Nowadays, hobby stores can be anywhere and it doesn't mean much because you can order online. For the past few years I've hardly visited a hobby shop to buy kits, but ordered them from various sites, HK, China, Japan, Ukraine, etc. (with the exception of USA because of high shipping cost). I got my Amusing Hobby's Panzerkampfwagen VII "LOWE" from luckymodel for only $42..99 + $10.59 (sales price). Now shipping costs 50% more. It's such a big and nice kit, with PE parts and aluminum barrel included).