The State of Modeling and Hobby Shops

I suppose I'm lucky where I live in Manchester UK we have a new shop just opened. It came about after the closure of a national chain and the manager of the local branch decided he could fill the hole left. We've had a shop in Manchester since 1951 and amazingly the new shop is in the original premises from 51. Its not a great place but its a start and I support the guys there as much as I can, its called Pheonix Models.

I do use the net a lot and yes with some of the kits we have and the accuracy we are in a true golden age. With the advent of 3D printers I think it can only get better, but how long it will last looking at the demographic of the makers I cant say for sure. I think we need young blood joining the hobby

Phil

LHS are becoming extinct every day. Mine closed down this past May due to owner's retirement and desire to get out of the business. His kids don't even want to take it over. Sold all the contents to an outfit out of Nebraska.

The hobby itself is relatively healthy, especially when we take into account the variety of kits and subjects, as well as tools, supplies (especially aftermarket bits for detailing), and manufacturers.  Our time could be described as a true golden age.

As far as the old local hobby shop goes, yes, there is a change taking place, and it's sad for the owner of a business, if he has to close up shop, but I think it's far more common that a shop owner retires, rather than that he goes broke.  That's been going on for years, though.  Before there were a lot of little mom-and-pop hobby shops, there were guys selling products out of the their kitchens or garages (Monogram started that way, I think), and LHS and dime stores put them out of business.

With the Internet, the average modeler has access to a whole store, basically.  It's nice, and nostalgic, and also convenient, if you have to pick up something right away, to have a local shop, but I don't think the demise of the LHS is a sign that the hobby is in trouble.

I know of some mom-and-pop stores that have adapted, too, and use the Internet.  For example, the store I went to as a kid, Penn Valley Hobbies in Lansdale, PA, has an online store, an eBay store, and they still maintain the original shop, which is crammed into half a twin, albeit with an extension out the back, and with hours now only on Saturdays.  They're still doing well.

So generally, I think the hobby is doing well.  Are there as many kids building models now as when I was a kid in the 70's?  I don't think so.  But I think there is a growing number of guys who come to it as adults now, and we didn't have that quite as much back then.

This is the golden age of modeling when it comes to availability of kits in almost any genre.Also the aftermarket,painting and weathering is booming.Never before have we had such a selection to build,paint and weather.

The loss of the mom and pop store certainly hurts,it's nice to have that local source for paints,supplies,and an occasional kit.But it really hasn't harmed the hobby as the internet suppliers are plentiful and quick.

I am happy to have two real shops within a 1/2 hr as well as a art supply with all kinds of stuff.

I think we're in a golden age for modeling but at the same time the retail environment is being altered in a negative way. Look at the variety of subjects available to build not to mention the huge variety of after market parts. As for small retailers the only thing left for them is to send flowers.

If you get FSM magazine, there are reviews in every issue. Each of those is a new kit, sometimes they get one published that is just a few days old before they get it done up and published, and sometimes a review model has been in the magazine ads for an issue or two.

But, every review represents someone's new release,,,,,,which proves that as far as kit development is concerned, this hobby is moving right along at various model kit companies.

Granted, you may not see a release in some exact niche in the hobby. But in overall product health, it is still growing every month.

As far as the hobbyists at home doing the building,,,,,we aren't suffering any more shrinkage than any other group of people building things with their hands,,,,,,that is down by almost the same percentage across the board.

To just browse and look at kits and companies, go to Hannants at http://www.hannants.co.uk/ and set the search for just one scale (any one that grabs your interest),,,,,,,you will see thousands of kits that were never for sale in Department stores or Toy stores, some were never sold in Hobby Shops, in fact.

Enjoy your return to the hobby

Rex

My area is very scant in Hobby Shops geared for scale modeling too. Allas,They've been taken over by plenty of RC and train shops.  However, our hobby is alive and well online where I hafta make most of my purchases  ( but I do resent having to pay those pricey shipping costs for everything i purchase.)

Mfg's like Tamiya, Airfix, Hasegawa and Revell  ( to name a few ) are still coming out with lots of new and great kits.  just Google online hobby shops and you might be overwelhmed at the number of choices.

I know in Toronto where I live there are quite a few good hobby shops.  Luckily for me, there are 3 great ones all within a 5 minute drive.

However, I do notice that department stores and toy stores rarely have model kits like they used to.  Walmart no longer carries them here and same with other department stores.

To be honest, I think it's mostly adults that are keeping this hobby going.  I rarely see kids in any of my local hobby shops, it's almost always adults.  I think this is going to be a very niche hobby in 30 or 40 years.