Clay Posted February 28, 2008 Posted February 28, 2008 I have a plan for when I retire, if I choose to, to open a LHS where ever we go, I will try to sell online, but I will also try to sell everything that you guys use on your models. I guess what I am asking is what do you guys wish was all in one shop, instead of having to go all over the place to find.
Joe Nunes Posted February 28, 2008 Posted February 28, 2008 Clay, all I can offer you is the advise to really stop and consider what you are getting into. Especially in todays economy. Like many others of us I too opened a hobby shop while excited about the model building hobby. For me, in the early '70's, it was flying model aircraft along with the usual hobby shop items of the time. .....and shortly thereafter Tower Hobbies came on the scene. Even then I could not compete with their pricing and soon had to close my door. Today it is much tougher to make a go of it with the age of instant gratification and Internet shopping. When I go to my LHS I don't see a lot purchases being made at any given time....though there is always a lot of looking. Looking doesn't pay the bills. It's commendable that you have the desire to take this hobby to the next level in your life...just be VERY sure you AND your family do the homework on this first. Closing the door on your dream is a sad moment in life. This from one who has been there. Joe
george 53 Posted February 28, 2008 Posted February 28, 2008 Clay, I too looked into trying my hand at starting a hobby shop after retirement .I knew I'd need some backing so I contacted Hobby Lobby, They told me I'd need 125,000 just to start,finance and stock a franchise.Oh well it was a good idea while it lasted. I decided I didn't want a full time job AFTER retireing,But if thats what you really would like to do, I guess it couldn't be any harder than putting in 20 yrs in the Corps.
evilone Posted February 28, 2008 Posted February 28, 2008 my suggestion is to get everything that deals with model making and sell it
Raul_Perez Posted February 28, 2008 Posted February 28, 2008 The newest, (and only remaining), of the LHS' in my town to give it a go is a HobbyTown USA store. They've been here for less than 2 years and have already been burglarized 4 times. Recently a guy was walking to the counter like he was giong to buy an RC car, but bolted out the door at the last minute to a waiting car. When their lease is up at the end of 5 years the owners will probably try to sell the business. Like Hobby Lobby, HobbyTown USA is a franchise that I think cost them $250K just to get started. It's a noble endeavor, my young friend, one that I have also considered. Maybe if you strap a minigun to your side you can at least ward off the robbers!
bobss396 Posted February 28, 2008 Posted February 28, 2008 I can take an early retirement at 55, but won't have enough to support my lavish (ahem, cough..) lifestyle. I do plan to bail at age 62 or so and get into making machined parts for model cars. All I would need to make is maybe $15-20K a year to keep me happy plus it would give me something to do a few days a week and go to MORE shows. That's the game plan, I do have a product line and CAD drawings for some of the parts. Bob
marinewifejones Posted February 29, 2008 Posted February 29, 2008 Still got a while I am sure you will change your mind many times before then
Raul_Perez Posted February 29, 2008 Posted February 29, 2008 Still got a while I am sure you will change your mind many times before then Never give up your dream, my young friend...just make sure it's the right time and the right choice for you and your family before you invest the family funds. Regards,
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