What have the department stores done to all the models?

I live in Columbus and unfortunately it appears that Strete Hobbies is no more. I passed by there earlier today and the store appears empty and there is news parper over part of the windows. This is a sad end for a LHS that has been there for fifty years. I never purchased much there as far as kits but I bought a lot of paint and glue there and always tried to buy the latest issue of FSM there to support the shop.

same here. in 2002, I used to be able to go to Toys-R-Us and find rows upon rows of models, now they refer me to the nearest Michaels which overprice their Revellogram kits.

My lfs just shut down half a year ago because larger businesses in our medium sized town knocked it out of competition. what used to be a homy, quiet place three years ago has turned a lot noisier and a lot more crammed due to expansion of the town. I HATE THAT!!!

now I have to go 30 mins on highway to buy a bottle of paint, because the wally world near me stinks when it comes to stocking paint. the store where I get all my RC models is 30 mins away also but they dont carry any plastic models. they sell badger ABs very cheap though, which is always appreciated. (they knock off about 10-20 dollars of the street price. its not even a big store and they are able to give discounts like this on both planes and tools)

I just hope that somehow, the department stores will start taking things in like tamiya and hase models. oh... and I think the nearest hobbylobby is about...3-4 hours away?

I guess I should count myself as lucky. I have two LHS's in my town- both well stocked with kits. Between the two I can get Humbrol, MM, Tamiya and Polly Scale paints. My favorite one has decals, resin and PE parts galore, as well as A/B stuff, sheet styrene, books, tools- the works. And the folks who work there know their stuff, too. And the Hobby Lobby is pretty good too. Guess I oughta count my blessings!

I'm old enough to remember when "real" department stores, like Montgomery Wards, Capwell's and Sears still carried model kits; to this day, I remember being on the third floor of a Capwell's out in Richmond, CA at around Christmas time and seeing a first-issue XB-70 Valkyrie by (I think) AMT; it was probably right around 1969-70. Those days are, indeed, long gone . . .

After that, my best friend & I would go down to the local drug store & buy Monogram 1/72nd WWII airplanes for $0.75.

Fortunately, I've got a pretty good hobby shop within a reasonable driving distance, but I hope the internet doesn't kill them; there's nothing like the instant gratification of a brand-new model!

I remember visiting my first hobby shop in Hampton, Va on King St. in 1974. It was located in a delapidated and tiny strip mall, and all the big, cool models were stuffed into the the 2 main windows. On one side, I remember the 1/16 Tiger I sitting on top of all the others, and that was what I wanted!  We used to ride our bikes to the hobby shop because it was only a few miles from Fort Worth St. The owner, a sometimes grumpy old Jewish guy with a bad rug, would scowl at us and stare with beady eyes until we produced the dough for our goods. My catch was usually 1/72 scale Esci, Hasegawa or 1/76 scale Matchbox armor, going for 1.00 to 2.00 apiece. Pactra paints were 15 cents.

A few years passed and the hobby shop moved into the Hampton Mall, where business was booming in the mid 70s. But now, we had to get a ride to the mall so that we could do our business. The old man was there still eyeing us until we handed the money over for our plastic treasure. By then, I had moved up to Monogram 1/48 scale aircraft and Testors paints. I used to take the instructions to school and read up on them while in class.

In 1977, we moved to York County, VA, and trips to the mall in Hampton became less frequent. I found 3 other hobby shops that were close by, Grafton Hobby Shop, Dynamic Hobby World, and Denbigh Hobbies in Newport News.

In the early 80s, high school and my first love cooled the model passion for awhile.  During the early 90s, I rekindled my love for models. My trips to the Hampton Hobby Shop were still few and by then the old man had passed. His assistant took over but business was steadily dropping. She had to move it to another area of the mall where the rent was cheaper. Not long after, the hobby shop went out of business.  So did Dynamic Hobby World. And Grafton Hobby Shop.  I still have Denbigh Hobbies, and will continue to do business there for as long as Dan stays open. Times have changed the modelling community, but as long as the local hobby shop can survive, so will modelling. Long live both...

SoD Stitch wrote:

I'm old enough to remember when "real" department stores, like Montgomery Wards, Capwell's and Sears still carried model kits; to this day, I remember being on the third floor of a Capwell's out in Richmond, CA at around Christmas time and seeing a first-issue XB-70 Valkyrie by (I think) AMT; it was probably right around 1969-70. Those days are, indeed, long gone . . . After that, my best friend & I would go down to the local drug store & buy Monogram 1/72nd WWII airplanes for $0.75. Fortunately, I've got a pretty good hobby shop within a reasonable driving distance, but I hope the internet doesn't kill them; there's nothing like the instant gratification of a brand-new model!

The XB-70 was by Lindberg. As a small boy in Vermont, we had a local department store, complete with luncheon counter and soda jerks. They sold models and I remember buying many Lindberg and Aurora kits because they were the cheapest kits they carried. Revell, Monogram, Renwal and Hawk had more expensive ones that were larger and more complicated to assemble.

Rob Gronovius wrote:

The XB-70 was by Lindberg. As a small boy in Vermont, we had a local department store, complete with luncheon counter and soda jerks. They sold models and I remember buying many Lindberg and Aurora kits because they were the cheapest kits they carried. Revell, Monogram, Renwal and Hawk had more expensive ones that were larger and more complicated to assemble.

Ah, Renwal!  I remember building quite a few of their armor kits.  If I remember correctly they had working suspensions on most of their tank kits.   And Aurora with their raised national insignia detail.

Yes sir, whatever happened to the F.W. Woolworth stores?   

Does anybody remember buying models from G.C. Murphy and Grant's department stores or Peoples drug stores? 

Hey Jim, There is some good eating at Red Devil and Hobby Depot does get some cool oop kits that are hard to find. The internet has been a blessing and a curse to modellers, it really has done in a lot of LHS's, but it has made it easier to get what you need as long as you don't need it in a hurry, not to mention the selection available. I live in a city of 300,000+ and we have only 2 LHS left and one of those is a HobbyTown USA. I really miss the place I used to go to when I wasa a kid.

Cheers ,

Eric

When I was a kid I visited a little shop in Hazel Park Mi called "The Squadron Shop." When they packed up and moved down the road to Madison Heights during my high school years, I got a job there.

As an insider I know why Department stores don't carry models, SALES. That, and a total lack of understanding the plastic modeler. Store managers have no comprehension that a plastic car kit that only sells for a few dollars below EVERYONE else, and available EVERYWHERE else will not generate the amount of sales you need to keep the shelf space. Ditto for the often sad rack of Testor's enamel paint bottles.

A few years ago the local W Mart had a massive enfusion of AMT kits packed four to a block of assorted cars priced at $12. They got in four pallets. . .the word spread and they were totally gone in one day. Six more pallets were ordered, four more came in and they too were gone in a few days. Sales? Through the roof, interest generated by the manager- 0.

 

Don

chopperfan wrote:

Yes sir, whatever happened to the F.W. Woolworth stores?

"The F. W. Woolworth Company (often referred to as "Woolworth's") was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first Woolworth's store was founded in 1878 by Frank Winfield Woolworth. Despite growing to be one of the largest retail chains in the world through most of the 20th century, competition led to a decline beginning in the 1980s. In 1997, F. W. Woolworth Company converted itself into a sporting retailer, closing its remaining retail stores operating under the "Woolworth's" brand name and renaming itself Venator Group. By 2001, the firm focused exclusively into the sporting goods market, changing its name to the present Foot Locker Inc (NYSE: FL).

Chains using the Woolworth name survive in the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, and South Africa."

Wow, thanks Al. I would have never guessed that Foot Locker was once Woolowrth's. I remember buying models and other toys at the Woolworth's in downtown Claremont, NH as a kid. The last time I shopped at a Woolworth's was in Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, NY in 1987.

That is interesting about Woolworth/Footlocker. I still remember walking down to Woolworths on 14th street NYC for a model with the $20 I got for Xmas when I was in 6th grade. I checked every 2 minutes to make sure that bill was still in my pocket. In the early 70's that $20 could have bought one big model kit.

Wow, I can't believe someone ressurected this thread that I started in 2005.

I still fume at the thought that Toys R us started a downhill run to a crappy store when they incorporated Kids R us into there theme.

Now they sell clothes. What the heck. I don't want to go to a toy store that use to have butt loads of models to buy clothes.

Whats next, clothes at gas stations?

Bring back the models!!!

 

 

Bgrigg wrote:

QUOTE: Originally posted by ajlafleche Dealing with the internet and the cheap prices WalyWorld and other big box stores is what is killing the LHS. Save 25% on the kit, then realize you need a specific color right now to finish your model for a show or other deadline and the nearest hobby shop is an hour away and will close in 25 minutes and an internet order wil take at least 4 days and double or triple the cost of that paint and you begin to see what we've done to ourselves. The phrase "Penny wise and pound foolish" comes quickly to mind. I second that emotion! I will always support my LHS, even though it will cost me some dough to do so. They're good people, we can have a conversation, and I buy enough that they are starting to give me sale prices all the time. They know I could buy online (and sometimes do) and still support them, so they are willing to support me, too. They can't afford to stock the AM pieces, nor can they carry all the various kits, so that is what I buy off the 'net. They are willing to share, and so am I!

I'm with ya. I buy online sometimes but still buy at the LHS (45 mins away) because a friend works there and he get commision.

Personally, I'd not be to heart broken if I went totally online to buy. I'd miss shooting the breeze at the LHS but other than that they really don't stock much I want. They can order it, sure. But so can I and usually for a few pennies less if not more. Having the box in hand does sometimes make me want to buy something that I never wanted before so in that sense I'd spend less if I stayed away from the LHS. I can find out just about anything I want about any given subject online so the LHS does not have an advantage there.

I too, have noticed that most stores carry crap for models anymore. I personally think it has much less to do with interest from customers and more to do with profit. And just maybe something to do with kids being a main customer of such product. Inviting kids in to buy products like paint, thinners and glue is nice until one finds out that they are going out and huffing it. 

Rob Gronovius wrote:

SoD Stitch wrote: I'm old enough to remember when "real" department stores, like Montgomery Wards, Capwell's and Sears still carried model kits; to this day, I remember being on the third floor of a Capwell's out in Richmond, CA at around Christmas time and seeing a first-issue XB-70 Valkyrie by (I think) AMT; it was probably right around 1969-70. Those days are, indeed, long gone . . . The XB-70 was by Lindberg. As a small boy in Vermont, we had a local department store, complete with luncheon counter and soda jerks. They sold models and I remember buying many Lindberg and Aurora kits because they were the cheapest kits they carried. Revell, Monogram, Renwal and Hawk had more expensive ones that were larger and more complicated to assemble.

And, once again Rob, you're right; now that you mentioned Lindbergh, it all came back . . .

Had a lot of Lindbergh models when I was a kid because, as you said, they were cheap; a 10-year old kid on an allowance could actually afford to buy their models about once a month!

I've got one of the old Lindberg XB-70s sitting in my stash in my basement. Check out the other thread regarding how your stash got so big and see if you can spot it.

There is a big hobby shop in northern NJ that I go to, but its about 20 miles from my house.  I still go there a lot and buy my kits there.  I noticed they branched out into a wide array of hobbies, not just plastic models.  Trains, slot cars, rockets, fantasy genre (games, etc.), plus science kits, mineature horse collections, die cast, figures.  Wish there were more like it.  They're all very knowledgable and helpful on every aspect of the hobby.  They even have a display case of finished kits when you walk in .  I remember NYC had Polks' Hobby Shop on 5th Avenue until '85.  Five floors of hobby heaven!  We have a small LHS in my town, and he carries some kits, etc., but mainly specializes in RC.  I noticed a lot of "hobby shops" are now basically all RC.

In Canton Ohio there use to be a model shop called Modelers Haven.

I loved that place. Many plastic kits, RC, Contests. It was great.

They use to advertise in FSM. The nicest around.

Of course its gone now. And that was part of the reason I left the hobby.

We need the local Hobby Shops, for many reasons.

Support the ones that are left, all of them, as often as you can.

 

 

kp80, what store in Northern NJ are you talking about, i would love to take a look. I know there's one in Springfield, but never been there.

 Polks! Talk about a trip down memory lane, I loved that store. There was one whole floor for plastic and a nice display if I remember correctly. I would hit that and Skybooks at the same time.

Waikong,

It's Hi-Way Hobby House in Ramsey, NJ.  They have a web site, www.hiwayhobby.com.  Back in the 70's, they were located in this little shack along Route 17, then it got knocked down and a larger building was put on the site, and they expanded into the new building.  I try to spend an hour so there once a month just to scout around, I never get tired of looking.

Talking about Polk's, my father used to take us into NYC every Christmas, and one year he said he had a special stop for us to make - Polk's.  I was about 14 and never knew it was there.  I used to be in awe walking around in there, there was so much to look at.  It was one-of-a-kind!  I don't remember Skybooks, was it close to Polk's?  The only hobby shop I know of in NYC right now is Jan's on the Upper East side (check out the ad in FSM).  Great shop, a good selection of kits, supplies, and a very helpful and knowledgable owner.  He has a great display of his own work right in the shop -- very talented guy.

 

Thanks for the info, Its a bit more north than I expected. I'll check it out next time I'm in that area.

Skybooks was in the 50's, east side, near Park Ave I believe. They specialized in books regarding aircraft and military stuff in general. Like Polks, its no longer around, but I think they lasted until the mid 80's.

Jan is pretty good, I use to visit them more often when they were in the 70's and when I worked in midtown NYC. They do have nice display case full of airplanes. There's another shop called the "Red Caboose" on 23 W45th street. Its in the basement, looks like a train hobby only shop until you get downstairs. Its split half/half models & trains. They also have books & supplies. Be warned though, its NOT very orgainzed there and needs a through cleaning, but you can find some good stuff there. The website is www.theredcaboose.com

There are a few others with smaller inventory, as they specialize more in Gundams, SciFi, or Comic related models. They do have supplies though. Here's two that I know are still in around:

www.villagecomics.com 110 West 3rd st 

www.imageanime.com at 103 West 30th Street

 

 

waikong, kp80 -

 Thanks for the fond memories!  I live in the Morristown, NJ area and used to plan occasional trips into NYC around the need to stop at both Polk's and Skybooks.  Anything else could be skipped - but those two stops were mandatory!  But I could swear that both shops must have lasted at least until the late 80's or early 90's - I dragged my wife along on these 'walking tours' of NYC, and we got married in 1987, so I know that both paradises must still have been there until 1987 or 88.  I remember being in such a state of awe at Polk's that I literally didn't know what to do - there was too much to see!  I still have a 1/450 Akagi kit in my stash - I think it might be the only kit I actually purchased at Polk's - once there I was always stymied on how to carry a bunch of large model kits around Manhattan the rest of the day, so I would usually rationalize that I'd either a) come up with a  better plan next time or b) be able to get what I wanted somewhere closer to home.

waikong - Ramsey is a bit too far north for me to reach easily, too.  Whereabouts are you located?  I only know of one hobby shop in my general area that sells kits (I just got back into building after close to 15 years, so my knowledge of what shops are where isn't very up-to-date).  But I'm pretty sure F&M Hobbies is still in business on Rt. 10 West, in Denville.  Memory tells me that it was a pretty well-stocked shop as far as plastic models and supplies was concerned.  I need to get there soon - I'm sure after 15 years most of my paints have dried up.  And while I'm there, might as well pick up a kit or two.....   What shops are in your area?  I'd love to spend a Saturday afternoon gazing longingly at stacks of model kits.  Just like the good old days...

When I was stationed at Ft. Dix, I used to visit a shop called Air Hobby right on Rte 38, on the north side of the road across from Miller Ford in a small plaza. They had a lot of vintage kits, but mainly aircraft, a good number of cars and some armor and ships.

It was in between Mount Holly and Lumberton. The last time I stopped by was December 2002, so I know it was opened then. Not sure about today. There was also a shop up by Princeton, but I don't remember what it was called.

When I first arrived in NJ in 1999, Allied Hobbies at Burlington Mall, Cherry Hill Mall, Freehold Mall, and Deptford Valley Mall had decent selections, but by the time I left in 2001 the stores started leaning heavily towards RC cars, RC planes and trains. This was good for grabbing deals but bad in the long run as the selection was not replaced.

I believe you are right about Skybooks, definitely into the late 80's or early 90's. Polks didn't make it into the 90's though I'm pretty sure. 

I'm in Staten Island, but I had also worked  in Summit, NJ. Not too far from Basking Ridge. Unfortunatley not too many around here, only 1 store in all of Staten Island. There's Avenel Hobbies in Colonia - near Linden, that Wingnut introduced to me, but haven't had a chance to drop by yet.

For tools, micromark is in the Chatham area.  A friend of mine use to pick up stuff for me there once in a while.

Have you been to this shop in maplewood?  http://www.maplewoodhobby.com/ 

Thanks for the tips!  Maplewood is about 20 minutes away from home, and even closer  to work.  As soon as I get myself set up with a workspace, I'm there!

MicroMark - I'm not sure about them any more.  I've gone to work past their building every day for the past 4 years.  For at least 2 years now the big sign on the front of the building has been gone, and their website looks like they only do mail order now.  It was a sweet place to visit - it's always nice to check out the tools you want first-hand before purchasing, and they always had some decent bargain bins as well.

Avenel Hobbies - I remember that name from back when I still subscribed to FSM, Scale Modeler and Military Modeler.  Never went there, though - I was never sure back then just where Colonia was, and at the time there were a few shops very close by, so I didn't have to travel far to get what I needed.  Times have changed, though - and I now know the area to boot! 

 One question - I don't remember how I found out about it, but I do remember going to a model show a couple of times down in central Jersey. This would probably be back in the mid to late 1980s, and the show was in some town off of the NJ Turnpike (Cranbury area, I think?).  It was sponsored by a model shop in the area, I believe.  All I remember about it was that there were a few tables stacked high with what were then hard-to-find kits (such as the old MPC 3-in-1 kits) at what seemed to be reasonable prices.  Like a garage sale of older stuff the shop couldn't keep on their shelves because of space issues.  I doubt either the shop or the show (if that's what it was) are still around, but does anyone have any idea what it is I'm referring to?  Sorry I'm so vague, but the only thing worse than my eyesight is my memory.

I'm not familiar with the show or the shop you are speaking of, but do you attend the IPMS/NJ show in Wayne NJ around April? Its a good show with lots of vendors, I've been going for the last 3 years. There's some members of that chapter on the forum too.

Let me know how the Maplewood store turns out, next time I around Paramus shopping maybe I'll take the whole family on a detour.

Have you been in a Sears store lately?  Try finding a nice pair of pants in that place. 

I have been really surprised when reading this thread... My perspective and outlook is completely different.

Over here in England, I remember there being a model shop on just about every street corner (at least thats how I remember it) and toy shops all stocked a healthy amount of models too. I think they began to die out soon after space invaders showed up - they either closed up or evolved, usually specializing in model railways, radio control cars, or selling more toys, or branching out into sporting goods.
By the time I was 17-18-19, I was having to drive miles to pick up a 1/72 military vehicle, and once Esci was no longer on the shelves, that was pretty much it for me. It was either swap to more expensive larger scale models or quit - so I quit.

All I can say is, thank god for the cold war! And the internet.

It looks to me like while we were all playing play stations, those guys on the other side of the curtain kept the tradition alive, especially in small scale. When I see the stuff being made in Eastern Europe by short run, I just can't believe it, my dreams have come true!!!

And then there is the internet... It is the real saviour of the hobby. I can actually order a model direct from Poland -- how amazing is that? And to think I used to get the hump having to drive to the next town.

And I can't recal people standing around talking in a model shop since about 1979... but here we are, having a chat, from the comfort of our own homes, and we are spread all over the world.

So in many ways, the situation has never been so healthy. Technology has advance, production costs are actually down... I mean, when it comes to injection moulding, the introduction of modern computers has got to have made things quicker and less labour intensive. We may not get the models for any less, but if it means there is more profit in models, then there will be more available, and they have to sell less.

It's not my main business, but the wife and I opened an internet shop a few months back.. just becase I can. More and more people are shopping online, and if you have the space for stock, it's easy to do. You can run it in your spare time from home, it doesn't have to be a full time job (although your website is open 24hrs a day!). Meanwhile, square footage, especially on the high street is just stupid money... When I look around now, all I'm seeing is cafes, wine bars and boutiques... even estate agents and travel agents are shutting up shop and going online. It's just the way of the world. If you don't have products that customers have to try on or taste, then there is no need to have a physical presense in the real world.

So if hobby shops are closing down in America, I wouldn't see it as a symptom of the decline of the hobby, I'd just see it as the decline of the highstreet store and the rise of the internet shop.

However, getting young people involved in the hobby so that it will continue, does seem to be a problem.

I'm not positive , but there does seem to be a good ratio of young modelers on these forums , so maybe this hobby does have more of a future than we realize .