Found a new-to-me hobby shop in Austin, First Hobby. Perusing their website, it appears that this is more of an internet based, drop-ship (they don’t order it from distributor until you order it from them) type operation. They do list a storefront; was curious if anyone has visited to see what kind of inventory they have in stock. Their hours are somewhat limited; 1 - 5, Mon - Sat.
I live in Georgetown and would love to know this as well. I do think I am familiar with the shopping strip the physical address is in. I may try to drive by tomorrow on the way back from New Braunfels and see.
SB
Thanks. I am curious to see if they stock paint, glues, detail parts, scenery merchandisers, etc. I am not going to be Austin way until after Thanksgiving.
Folks, I cannot speak about actually seeing their store. I live in Va, not Tx. However, I have dealt with this store and would recommend it.
Very nice folk. Still a ma & pa type organization. Shame I cant visit their store, I would like to! Friendly enough to strike up a conversation with. And they will remember you.
I rarely get to speak with the owner. They do have a sharp guy in there for being a youngster. I find it an excellent place to do business. Weve talked about the store but not really about what they had in it. Since it was a long distance phone call we both assumed I wouldnt be there anytime soon.
Im sure if you called them they would have no problem telling you whats on the shelves. Thats the whole name of their game - to sell it!
I finnaly made it down to First Hobby in Oak Hill (SW Austin) yesterday. It is very easy to get to from Mopac. As it is in a small industrial park at the first exit as you merge onto 290 west. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of stock that he had. You could build a nice HO or N layout from the stuff in the store. He even had some obscure stuff I had been looking for. They seem to be trying hard to fill the train store void here in Central Tx. There prices were not bad either about 15% off retail. So if you are in the area First Hobby is worth a visit.
First Hobby used to be located in Decatur,IL I found the staff to be always friendly and very helpful. I think that most of their business is done online. Found them to have reasonable prices. Was sad to see that they moved to Texas.[:)]