where would you like a hobby shop located?

[Joe Handley]

Older warehouses make great hobby shops for the same reason. Near where I live their is a warehouse that used to be a skatepark. It's got a modern front store area with offices and a 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse behind it along with two additional warehouse rooms one 500 Sq ft. and one 1,150 sq ft. 2 bathrooms one up front for the store area and one dedicated to the warehouse. The place even has a 3 bedroom apartment upstairs with a dedicated entrance. It's an all in one for someone wanting something like a RC track or skatepark. I have been wanting to buy it ever since the skatepark moved out but the city is also trying to buy it so they can level it and make a parking lot. It's an awesome looking building to 1920's architecture on the outside but completely modern on the inside.

I've heard that there is supposedly a race track in an old bread factory in a baaaaaaad part of Chicago along those lines. I think some of the rc people from AL's are involved (but the shop itself isn't) and you have to call when you get there, they unlock and open a garage door for you to drive your car into the building and park. Apparently the area is bad enough that nobody would complain about the noise and they have to park the 1/1 cars inside to protect them too

[charlie8575]

Although most seem to now be located in strip malls, I think it would be nice to see hobby shops return to downtowns and side-streets. Yes, the parking can be a bit tight sometimes, but a GOOD hobby shop could be the start to revitalizing these neighborhoods. Those stores also tend to be less to rent, which will can allow you to offer a little lower price and still maintain margin.

When I was living in New Bedford, I was toying (pretty seriously) with opening a hobby shop, as there wasn't one that was all that convenient to the area, with all of them being at least a forty-five minute drive. Should I end up back down there, I might do it.

Charlie Larkin

[Danno]

Across the street.

[LOBBS]

At last count, we're down to just one real shop in the entire KC metro area and it's on the other end of town from me. I'd love to have one out this way for no other reason than my own convenience.

[Harold]

In my basement, and I want an unlimited credit line.

Edited August 5, 2011 by Harold

[Nova-ss]

For me.I want one in my town not 30 to 50 miles away.and I have mine own store like most of ya all out here.but its nice to see more stuff to put in mine own store.also the mall is nice but the mall pricing or rental is so costly that the kit prices are most time higher. stand alone store is best...unless money is no problem.Thanks,Chris

[highway]

Well, since I hear quite often from my fiancee that she "feels like we live in a hobby shop", I guess I have one in my living room!!

Seriously though, I doesn't matter where it's located to me, or if it is a stand alone store, in a strip mall, or in a large mall, because at one time there were all of those in this area and I went to them all. Of the three that are left, two are stand alones and one is in a small strip mall, and all three know me by my first name.

By the way Harry, I don't agree with the "internet" option for a hobby shop. I'm not saying I haven't bought things from the net, mainly older kits from ebay and of course through trading here and other forums, but I would rather go to the LHS and buy new kits. Call me old fashioned, but I would much rather keep my local shops in business rather than some online retailer that just sees me as another credit card number. I have a good relationship with all the shop owners and enjoy chatting with them when I go there, and if I have more kits I want than money, they will hold them until I can pay for them. Show me an online retailer that will do that for a regular customer!!

[Joe Handley]

One thing that I would consider being an advantage for a stand alone store would be if the building was purchased to be used as a shop instead of renting it from somebody else because then the building belongs to you and the bank (before the loan is paid off) so the only people to have any real say in what you do there is bank and the city. You shouldn't have to worry about rent changing every time the building gets sold to one management company after another and them complaning about something of your's that can be seen ruining the value of the property.

[Junkman]

Not sure how this works in the States, but over here all LHSes have websites and do mailorder too. They couldn't survive otherwise.

[David G.]

Would you prefer that it be in a mall, close to other shops you frequent? would you prefer that it is in a less crowded area as a stand alone shop, or would just as likely go where ever one is located?

Are you planning on starting one? I might be able to help.

David G.

[imatt88]

I'd be happy just have a hobby shop within a 100 mile radius..

[Craig Irwin]

Ditto what he said.

And ditto what he said. Online can't compete when shipping is figured in.

[kurth]

Strip mall is fine. Just as long as parking is not stupid, and you can get in and out of the strip mall from both directions on the street it is on. I do not know what they were thinking with the way some strip malls are located.

In northern va, we have some pretty screwy strip malls. We used to have pretty darn good hobby stores in two local malls, they both ended up closing in the 90s, but they had some neat stuff. It was great back when I was younger, when the whole family would go to the mall, My dad and I could split up and go to the hobby store. Anyone remember the hobby store in Springfield Mall in VA?

I am grateful for any hobby store really, it is such a tough business. Think about it ... to get anyone to come in your store you need a large amount of slow moving stock. (model kits) and all manner of supplies. The costs of carrying all that stuff must be incredible. I really do not know how people do it.

[XJ6]

Well the local Hobby Store that i have been going to for years.That was only a Five Minute walk from my Home...Local Ma & Pa store with a very large selection of plastic models kits of all kind..along with Detail Parts.....All different paints...just about everything for the Modeler....are closing the doors by the end of the year...they are now offering 15% off everthing...By Dec they tell me All will be 50% off

They have always been nice to me...For i have sold and traded many a Kits to them...

Sure Gonna miss the Place:

River Side Hobbies

Folsom Blvd, Sacramento,Ca

However the big R/C Country Hobbie store is just with in walking distance of my Home...Also have a Selection of Kits...Along with paints,Their ok... they just kinda of give me a weird look when i buy a $22.00 Model Kit...when other people are waiting in line to pay $300.00 and up for their RC Toys...Ha..Never Mind