Hobby Shops and Modeling Clubs in the Detroit area.

Don I agree with you that in our youth, the Detroit area was great for modeling and hobbies in general. I do miss those stores, seems the owners were more than willing to offer a new technique or recommend  a new kit. It was a competition to get your model shown in the store (usually by a string) but then again the options we have today are awesome.  

Very cool!

I've stayed out of this forum so far, since it has been decades since I lived in Detroit, but I was born and raised in the town. In my youth it was a model-friendly area and we had lots of good hobby shops and clubs.  Every Saturday we kids would jump on our bikes and visit a hobby shop.  Our favorite was a great one on Woodward avenue in Ferndale, between 8 and 9 mile.  I am sure it was long gone.  I was primarily a flying model guy then, and a highlight of my modeling youth was attending the Plymouth Nationals (or was it the Internats) at Selfridge field!

Give Nanking in Farmington Hills a try.  Not too many finished kits but the selection is the best I've seen in Michigan and they appear to add stuff everyday.  Went in last week and they had MiG powders. They will order anything for you.  Their prices are out of wack(too cheap or too expensive) but selection is good.Have never been to model cave and miss the old squadron shop in Madison heights.  A hike from my house as a middle schooler but my mom and best friends mom would take us twice a year.  Those were the days!

Thanks for the info, what I was looking for was an old fashioned Hobby Shop where they sell an assortment of kits, supplies, built kits hanging from the ceiling and the rest. I generally work in armor and other military, I've been told that the shop in Ypsi has a descent assortment. I guess thats why we have these threads, these types of shops have went out with the music cassette. I can see how an why online shopping has replaced them, but theres still nothing like going to the store, checking out different things, speaking with the owner and leave with a bundle of stuff. I guess I'm dreaming...

As you stated jibber, MIchigan Toy Soldier Co. company in Royal Oak is superb for supplies. The kits they do carry are good brands. P&D in Fraser, as stated in previous posts, is pretty good. They concentrate a lot on model railroading, but that also means they have a good selection of detailing parts like jewels and MV Product lenses for lights. Great Lakes Hobby's in Sterling Heights has a large selection of kits, decent selection of paints, good selection of tools, but not too good on detailing parts.

Here's a link to www.modelcave.com

FERMIS: yer still with us!! where the heck ya been brother, long time no talk???

fermis

This guy's got a good shop! Just model kits and supplies for model kits. It's a small, "hole in the wall" type shop, but very well stocked with aircraft...at least 2290!!!

Nankins on Ford rd., is OK for some supplies...a bit pricey on kits though.

Don't bother making the drive to "Just for Fun" hobbies in Brighton (My main LHS...location)...if you need kits. Combine all the kits, and I don't believe he has one more than 228.

"Model Cave" in Ypsi is where I was refering to, in the first sentence.

This guy's got a good shop! Just model kits and supplies for model kits. It's a small, "hole in the wall" type shop, but very well stocked with aircraft...at least 2290!!!

Nankins on Ford rd., is OK for some supplies...a bit pricey on kits though.

Don't bother making the drive to "Just for Fun" hobbies in Brighton (My main LHS...location)...if you need kits. Combine all the kits, and I don't believe he has one more than 228.

back in the early '80s when Prop Shop was closer to 9 mile, i'd saved up my coins to buy the r/c "grasshopper" and control. long story short, had a bad servo. my Gramps took me back to exchange it, that fat B.....erd wouldn't change it out, made me (Gramps) buy a new one.

when I got outta the service, went to see the new shop. it was nice, but I just wanted to see it. never been there since

.if ya wanna travel to the east side, I go to P&D on 13 and Groesbeck or Whistle Stop on Harper just north of 8 mile. I can't remember the name of it, but it's a big one on Van *** and Utica Rd(it used to be at 21 and Van ***)

try IPMS Warren. i'm not in town enough to join, but I've been going their shows(usally in Madison Heights in early spring) for a few years. heck, my first entry in a contest in well over 20 years, I got 3rd place in armor

Nankin is a good shop.  I visit the one in Farmington Hills on 9 mile frequently.  They have plenty of RC plane business.  Rolled in on a tuesday late morning a few months ago and the place was packed!  had a fire a few years ago but they rebuilt and seem to be doing well!

Try Modelcave in Ypsi.

Thanks

http://www.ipmslivonia.org/ipms/