My LHS guy is retiring.....

Hey Beav,

Sorry to hear your LHS is closing down. When he locks the doors for good, I recommend you head down to Columbus and visit Hobbyland in the Graceland Shopping Center. Great store with great people. I know it's not super local, but if you want the atmosphere it's a good place to go. 

Some of the shops that I went to carried Floquil, but most did not.

I never tried them myself until just after Desert Storm when it was written in FSM that one of their railroad colors was a good match for the sand color used on US AFVs in that war. Then I had to go to a Model Railroad shop to get those paints. 

stikpusher

 

 

DESooner

  

An all too frequent occasion anymore...I miss the days when I was 12, and I had saved up my allowance and paper route money, and walked the 2 miles to local shopping mall which had a hobby store, and I could pick up and hold all the boxed models, taking an hour to pick out the ONE model I wanted to buy and build because that was what I could afford, and hoping I had enough to get some new enamel testors paints to paint it. I miss looking at the box art of the models and trying to make up my mind...the funny car? the submarine? the airplane?

 

 

 

Yes, except it was a several mile bike ride to the closest shop that was in a strip mall... and he had those fancy Humbrol paints as well as Pactra besides Testors...

 

DESooner

  

An all too frequent occasion anymore...I miss the days when I was 12, and I had saved up my allowance and paper route money, and walked the 2 miles to local shopping mall which had a hobby store, and I could pick up and hold all the boxed models, taking an hour to pick out the ONE model I wanted to buy and build because that was what I could afford, and hoping I had enough to get some new enamel testors paints to paint it. I miss looking at the box art of the models and trying to make up my mind...the funny car? the submarine? the airplane?

Yes, except it was a several mile bike ride to the closest shop that was in a strip mall... and he had those fancy Humbrol paints as well as Pactra besides Testors...

DESooner

 

 

DasBeav

My LHS in Mansfield, Ohio  is closing at the end of October. It's called John's Hobby Shop and is owned by one of the nicest, most knowledgable man in the world. I got the majority of my kits and supplies from him. Most of the time I go in there, I end up talking to him for an hour and it's not all about modelling. He and his store will be missed. 

 

 

 

 

An all too frequent occasion anymore...I miss the days when I was 12, and I had saved up my allowance and paper route money, and walked the 2 miles to local shopping mall which had a hobby store, and I could pick up and hold all the boxed models, taking an hour to pick out the ONE model I wanted to buy and build because that was what I could afford, and hoping I had enough to get some new enamel testors paints to paint it. I miss looking at the box art of the models and trying to make up my mind...the funny car? the submarine? the airplane?

Those days are gone. So is the word 'hobby' anymore.

 

My dad would have echoed everything in your response. He told me the same story many a times. 

DasBeav

My LHS in Mansfield, Ohio  is closing at the end of October. It's called John's Hobby Shop and is owned by one of the nicest, most knowledgable man in the world. I got the majority of my kits and supplies from him. Most of the time I go in there, I end up talking to him for an hour and it's not all about modelling. He and his store will be missed. 

An all too frequent occasion anymore...I miss the days when I was 12, and I had saved up my allowance and paper route money, and walked the 2 miles to local shopping mall which had a hobby store, and I could pick up and hold all the boxed models, taking an hour to pick out the ONE model I wanted to buy and build because that was what I could afford, and hoping I had enough to get some new enamel testors paints to paint it. I miss looking at the box art of the models and trying to make up my mind...the funny car? the submarine? the airplane?

Those days are gone. So is the word 'hobby' anymore.

ridleusmc

I'm originally from Medina, and I now live in Cincinnati.  I drive past Mansfield quite often on I-71, and I never knew there was a hobby shop there.  Darn it, I missed that opportunity.   

 

The hobby shop near me opened about 5 years ago. They are part of a local chain of 4 stores. They have a nice selection of models and paint but also sell train and R/C items. I buy there from time to time but their prices are just way too high compared to what I can get online. I'd love to use them more but just can't afford to. 

I'm originally from Medina, and I now live in Cincinnati.  I drive past Mansfield quite often on I-71, and I never knew there was a hobby shop there.  Darn it, I missed that opportunity.   

Hi Beav !

 Sadly this is the norm . Many folks don't know this But the LHS's in this country ( the Mom and Pop ones ) are going down . Painfully and sadly . It's kinda like riding the M.V.Canadiana from Buffalo , N.Y. to Crystal Beach , Ontario .One summer day she's not there . So after every summer for ten years she's just gone .

 Every time this happens we actually feel like we are losing a family member . The facts are cold but true .The family , after seeing Mom and Dad put in 14 to 16 hours a day for how ever many days and years want nothing to do with it . It's to much like work !

  Never mind the trade they've built up or customer base they have . It's work and most , if it can,t be gotten on the computer , fuggedaboudit ! !  I have built up two small businesses and have turned them over to new owners who are still going strong.

   This is rare , but it happens . If I wasn't 74 I would love to have a hobby shop ! To Be surrounded by all that great smelling Plastic . AAAH well !    T.B.

Sad to hear. Unfortunately, it's happening everywhere. It's just too bad there's no one else to take over the business to keep it thriving after so many years. Do take advantage of snatching kits, paint, and supplies. Maybe he can give you a great deal knowing you're one of his loyal customers.

Sorry to hear about this. Happening way too much lately. 

littletimmy

Buy as much stuff as you can...... while you still can! (Kits. Not so much paint or supply's but buy them too.)

Theres nothing like the actual hobby shop experience ( the internet won't let you sniff the parts before you buy... so to speak.)

Even if he gives deep discounts, dont feel bad. You'r helping him get rid of stock that would probably wind up being "given away" as he gets closer to closing. Support him to the end.

My heart cry's for the way things "used to be" but it's just a sign of the times.

 

 

( Darn  these kid's and there video games and their "Rock-em- Sock-em" robots !!!! )

 

Agreed. And as a long time loyal customer, I'm sure he won't feel bad about how they go to you. 

Buy as much stuff as you can...... while you still can! (Kits. Not so much paint or supply's but buy them too.)

Theres nothing like the actual hobby shop experience ( the internet won't let you sniff the parts before you buy... so to speak.)

Even if he gives deep discounts, dont feel bad. You'r helping him get rid of stock that would probably wind up being "given away" as he gets closer to closing. Support him to the end.

My heart cry's for the way things "used to be" but it's just a sign of the times.

( Darn  these kid's and there video games and their "Rock-em- Sock-em" robots !!!! )

That is sad to hear. It's ashame he didn't have a family member he could of handed it off to. This is the "norm" anymore....LHS closing the doors for good.