Hobby Lobby is coming to town!

We got one a year ago (I tried to get a job there, ha!) and it is VERY hit or miss as far as kits go. As others have said, your best bet is to stalk the sales table to see what ends up there, but in genenral, my impression is that as far as plastic kits go, HL is really downsizing in that area. Although if they have something you want ... and if you have one of their 40% off coupons ...

While they may not have the greatest selection of kits or other modeling stuff, they do have some kits that are not in your stash. Also I like going there because of the 50% off cupons and the fact that they have other stuff that my wife can look at, so I can browse as long as I like at what they do have.

Our Hobby Lobby in Toledo OH has jack for kits and supplies.  If yours is anything like ours, you LHSs don't need to worry.  Now, if HobbyTown was coming to town, I would be very worried.  They killed our last two LHS' here in Toledo by undercutting prices.  As soon as they were gone though, the prices shot way up.

Well, hate to disappoint you but selection on Armor kits really is poor.  Few years they offered a wide selection of kits even Dragon (DML) kits but not anymore as they have been downsizing.  Now it is mainly Tamiya (old kits) and few Academy kits.  But if you are into those wingy things, you should be able to find decent plane kits. 

You can print coupons from Hobby Lobby website if you don't subscribe newspapers.  Keep in mind they don't always offer 40% coupon... just wait another week and it will return. 

Oddman: well they must have changed their business model. I live in SW Florida. The store is being put in a very large building. I can't wait.

The idea of being a great place for Dios sounds awesome! The new little HS I found has a lot of train stuff that works great for Dios. Up until now I have had to go to Michaels, and AC moore type shops.

Thanks for the info. I will let you guys  know how it looks it opens. I love the idea of 40% off!

Travis

Manstein's revenge

From my experience...

Wait, Manny has experience at Hobby Lobby...

"Unless Hobby Lobby has changed their position on store locations, all stores are required to be within 1000 miles of their home operation (and warehousing) in Oklahoma.  That would explain why none are on much of the East Coast and especially the northern East Coast."

Does this mean Manny lives within 1000 miles of Hobby Lobby's main warehouse???

From my experience they are not a good plastic kit supplier if you want a wide selection of the latest and greatest; however, for other supplies, such as dio supplies, they are good: bases, cheap paints, brushes, etc...

Hey Travis,

A Hobby Lobby recently opened here in Paris.  That's great since it is the only place to actually put your hands on a kit, airbrush, paint and some accessories within 100 miles of here.  Unfortunately, HL is primarily a craft store which is okay also, but don't forget to support your LHS, especially if you want to talk to someone knowledgeable or who might be able to order you something special.  The HL here has recently been down-sizing their kits for whatever reason and some have been reduced in price considerably.  Don't forget to check out the Clearance section.   Good Luck

Regards,

Michael B. 

*Edit*

Years ago I worked in a Hobby Lobby warehouse in Oaklahoma City. Place was a modeling mecca and I was always drooling. Couldn't purchase stuff from the warehouse though so I had to satisfy myself with filling orders. I was able to score some scratch and dent MM paint displays though. A pallet was damaged and some of the racks were wrecked. They wanted us to toss the whole pallet! I got permission to scrounge through it and I scored a couple of perfect racks, just like you see in the stores.

If you build dioramas, they're a "One Stop Shop"... Don't confine yourself to the model section.. Check the art supplies, wood, craft paints, and dollhouse sections.. They also carry resin casting materials, brass tube, piano wire, etc...

HL recently opened a very large store here.  In addition to the lesser brands, they have some goodies.  The prices seem a little higher than some of the online vendors, but just bought a nice Tamiya 1:48 F-16 with a 40 percent off coupon.  Our store also has a decent supply of paints, airbrush supplies, compressors, etc.  I'm sure it will impact our LHS to some extent , but he stocks mostly railroad stuff and I usually have to order to get aircraft kits.

Ken

oddmanrush,

Unless Hobby Lobby has changed their position on store locations, all stores are required to be within 1000 miles of their home operation (and warehousing) in Oklahoma.  That would explain why none are on much of the East Coast and especially the northern East Coast.

Dag, why do I have to live in a State that they are not located..?

They carry a selection of decent kits (most go there when they have a 40% off any regular item coupon, about every other week).  They also carry Iwata and Paasche airbrushes, compressors (at least up here) and replacement parts for those two A/B manufacturers.  As far as other supplies, not sure as it's been a while since I've been to one (closest one to me is about 2 hours south of here).