Hobbies
(727) 547-8607
5208 66th St N, #D, St Petersburg, FL 33709

that's about it in the immediate area. there are a few in hillsborough county.

there is a place on gulf to bay that is called clearwater trains. as the name implies, they are all about trains. but they do have some scratchbuilding supplies.

as far as clubs, there is M.A.G.S. (modeling associates of the gulf state) http://mags.name/
i have not attended one of their meetings, but i have been to one of their shows and plan on going to the one at the fairgrounds on october 10 & 11

i hope this info helps a bit.

[george 53]

Duhhh, Thanks Paul for settin the record straight about Phil's location! Still, it IS a good hobby shop,Rob. If you go there you won't be disappointed. ( I hope)

[Jantrix]

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George, Paul, you guys are aces. That's perfect. Everything I need. I've also heard there is an IPMS club there somewhere. As soon as we're settled I'll go exploring. Thanks again.

[fatkidd]

Duhhh, Thanks Paul for settin the record straight about Phil's location! Still, it IS a good hobby shop,Rob. If you go there you won't be disappointed. ( I hope)

george, i wasn't trying to correct you. i was there today and, as always, i was not disappointed (other than not having enough money). they got quite a few of the recent round2 releases and several of the revell 65 stepsides.

copy - paste - print

George, Paul, you guys are aces. That's perfect. Everything I need. I've also heard there is an IPMS club there somewhere. As soon as we're settled I'll go exploring. Thanks again.

no problem. i won't be that far from you if you'll be in clearwater.
when are you moving?

[Jantrix]

Sometime in the first two weeks of Oct.........................hopefully.

[woodandbike]

There is a great club in the Tampa area and it is called M.A.G.S. which stands for Modeling Associates of the Gulf State. They are even hosting a show the weekend of Oct. 10 and 11th at the Tampa fairgrounds that coincides with the NSRA Souteast Nationals.Check out this link; http://mags.name/ Hope to sse ya around.

Edited by woodandbike, 28 September 2009 - 01:31 PM.

[Jantrix]

Thanks Dano. I hope to see you. The last time is was in the contest at the fairgrounds was '91 when the Suncoast Model Car Club put it on. Glad to see the tradition continues. This year will probably not see me. We'll be moving during that time frame, and I start my new job on the 12th. If I menton the car show to my wife it's a quarantee that I'll get her patented WTF look. But I'll be contacting MAGS soon. Thanks for the link.

[mikeD1]

Thanks Dano. I hope to see you. The last time is was in the contest at the fairgrounds was '91 when the Suncoast Model Car Club put it on. Glad to see the tradition continues. This year will probably not see me. We'll be moving during that time frame, and I start my new job on the 12th. If I menton the car show to my wife it's a quarantee that I'll get her patented WTF look. But I'll be contacting MAGS soon. Thanks for the link.

iam in spring hill /shady hills area !!!
mike