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Post by Big Ed on Sept 22, 2012 19:25:20 GMT -5
Hey all. just a short story. Up here in the Pa. mountains hobby shops are pretty scarce. In fact, the last one around closed it's doors a few years ago. The shop mainly dealt in trains, but he had a decent selection of kits, paints, Evergreen (my main reason for driving there when my stock ran low) alum. tubing, etc. Cindy and I drove there about 2 month ago to find the place locked up for good. About the same time, we had seen a sign about 15 miles from home claiming "Hobby Lobby-Coming Soon". I was thrilled!!! Like a little kid with Christmas around the corner. Well, the store opened this past Friday. Couldn't wait to get there. We walked in and saw nothing but "crafts"...you know what I mean. Miles of "crafts". I was directed to the f-a-r corner of the store for models and supplies. Some kits (over-priced), some Testor's paints, NO Evergreen...not much of anything in terms of supplies. I walked out with a can of paint and a roll of 1/16" black detailing tape. I was super-bummed. All that anticipation, and "WHAM"...shot down. I guess I'll still have to do my shopping on-line. I'm still sad. Thanks for readin'.
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Post by 01blueedge on Sept 22, 2012 22:21:27 GMT -5
yea the best way to buy kits from hobby lobby is to print the 40% off coupon off there website. but they have some aluminum tubing at the one around here but thats about it for scratch building stuff
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Post by mdmead on Sept 23, 2012 11:19:54 GMT -5
I visited my first Hobby Lobby in Spokane a couple of years ago and was equally disappointed.
Changing the subject slightly, I notice our local Wal Mart just got in a bunch of models, paint and supplies. Far from a hobby store selection, but refreshing to see. (I picked up the Jungle Jim Funny Car kit.) The first trip, I only noticed Revell & Monogram models, but on my last trip, I found a couple of AMT and MPC kits.
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Post by delta99 on Sept 23, 2012 12:02:23 GMT -5
It's the same out here. I have a Michael's close by, but they are over priced, and have a very slim selection. Occasionally I'll print out a coupon and go there if I'm not looking for a particular kit. There is a Hooby Lobby which is a bit of a drive, and they are the same. The is a Hobbytown which is an even further drive. I just visited it for the first time recently. I was looking for a particular kit, and the website said they had one in stock. I drove all the way over there, and they didn't have it. Their kit selection was barely any bigger than Michael's, and the place seemed to be centered on R/C stuff. They actually had POOL supplies (as in billiards), and seemed to have more ques than model kits. I was thouroghly disappointed, since I used to go to one in Renton when I lived in Seattle, and they had a HUGE selection of kits. I do all my shopping online, besides paint.
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Post by Big Ed on Sept 23, 2012 19:37:10 GMT -5
By the same token-and this is the last shop within drivin' distance to close it's doors-I traveled about 45 miles to visit a hobby shop in Wilkes-Barre that catered to train guys, but he had a huge selection of paints, Evergreen, K&S tubing, stuff ALL the hobbyists could use. I miss them already. In the last 5 or so years, 4 shops bit the dust. Even our local Wally's gave up the model section. But it's sad to see the little shops fold up.
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heepey
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by heepey on Oct 4, 2012 9:55:42 GMT -5
In Billings, MT we are lucky to have two great LHSs, Jim's Junction and Central Hobbies. We also have a Hobby Lobby and Michael's. We have a small model club that meets monthly and has an annual show. Both of the LHS are supportive of the club and have sponsored trophies and donated door prizes. HL on the other hand was almost antagonistic when approached by club members for as little as putting up a small announcement about the up coming show. NO they would not support the club in any way even though it was stirring interest in a product that they sell. No I do not go in there any more even for the 40% off coupons.
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Post by Big Ed on Oct 4, 2012 13:16:35 GMT -5
You're lucky Dan. I have nothing up here. I'd love to find some sort of model club to join. All I have is the guys here in cyberspace...which I truly enjoy.
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Post by Plowboy on Oct 4, 2012 14:45:01 GMT -5
All Hobby Lobby is good for is to get a new kit with their 40% off coupon or to catch them having a clearence sale on them. I used to score Aoshima kits that way, but they totally stopped carrying them after the last clearence sale. They carry a few Tamiya armor kits,but no automotive kits.
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Post by kifaru on Oct 5, 2012 0:17:20 GMT -5
I used to live literally across the street from a great local shop, Bob's World of Hobbies. They had quite a few kits (including a fairly wide selection of science and monster kits), tools, books and magazines, a couple aisles of model railroad stuff, slot car stuff, diecast (cars, planes and armor), and quite a bit of RC. The counter guys and the owner were always willing to help or just chat. Great place. I was heartbroken when they went under maybe 7 years ago. There are only a couple of neighborhood places left, the one closest to me (about a 20 minute drive) is a shop that caters to mostly doll makers/restorers and dollhouse hobbyists. You can find some odd, quirky stuff there, but the kits are way pricey. The other one is a 40 minute drive, and their kits are much more reasonable, but they mostly cater to gamers, so the selection is a bit limited. There are a couple of bigger ones that are a local chain, but they are slowly switching over to the gaming stuff, and their prices are definitely on the high side. I think the hobby took a hit from the popularity of video games and other electronic diversions and never really recovered. Sorry to drone on, but I tend to wax nostalgic when I think of the hobby
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Post by Big Ed on Oct 5, 2012 8:07:08 GMT -5
Hey kifaru, me too . 10 years ago I could travel to the surrounding towns and hit some good hobby shops...kits & an abundance of supplies...even got stuff at Wally's (Wal-Mart) way back when. Now nothin' and it does make me sad.
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