sometimes you really can't go home again

[russosborne]

I was over on the east side of town today taking care of some paperwork for my new job. Lousy traffic, I timed the trip just perfect for afternoon rush hour.

So I decide to drop by my favorite Phoenix area hobby shop that is in Tempe and kill some time. Sigh. It isn't the same. New owners as of 6 years ago, and drastic changes. Not for the better to me at least. VERY small car selection, and all of the model kit boxes that decorated the store are gone. Just not the same store anymore. It's like they kept the skin but put some stranger inside of it. I spent all of ten minutes at the most there. Used to spend at least an hour.

I wish them all the success in the world, but I won't be driving over to see them again.

This so far is the biggest disappointment I have had since being back here.

Russ

[High octane]

Times "are changing" and not always for the better.

[Greg Myers]

So now you're on the west side' Check out The Hobby Bench at 43rd and Bell or

Andys at 59th and Greenway.

Hobby Lobby at 76th and Bell road and

a Michaels at 57th and Bell, 75th and Bell and the 101 and I-17.

We'll all be checking out the new place at 35th and Greenway this Saturday.

It's "A Brave New World"

Edited April 11, 2014 by Greg Myers

[pharoah]

Seems to happen everywhere. There used to be a hobby shop in Indianapolis . It was there for 30 years or so. They had model cars,trains,planes,boats,and paints and all the goodies. Sometime in the 70's ,the owner,who was getting up to retirement years,sold the place to a younger guy who evidently didn't care that much about the hobby,but making a buck. He would sell things,but sometimes would never reorder the stock. He went under after a few years. Really too bad.

[russosborne]

So now you're on the west side' Check out The Hobby Bench at 43rd and Bell or Andys at 59th and Greenway. We'll all be checking out the new place at 35th and Greenway this Saturday.

It's "A Brave New World"

Hobby Bench I have been to in the past when I used to live here. It was ok, but nothing special. At least to me.

Hadn't heard of Andys though. Will have to give them a try.

Is the place at 35th and Greenway going to be open by then? I didn't see any sign (no pun intended) of them the couple of times I have driven by there this week.

Thanks,

Russ

[Danno]

Russ,

Never fear . . .

There's relief not far away.

Try Andy's Hobby Headquarters, SW corner of 59th Avenue and Greenway.

Saturday is a great swap meet at DESERT SCALE CLASSIC . . . 9AM to 3PM . . . 3720 W. Greenway Road.

And next month, HobbyTownUSA will open at 3401 W. Greenway Road ~ large plastic kits retail store with R/C tracks, plus indoor go-karting and indoor/outdoor RC tracks. A real hobbyist's mecca.

[russosborne]

I will be there Saturday for sure. No money to spend though. (where's the crying emoticon when you need it?)

Russ

[Danno]

That's okay, Russ. By the end of the day, you'll be rich with new friends, new clubs, and new experiences!

We'll get you hooked up.

[DrGlueblob]

We lost the REAL Hobby Lobby (A mom n' pop LHS owned by Mr. and Mrs. G) some years back after about 50 years in Glendale. Corporate HL had to buy the name from them, and I hope it was for huge $$$$$$ too. And the unmentioned LHS in Tempe.. well, the new owner is a great improvement over the questionable ethics of the original guy, IMHO. He builds nice model cars, BTW. His prices are still higher than a cat's patootie, but give him another chance, his name is Dick, the old owner's name is Mud.

Things change fast here, but we adapt. We have a Cadillac Plastic, a zillion Dollar Stores, Auto Paint Supply stores (Space Age is still there in Mesa, and highly recommended!) ..places where you can get materials for any project.

There are still plenty of places in the Valley where you can find most of what you need and if not a LHS, then rest assured Glendale is still served by UPS .

Give it a chance Russ, ya just got here. We all still build at a more-or-less furious pace -And if ya need something, it can be found.

Edited April 11, 2014 by DrGlueblob

[mnwildpunk]

Yup it is everywhere the town I grew up in there was a place called Tom's pet and hobby it was a staple of the community been there since the 60's. The owner (i think his name was Tom lol) was a model guy so we always had a great supply to choose from. Last time I was back in the old town of brainerd I thought I'd stop by but guess what it is gone. Then I started talking to relatives and no place in town sells model kits. Sad really think of all those kids never knowing what a model is.