Here’s a research project for anyone that’s up to the challenge. Does anyone have a copy of MR Magazine or Model Railroad Craftsman for that matter, from either 1978 or 1979? I am trying to find out if someone can tell me the address for “Spoonley The Train Man” on Seneca St. in Buffalo or West Seneca, NY. I was hoping that maybe they had either an ad or a listing in the hobby retailer section. Most likely time would have been around X-mas and the shop was only in West Seneca for 2 years before it closed. Just wanted to see if the building is still there and relive a memory or two from my childhood. Thanks in adavance for the help.
-Brian in Bflo
“Boatlandmore@aol.com”
I’ve looked through a few old mags, and the only thing close I can find is Seneca Junction, which was at 2632 Seneca St in West Seneca. Maybe this is the place that is today Niagara Hobby?
Try this link:
http://www.ptpbooks.com/si/4518.html
good luck.
Ray
I also found Seneca Junction listed. There was nothing in 1980, but I found a listing for 1979, '78, '77, and '76. I haven’t checked any farther back than that, but the address given in all four examples was:
2156 S. Park Ave. (Exit 55)
I’m not familiar with the area, but it was listed under NEW YORK - Buffalo
Also, this is from MR, but I found similar listings in RMC. There was nothing under Spoonley the Train Man.
Wayne
Brian:
Spoonley the Train Man started out at 37 Choate Ave. in South Buffalo. Chester Spoonley started a Lionel train store in his home at that address. It was located in the attic of the house originally. To placate neighborhood complaints, he relocated the store to the first floor of the house, taking over the entire first floor apartment. The tenants were moved to the second floor, displacing the Spoonley family, who moved to a location nearby.
Spoonley’s store stayed at that location for about 40 years, and became an institution in the Buffalo area. Following the infamous “Blizzard of 1977,” his son, Chester Spoonley Junior, decided that the store needed to move to a more accessible location. So, right before Thanksgiving of 1978, Spoonley the Train Man moved to “… a storefront on Seneca Street just east of Union Road in suburban West Seneca, New York.” This last quote, and all of this information, is collected from a book which I have a copy of. It’s called “The Train Man” by John Zach and is a soft cover which was locally published by the author.
Chester Spoonley Junior did not enjoy the business success of his father, and as you stated, the business did not last at the new location. It had been losing money, and the business was seized by the court in a bankruptcy foreclosure in 1980. The stock was sold in an auction, and the business name ceased.
Although I visitedSpoonley’s when it was on Seneca St. once or twice, I don’t remember the exact address. I’ll try to find it for you and post it on this thread if I do.
Seneca Junction is not related to Niagara Hobby. They are two separate entities. Seneca Junction has moved several times and is now located on Main St. in Clarence, NY. It is, as far as I know, still a train store exclusively. Niagara Hobby has always been a general hobby store, although it is a large one, with a very extensive train department.
-Ed in Buffalo, NY
I have that book and took it over there and could not identify any buildings that look like that shot in the book but it’s too closely cropped to see the surroundings and it is too far away to make out the addresses on the shop doors. The building that Spoonley was in had at least 3 front doors and a large front on it judging by the photo in the book. I remember the lamp shop being next door but it’s not to be confused with the lamp dealer there today, that is a different storefront. Personally I think the entire structure must be gone, possibly replaced by the new bank building, office building, or parking lot seen in the area today…
-B