Another HobbyTownUSA Bites The Dust

My local Hobby Lobby currently has a better selection of kits than my semi- LHS (who's selling out because his building is for sale, but promises to open up in a new location). They also hosted a local chapter of the IPMS. They have a fair selection of paints, as well, including Vallejo Model Color (I wish they also had Model Air colors, though), and an excellent selection of tools and scratchbuilding supplies.

Delivered by Amazon Drone?!

Not suprising. We had one just recently open here. Went in there once. Got followed around like a criminal while a perused their horrible selection with about a 20% markup. Won't be going back. I'll stick to ordering online where I have any product or tool I could dream of at my fingertips.

I work at the HT in OK. The store selection depends on the input each store is getting from employees,customers,and distributors-regardless of what department. When I started working there they had a lot of stuff coming in that I knew nobody would want. Between myself,several friends, and the other employees, our store has gotten much better at bringing in what people are wanting to build. Management admitted that they were bringing in stuff the distributors told them would sell(because it was hot on a website,a WORLDWIDE website). 

And when it comes to pricing: the owner told me( after I complained about the internet pricing vs. store pricing) to go to my favorite website,look up an item,add shipping,then check the HT price. It was close enough I stopped griping.

I hate to say this but the Hobbie Town in my area sucks. The last time I went there I picked about $200 on HO rolling stock, and several model kits. Once I made my selections I had to wait at the counter for 15 minutes. After that the dude said he would got to me in a few minutes. He was with a bunch of kids looking at rc cars. I left without getting any thing. I now get all my models and trains on line. I discovered that several craft stores sell a few model kits. Not as many as the hobbie stores, but the prices are lower. Plus the craft store always have 50% off coupons which means I was about the get a 1/45 scale B 25 for about $12. So if they do not even want my money, me and my money will go some where else.

That sir,is a human failure,not a store failure.

Thanks, panzer! I'll definitely have to get up there and check them out. It's a shame that three of them have closed in the past two years, though.

I know the hobby town you r reffering to I worked at AAA right down the road from there gone very suddenly. Iv contemplated along with my wife opening a hobby shop but money wont allow it. It s a shame I spent alot of money at hobby town.

Good idea Stik.....anything to help boost the "local shop" and to that owners lively hold would be great. Hobby Lobby is a great place but very limited on what it has. They mostly carry Revell with just a few Tamiya and Acadamy. As for paints and supplies not much. I have 1 HobbyTown which is about two and a half hours away.

The internet stores and sites have definetly put a hurting a on the local hobby stores. 

And, it has happened again!! Another HobbytownUSA has closed in North Carolina. This time, the one in Greensboro, NC, closed this past weekend. It was located on Battleground Avenue. I stopped by there this past Friday to look around, and, after seeing their prices, I can see why they closed. 

Devil Dawg

And, it has happened again!! Another HobbytownUSA has closed in North Carolina. This time, the one in Greensboro, NC, closed this past weekend. It was located on Battleground Avenue. I stopped by there this past Friday to look around, and, after seeing their prices, I can see why they closed. 

 

 

If anyone is near Danville, VA, just over the northern NC border, the tank museum there has a pretty killer model shop inside it. Very competitive pricing too; I think they gave some deal with Tamiya...

The Hobby Town serving the Albany NY area is also closing. I didn't find out until the going out of business sale (up to 50% off) was almost two weeks old and everything was well picked over but still managed to buy loads of paint and a half price air brush. There's only one store left in the area (not including Hobby Lobby that's usually an utter waste of time going to) and their focus is mostly trains.

We had two in the Boise, ID area that I used for years.

I could always get my supplies (pints, thinners, tools, etc.) at them, and now and againn they had great deals on the kits.

About 2-3 years ago the one in Namap closed.  It was the smaller of the two.

Then, last year, the one in Boise closed too.

I was really sad to see them go.  Sounds like it has been happening all over the country.  Wat shape are they in in general.  Of they filed fro bankruptcy as a corporation, or is it just particular franchises that are having issues?

Seems like if enough of them fail, the whole place will go down.

About the only place left in terms of bricks and mortar for that type of thing around here now is Hobby Lobby.  It has a few things, but the selctin is very limited.

Doing it all online now.

the doog

 

 

Devil Dawg

And, it has happened again!! Another HobbytownUSA has closed in North Carolina. This time, the one in Greensboro, NC, closed this past weekend. It was located on Battleground Avenue. I stopped by there this past Friday to look around, and, after seeing their prices, I can see why they closed. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bummer, but yeah, I can understand this with the prices. Bottom line is, you just can't financially compete these days with the Internet big retailers. Kinda frightening in a way. Of course, you have to figure on shipping on most purchases, and UPS just raised shipping costs by over a dollar on model sized boxes. 

 

If anyone is near Danville, VA, just over the northern NC border, the tank museum there has a pretty killer model shop inside it. Very competitive pricing too; I think they gave some deal with Tamiya...

 

This particular store had it's prices way above MSRP. For example, a 1/72nd Hasegawa Zero (very common kit) was priced at $29.95! It should be priced around $17 - $18. A Tamiya 1/72nd Zero kit (one of the early ones, 1970s time frame) was also priced at $29.95. Ridiculous! The same kits can be had at Hobby Lobby for $17 - $18 (well, the Tamiya version can, anyways). Granted, they were selling everything at 30% off, but that obviously only brings the price down to MSRP. And, some trivia for you - On the Tamiya kits, the last numbers in the kit number, just after the asterisk, are the price in yen. The exchange rate is roughly 100 yen to the dollar, depending on what day it is. So, if you see 1400 for those numbers, then expect the price to be close to $14 - $15 (which deoends on the exchange rate the day the price tag was applied to the box). I think the Hasegawa kits show this, too, but I'm not at home to look at one of my boxes.

Jeff Head

We had two in the Boise, ID area that I used for years.

I could always get my supplies (pints, thinners, tools, etc.) at them, and now and againn they had great deals on the kits.

About 2-3 years ago the one in Namap closed.  It was the smaller of the two.

Then, last year, the one in Boise closed too.

I was really sad to see them go.  Sounds like it has been happening all over the country.  Wat shape are they in in general.  Of they filed fro bankruptcy as a corporation, or is it just particular franchises that are having issues?

Seems like if enough of them fail, the whole place will go down.

About the only place left in terms of bricks and mortar for that type of thing around here now is Hobby Lobby.  It has a few things, but the selctin is very limited.

Doing it all online now.

 

Same here, Jeff. Most of my modeling money is going to Squadron and a few other online retailers. I would definitely much rather go to a model shop and look around and spend my money there, but it's getting to where that isn't cost effective anymore.

Devil Dawg

 Same here, Jeff. Most of my modeling money is going to Squadron and a few other online retailers. I would definitely much rather go to a model shop and look around and spend my money there, but it's getting to where that isn't cost effective anymore.

 

They have a large brick and mortar store which is in Gerogia and I am in Idaho so I do not get to go to it...but they have one of the best online presences I have seen and I have purchased a lot of stuff from them.

But I miss HobbyTwon here locally.

I used to take my three grandsons over there and they all thought it was the "best stroe in Idaho!"

Jeff Head

I use squadron sometimes...but FreeTime Hobbies out of Georgia is my favorite. 

 

I have the privilege of living about 45 minutes away from Freetime and have visited both their old store and their very nice new one. Brandon and family and always set up at the local shows and are always great just to BS with or get a great deal from. We have a HobbyTown about 20 minutes from here but their prices are just so high it's hard to justify unless you're in a bind for something and you need it quick.

Jester75

 

 

Jeff Head

I use squadron sometimes...but FreeTime Hobbies out of Georgia is my favorite. 

 

 

 

I have the privilege of living about 45 minutes away from Freetime and have visited both their old store and their very nice new one. Brandon and family and always set up at the local shows and are always great just to BS with or get a great deal from. We have a HobbyTown about 20 minutes from here but their prices are just so high it's hard to justify unless you're in a bind for something and you need it quick.

 

Would that be the one in Kennesaw? I've been to that one many times. If nothing else, it's gotta be the BIGGEST HobbytownUSA I've ever seen! Took over a dual-screen movie theater and made it into a hobby shop. Too bad I live in North Carolina now, or I'd be visiting that one, plus Free Time, a lot. And, until this thread, I had never heard of Free Time Hobbies. Where are they located in Georgia? I used to live in Carrollton, about 30 miles west of Atlanta just south of I-20.

That would be the one in Chattanooga my friend. I have never been to the one in Kennesaw but as chance would have it, I have to be down there today getting my daughter registered at Kennesaw State so I may just have to stop by there.

Freetime is in beautiful Blue Ridge. You've probably been there. If you like the mountains, it's definitely a place to visit.  

Also a thing to add, if you see them at a show and they didn't bring something that you were looking for, you can order it from them online and they will waive the shipping.

Jester75

 

Jeff Head

I use squadron sometimes...but FreeTime Hobbies out of Georgia is my favorite. 

 

 

 

I have the privilege of living about 45 minutes away from Freetime and have visited both their old store and their very nice new one. Brandon and family and always set up at the local shows and are always great just to BS with or get a great deal from.

If I was in the area, I would drop by n principle alone to chew the fat.

They are very good fols to work with and I have found them more than willing to make a deal.

I'd love to visit their store some day...and I am sure I would spend some money there.

Devil Dawg

Too bad I live in North Carolina now, or I'd be visiting that one, plus Free Time, a lot. And, until this thread, I had never heard of Free Time Hobbies. Where are they located in Georgia?

They have their own model line too, called Blue Ridge Models.  They make resin kits with very good photo etch and brass details. 1/350., 1/720, and 1/72 scale.

They sent me  a 1/350 scale USS NAutlis from them to build for them for promotional purposes.

See: http://www.jeffhead.com/modelbuilds/US-SSN571.htm

That's right Jeff, I had forgotten about Blue Ridge Models line! Nice work on that Nautilus!

Well , Hello D.D. !

    Listen , I know what you mean .There was a small LHS in SanMarcos , TX. Just about thirty miles from my home .He's gone only after two years ! Low sales and high costs . Hobby town in San Antonio is going apparently Gangbusters .They even sustained a move to a harder to get to location .

      They are still going strong and are the go - to for stuff for the train Museum here in New Braunfels and also personal stuff for yours truly .

     There is another small shop called Hill Country Hobbies south of them ( Hobby - Town ) Gary is still the main place for anything . If he ain't got it he'll get it .  Plus , when going there I meet fellow modelers and enjoy the friendly insults and camaradery .

    I wish Gary was here in town . It's a real bear to drive I-35 and then Loop1604 and back again . I'll do it just to say hi and B.S. with Gary though . Catch Ya Later  T.B.

      P.S. I wonder if a Coffee House type arrangement would work .That way you could sit and quaff your Beans and talk models with the other folks ?

Hi B.D.

     I am late getting back to you -Sorry .That price was for a rarely used " Little Square Bottle " of Testors Rubber . T.B.

     Same paints ,  different colors were ten Cents at my Local Hobby Shop when I was ten .You mean sixty years changed the price that much ?

Hey ! Nice Boat !  T.B.

tankerbuilder

Hey ! Nice Boat !  T.B.

 

Jeff Head

 

 

Devil Dawg

Too bad I live in North Carolina now, or I'd be visiting that one, plus Free Time, a lot. And, until this thread, I had never heard of Free Time Hobbies. Where are they located in Georgia?

 

 

 

They are in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

 

They have their own model line too, called Blue Ridge Models.  They make resin kits with very good photo etch and brass details. 1/350., 1/720, and 1/72 scale.

They sent me  a 1/350 scale USS NAutlis from them to build for them for promotional purposes.

See: http://www.jeffhead.com/modelbuilds/US-SSN571.htm

 

Great job on that sub, Jeff!

modelcrazy

Wow, OK, we just lost ours here in Boise ID. 

Here is a quote for their Facebook page.

"Friends both old and new,
I have sad news for you. With all the trials and tribulations that HobbyTown USA, Boise has faced lately I have not been able to save her from the giant iceberg impact of the recession. Everyone here has been trying hard to bring things back to normal for the last several years and it seems that each time we patch a hole we find a new leak in the hull. In about 2008-9 folks in the valley began to have a lot less to spend on their hobbies. Obviously mortgages and car payments had to come first. After that there were things like the power bill or repairs of the air conditioner and that didn't leave much left over for the fun stuff. 
Its not all on the recession though. We should probably not have tried to increase convenience by opening our Nampa location, at least during the recession anyway. We also got forced to move to the other building by our landlord in 2012. Although our new space looked very nice we ended up having conflict with our landlord regarding a couple of points in the lease and as a result had to do without about $40,000 for six months after that move. That seriously hampered both our moving advertising, our holiday advertising and our ability to keep bringing in cool product for our customers to consider for purchase. The new side of the parking lot also happens to be a lot less visible from the street and not near any other normal retail location that we could share customers with. Do you remember the good old days of Moxie Java being next door? How about Ace Hardware or even Coast to Coast Hardware? They and our other wonderful neighbors helped make business better for all of us over the years. 
That brings us to where we are now, behind on rent, not earning enough to bring in all of the great new product out there and continually being faced with "showrooming" that practice where people spend hours questioning our staff about various products and then still go and purchase it online because it is 5% less on a website. We still pay our people for that time, well not anymore I guess. Please don't worry about your friends here at the store.

 

See, this is misleading.  No one truly complains about paying five percent more for something in person.  If it were only five percent mark ups at my local hobby  town here in Fort Worth, I'd be in there all the time.  But its more like 30 percent.  They try to justify it by saying it's what  they have to charge to be competitive.  But that's just so backwards in thinking to me, if you want to be competitive, Mark your stuff to move.  I swear, I've not seen any new kits in my local store in probably four months.  Even when they occasionally  mark them down to sell, they're still ridiculously priced.  There's never any good sales strategies going on to boost business or move old stock to circulate new stuff, and more often than not, the minor things that I do go there for are out of stock.... For weeks.  Sorry, but if that's all the motivation you've got to succeed, then expect to be out of business quickly.  I do understand  the idea of getting behind a business, but I have a hard time trying to support a business who isn't even trying to help it's own cause.  As far as the whole "show rooming" debate, the fat old dude who runs the main counter at our hobby town seems clueless. I can count four occasions where a customer asked a question and he gave them terrible recommendations.  I helped every single one of them make a better purchase for  their buck by being able to personally tell them the pros and cons of each.  Add to that the fact that they crapped on me about the rewards points program (which is pretty much intrinsically worthless as far as savings go anyways) by telling me that somewhere along the way they'd opened two accounts for me, but wouldn't merge the points between the two.  These days they don't even ask customers anymore for their hobby town points card, which is sad because they've either done away with the system or are so damn scared of losing a few cents on their already ridiculously priced stuff that they won't mention it.  I saw a Hasegawa F-22 recently that was still priced for 90 bucks, which is what Hasegawa thought they were going to get for it initially until everyone saw  the ram patterns.  These days I could cover the cost of two of them, plus shipping online for less than that same cost.  Again... When are they adjusting costs? Just because it was 39 dollars three years ago when you put  it on your shelf doesn't mean it still is. In fact, it's probably now selling everywhere else for 14 bucks, which is why it'll sit on the shelf for another six years.  They just come across as extremely lazy.  They want our money, but they don't want to work for it. As a consumer, that's extremely insulting.  I'd rather plan ahead, place an order for a fair prices on the stuff I need in advance, pay ten bucks to ship any and everything I can throw in the cart and be headache  free.  Probably not the popular answer, as I really do enjoy a good brick and mortar store.  But I also absolutely refuse to spend stupidly, simply to say I've patronized a failing business whos not doing anything themselves to stop the train from coming at  them.