The State of Modeling and Hobby Shops

I know in Toronto where I live there are quite a few good hobby shops.  Luckily for me, there are 3 great ones all within a 5 minute drive.

However, I do notice that department stores and toy stores rarely have model kits like they used to.  Walmart no longer carries them here and same with other department stores.

To be honest, I think it's mostly adults that are keeping this hobby going.  I rarely see kids in any of my local hobby shops, it's almost always adults.  I think this is going to be a very niche hobby in 30 or 40 years.  

My area is very scant in Hobby Shops geared for scale modeling too. Allas,They've been taken over by plenty of RC and train shops.  However, our hobby is alive and well online where I hafta make most of my purchases  ( but I do resent having to pay those pricey shipping costs for everything i purchase.)

Mfg's like Tamiya, Airfix, Hasegawa and Revell  ( to name a few ) are still coming out with lots of new and great kits.  just Google online hobby shops and you might be overwelhmed at the number of choices.

If you get FSM magazine, there are reviews in every issue. Each of those is a new kit, sometimes they get one published that is just a few days old before they get it done up and published, and sometimes a review model has been in the magazine ads for an issue or two.

But, every review represents someone's new release,,,,,,which proves that as far as kit development is concerned, this hobby is moving right along at various model kit companies.

Granted, you may not see a release in some exact niche in the hobby. But in overall product health, it is still growing every month.

As far as the hobbyists at home doing the building,,,,,we aren't suffering any more shrinkage than any other group of people building things with their hands,,,,,,that is down by almost the same percentage across the board.

To just browse and look at kits and companies, go to Hannants at http://www.hannants.co.uk/ and set the search for just one scale (any one that grabs your interest),,,,,,,you will see thousands of kits that were never for sale in Department stores or Toy stores, some were never sold in Hobby Shops, in fact.

Enjoy your return to the hobby

Rex

I think we're in a golden age for modeling but at the same time the retail environment is being altered in a negative way. Look at the variety of subjects available to build not to mention the huge variety of after market parts. As for small retailers the only thing left for them is to send flowers.

This is the golden age of modeling when it comes to availability of kits in almost any genre.Also the aftermarket,painting and weathering is booming.Never before have we had such a selection to build,paint and weather.

The loss of the mom and pop store certainly hurts,it's nice to have that local source for paints,supplies,and an occasional kit.But it really hasn't harmed the hobby as the internet suppliers are plentiful and quick.

I am happy to have two real shops within a 1/2 hr as well as a art supply with all kinds of stuff.

The hobby itself is relatively healthy, especially when we take into account the variety of kits and subjects, as well as tools, supplies (especially aftermarket bits for detailing), and manufacturers.  Our time could be described as a true golden age.

As far as the old local hobby shop goes, yes, there is a change taking place, and it's sad for the owner of a business, if he has to close up shop, but I think it's far more common that a shop owner retires, rather than that he goes broke.  That's been going on for years, though.  Before there were a lot of little mom-and-pop hobby shops, there were guys selling products out of the their kitchens or garages (Monogram started that way, I think), and LHS and dime stores put them out of business.

With the Internet, the average modeler has access to a whole store, basically.  It's nice, and nostalgic, and also convenient, if you have to pick up something right away, to have a local shop, but I don't think the demise of the LHS is a sign that the hobby is in trouble.

I know of some mom-and-pop stores that have adapted, too, and use the Internet.  For example, the store I went to as a kid, Penn Valley Hobbies in Lansdale, PA, has an online store, an eBay store, and they still maintain the original shop, which is crammed into half a twin, albeit with an extension out the back, and with hours now only on Saturdays.  They're still doing well.

So generally, I think the hobby is doing well.  Are there as many kids building models now as when I was a kid in the 70's?  I don't think so.  But I think there is a growing number of guys who come to it as adults now, and we didn't have that quite as much back then.

LHS are becoming extinct every day. Mine closed down this past May due to owner's retirement and desire to get out of the business. His kids don't even want to take it over. Sold all the contents to an outfit out of Nebraska.

I suppose I'm lucky where I live in Manchester UK we have a new shop just opened. It came about after the closure of a national chain and the manager of the local branch decided he could fill the hole left. We've had a shop in Manchester since 1951 and amazingly the new shop is in the original premises from 51. Its not a great place but its a start and I support the guys there as much as I can, its called Pheonix Models.

I do use the net a lot and yes with some of the kits we have and the accuracy we are in a true golden age. With the advent of 3D printers I think it can only get better, but how long it will last looking at the demographic of the makers I cant say for sure. I think we need young blood joining the hobby

Phil

VM1138

...Are there still new products to look forward to in ship building, plane building and sci-fi? ...

I think there's been a veritable explosion of kits on sci-fi subjects, from injection-molded styrene to resin kits, especially short-run resin kits.  And in injection-molded kits, you'll find the old Aurora monster movie kits available, both in Revell's catalog (where they ended up, after Monogram bought the molds in the Aurora close-out, and then after Revell and Monogram were merged), and in catalogs of makers like Polar Lights and Moebius.  And those two have produced other subjects that can be seen as expanding on the old Aurora catalog, that is, subjects that Aurora never did but might have.  And then there are Star Trek kits, Star Wars kits, and on, and on, in great profusion.

Oh, and welcome back to the hobby, and to the forum!

Best regards,

Brad

Glad to hear the hobby is thriving even if the local shops aren't.  Can anyone recommend me great online hobby sites?  I've looked on Amazon and Megahobby.com so far, but I'd love to know if there are any superior sites.

squadron.com

spruebrothers.com

hobbylinc.com

internethobbies.com

I agree with those who believe this is a golden age. I believe the hobby has never been in better condition.  Yes, we have been losing hobby shops to internet sales, but as the OP says, that is happening within all retail businesses. It is sort of like the hardware stores- few independents left since they have all been taken over or killed by the large chain building supply stores.

One only has to look at the large aftermarket accessory and decal markets to see this.  When I started in scale modeling the only aftermarket items were paint and glue!

Also www.freetimehobbies.com

www.scalehobbyist.com

www.luckmodels.com

www.redfroghobbies.com

Just to echo the assorted opinions, brick and mortar hobby shops are taking a beating, but models themselves are at a near peak. Many of the old kits from the dawn of plastic modeling are being reissued at non-collector prices to allow nostalgic builders to relive their childhood.

New kits are being produced at such a high quality that even the tiniest details are replicated to suit super detailers as well as more beginner friendly kits to accommodate the casual modeler.

While there will always be modelers who ask why a certain subject hasn't been done or re-done to a more modern status, there are plenty of subjects of a vast variety to suit most modelers.

I'm lucky that I have a local hobby shop within a 5 minute drive as well as a more comprehensive model shop less than an hour away.

Speaking of hobby shops, it was always my dream to open one, now it just doesn't seem possible. Even opening an e business is out of the question. There is no possible way I could compete with the likes of Sprue Bro's, Squadron, Tower Etc. (Tower and Great Planes are the same company, and I believe they own Champaign IL).

I looked into both prospects and you need a population of at least 10,000 people (and $50,000) so you can get the percentage of customers just to keep the doors open, not to mention make a living. And with the internet, unless your established, you don't stand a chance. As far a website, it's a similar proposition, just try it. The hosting, and around #3-$5000 to get a professional looking site, warehousing, and again around $30-$50,000 to start. Oddly enough though. Great Planes (and several other manufactures) will not sell to you unless you have a brick and mortar store.
Huh, go figure. 

Modelcrazy, I have had the thought a few times over the last 5 years or so.

Anne and I have wanted to open a hobby paint online store, with a few different lines, plus a set of paint standard chips.

The shipping regulations pretty much killed that idea off, though. There are plenty of options for getting the paints to customers, but, unless we buy in a huge wholesale quantity, there is not a lot of options for receiving the paints that don't eat up all of the margin. And we all know what happens in today's market if any store sells anything for a Nickle less than you do.

Watching our friend only last 5 years with a brick and mortar store that also sold online and at shows sort of took all the "smart" right out of our "bright idea" too.

People might laugh at others that have a stash,,,,,,,but, there is a lot to be said for only needing glue and knife blades for the next five years or so.  (I have 3 times the number of 1/72 kits that our friend had in his LHS, so I will be okay)

Rex

That's another one of those good/bad things about the internet - it has made it very easy even for someone that is otherwise lazy about such things to comparison shop. No doubt it hurts retailers by driving prices down even more than they might be otherwise.

I, too, had thought about starting a LHS myself since the one I frequented to closed down. I found a nice little storefront that was once owned by the folks who sell locally produced furniture. Yes, they build custom furniture/cabinets. It's located in just outside of North Utica  (Schuyler, NY in fact) and right on Old Route 5S. Not only I would cater to just model hobbyists, I would include train hobbyists as well since there is a huge interests in those in my area since Union Station is not that far from there as well.  Union Station holds model railroad shows every spring and is always a huge draw.

I would stock all brand of kits of all genre and scale as much as I can stock including sci-fi. I would carry a full line of Tamiya, Model Master, Life Color, Citadel, Humbrol, Vallejo paints, hobby tools of all sorts and more. My hours would be M - F: 9 - 6 pm, Saturdays, 9 - 3 pm.  

After thinking how much this and everything  else would cost, I would have to double or triple my profits to break even. Thoughts on insurance, rent, rental insurance, not to mention hiring someone who will be willing to help run my business is enough to give me headaches.

It's possible if you have the start-up capital. You may want to think RC as well. Cars, at least here, are a huge hit, as well as trains. Also you may want to dabble in wargames, and science / learning kits, for the kiddies.

I still haven't completely given up on my dreams. There's still time to win the Power Ball.

Frankly, given the economics of this area, I would discourage it, no matter how much I would like to see it happen. The economy is still poor nationwide, despite what the media tell you, let alone here. Trying to make a go of it on something that is a luxury item in an economically depressed area is very risky. One of the few remaining large employers in the area, Remington Arms, is on very shaky ground here in NY.

The railroad hobby is dying even faster than its practitioners, as they age more rapidly than the plastic model crowd. People that remember the railroad with affection and as the major mode of transportation in the country are disappearing rapidly every day.

Can't tell you how many times I've seen Gramps in the store futilely trying to get Junior interested in trains. Not going to happen - successful and necessary as they may still be, railroads and railroading simply are not a major factor of life that people give any thought to these days.

The glory days of people buying $500-$1000 sets of locomotives every couple of weeks are gone - they are dead, and the people that are left around here don't have that kind of money any more, even if they were interested. You may have seen this yourself at K+K over the last years - just about nothing sold on the train side, except whatever used stuff came in, or small parts. New locomotives and sets going out  the door were a rarity.

You may also remember another local hobby shop now long gone, The Hobby Connection, that used to be in Yorkville,and later Commercial Drive in NH. I was, and still am, friends with the family. A son and I had played youth hockey together for many years. We had a number of chances over the years since to talk about the business, and I had asked him what the worst decision he ever made was, hobby wise.

He told me 'Not closing the doors the minute the shuttering of Griffiss AFB was announced'. The shop lingered on for a few years after that, but the hobby, and the area in general have still not gotten over that event almost 20 years past now. And frankly, no matter how many pie in the sky schemes local politicians tout constantly, it is showing little sign that it ever will.

To sum up - if you want to make a small amount of money in the hobby business, start with a large amount...

The mention of the Power Ball reminded me of an old farming joke.

"congratulations Mr Farmer, now that you have won the 2 million dollar jackpot, what do you plan to do?"

"aww, shucks, I'll probably just keep farming until it is all gone"

I am afraid that starting a hobby shop today *might* be as successful as starting a record store that hosts Sock Hops.

Rex

MJames70 -

I know exactly what you mean regarding K&K and the trains on one side.  Here's the thing - K&K Hobbies always seem to be their busiest during the Christmas holiday seasons when finding train sets under the tree was sort of the norm. Once the holidays are gone, the interests isn't there anymore.

Hobby Connection... was it located on Whitesboro Street? I don't recall seeing it on Commercial Drive but then again it may have been at a time I had strayed away from the hobby back then. Where was it on Commercial Drive?

The Hobby Connection was on Oriskany Boulevard in Yorkville, in a small plaza near Holland Farms for a few years. They then moved to a small strip of stores across the street from Toys R Us in New Hartford. That was several shops at the time; today it is all one bike/outdoor shop in the space. They closed up around 2000. The former owner still has some of the stock in his basement to this day.

And I think even the tradition of holiday trains under the tree is disappearing, too. The last several Xmas seasons were weak, I think Dan would tell you, compared to say 10-15 years ago. Which reminds me, I should call him; haven't talked in about a month.

I've left messages at his home but he never calls back. LOL! I guess it must be true he's gone off to live like a hermit after losing his job at K&K. I never knew it was on Oriskany Blvd nor across Toys R Us. I guess I have been away too long after all. XD

MJames70

...And I think even the tradition of holiday trains under the tree is disappearing, too...

Not in my house.  Well, not trains, but rather, this is my usual display...

That's the Kaiser-Alexander-Grenadier regiment, in a Christmas parade.  The grenadiers were made by Guard Corps back in the '90s, and I have other figures by makers like Stadden, Rose, Imrie-Risley, etc, which I painted myself.  The artillery sets are by Britains.

Beats my usual Christmas Village.

Its been a while since I posted to this forum but here goes. Currently we travel as brand ambassadors for a couple of mfrs in the hobby industry. We attend local club meetings, events and contests. We also call on hobby retailers to help them promote the hobby by doing in store product demos and training for their staff and their customers. We have seen both ends of the spectrum of retailers...good and the bad.

Much of whether or not any particular store does well depends on its owners and the staff's attitudes towards the public that enter through the door. Whether or not they even want to be in business and how they feel towards their business.

Selection has a lot to do with the clients they service and the amount of sales they muster from the items they sell. If only one or two of the locals want plastic kits and supplies, it doesn't really justify bringing in much because they'll never get sufficient return in a timely manner to warrant stocking.

The number of LHS continues to decline, yet the amount of products continues to grow. This growth in selection continues because products continue to sell, albeit probably not through the local shop down the street because in most communities they are gone. The are several great local stores out there...and we have seen several and are looking forward to visiting more as we crisscross this country (USA) visiting them.

The LHS can't move any kind of merchandise regardless of the attitude if people aren't walking through the doors. I myself (shame on me) order my paint through the internet. My LHS doesn't/won't carry the variety of paint I need, instead, they can order it for me. So I look at the cost of driving my F150 down to the store (7 miles away x 13 MPG), ordering the items, waiting for them to call me, drive back down and pick them up. I can get my paint cheaper w/ shipping, and in the same amount, or less, time.

Most people find a larger variety of kits and less expensive on the web. Prior to the turn of the century there was no other choice.

I am ecstatic that there are shops doing well. My local Hobby Town seems to have people in it when I visit, but they are a franchise and diversify greatly, however that is just not the case in most areas. Most people are just not interested in the hobby anymore. There are just too many other "Shinny Objects" to attract them.

Like I said before, I believe my lifelong dream is gone, unless I win the lottery. Then the doors would just be open for me and It would loose money, but I would have it to loose for a little while. At least I could live the dream.

Even as a school kid in the fifties I occasionally ordered mail order- anyone remember America's Hobby Center in NYC that had one or two page ads in all the modeling magazines.  This was only for special deals that my LHS didn't have, but the problem has been with us for at least that long.

One online supplier has a thing that helps.  When you order online, the item is delivered to a partipating LHS, where  you pick it up.  This is a model RR supplier (they have a great selection of scratchbuilding supplies, even though I am not into RR).

It is not just the hobby shops that have this problem- there is an economy of scale in retailing, so small local shops have long had a problem. Franchising is a partial answer, but the increases in telecommunication, and the reduction in delivery times are likely to make problem worse in future.  Problem with online or mail order sales is, when you run out of that fancy color of paint you need to continue, it hurts to wait a day or two to get a new bottle.  That is where the value of LHS is priceless!

Also helping the LHS is the very poor catalogs and web pages of some online dealers.