Local shop closing - Sad days indeed.

[Qwit Pushin]

I agree that would be awesome, someone in my town did just that with a local hobby shop of 25 years, this guy bought it lock stock and barrel for $225,000.00 and started running it himself 10 months ago. still running strong.

I can't tell you how seriously I considered it, however, Doug made it abundantly clear that business had been in steady decline for many years, and that the revenue per kit had also been squeezed to unsustainable levels . He kept his merchandise diverse, too. (Someone earlier had commented that that was one of the keys to success). He carried pretty much everything, but RC and slot cars, as there's a shop just about 6 blocks from his on the same street that caters almost exclusively to that, so there was no need for him to also. He even had two or three cases dedicated to sports cards, (baseball, football, etc.) Sign of the times, I guess, but I for one will miss 'those times'. .......,Reading that last line makes me realize I'm officially an 'old fart'. Oh well....

[Evil Appetite]

I ALWAYS buy from my LHS. Even if I don't need anything when I go in, I know I'm gonna walk out with something. Wether it be a few bottles and/or cans of paint. Or a kit that I already have more than one of, and that I'll probably never build. I'll do whatever part I can to make sure Graham stays in business. I'm even starting to check out Sci-Fi and figure kits now because I have almost every car kit he sells! hehe

I do buy from Dennis at Model Express, but that is usually Slixx decals, resin parts or older kits that haven't been on anyone's shelves in years. We've had other hobby shops here that have existed along side Grahams shop, but they've all closed down years ago. He is the sole survivor. The best thing about him..he knows his stuff..he used to race cars in his younger days and this is his hobby. So he can converse about anything from drag racing in the 70's to how to correct any issues with any kit you can think of. This guy is the absolute best and get's my total support! And yes! I AM the president of his fan club!! haha

[Qwit Pushin]

I ALWAYS buy from my LHS. Even if I don't need anything when I go in, I know I'm gonna walk out with something. Wether it be a few bottles and/or cans of paint. Or a kit that I already have more than one of, and that I'll probably never build. I'll do whatever part I can to make sure Graham stays in business. I'm even starting to check out Sci-Fi and figure kits now because I have almost every car kit he sells! hehe

I do buy from Dennis at Model Express, but that is usually Slixx decals, resin parts or older kits that haven't been on anyone's shelves in years. We've had other hobby shops here that have existed along side Grahams shop, but they've all closed down years ago. He is the sole survivor. The best thing about him..he knows his stuff..he used to race cars in his younger days and this is his hobby. So he can converse about anything from drag racing in the 70's to how to correct any issues with any kit you can think of. This guy is the absolute best and get's my total support! And yes! I AM the president of his fan club!! haha

Exactly, you just can't replace the first-person experience of your LHS by buying online. Again, if it's not in your area, by all means, fire up the 'puter and order online, just whenever possible do what you can to keep these guys in business.

[martinfan5]

I agree with that for the most part, I still do and will keep buying for the LHS, but for the most part its not for kits, just everything else that I need.

[Greg Pugh]

Ok, so now we have to start going to RC Country down the street. No big deal I guess. At least it's there. But---they should step up a little bit and fill in the void. They actually have a pretty good kit selection and the prices seem to be in line. However, they need to carry things like sheet plastic, magazines, some aftermarket items (at least distributors, Fuzzy Fur, etc). Something for us car modelers. I understand that their big tickets are in the RC world but it wouldn't take much to fill in that void.

[Qwit Pushin]

Ok, so now we have to start going to RC Country down the street. No big deal I guess. At least it's there. But---they should step up a little bit and fill in the void. They actually have a pretty good kit selection and the prices seem to be in line. However, they need to carry things like sheet plastic, magazines, some aftermarket items (at least distributors, Fuzzy Fur, etc). Something for us car modelers. I understand that their big tickets are in the RC world but it wouldn't take much to fill in that void.

RC Country carries sheet plastic which is near the train stuff, but not the detail parts. Sadly I doubt they ever will. As I mentioned earlier, I had a conversation with the proprietors of Viking Hobby on El Camino, and they commit to supplying the items modelers say they want and will buy. They also carry the most of the magazines you seek.

[Greg Pugh]

_{Ok, ok....I'll go. I just liked that it was on the same street.}

[Roadkill2525]

Im in an area where I've got a HobbyTown in Vacaville, Loose Caboose Trains in Napa, and attend meetings by R/C Country and at Modesto Hobbies and Craft.

[Amp3r3z]

Ok, so now we have to start going to RC Country down the street. No big deal I guess. At least it's there. But---they should step up a little bit and fill in the void. They actually have a pretty good kit selection and the prices seem to be in line. However, they need to carry things like sheet plastic, magazines, some aftermarket items (at least distributors, Fuzzy Fur, etc). Something for us car modelers. I understand that their big tickets are in the RC world but it wouldn't take much to fill in that void.

I thought the same about sheet styrene I found that they have a even better selection of styrene and aluminum tubing but its in the airplane section. But yea if they can step it up with a better paint selection would be great. I hope rc hobbies will not have any problems they got a lil of evrything and theres always ppl buying in there.