Venture Hobbies, Chicagoland

spiralcity wrote:

I use Venture Hobbies quite often. It's a nice place and theres plenty their. Al's Hobbies in Elmhurst is also quite good, although I understand that they are gearing up for mostly RC now.

Thanks for the quick response, spiralcity!

Triarius wrote:

I live in Waukegan, and I've been going to Venture Hobbies since at least 1982. It now takes me at least an hour to get there (often an hour and a half). It is definitely worth the trip. Very friendly, helpful people.

Thanks for the quick response, Triarius!!

I asked because it's about an hour and a half from my house, thus I don't want to waste time and gas if it's not worth it. But your responses spiralcity and Triarius, have influenced me to go take a trip to Venture Hobbies.

Hope I get some sweet deals!

I asked because it's about an hour and a half from my house, thus I don't want to waste time and gas if it's not worth it.

Venture Hobbies is a nice place, as I said there is plenty to be found their. Everything from reference books to sheet styrene. I dont know if you'll find great deals their but you will find what you need. Every time I go into Venture I spend OVER 50.00 easily.

If you go to Al's Hobbie's in Elmhurst you'll find some of the best CA for filling seams. It's called Flexible Thin super glue (Insta-Flex). This stuff is very easy to work with. Just ask the person behind the counter for it.

Hey, spiralcity have you ever been to Ed's Hobby Warehouse????

I never heard of this HS. What town is it in?

spiralcity wrote:

Hey, spiralcity have you ever been to Ed's Hobby Warehouse???? I never heard of this HS. What town is it in?

Ed's Hobby Warehouse is in Palos Hills. That's where I do most of my model buying and ordering. One nice thing is, if he doesn't have it in stock he'll order it and won't charge you shipping and handling. Not to mention most of his model prices are great.

If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

I live in Florida, but try to visit Venture hobbies everytime I'm in Chicago. 

I traveled around the country on business for many years.  Before leaving I would always consult the shop listings in the back of FSM, especially when traveling someplace new.  Discovering new shops was more fun than just sitting in a hotel room (or bar) after hours.

Venture Hobbies has been near the top of my list, along with Brookhurst Hobbies and the late, great Paul Frieler's Historical Models out in the LA area.

I also found that the greater Milwaukee area probably has the most good shops, which no doubt has some correlation with the fact that Kalmbach (and FSM) is located there. 

Mark

Venture Hobbies is great! I grew up going to the Squadron Shop on Elmhurst IL and was extremely disappointed when it closed. I was delighted to find Venture when I started building again after my 1st son was born. Now both my boys and I go regularly. My 14 year old and myself for the plastic kits and my 10 year old for all things fast in R/C.

I highly recommend visiting Venture!!!

Tom

Venture Hobbies is actually pretty great. I went on Sunday, they had a great selection of armor and paints and reference books. But my only dissapointment is all their prices are high, no discounts at all. 

Never the less, I recommend visting Ed's Hobby Warehouse. Because he has quite a selection of model kits at good prices. The only minus is his store can't seem to keep paint in stock.

modelfreaks wrote:

Venture Hobbies is great! I grew up going to the Squadron Shop on Elmhurst IL and was extremely disappointed when it closed. I was delighted to find Venture when I started building again after my 1st son was born. Now both my boys and I go regularly. My 14 year old and myself for the plastic kits and my 10 year old for all things fast in R/C. I highly recommend visiting Venture!!! Tom

WOW! The old Squadron Shop, it brings back memories. That was the best place in the state, snuggled in the small shopping mall off of route 83 and North Ave.

Ed's Hobby Warehouse is in Palos Hills. That's where I do most of my model buying and ordering. One nice thing is, if he doesn't have it in stock he'll order it and won't charge you shipping and handling. Not to mention most of his model prices are great. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

You mean Messy Ed's?  He's been kicked out of more towns than a two dollar hooker.  His stores are a mess.  And don't go near the birds, those vultures will take a finger off in one swpe.

Go to Venture.  As for AL's, it isn't what it used to be.  Go there only if you are in the neighborhood. 

Ranger2Seven wrote:

Ed's Hobby Warehouse is in Palos Hills. That's where I do most of my model buying and ordering. One nice thing is, if he doesn't have it in stock he'll order it and won't charge you shipping and handling. Not to mention most of his model prices are great. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.   You mean Messy Ed's?  He's been kicked out of more towns than a two dollar hooker.  His stores are a mess.  And don't go near the birds, those vultures will take a finger off in one swpe. Go to Venture.  As for AL's, it isn't what it used to be.  Go there only if you are in the neighborhood.

I still go to Al's, they have changed the layout of that store once again and the plastic models have been moved to a tiny room off to the far right side.

Ranger2Seven wrote:

Ed's Hobby Warehouse is in Palos Hills. That's where I do most of my model buying and ordering. One nice thing is, if he doesn't have it in stock he'll order it and won't charge you shipping and handling. Not to mention most of his model prices are great. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.   You mean Messy Ed's?  He's been kicked out of more towns than a two dollar hooker.  His stores are a mess.  And don't go near the birds, those vultures will take a finger off in one swpe. Go to Venture.  As for AL's, it isn't what it used to be.  Go there only if you are in the neighborhood.

LOL Messy Ed's, Good one. But lately he's been reorganizing the models. So it's not as bad as it was, now it's much easier to find something.

Ranger2Seven wrote:

Is Pete still at Als?  He was the only reason to go there.  There used to be an old crow behind the counter and she would make my skin crawl.  The guys at Venture are much more knowledgable and helpful.  They've let me open up several kits with no problem.  Seeing whats inside the box can make the difference between a purchase or not.

The last time I was in there the old women wasnt working the plastic model section. She may have moved to railroads. I dont know Pete, at least not by name, I may recognize the face. I was in their about a year ago looking at Badger brushes. Some yound guy was walking me though them. I always find the service very helpful at Al's. I do go to Venture more often than Al's because the kit selection is a bit better these days.