I may have not made my self super clear.twistedxknights said:
We are looking for hobby shops that sell model kits....not looking for RC models, role-playing materials, trains, etc. This list is calling out hobby shops where one can a good supply of kits or supplies for kits (eg, paints, glues, ABS, etc).
would be happy to add some hobby shops of that nature -- but I need you to amend your list for the appropriate stores. thx.
And this is where the "kind of broken" comes into play.qcfoundry said:
It should be back up by the end of the month. I've got to tear them down and build them again from scratch.
But here is a link to the Google Map I'm trying to build of places I need to hit, for your reference.
http://goo.gl/Ap6F
Not much by Kentucky, since I'm based out of Indianapolis, but if I find any specific hobby stores, I'll definitely put them in this thread.
Tony
**sort of a bump**
still looking if anybody has reco's for chicagoland (going up this coming weekend).
Tempe, Arizona. Hobby Depot. 216 West Southern Ave. Lots of kits, armor, sci fi, planes, cars of all ages. He sells consignments, also. I picked up a Monogram Voyager 2 years ago for $40. Rockets, slot cars, trains.
Phoenix, Arizona. Hobby Bench (2 locations). 8058 N 19th ave (NE corner 19th and Northern) and 4240 west Bell road (NW corner 43rd and Bell) Airplane kits, some armor at both. Sci fi and cars also. Trains, rockets, slot cars.
Kit Kraft in Studio City, CA -- best hobby shop EVER.
I can even back up that bold statement with a couple of quick anecdotes:
They used to have a guy that worked there at the counter. He also painted these elaborate build ups of their SF hobby kits. He eventually left to work for Sideshow Collectibles as their head of creative development: His name is Tom Gilliland
Last year, I walked in to Kit Kraft and asked the clerk if he could recommend the right silver color for my Polar Lights C-57D, "Forbidden Planet" space cruiser kit." A guy steps up from a corner and introduces himself: "Hi, I OWN the original C-57D Forbidden Planet space cruiser... how can I help you?"
Best hobby shop EVER.
Last edited by Alan Cross; Jan 16, 2012 at 8:12 PM.
upcoming trip for me to Portland Maine, starting in Boston. Anybody have any shops in those neighborhoods or along the path? thx
Minneapolis / St. Paul Area:
Hub Hobby Center - Model Trains, RC cars and much more!
-Ss
In Royal Oak Michigan I can't recommend Michigan Toy soldier enough
Michigan Toy Soldiers and Historical Miniatures - Small Shop Hobby Tools and Supplies (Casting, Modeling, Sculpting)
will second Mich Toy Soldier. Never knew they had brick n mortar (obviously never been), but they are vendors at several show I go to and bring excellent goods every time.Amish Trooper said:
In Mineola, NY there is the excellent Willis Hobbies.
In Astoria, NY is Rudy's Hobby & Art. Another great shop jam packed with models.
I'll put in a plug for two:
Hobbytown USA, LaVista, NE: Not at all like other Hobbytowns as it is VERY well stocked with plastic for good prices. In fact the plastic selection has expanded a little over the past two or three years as it is their primary business. Paint and tool selection is also very good to excellent.
Hobbytown USA, Omaha, NE: Same franchise owner as LaVista. This one caters more to RC (since it has indoor on road AND off road tracks), but it is a BIG store with a decent plastic selection as well for good prices. The tool and paint selection is also excellent.
I would say if you are only into plastic, LaVista is the better stop (it is a suburb of Omaha). But both shops certainly don't stick to the status quo of what Hobbytown USAs are perceived to be.
Burbank house of hobbies, in (of course) Burbank, CA very good, always helpful, small but well stocked.
Colonial Photo Hobby in Orlando, Florida. Large, well stocked, but full retail price on everything.
In the Bronx we have Bruckner Hobbies Bruckner Hobbies Home
In Mount Vernon, NY there is The Hobby Store The Hobby Store
we have two in Buffalo I will share my favorite first Fields Hobby
Finally not as good service as Fields but bigger and has trainsNiagara Hobby & Craft Mart
This a cool thread btw
Do Canadian shops count? If you get lost in Toronto, do look these up before finding your way back.
ONTARIO:
- Toronto, John's Hobbies - has rare/vintage kits
John's Hobbies
- Toronto, Wheels & Wings Hobbies - has rare/vintage kits
Wheels & Wings Hobbies - Toronto hobby shop - NEWS
- Toronto, Hornet Hobbies - great stock, very friendly staff Contact Us at Hornet Hobbies in Toronto Ontario Canada
I'm looking at you -- suspect.JMChladek said:
I only go to Hobbytown for supplies (paint, welder, etc) -- NEVER kits. I understand they are brick-n-mortar and have to cover their costs, but they are still quite high -- and don't get me started on kit costs at Hobby Lobby.
I will admit, my Lexington store is fairly helpful though -- both with finding stuff as well as advice of the HOW-TO type.
Appreciate the bump Montagar....and appreciate the participation from everyone who's chipped in.
Bruckner sucks they never have any of the basic stuff like paint and their model kits are so over priced and the guy that runs the place acts like your bothering him when you ask for help.Rider Kabuto said:
I don't know they were pretty helpful to me when I was getting started in r/c, this was some time ago when they were at the old location. Things could change though. Where do you get your stuff from Ray?Ray22 said:
Bruckner sucks they never have any of the basic stuff like paint and their model kits are so over priced and the guy that runs the place acts like your bothering him when you ask for help.
I second that, but I'm biased.
I travel plenty and feel its valuable...but perhaps that isn't the norm for everyone else -- hence not "universally" interesting to the masses?
IDUNNO.
Whenever I visit anywhere the three things I scope out are: Hobby Shop, Comic Shop, and music store.
Denver, Colorado:
Caboose Hobbies--amazing for Train hobbyists but they also have a lot of great supply options you don't see too often and if you're looking for those oddball train colors to paint your Fett helmet or Studio Scale kit this is THE place.
Colpar Hobbies--all around GREAT model shop. I do a lot of WWI Aero and this is one of the few places that stocks more than the old Revell Fokker Triplane. Great for reference materials and after-market detail supplies.
Colorado Springs:
Compleat Games & Hobbies (they buy and sell vintage kits)
HobbyTown -- we have two and they are usually very well stocked with supplies and reference materials. I don't often buy kits there these days but I used to be a fixture there.
Hobby Lobby -- yeah, not the greatest but the ones here have a decent selection and occasionally have interesting close-out deals. They frequently have 40% Off sales as well and I've scored a few bargains that way.
Because I hadn't gotten to that item on my list yet.tgreco said:
LOL -- i respect the list.Montagar said:
Because I hadn't gotten to that item on my list yet.
I live by making lists (crap memory).
Madison, WI
Madison Hobby Stop [link]
These guys cater primarily to the train crowd, but have a very good selection of plastic kits and hobby supplies. Every time I go in there, they seem to have the hottest new items from various manufacturers.
The Last Square [link]
This is a family owned game / hobby store. Their primary focus is on gaming, Warhammer, FoW, Star Wars,, but do have a quirky selection of sci fi and higher end plastic kits: lots of Eduard, and rare Hasegawa kits.
Hobby Horse [link]
This is the other train store in town. Lots of trains, lots of RC, and a small, but nice, selection of kits.
Lynnwood, WA
Galaxy Hobby. [link]
Hands down, the best hobby store that I have ever been to. They have a wall that is about 100 feet long and 7 feet tall stocked floor to ceiling with kits from almost every manufacturer. They also have entire sections of Fine Molds kits, sci fi fantasy kits, ships, and armor, along with RC. I dropped about $600 in there when I was in Seattle for a conference, and I cannot wait to go back there some day.
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