Hi Gang; just inquiring on Hobby Shops in Tampa as we’re coming for a few days for a Visit?
thanks, Cary
The only one I know of (after Happy Hobo went away) is H&R Trains on the other side of the Bay in Pinellas Park. It touts itself as the second largest train store around, however, square footage isn’t everything. I was in Tampa about five years ago and stopped there while I was running around. To be frank about it, I didn’t think it was worth the stop in.
I wouldn’t exactly call this the Tampa Bay area, but if you go a little south to Sarasota there is Gulf Coast Model Railroad & Hobby Shop. It’s a real hobby shop with detail parts, scratchbuilding supplies and something in almost every scale. It’s not a huge store, but I always enjoy stopping by if we are down that way. It’s also very easy to get to. Just a straight shot off the interstate.
Jim
As a Tampanian (?), I second the endorsement of the Gulf Coast Hobby shop in Sarasota- it is a real model railroad hobby shop, not a “suggestion” of one, as is the case with the two Hobbytown franchises in our area. I was there last summer and the guys were very helpful- great selection of stuff and a two-shelf “discount and bargain” area!
The last time I was in the H&R Trains store over in St. Pete, it was starting to show some “fraying at the edges”, such as no decals collection, no real inventory of model paints and high retail prices. Cute place, but not worth the visit in all honesty- and the owner wants to sell it. Last time that happened in Tampa (Happy Hobo store), things went south very quickly!
Cedarwoodron
Thanks a Miliion for the Info; Try to check out the shop in Sarasota if Wife lets me…lol I did check the prices at H & R and also thought expensive.
Gulf Coast Hobby gets my vote too. Stopped in last winter when I was down there. No idea how they can cram so much stuff into that store. But they had a great selection.
Awesome; Thanks Guys and Gettn Ready as Flight Tomorrow Morning Cheers!