Does it seem to you that a LHS, or any hobby shop in general, just feels ‘different’ to other shops (e.g. clothing)? I know that whenever I walk in, there’s always this feeling of anticipation that I don’t get at any other stores.
I understand what you’re saying…and I get that feeling too.
It’s not a “regular” store as in a grocery store or a shoe store and there is a bit of anticipation on both parties parts; the person behind the counter is hoping to make a sale and the buyer is hoping to find that special something for himself.
Just my feeling on the subject…
My LHS definitely feels different. It’s a true mom & pop outfit run by a married couple. I realize how lucky I am when reading some of the threads on here and other members either don’t have a LHS near them or live huge distances from one. I live near three of the advertisers from the back section of the monthly MR issues. My favorite is about a 15-20 minute drive for me but it’s such a pleasure being there that most of my visits aren’t because I need anything but just to stop in and hang out. Their pet dog Goldie is there to greet you when you walk in, it’s a very warm atmosphere. Again, I am very lucky and as I have posted before I hope they never go out of business.
Dan
yeah, well i went into one last week where the customers are the problem. there was one guy (we used to call them funny hats) leaning on the counter, holding court and lecturing on the size of the battery box hinge bolts on GP-7’s or something like that and every time i asked the man behind the counter about an item, this clown would butt in and start spewing more worthless knowledge. i think he lived in his car. he was filthy to boot and reminded me of a billy goat. you could smell where he had been. MB Kline here i come.
i really try to save up for my hobby shop spending until i can make a pilgrimage to chicago or denver where my time and money are well spent.
grizlump (grumpy german)
Years ago I had an LHS like that. Used to stop in and chat with the owner and almost always bought something. Unfortunately, he died and a shopping center took over his store - a converted cape cod. I still enjoy a good hobby store, but they aren’t within easy driving distance anymore.
Enjoy
Paul
I’m thinking that the atmosphere within a good LHS would be like going to a really neat candy store or a toy store when one was a kid. It certainly can be like that for this little one!!
Oh look!! Neat stuff!![:)][swg]
Hobby Shops still have that small mom & pop store feel to them, even the biggest ones are small potatoes compared to the big national retail chains. And in general, the people that work in a hobby shop do so because they have an interest in at least something they sell, you don’t get too much of that “kid looking for a summer job, I’ll work wherever they hire me” mentality. And even when you have the train department memorized, and KNOW there won;t be anything new (I mean, you’ve seen the new product releases online and in the latest MR, and there’s nothign you’re looking for), there’s still plenty of interesting stuff in the shop - some of the stuff in the RC department is just amazing.
–Randy
Candy store, yup that’s a good comparison. I think my LHS has a different feel because aside from that one ladies unmentionables shop I accidently found myself in years ago[:-^][:D], it’s one of the few stores where I actually have an interest in the merchandise other than for “need”. Let’s face it. A kid in a toy store.
I think it’s because an LHS is a store you WANT to go to, as opposed to a store that you have to go to.
You know its a different atmosphere when the wife doesn’t want to go in [:-,].
Hi!
Like many of you, I’ve been to hobby shops “all over”, and have seen the good, bad, and a couple of downright ugly ones. Here at home, I have two quite close to me, and they are ok.
I do recall one that really did seem like a “candy store”, that was located across the street from my high school (Lane Tech - '62) in Chicago on Western Avenue. It was called B&E Hobbies and was a double wide store with 1/2 dedicated to trains (including Lionel) and the other to cars, planes & boats. It was a wonderful store, and the only downside was that being a high school kid I just didn’t have to money to buy much.
In the late '70s I visited the famous hobby shop in Dallas (the one that was owned by the elderly lady & imported trains) and that was truly a candy store filled with all kinds of nooks and crannies stuffed with old & new stuff. I must be suffering from a “brain cloud” this morning because I just can’t remember the owner’s name or the name of the store. Yikes, that is scary!
Mobilman44
Yes,even after 50 years of visiting hobby shops I still get excited and feel like a kid in a candy store whenever I venture into a well stock hobby shop or visiting a distant hobby shop for the first time…
Sadly a “stale” shop doesn’t do that much for me…
Dan said:My LHS definitely feels different. It’s a true mom & pop outfit run by a married couple.
I wish I had a LHS like yours…I find these shops are down home friendly and willing to “deal” on their prices especially large purchases.
Bobbye Hall’s? [:)]
I’ll have to put my [2c] in here and say that yes, a hobby shop is a different sort of place than a shoe store or clothing store. You go to a hobby shop because you WANT to, and (at least for me) because of the friendships you make there. I don’t know of too many people, male OR female, who would hang out all day in a shoe store! [:D]
While there is certainly nothing wrong with the faithful discussing flaws on the latest models they should step aside when customers come in.
One of the things I miss is the Saturday morning gathering of the faithful at the(long closed) shop where we would discuss the latest models,newest projects,layouts etc over a cup of coffee…This shop even had comfortable chairs…You just don’t see that to often these days.
BTW…None of us would leave empty handed…There was always something to buy.
Speaking of atmosphere, I have encountered two different types of hobby shops here in Germany.
Number 1 is your bread and butter type of shop with a huge inventory of a little bits and pieces you always need, the guy running it is an expert in all modeling questions (and prototype as well). He is not mad at when you just stop by and have a coffee with him which you get served because you are a friend and not only a customer. The place is a complete mess and looks exactly like your basement. Of course, discounts are not given, but you feel at home in this place.
Number 2 is the new type of hobby shop. It is a franchise system, everything is nicely displayed and shiny. It looks like a cell phone shop, not a hobby shop. It carries a standard range of products, those items that turn fast. The guy serving you has no modeling knowledge at all - he is a business man, not a hobbyist. He offers this “discount of the month” loco or car - which you may buy, should you happen to pass by.
Unfortunately, shop number 1 is on the decline. The proprietors are reaching retirement age or close down due to lack of business. Number 2 shop is available in all stylish shopping malls and they do sell a lot of - you guessed correctly, starter sets.
Guess where I am going? [}:)]
There’s a great shop in Grandview, MO. Even though it’s over 60 miles away, I always look forward to going there. It’s run by a dedicated group of guys, and it’s strictly trains [:)]. If you get a chance to stop by, do. And tell Charlie that Marlon sent you.
Yes and no. I love going to my LHS and jsut feel relaxed in there, but it’s in a strip mall.
Arjay69 - THANK YOU !!!
Yes, it was Bobbye Halls hobby shop near downtown Dallas that was my candy store back in the late '70s. The store was absolutely packed with all kinds of “stuff”, and there were MR treasures all over the place. Ha, given I had 4 teenagers at the time, I still didn’t have much money for MR stuff then - except for the occasional Ulrich or Silver Streak kit.
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
Two really fine MR shops in my area of Sacramento. Bruce’s Trains in Sacto, and Railroad Hobbies about 7 miles east in Roseville.
Interesting about the differences: At Bruce’s, when I go in, either Bruce or one of the other guys will always approach me to show me something that’s come in and that I might be interested in. It’s kind of a ‘lively’ store and a lot of fun.
Roseville Hobbies is a little more ‘relaxed’ and quiet. The guys there are very friendly, and extremely knowledgable. Mike, the owner is a really nice, quiet guy with a TERRIFIC smile. Sometimes, when I go in there, Mike will give me a grin that kinda/sorta says: “I just got something in that you’re going to go WILD over, but you’re gonna have to look for it.”
Like two days ago. Went in for some of his great stock of background trees and ‘discovered’ a super-detailed Rio Grande caboose AND a super-detailed Rio Grande 2-8-8-2. Well, you know darned well I didn’t just walk out of there with the TREES, LOL! And Mike just grinned. He knew I’d find them.
I like the atmosphere in both stores. And they’re always very well stocked with whatever you came looking for. It’s a pleasure to shop in either one.
Tom [:D]
It’s great walking into a train shop where the owner Joan says “Hi, Mark!” and there is a clean toilet room available to customers whenever necessary. Not to mention seeing the “goodies” and necessities in stock.
Mark