Boston model shops

[dublin boy]

A friend of mine is coming home for a few weeks, he's actually in Dorchester, but are there any stores in Boston city or the surrounding areas? He's not a model builder, but I can talk him into bringing a couple of kits back for me.

Thanks for any help guys.

[Tesla]

Here's a store about 25 miles outside of Boston (Marlboro) that has a great selection of kits: http://www.sparetimeshop.com/

[dublin boy]

Thanks Dennis.

[freshawk]

http://www.hobbybunker.com/ this place is pretty awesome , in malden , and off of the orange line

[Bob Ellis]

Hobby Emporium in Tyngsboro, MA /Nashua, NH.

[dublin boy]

http://www.hobbybunker.com/ this place is pretty awesome , in malden , and off of the orange line

Thanks Brian, doesn't seem to much of a selection of car kits.

[dublin boy]

Bob, I've found some information on the Emporium on line, but I can't see an actual website listing their stock anywhere.

If my friend built model cars it would be fine as he'd know what to look for, but I'd sort of need to send him in with a list.

[Bob Ellis]

I doubt the Emporium lists their stock. It's a relatively big store with a wall of car models about 40 feet long. And they have a lot of paint and other building parts too.

These guys are not a distributer. and as such their stock is one or two each of everything currently offered. Though I have found some older stock, it is not the hot items. For them to post on line their stock, they would have to have in depth, meaning cases of one particular model. They don't, but they have hundreds of car models in stock.

Spare Time Shop in Marlborough, MA is the same. They order one or two of each kit (maybe more if it is really hot) and replace as needed from places like Stevens International for example. If you go to Stevens International online, and it's listed in stock, these stores can get it.

[dublin boy]

I saw pics on the web Bob, it just surprises me don't have a proper website.

No problem, I'll just go old skule and ring them!

[Guest]

Hobby Emporium is the best you'll find in the area. Spare Time is good, but I personally prefer Hobby Emporium. As far as Hobby Bunker is concerned, lets just say if you can't get there you didn't miss much.

[peteski]

Spare Time Shop and Hobby Emporium are pretty much all we have in the Greater Boston area for a full range plastic kit hobby shops. Hobby Emporium is a very nice ans spacious store where Spare Time Shop is more cramped. But they are both chock-full of kits.

Both have a large range of automotive kit subjects. Hobby Bunker is geared more towards just military and fantasy modelers. Also, both of those stores will give you a discount if you have a proof of belonging to a model club. That nicely offsets the Massachusetts sales tax.

Just like everywhere else, there were many more shops 20-30 years ago, but they faded away. I miss Eric Fuchs, few Hobbytowns, and the Modeler's Junction just to mention few. Then there was the Triple-A hobby shop full of rare finds (if the owner let you browse the 4-deep shelves of models).

Edited July 16, 2015 by peteski