New model car kit store - Southeast Michigan

[tim boyd]

Thanks to a tip from my modeling co-conspirator Chuck Helppie, I visited a new store dedicated almost exclusively to styrene kits. It's located in Ypsilanti, Michigan (between Detroit and Ann Arbor). It's called the "ModelCave" and it's located on the SE corner of Michigan Ave. and Huron St. (103 W. Michigan, 48197, 734-316-2281, www.modelcave.com). For those traveling from nearby towns, take I-94 to the Ypsi Huron Street exit, go North about 1 mile to Michigan Ave (large intersection). Turn left, look to your left, and there it is.

When I was there last weekend, they had what is probably the widest choice of current and recent model car kits in SE MIchigan, plus they had some old kits at very reasonable prices - for instance, original issue Revell '89 TBird Super Coupes at around $19, and some kits dating back to the early 1970's. They also had a large display of Humbrol enamels - virtually impossible to find in this part of the country.

The proprietor seemed very knowledgeable and helpful. This is exactly what we need, a great place to buy model car kits. Check it out at your earliest convenience.

Best regards...TIM

[Qwit Pushin]

Every modeler in that area needs to patronize the heck out of that place, sadly, that's about 2800 miles from where I'm at, but glad to hear of your great discovery!

[Mr. Moparman]

Link doesn't work.

[Rob Hall]

Cool...I spent a few years in the mid '90s in SE Michigan (Ann Arbor)...my favorite hobby shops were Riders in downtown A2 and on Carpenter Road in Ypsi...there was also a nice shop up in Flint that I'd visit every 6 months or so. Haven't been back to the area in over 10 years, though.

[Casey]

http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/ypsilantis-model-cave-finds-success-in-an-old-hobby/

[tim boyd]

Rob...Chuck and I were regular patrons of the old Riders stores in Ann Arbor; we knew the owners welll and even ran model contests for them every year. Long story short, the Riders Hobby Stores were eventually franchised and were all across Southern Michigan, but have now dwindled to just two stores, one in Flint and one in Grand Rapids, owned and operated by an employee of the original Riders. The good news is that these are extraoridinarily well run hobby stores - much like the original Liberty St. store in Ann Arbor but much, much larger. I was talking with the owner at the NNL Detroit a few weeks back, and he reports that his model car kit business has really been picking up. The main difference between Riders and the ModelCave is that the latter is pretty much Styrene kits and building supplies only, whereas Riders is a full line hobby store. TIM

[TurboKitty]

SWEET!!! I will be checking this place out hopefully soon, thanks for the heads up! It's only about an hour away from me :D

[Swifster]

I stopped at Whistle Stop in St. Clair Shores and Great Lakes Hobby in Utica (MI) thelast couple days. It almost makes me cry because none of the stores I've visited in FL have anywhere close to the selection. And I'm going home Tuesday.... Whaaaaa!!!

[JamesW]

Rob...Chuck and I were regular patrons of the old Riders stores in Ann Arbor; we knew the owners welll and even ran model contests for them every year. Long story short, the Riders Hobby Stores were eventually franchised and were all across Southern Michigan, but have now dwindled to just two stores, one in Flint and one in Grand Rapids, owned and operated by an employee of the original Riders. The good news is that these are extraoridinarily well run hobby stores - much like the original Liberty St. store in Ann Arbor but much, much larger. I was talking with the owner at the NNL Detroit a few weeks back, and he reports that his model car kit business has really been picking up. The main difference between Riders and the ModelCave is that the latter is pretty much Styrene kits and building supplies only, whereas Riders is a full line hobby store. TIM

According to Rider's site, there's still a store in Ann Arbor. Still plan on going to ONE of the stores soon.

[Chuck Most]

Another attraction in Ypsilanti- the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, and home of Miller Motors, the last surviving Hudson dealership. Between that and this model shop, sounds like a great reason to plan a road trip to the area.

[crazyjim]

That website goes to some Blue Host place.

[diymirage]

SWEET!!! I will be checking this place out hopefully soon, thanks for the heads up! It's only about an hour away from me :D

hey, thats gotta be about halfway in between us...lets meet in the middle

[Flo]

I found ModelCave on Facebook....doing a web search....

http://www.facebook.com/ModelCave

Luckily I live an hour away..in Spartan Country..so I will have to drive down to visit as I do not have Facebook and refuse to use Facebook....Hope this works out for those who do....

[tim boyd]

Updates....the original link in my message was on the business card from the ModelCave....like you it goes to a non-correct website for me, so either use the facebook link posted above, or even better, look at the AnnArbor.com story on the business (see the linnk posted in the responses above) which is a link from the Ann Arbor newspaper on a full story about the business and model car kits in general.

The two Ann Arbor Riders stores (Liberty St. and Carpenter Road) are now closed. I recall hearing that one of the principals of the Carpenter Road store has joined with a Toy Store in Ann Arbor to offer some of the products of the prior store; I have not been there so I guess I should hold comments until I visit there.

Meanwhile, model kit afficianadoes should check out the ModelCave. Trust me on this one.

Best regards....TIM