Another HobbyTownUSA Bites The Dust

I love a good hobby shop but what with competition from the online markets, it's hard for anyone to stay in business unless they're in a great market area.

No, but ours in Boise is loosing some space for a SubwaySanwitch shop.

The one nearby me seems to have a ton but they always seem to lack people browsing or visiting very often.

Same thing happened when we lived in Greenville SC 5 years ago. We lost a Hobby Town shop just a short drive from the house but had 2 other excellent hobby shops to go to.

The sheriff's notice tells me that there may be management problems/taxes/outstanding debt.

It all depends on the local economy and the disposable income availability in the area.    HobbyTowns are franchise operations and generally carry a wide variety of 'gack' which is of little interest to the modeler (puzzles, kites, horses, doll houses).   R/C stuff is a big inventory item,  but can be a large investment draw if it doesn't turn over.    Model trains too.

One local HT just expanded and took over a sewing machine shop next door.  Didn't appreciably change their inventory -- just more space.  

I agree with Ed, Hobbytown can't be in general trouble because stores are franchise operations.

There is a store a couple hours north of me in Michigan. I visited it last year, chatted with the owner and they were in process of opening another store an hour or so away, so they must be doing ok.

I hate to see these stores close because to me Hobbytowns sort of represent the last hope of the sustainability of the LHS (even though from us modelers perspectives, they're not exactly LHS's as we remember them.

Just my 2 cents is all.

Devil Dawg

...Is HobbyTownUSA in general having financial problems?

I haven't heard anything about the chain itself, but for each franchisee is confronted by the same issues that the classic, sole-proprietary LHS faced or faces, especially competition from online sources that may not have the same overhead as a bricks-and-mortar store.

Our local franchisee sells out of the store and also via the Internet, but he just moved to a new location back in April.  His previous location was adjacent to the Lehigh Valley Mall, a location with easy access and visibility, but apparently the landlord upped the rent and didn't provide very good service (such as property maintenance).  The store was moved to a shopping center about three-quarters of a mile away, but its main access is from the southbound lane of a divided highway (there is another entrance to the center, but it's not too visible and well-known, especially to anyone who doesn't live in the immediate area).  Every time I go in, there are few customers there, and I wonder if this particular franchise is also gradually withering away.

And for me, they just can't get everything I need, even for something as mundane as paints.  I buy basic supplies there, but they don't carry all of the brands of paint that I use, and can't get them from their wholesaler.  I try to give them as much business I can.

About a year ago one of the last remaining 'local' stores became a HobbyTown franchise, In their case, and some others, I wonder if it is a last ditch attempt to save the business. The selection of what most of us would actually consider 'hobby' items has dwindled greatly, in favor of the junk that has to be carried to be a franchisee.

Not a good sign overall...the plastic model section is almost as bad as Hobby Lobby's, and the paint and tool racks are poorly stocked. Lucky if you can get a jar/bottle of paint, let alone 2. The end is nigh...

Ours in Memphis sold out, too.. The guy he sold out to seems to be doing ok.

plasticjunkie

Same thing happened when we lived in Greenville SC 5 years ago. We lost a Hobby Town shop just a short drive from the house but had 2 other excellent hobby shops to go to.

Hey, plasticjunkie, where would those two other hobby shops be in Greenville? I travel through there occasionally. Are they worth checking out? 

mississippivol

Ours in Memphis sold out, too.. The guy he sold out to seems to be doing ok.

Was that the one over near the Wolfchase Galleria Mall, mississippi?

Unfortunately, for as big an area that Charlotte, NC, is (almost a million people), we have no other local hobby shops in the area. There is one in Rock Hill, SC, which is about 40 miles from me, but my one visit there showed me that they charge way too much for their inventory. They specialize in RC, but have a fairly decent selection of plastic kits, too - two long aisles full, top-to-bottom. Anyways, with this last HobbyTownUSA closing, that leaves us with just a couple of Hobby Lobby stores, and a few Michael's and AC Moore stores. There is an EXCELLENT mom-n-pop hobby shop in Fayetteville, NC (Hayes Hobby House - google it), but that's a 2.5 hour drive one-way. I try to visit it when work takes me near there. Another great hobby shop that I like to frequent when I go to visit my son and his family is a HobbyTownUSA in Augusta, GA. They are PACKED with plastic kits - it's almost as if they specialize in that instead of anything else, even though they have a great selection of RC, stamps, puzzles, etc - the normal stuff you see at any HobbyTownUSA. I would guesstimate that they have probably 3,000 kits in stock there. Plus, as much reference material as I have ever seen. I really like going there and perusing the aisles.

But, why Charlotte doesn't have at least one mom-n-pop hobby shop is puzzling. Lots of modelers in the area to support it.  

Your last statement is the answer right there- lots of modelers in the area to support it. I would wager though that they do not. To save a bit of money here and there, they shop on the Internet and lost the privilege of having an honest to goodness LHS. As long as their is a reliable customer base, the shop will be there. It is a two way street so to speak. We need the shop to support our habit. The shop needs us to pay their bills. When we shop elsewhere, the shops go away. It's as simple as that.

I completely understand it works both ways. No doubt at all about that. But, I have noticed that the HobbyTowns that were here until recently never advertised - well, at least I never saw any advertisements from them, be it radio ads, newspaper ads, billboards, etc. Hobby Lobby, Michael's, AC Moore - they all advertise. And are still in business. Now, I realize that they aren't as specialized as a dedicated pure hobby shop would be, and they cater to a much broader market, but they advertise. I feel that if the HobbyTowns and mom-n-pop shops would advertise, the population that hasn't experienced modeling yet might just wanna come in and check out what they have to offer. Plus, the current modelers will know that they're in town and in business. How did I find out about Hayes Hobby House? They advertise! It's a 2.5 hour drive from my house, but I know where they are, and I buy from them when I visit them. If they didn't advertise, I would have never have heard about them. Now, I know the Internet has hurt the local hobby shops - no doubt. But I have yet to read on these forums anybody state that they would not visit a local hobby shop and buy from the Internet only. Most on here lament the demise of them. But, if modelers are the only ones frequenting the local shops, that's not enough business. Gotta get out and let everyone else know you're there. Word-of-mouth advertising helps, but it ain't enough to sustain a business. If I don't know that a local hobby shop exists, how am I gonna buy from them? I personally would much rather buy from a local shop than from the Internet, but my choices for doing that are getting very, very limited now. I love going to a local hobby shop and seeing the kits, the tools, the accessories, and smelling all the smells that go along with that. To me, it's much the same as going to a library (and who does that any more??). I love the smell and ambiance of a library or a good book store. 

Whoops...sorry. I'll get off of my rant now. I like your points, Stik. Always good to get different viewpoints.

There are two great scale model shops within a 20-30 minute drive from me here. Both are heavily involved with the local model clubs. One is very tight with IPMS, and the other is tight with AMPS, but both shops support both clubs (10% discounts to members), and vice versa.  Plus we have Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and  another local chain store Hobby People (formerly Hobby Shack). And the usual RC & RR Hobby Shops of which some do and some do not carry scale models. But almost all of them carry something that I could use from time to time. Paints, tools, accessories, etc. I have seen some other great local shops close, usually for reasons other than the customer base, and some mediocre ones come and go. The ones that worked best with the hobbyists and emphasized that connection with the clubs have stayed strong. So yes, in my limited observations, I would say it partway does boil down to efforts by the owners to court customers by reaching out to them. If there is a local club, partner up with them. If there is not, get one going at the local shop, and post about it prominently. In an area with a population base that you describe of near 1 million people, there has to be enough modelers there to either already have a club, or if not get one going. And associate it with the closest shop that will support them.

Oh yeah, I love a library or book store too.

Yep, I belong to Charlotte Scale Modelers. We're all lamenting the demise of all the local shops around here.  As mentioned before, there are no local shops here anymore. Just the nation-wide chains.

Very understandable to lament the passing of those shops. There are a few here that I really miss from back in the day. If your club has not done so already, I suggest that you guys contact any surviving Hobby Town in the area and see what you can do for one another. After all they are independently owned franchises, as opposed to Hobby Lobby or Michaels, and may be inclined to work with you guys to boost their own business.

All the HobbyTowns are gone from Charlotte. No more left here. There were three when I moved here back in March 2013 - now, all three have closed down. No local hobby shops at all any more.

Ouch! I only came across one Hobby Town in this area, back when those were stating up nationwide. It did not last too long. But in those pre Internet days it had tough competition from several traditional shops around here. Do you have RC or RR hobby shops near you at least that carry supplies like tools and paints?

Its not just hobby stores. Mom/Pop convenience stores, drug stores, and appliance stores are near extinction. Mostly relegated to isolated, out of the way parts of town. It almost seems like full service gas stations are figments of my imagination, something that existed in a weird dream.

mitsdude

Its not just hobby stores. Mom/Pop convenience stores, drug stores, and appliance stores are near extinction. Mostly relegated to isolated, out of the way parts of town. It almost seems like full service gas stations are figments of my imagination, something that existed in a weird dream.

Yes. I've thought of this when reading LHS loss threads.

stikpusher

Ouch! I only came across one Hobby Town in this area, back when those were stating up nationwide. It did not last too long. But in those pre Internet days it had tough competition from several traditional shops around here. Do you have RC or RR hobby shops near you at least that carry supplies like tools and paints?

None. The only thing I can find in Charlotte is a RC helicopter shop listed on the Internet, and they don't carry anything I would need, other than a small selection of tools. Hobby Lobby is pretty good for the tools and modeling supplies that I need. Just gotta start buying more of my kits from the Internet suppliers, I guess. Glad my job takes me to Fayetteville, NC, and Augusta, GA, occasionally. 

Devil Dawg, It is sad to watch the local hobby shops go under. I was in Columbus, Ohio last week and went to a LHS called Hobby Land. The owner used to have four stores around the city. He is now down to one.

You actually still have a very good LHS nearby. It's called Hobby Stop. It's in Rock Hill, just off of I-77. I think you would enjoy visiting them. Here's the info. Barrett

939 S Anderson Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730

(803) 327-4121

BarrettDuke

You actually still have a very good LHS nearby. It's called Hobby Stop. It's in Rock Hill, just off of I-77. I think you would enjoy visiting them. Here's the info. Barrett

939 S Anderson Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730

(803) 327-4121(803) 327-4121

Yep, that's the one I mentioned earlier in this post, although I didn't want to mention it by name. It's about a 45 mile drive from my house, and the prices were way above making it worth the trip. Some of the stuff they have there, like the new Monogram PT-17, is more than what Hobby Lobby wants ($16.95). I think they were charging $18.99 for it. Just an example. I was in there back on May 02, and I think I was the only one looking at plastic kits. The store was full of RC people, with a lot of RCers out back racing their cars and trucks, which is what I guess that place is there for. No problem with that - just wish their plastic kit prices were a little cheaper than they are.

Hey, Devil Dawg. I'm glad you are aware of that store. Compared to the rest of the country, it's a fairly decently stocked store for our hobby. I understand your frustration. For what it's worth, every major city in America is down to no more than three well-stocked independent LHS's and a Hobby Town or two. I've been to New York City, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Chicago, Minneapolis, Jacksonville, Orlando, Dallas, Fort Worth, New Orleans, Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Louisville, Denver, Charlotte, Boston, Columbus, etc. It's the same everywhere. Most of the LHS's are owned by men in their 60's or 70's, and they're just holding on. When they die, most of their stores will die with them. I try to buy something in every one I go to just to encourage them and put a little money in their till. It's true their prices are higher often than the Internet and the Big Box stores, but they can't do anything about that. They can't buy in bulk to get the lower prices, and they are committed to providing the specialty supplies the Big Boxers will never stock. I've noticed lately, though, that many of them are bringing their prices down in order to try to compete. Some are beginning to sell on the Internet, too. Many have to do RC to pay the bills. That's alright with me if it keeps them open and they still provide a good selection of models and supplies. If we want to keep the last of these stores open as long as possible, we better all of us spend some money there, even if it means a couple more dollars out of our pockets. When we have to pay $3.00 for a jar of paint and $2.95 for shipping on the Internet and wait 2-5 days for it to arrive, we'll all wish we had helped out the last remaining LHS's.

BarrettDuke

If we want to keep the last of these stores open as long as possible, we better all of us spend some money there, even if it means a couple more dollars out of our pockets. When we have to pay $3.00 for a jar of paint and $2.95 for shipping on the Internet and wait 2-5 days for it to arrive, we'll all wish we had helped out the last remaining LHS's.

My thoughts exactly.

Hmmm;

   Our Hobby Town enlarged after a move . Now they don't have the R.C.track and stuff . But their plastic model , train and R.C. sections are booming . Their paints are good too.Trains have less of kits and more of Pre-Built stuff - Wah , Wah  but Evergreen and Plastruct- Oh ! Mama Mia .You could bury me in it and Paints , well , which brand you want ?

Wish they put one in my area