To all Michigan Modellers: Ever heard of Telstar Hobby Shop?

J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

To all Michigan Modellers: Ever heard of Telstar Hobby Shop?

Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 7:41 AM

Here's one that'll show my age for sure:
As a youngster growing up in Michigan, I lived in a quaint lakeside town called Saint Clair Shores. Not far from home was a hobby shop called Telstar Hobby Shop, the shop from which I started my Aurora Prehistoric Scenes collection (still got 'em all, too!). I can only recall getting all those Aurora kits from that shop, but I also remember it was full of big R/C aircraft, too.
It must have been between 1970-1972 or so...a long time ago.

I've searched on the Net, to no avail, and even contacted the only shop listed in Saint Clair Shores, but they did not recall such a shop.

So, do any of you veteran Michigan modellers remember Telstar Hobby Shop? It may have been just Telstar Hobbies.

Ah, the memories... Smile [:)]

~Brian

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 10:37 AM

I'm a West sider, so I don't recall this Shop. It's no longer listed, so I suspect it's gone.

Regards, Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 10:49 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by rjkplasticmod

I'm a West sider, so I don't recall this Shop. It's no longer listed, so I suspect it's gone.

Regards, Rick

Yeah, I'm sure it's gone, too...just wondering if anyone might remember it! Smile [:)]

~Brian

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dkmacin

Member since
January 2003
From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich

Posted by dkmacin on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 5:46 PM

I lived in Mount Clemens from 1989-1992 and do not recall a hobby shop of that name.
I went to the one in Mount Clemens whos name escapes me as I write this and the little on that opened in 1990-91 in New Baltimore.

Don

I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

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therriman

Member since
January 2003
From: Central MI

Posted by therriman on Saturday, January 22, 2005 11:19 AM

Sorry Brian, I've never heard of it. Not that I get to that area very often (i.e. seldom, if ever).

Tim H. "If your alone and you meet a Zero, run like hell. Your outnumbered" Capt Joe Foss, Guadalcanal 1942 Real Trucks have 18 wheels. Anything less is just a Toy! I am in shape. Hey, Round is a shape! Reality is a concept not yet proven.

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Saturday, January 22, 2005 1:31 PM

Thanks, guys!
Not only did I start many a good collection from that shop, it's the first actual "hobby shop" that I have any recollection of.

~Brian

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 3, 2005 3:22 PM

My uncle lives on Larchmont, been there forever it seems. The 696/94 interchange is just around the corner. I've been visiting forever, sorry don't remember it. They moved from Utica to St Clair Shores in 62.

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dkmacin

Member since
January 2003
From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich

Posted by dkmacin on Friday, February 4, 2005 5:46 AM

If you guys are from the area mentioned,
you must have made the trek to Nine mile and John R in Hazel Park?
The little hobby shop with the name Squadron Shop?
(Yes you young guys, THE Squadron Shop.)
My Grandfather lived a few blocks away and I would walk over just to look at the stuff in the windows, save my grass cutting money just to buy that new Airfix kit. . .
They moved to 111/2 mile and John R in the late seventies and I got a part time job there.
Heaven!!

Don

I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

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jkeller

Member since
December 2002
From: Grand Blanc, MI USA

Posted by jkeller on Friday, February 4, 2005 11:53 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by dkmacin

If you guys are from the area mentioned,
you must have made the trek to Nine mile and John R in Hazel Park?
The little hobby shop with the name Squadron Shop?
(Yes you young guys, THE Squadron Shop.)
My Grandfather lived a few blocks away and I would walk over just to look at the stuff in the windows, save my grass cutting money just to buy that new Airfix kit. . .
They moved to 111/2 mile and John R in the late seventies and I got a part time job there.
Heaven!!

Don

Yes, I remember that place. I would spend hours there. I went to Squadron when they were at John R in the 80's. I tried to look them up when I returned to the hobby but of course to my disapointment they had set up shop in Cali somewhen I heard. I always wondered if the Squadron Shop online is the same Squadron Shop?

I now spend some time at Old Guard. That's seems to be the best shop I've found. Maybe I should start a thread, best hobby shop in South East Michigan, I would like to know if I'm missing out.

Joe

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dkmacin

Member since
January 2003
From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich

Posted by dkmacin on Saturday, February 5, 2005 8:50 AM

Yes Joe that was the SAME Squadron Shop.
They had retail outlets in Michigan, first in Hazel Park then Madison Heights, Washington DC, Carrolton Texas and San Diego Ca (Or was it LA?).
The shop in Michigan closed first and the others followed as Squadron decided to go Mail order only from the shop in Texas.
With the lack of $$ made in the store when I worked there I could see why. Modelers came from near and far to drink the coffee, eat the donuts and in general stare at the walls and walls of kits, but not much was bought, except by me! You could set your watch by the three "regulars" that came in every Saturday to pick apart the displays, and voice the negative opinion on modeling in general.

Don

I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

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jkeller

Member since
December 2002
From: Grand Blanc, MI USA

Posted by jkeller on Saturday, February 5, 2005 11:55 AM

Don,

Yeah I must admit I was guilty of looking at the display cases and looking around for hours without buying anything but I was in awe. To bad about those guys with negative opinions. A friend of mine got his diorama on display there. I remember a few times the guy behind the desk told us we would have to buy something or leave (he was polite about it though). I was in highschool at the time and money (my parents) was tight.

I did buy my first air brush and comressor there and I bought my 1/25 Tiger I there. That thing was high on the wall to the right when you walked in. Finally I was able to come up with the money and after looking at it each time I came into the store. Good memories there.

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dkmacin

Member since
January 2003
From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich

Posted by dkmacin on Sunday, February 6, 2005 6:42 AM

I was in high school when I worked there
I remember many a time just standing around listening to "plastic talk." If the coffee was made, all the shelves stocked, floor clean, etc, I had nothing to do so I listened. I think I know the guy you are talking about, he asked me to leave once, and I worked there!! He thought I shouldn't have been hired as I didn't do anything. . .
I shouldn't have said "modelers just looked. . ." Modelers bought stuff, or, and it sounds like you were in the same boat I was, came in and checked out the models I was going to buy when I got the money. (Until I got hired there, then I was forced to endure the torture until payday.)

Don

I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Sunday, February 6, 2005 11:03 AM

Thanks again, guys!

~Brian

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Robb63

Member since
April 2017

Posted by Robb63 on Friday, April 14, 2017 8:10 AM

You are not crazy Smile It was at 10 Mile and I-94 in the Fairway shopping plaza.

It was run by a very sweet older couple. My friends and I spent many hours and most of our allowance in there from around 1975-77, then we discovered skateboarding

It was a great place. Amazing models, and novelty gags.

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fermis

Member since
January 2009
From: hamburg michigan

Posted by fermis on Monday, April 17, 2017 5:10 PM

Old thread, I know....I've been in Hamburg (just north of Ann Arbor) for almost 14 years now. I've seen several shops come and go...most have gone. I gotta toot the horn for "Model Cave" in Ypsi. Fairly new (far as I know)...4, maybe 5 years now(???)....GREAT shop. Just a few minutes north of 94....if you are ever passing through the area, I highly recommend stopping in. Aircraft selection is the best I have ever seen, anywhere. Armor section is very limited, by comparison though. Fair amount of auto, Gundam, ships...lots of paint and accessories too.

Other than Model Cave...there's Nankins. I don't even bother going there anymore, as their prices are pretty high. Model Cave is pretty competitive and very reasonable, even compaired to online shops.

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humper491

Member since
April 2008
From: clinton twp,mi

Posted by humper491 on Monday, April 17, 2017 11:00 PM

hi fermis! i just chimed in cuz i saw you ha-ha!! you know i grew up in this area, but that shop must be way before my time. i might be thinkin it's the "Whistle Stop", which of course is the 'hoytie-toytie' place...

Humper Beam

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mawright20

Member since
January 2017
From: Colorado Springs

Posted by mawright20 on Thursday, April 20, 2017 3:33 AM

I grew up on the west side, Michigan and Livernois. Spent time in Marine City where my wife is from. Don't remember any of these places growing up in the 80s. Or the place in Ypsilanti when I was at EMU.

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humper491

Member since
April 2008
From: clinton twp,mi

Posted by humper491 on Friday, May 5, 2017 10:52 PM

you being from the west side, these places would be a bit far for you to travel to. i very much remember the squadron on john r(madison heights) i would ride mi bicycle there from warren. i got to know the owner at that time(early 80's) steve. heck, at that time i didn't know what the 'west side' was, let alone marine city. model on 10-4!

Humper Beam

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hogfanfs

Member since
May 2013
From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho

Posted by hogfanfs on Saturday, May 6, 2017 6:51 AM

I remember the Squadron Shop on John R. Do you remember, and I'm not 100% positive how accurate this is, a shop that was opened by some of the guys from the old Squadron shop at 13 and Dequindre ? I don't remember the name, but it was open for a few years then closed too. I bought a lot of kits and decals from this shop. This was the early 90's

Bruce

On the bench: 1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

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Don Stauffer

Member since
November 2009
From: Twin Cities of Minnesota

Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, May 6, 2017 8:37 AM

I grew up in Detroit, but moved away in 1960. Never heard of Telstar. The biggest and best hobby shop I remember was, I believe, just called Hobbies, and was on Woodward between Eight and Nine Mile Roads. It started on the east side of Woodward, and then moved to the west side in the mid 50s.

I also remember a much smaller shop on, I believe 7 mile (could have been McNichols) at about Wyoming. Smaller, but the staff was quite personable and helpful.

Since I moved away from Detroit I have, unfortunately, never lived in a place with as high a density of hobby shops :-(

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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Silver

Member since
January 2014

Posted by Silver on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 4:54 PM

I think they are out of England.(Europe).

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