Hill's Hobbies changed hands - new owners

[pbjwilson]

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.

www.hillshobbies.com

[cnw1995]

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.

[pbjwilson]

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!

[cnw1995]

That's great news, Paul. I was always powerfully impressed with the prices of their brass stuff.

[mersenne6]

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?

[eZAK]

Thanks for the info. Paul!