For those in the Chicago area Hills Hobbies in Park Ridge changed hands over the summer. The Hill’s retired and the store is under new management. It looks great . They have a couple layouts running. Have a large selection of Dept. 56 with Chicago themes, and are well stocked in all scales. A great place to visit if you have the chance. Check out their website, sometimes they have some good deals.
I thought something had happened - the sign that’s visible from the Metra tracks is different and they actually hosted one of those WSCR remote broadcasts on a Saturday - talking about trains on sports radio. I used to take an early train out from Chicago - run over to the store - buy something - then run back to make the next train.
Hey Doug,
Shortly after posting this I heard an ad on WGN for Hill’s. The new guy has really made some nice changes. They now carry a good assortment of Dept. 56 including facades of old Comisky Park and Wrigly Field, the old Chicago Water tower, Art institute, cool stuff. They also have a line of animated carvnival rides and amusement park stuff. Worth a trip especially now, they are chuck full of inventory for X-mas.
I loved the old Hill’s, but I think the new Hill’s is stocking things that are a little more affordable and fun. Alot of starter sets and mid-range starter sets, and engines. Used to be Hill’s had a stock of a dozen or more engines in the $1000 price range. Nice to look at, but that’s all I could do was look!
That’s great news, Paul. I was always powerfully impressed with the prices of their brass stuff.
What is the status of the John Addis models that Hills bought some years back? Are they still on display or did the original owners keep them?
Thanks for the info. Paul!