There is a great shop in Jacksonville, Rail and Sprue Hobbies. Great selection of paint, but ship kits are limited. Daryl is a great guy and will special order anything you need. he usually gets most new releases from most of the major manufactures and sends out almost daily e-mails on new arrivals. Mostly a model RR shop, but lots of misc. parts that can be used on larger scale builds.
Also a Hobbytown USA in North Little Rock in Lakewood Village. Pretty good plastic selection and good tools and paint selection as well.
There are a couple of model shows in Arkansas. There is a smaller show in Clarksville in April or so that is hosted by a local businessman who happens to be a great ship builder. There is also a show in the LR/NLR area by the Central Arkansas Modelers Society (Spru-doo). Usually the last weekend of September or so. Usually some good vendors to purchase items from as well.
Tanker-Builder-I knew that you had Arkansas connections, but didn't know that you were from here originally. I recall that you posted about one of your steamboat models in the lounge at the Excelsior Hotel in downtown LR. I remember taking a young lady out to see Jay Leno at Robinson Auditorium right down the street and then going up to the lounge in the hotel for a few drinks. Maybe the fact that I found the steamboat model to be more interesting than conversation with her might have led to a rather limited relationship!! Oh well, found a keeper later that supports my hobbies!
Happy New Year and Go Hogs!