Where we shop , And why

stikpusher

 

 

laskdjn

 

 

stikpusher

L.A. is a pretty big place. But at least where I live south of the Orange Curtain we have two superb hobby shops, plus a couple other good ones not too far from L.A. Then i know of a couple in the Harbor area, and another  out Ontario way, plus another up in the valley. It's not like it was 20 or more years ago, where they were literally everywhere. But we're still better off than many areas. And we still have the periodic kit collector shows and swap meets every few onthe for other sources. 

 

 

 

 

 

Share the wealth.  I only know of Burbank house of hobbies, Brookhurst, Apelan, Pegasus, and Evett's.  Only Burbank and Brookhurst carry Vallejo paint.

 

 

 

 

Yes, Brookhurst Hobbies and Military Hobbies in Orange are my two prime shops. They have most everything I ever want or need. Brookhurst also carries the new Mission Models paints in case you want to try those. So far I find them far better than Vallejo. 

There is also Prestige Hobbies in Anaheim at Hobby City. In the Harbor area there is JD Hobbies in San Pedro, who is more of an old kit specialist, and Pacific Hobbies in Harbor City, but that is more an R/C shop that also carries models. Another shop like that, but a bit better, is Robs RC Hobbies in Westminster (within walking distance for me!) I see you know of Pegasus.

Apelan and Evetts I have not heard of.

There are the kit collectors shows about every 6 months or so in Buena Park, (used to be at a union hall, but they just changed venues) and the Brewer Brothers Swap Meet at Old World in Huntington Beach about every four months or so. IPMS OC will be having Orangecon in Fullerton at then end of next month, with a good vendor room.

What area of LA are you in? Like I said, a big city. 

 

 

I'm up near Hollywood.  I went to the last Buena Park collector show, got a nice Hasegawa F/A-18A.  I'll have to check out the ones down I the harbor as they're closer to me. 

From Hollywood to San Pedro, oh yeah, much closer than a visit to the OC. DJ's is on 6th Street. He can be a bit pricey, but walking into that shop is like a time machine, there are so many old kits there. I think he buys up a lot of collections. But they also have quite a selection of books and militaria there as well. It worth at least one visit. 

There's not much in the way of an LHS in southwest Michigan. There's a small hobby shop just a few miles away from work, but it's mostly railroad with a very small kit selection and dwindling paint supplies. The owner is closing up at this location and says he's going to move, but hasn't found a place yet. There's a Michael's in town, but their inventory is pathetic. I'll make my way to a Hobby Lobby every other month or so for generic paints or tools and maybe I'll pick up a kit with a 40% off coupon. My sister lives about an hour and a half north of us in Grand Rapids where there's Rider's Hobby Shop. They have models, RC, railroads, games, decent paints and supplies. I try to stop in whenever we visit (we'll be spending next week with her; I already have my shopping list made up). I also shop online at Squadron and Sprue Brothers, and occasionally at Amazon and EBay. I do the majority of my kit shopping at the vendor area at IPMS shows. They used to have them in Kalamazoo which was really convenient but they haven't hosted a contest in a few years. For the past couple of years I'll spend the weekend with my dad and drive to the show in the Detroit area.

I would occasionally drive to the other side of Tucson to Hobby Town USA for paints or a bottle of super glue. As for kits, I use Squadron, Sprue Brothers etc. I also go to International stores for figure kits.

Marcus Mc Bean !

 Dear sir . If you live in the area , why don't you come to the New Braunfels RailRoad Museum on either the first or third Saturday of any month and ask for Doc . We'll get to meet . I will usually be at the LEGO tables .T.B.

silentbob33

There's not much in the way of an LHS in southwest Michigan. There's a small hobby shop just a few miles away from work, but it's mostly railroad with a very small kit selection and dwindling paint supplies. The owner is closing up at this location and says he's going to move, but hasn't found a place yet. There's a Michael's in town, but their inventory is pathetic. I'll make my way to a Hobby Lobby every other month or so for generic paints or tools and maybe I'll pick up a kit with a 40% off coupon. My sister lives about an hour and a half north of us in Grand Rapids where there's Rider's Hobby Shop. They have models, RC, railroads, games, decent paints and supplies. I try to stop in whenever we visit (we'll be spending next week with her; I already have my shopping list made up). I also shop online at Squadron and Sprue Brothers, and occasionally at Amazon and EBay. I do the majority of my kit shopping at the vendor area at IPMS shows. They used to have them in Kalamazoo which was really convenient but they haven't hosted a contest in a few years. For the past couple of years I'll spend the weekend with my dad and drive to the show in the Detroit area.

 

I stop at Riders every trip to Grand Rapids. Usually twice a month or so. Great store. 

Archangel Shooter

I would occasionally drive to the other side of Tucson to Hobby Town USA

Please kind sir  if you could give me an address for said Hobbytown I would apperetiate it.

Other than a hobby lobby in Seirra vista the only hobby store I could find is the Ace hardware store on Kolb and 22 nd st. their sellection is ok but I thirst for more.

Tank Builder,

I put it on my calendar for the first Saturday in September.  Already have plans for the third Saturday this month.  What is a good time?

There were 3 hobby shops in my area, two of them closed within the last 2 years. Lucklily, the third one os 5 min by bike from me. I only buy paints and brushes from them. The kit supply is plentifull but they are sooooo darn expensive that it doesn't make any sense to buy it from them.

I buy kits online.

The hobby market has changed dramatically from when I first started building models in the early 80s. Leaving the hobby for many years and coming back into it recently, the difference was stark.

The target demographic is now adults rather than children. Adults, generally, want "better" stuff than kids, thus the growth sector of the industry is higher end, more complex, and more expensive models.

Old entry level kits still abound, but I doubt that many new entry level kits are being developed. Just look at old Airfix vs new Airfix. Night and day.

Hobby shops face a smaller pool of customers (fewer kids) combined with competition from online sellers. That is a tough, tough market.

I think that in order to have a big enough pool of potential customers to draw from you would need to be in a fairly large urban area, and/or have a serious online presence. 

Sadly, I think we will see the trend continue. Small shops (especially in smaller cities) will close leaving a few large stores in big cities, and online will dominate. Probably similar to what happened to the wonderful old hardware stores we had growing up. 

Deans Hobby Stop in Owosso, Michigan. If money permits, a road trip to J-Bar Hobbies in Tecumseh or Model Cave in Ypsilanti. Both awesome places!

I've heard there's a Riders and a Hobbytown in Grand Rapids but I haven't gotten over there yet. 

Online; ScaleHobbyist. Decent prices, quick delivery. I also go with eBay a lot; no bad experiences...... yet. 

Marcus McBean;

 The Kids Fun Days happen on the first and third Saturdays of every month - Weather Permitting . The hours for that if I am bringing the " Engineer " Is 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. The Museum is open from 10 to 4 .

 We have a lot to talk about .If you can confirm a date I'll make sure I am there . I am still recovering from Open Heart stuff . So for that if it gets to hot I am outta here ! .

 Hmmm. lets see The first Saturday in September .That's a firm committment then . See you at the LEGO tables .By the way it's Tanker Builder .You know , the big Salt Water type . Just ask for DOC or Gary .