We lost Victory Models And Trains (formerly Metro Trains) in Fort Myers this week. They never opened up after the shut down was over. Now the store is completely emptied out.
Even the beautiful 40 foot long three scale layout is gone.
This has saddened me deeply. The store was not very old, it was neat as could be and very well stocked.
They carried EVERY line of paint from Scalecoat II to AK-Interactive.
Very sad indeed.
-Kevin
Looks like alot of stores are going byebye, not just hobbie stores.
OH NO! I am so sorry to hear that! While I’m not a Fort Meyers resident my parents are retired in Estero, and while visiting I always made time to visit Metro Trains. Nice place, good guys, and I got some good stuff in there.
I haven’t been down there since 2019 because of the damn COVID and only found out about this when out of curiosity I looked up Metro Trains this morning, a “what’s goin’ on?” thing.
Oddly, the Victory Models website is still active.
This is truly sad. Is anyone likely to “pick up the torch” in that area?
Not to fear!!!
Victory models has reopened in a new location close to Fort Myers Beach.
Unfortunately, I live in North Cape Coral, so I can actually get to Gulf Coast Model Railroading in Sarasota quicker than I can get to Victory Models new location.
Also, Victory Models is not next to the Beef Jerkey Outlet any longer.
There are stories of a new hobby shop opening in North Cape Coral on Pine Island Road soon.
-Kevin
My personal favorite, Hiawatha Hobbies in Waukesha WI said buisness was better than ever. They are open 7 days a week now mostly from 10-6.
The one literally across the street from me has had reduced hours. He said yesterday buisness is starting to pick back up.
That is great news to hear.
-Kevin
That’s good to hear! My LHS, Tiny Tim’s Trains And Toys in Ashland VA is doing quite well too. I guess it all depends, doesn’t it?
Thanks “SeeYou190!” That’s very good news!
If you keep posting in the Model Railroader forums I will add you to the yearbook!
[;)]
-Kevin
yep kevin,its going to be CALOOSA TRAINS & HOBBIES 1490 PINE ISLAND ROAD BLDG3 UNIT D ,mid march or so . i love that it will be soo close [tup]
It sure could not be much closer to my house.
I hope it is a friendly place.
-Kevin
Hiawatha had lots of the Athearn 2-packs of HO Fruehauf trailers when eveyone else was sold out, and Athearn was producing singles for the price of the 2-packs!
But the last time I visited their online site, it needed some improving. And their prices as not as good as MBK.
No, not a victim of the times. According to the first post, the owner is retiring. So as is the case most often, victim of single owner syndrome. One owner retires and shop closes. Essentially this happened to even Caboose Hobbies. Yes, the lease ran out, but the owner was ready to retire so this probably just sped it up by a year or two.
**
jack the old part owner of metro trains will be running it**
& it will be the old school hangout for us modelers .[8D]
I don’t know Jack. I knew Sid and Curt.
I have known Curt for 30+ years. It is crazy how many times our paths have crossed in one way or another.
-Kevin