Maindrian Pace Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 I went there today for a can of Tamiya paint, closed and lights off. The door had a notice that the owner had defaulted on the lease dated 7/2010, so the landlord lawfully took the property back - and a peek through the window frosting sheets reveals that he took it back with most of the stock still on the shelves. Other signs on the storefront said that the property was available. Phooey.-MJS
HomerS Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 As a commercial property manager for 20 years, the laws vary from county to county in my State regarding eviction/reclaiming the space. Call the number on the leasing sign and ask to speak with the property manager. The Landlord is now in possession of stuff they don't want (especially paint due to disposal regulations) and they would like to recoup some of their back rent. Reach out to the local model club and see if you can join forces to make a deal on all of it. They want it out and prep the space for showing/leasing.
Renegade Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Another one bites the dust. You would think a city as big as Houston would have many hobby shops but the only two I know of have closed. Maybe Hobby Lobby is filling in the gap. I don't order off the internet but I may have to start. As an old timer I miss the old days when I could walk into a hobby shop and PU a kit instead of waiting for it to come in the mail.
Dave Van Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 When the Hobby Town franchise system was pitched to us many years ago at the RCHTA trade show we went and met with them. We had an established hobby shop already but the promises they made sounded good. But we said no thanks. The fees were high in our opinion. We knew the hobby biz very well so they couldn't help us there. And their advise and merchandising was not worth the fees either.I used to visit Hobby Town stores all over the county....all closed now and in major cities. I think their fee structure added to changes in the hobby added to lack of disposable income....perfect storm.
martinfan5 Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Well, least you guys still have Hobby Depot out there on the east side, in my opinion, far better that anything HTUSA could be.
Petetrucker07 Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 I was just at HD yesterday. I really enjoy going in there. Dick is a really nice guy, always willing to help out. I'm willing to pay a little more and keep money going into a LHS. I never went into HT, it was a bit out of my way. Still sad to it closed up with inventory still inside.
Mark Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 We had one Hobbytown USA store near me. I couldn't understand why you'd need a franchise to operate a hobby shop. If the franchise deal got them better buying power, it sure didn't show in the prices they were charging. They stumbled along for a few years, then a couple of younger guys took it over and switched it to nearly 100% R/C. A losing proposition there, because guys come in only to buy the magazines and then order the expensive stuff online. Prices are lower, and usually no sales tax. They only go to the store for advice or small stuff. Within six months, the store went belly-up.
JTalmage Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Man, I hope the Hobbytown USA near my work doesnt close. I'll be lost.
Darren B Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 As a commercial property manager for 20 years, the laws vary from county to county in my State regarding eviction/reclaiming the space. Call the number on the leasing sign and ask to speak with the property manager. The Landlord is now in possession of stuff they don't want (especially paint due to disposal regulations) and they would like to recoup some of their back rent. Reach out to the local model club and see if you can join forces to make a deal on all of it. They want it out and prep the space for showing/leasing.great idea probably get kits and supplies pennies on the dollar, its just sad to see the economy taking all the once great local hobby shops I live in a city of just over a mill in population and 1 hobby shop and if that goes mail order or just rely on hobby lobby, sign of the times, can't keep printing money with nothing to back it, but nuff said its sad. Hope it turns around tho some day!!!
Darren B Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 We had one Hobbytown USA store near me. I couldn't understand why you'd need a franchise to operate a hobby shop. If the franchise deal got them better buying power, it sure didn't show in the prices they were charging. They stumbled along for a few years, then a couple of younger guys took it over and switched it to nearly 100% R/C. A losing proposition there, because guys come in only to buy the magazines and then order the expensive stuff online. Prices are lower, and usually no sales tax. They only go to the store for advice or small stuff. Within six months, the store went belly-up.thats the problem with franchise (franchise fees) they take a cut of everything sold, helps with recognition and people think franchises are more stable but I would hate to own a hobby town come time to pay the fees. ouch...
Darren B Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Another one bites the dust. You would think a city as big as Houston would have many hobby shops but the only two I know of have closed. Maybe Hobby Lobby is filling in the gap. I don't order off the internet but I may have to start. As an old timer I miss the old days when I could walk into a hobby shop and PU a kit instead of waiting for it to come in the mail.so true, Im a browser I love to browse by the hour its hard to do that at hobby lobby with the rate they bring in newer kits, I browse the other isles by the hour for other items I can use on kits but just wish hobby lobby would change up their model kit stock sooner than they do....
Dave Van Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 What I don't understand is Columbus Ohio has a number of good shops......but a city about the same size, Charlotte, has zero.
Harry P. Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 What I don't understand is Columbus Ohio has a number of good shops......but a city about the same size, Charlotte, has zero. Same question as why Seattle has both pro baseball and football teams, while Las Vegas (similar size) has no pro teams. Sometimes life just ain't fair!
BIGTRUCK Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Same question as why Seattle has both pro baseball and football teams, while Las Vegas (similar size) has no pro teams. Sometimes life just ain't fair! Didnt they try having the NBA all star weekend in 2007 ending in disaster?
mikemodeler Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 What I don't understand is Columbus Ohio has a number of good shops......but a city about the same size, Charlotte, has zero.Yeah Dave, it is very puzzling, although Harry could argue that a metro area the size of Chicago has seen some nice hobby shops close up recently and it is probably four times the size of Columbus and Charlotte combined.All of the Hobby Towns here have closed and the only hobby shop left is in Rock Hill and caters to the R/C crowd.If there is a model to bought, one heads to Hobby Lobby or Michaels; otherwise it is the internet. Given the margins and competition from the internet, not to mention rent on a physical building and one would have to be crazy to have a hobby shop and expect to make money.
59 Buick Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 Always sucks to see another shop close, we have a bit of a boom here in WA and now have 5 stores in the metro area.Although some cater more for the RC guys, at least I can get paint and other supplies there.Good times at the moment.
High octane Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 While I really don't need anymore model car kits, I do patronize my LHS as I was there this week buying more Epoxy to finish a stalled build. I'll also be buyin' some track for the Lionel set that I put around our Christmas tree, and then I enlarge the track layout for a couple of weeks after the tree is taken down. I would hate to see my LHS close, as it's only 10 miles away and the next one is 'bout 50 miles away. I also get to the farthest hobby shop when I'm in the area for a model car club meeting. If you don't support your LHS, don't cry when they're gone.
Rob Hall Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 (edited) I don't get down to Hobby Depot as much as I did when I worked in Tempe, but do try and go there once a month or so. I had gone to that Hobby Town in Gilbert once years ago, but it was too far out of my way to visit frequently. It's too bad there isn't more in Central Phoenix or Scottsdale. Hobby Bench has a big selection but it always seems a bit out of date, not the latest releases. Edited October 17, 2015 by Rob Hall
angelo7 Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 I'm happy with my little aisle in my local Hobby Lobby. Hope they never close like most Hobby shops are doing now.
Petetrucker07 Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 I don't think Hobby Lobby is goin anywhere, for awhile. They have much more than just hobby related stuff.
Joe Handley Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 The Hobby Lobby by me closed earlier this month, seemingly kind of out of the blue too!
High octane Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 The Hobby Lobby by me closed earlier this month, seemingly kind of out of the blue too!I have a Hobby Lobby 'bout 1/2 mile from me and they seem to be doin' good for years now. I sometimes see women spending $100+ often.
martinfan5 Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 I was just at HD yesterday. I really enjoy going in there. Dick is a really nice guy, always willing to help out. I'm willing to pay a little more and keep money going into a LHS. I never went into HT, it was a bit out of my way. Still sad to it closed up with inventory still inside.I wish Hobby Depot was closer to me, or I was closer to them, they have I think the best paint selection out of all the LHS here.I remember I want to say about 5 years ago, one of the other HTUSA here closed up, it really was one those, here today and gone tomorrow , I dont know the details of why they closed up shop, I was just getting back into the hobby at the time.
Petetrucker07 Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 (edited) I wish Hobby Depot was closer to me, or I was closer to them, they have I think the best paint selection out of all the LHS here.I remember I want to say about 5 years ago, one of the other HTUSA here closed up, it really was one those, here today and gone tomorrow , I dont know the details of why they closed up shop, I was just getting back into the hobby at the time.Guess I'm lucky it's really convenient for me. The hotel we stay at is on Dysart. I deliver up near Superior, so HD is along the way. Just a mile or so off the 60. I really like it there. I bought paint while I was there for my 29 Roadster build, and some other stuff. Went in just for styrene rod, came out about 100 bucks later. Edited October 17, 2015 by Petetrucker07
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