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Another LHS bites the dust. Got a notice in the mail that Family Hobby in Medina, Ohio will be closing their doors. I'm really going to miss going there to pick up supplies and browse the shelves looking for a kit that caught my eye. The owners really knew their stuff too. Shopping on line just isn't the same for me.
Mike
I know the feeling... looking at photos online just does not compare to holding the kit in your hands.... or in some cases, the shop owner would open the box up with you to look at the sprues, decals, and instructions at the counter!!! Working on a project and running low on a paint color? Pop on over and get what you need... and perhaps something else that caught your eye as well...
The closing of a agood LHS, for any reason, is truly a loss to those who shop there that can never be filled by online stores, no matter how good their pricing and selection.
F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!
U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!
N is for NO SURVIVORS...
- Plankton
LSM
I know the feeling as well. 3-4 years ago a LHS I frequented to closed down due to the owner retirement. I still miss going there on my lunch hour from time to time to see what he has and pick up some needed supplies. He had great prices too.
We still have one little LHS in the area but it's nothing to write home about. It'll be a matter of time before he decides to close his doors and retire.
I feel really fortunate, my LHS I believe is fourth generation family owned, Eugene Toy and Hobby, in Eugene, Oregon. Big store, plenty of knowledgeable employees to help with info or advice. Plastic armor, cars and aircraft, trains, R/C, building supplies and tools. Always well stocked, I'm there regularly.
What they might not have, (rare,) they order in for me. Good folks, good store. If something is not available for them to order, they refer me to the source where I can. A good hobby shop is a very valuable thing to have nearby, I'm lucky.
Patrick
The only bright side I have for a LHS is out in Rochester, NY area. Thankfully, it's not far from my sis-in-law & bro-in-law's house in Webster. Gonna head out there later this summer when they have a get-together for her girls' birthday party/BBQ.
The others are in Syracuse area (DeWitt and Liverpool, NY)
That sucks!
the LHS here closed 2 years ago, it was here for almost 70 years to.
Growing up and even after returning from college we had 5-6 great stores in the area. I know things change but often it's not for the better. We had one store called Hobby Castle that was in a old store front with creaky wooden floors. This place was literally stacked from floor to ceiling with all kinds of kits. You could go in there, shut out the world for a few hours and browse all the kits and talk with the modelers that would come in. Shopping on line just isn't the same.
Just heard today that The Whistle Stop in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio is closed. I thought I would go to Medina to get what I need, as it is on my way to my brother's house. Guess that won't happen now.
I may get so drunk, I have to crawl home. But dammit, I'll crawl like a Marine.
Thgat is almost why I would consider Roll Models a LHS to patronize to keep them going as per another thread.
WIP: Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 73rd BS B-26, 40-1408, torpedo bomber attempt on Ryujo
Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 22nd BG B-26, 7-Mile Drome, New Guinea
Minicraft 1/72 B-24D as LB-30, AL-613, "Tough Boy", 28th Composite Group
wayne baker Just heard today that The Whistle Stop in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio is closed. I thought I would go to Medina to get what I need, as it is on my way to my brother's house. Guess that won't happen now.
Wings in Lakewood closed a few years ago too. They had been there since the 40's and had a great decal and resin selection too. We still have Depot Train and Hobby on W. 130th and Parma Hobby, at least for now. I guess nobody wants to pay 50 or 60 bones for a kit they can get on ebay for 25 or 30. I know my frugal self is guilty of such. Sign of the times I suppose. Eventually we'll be stuck with the elcrapo stuff at Hobby Lobby.
"Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"
Hobby Lobby here in Medina has increased the selection of supplies but the kit selection has much to be desired.
Unfortunately the mom+pop shops are all doomed.
I'm afraid you are right.
Tojo72 is right. For instance the HobbyBoss M1070 is literally $60 dollars cheaper online and no tax than at my LHS.......the Tamiya 1/32 aircraft......literally $40-$50 dollars cheaper or more online per kit. I could go on and on.
It's not like its $10 or $15 dollars. Over the course of a year I'm saving a thousand dollars.
LHS MM enamels are a dollar more per bottle, and Tamiya acrylic 23mm bottles are literally $1.75 cheaper per bottle online that at my LHS.
I don't see how anyone serious in this hobby can ignore this. I'd be happy to pay a little more at the LHS but the difference now is just too great.
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