Some fifty-five or so years ago there was a hobby shop in Riverside, Calif. called Harper’s Hobby Shop that catered especially to model trains. Jim Harper was its owner. He was very successful and opened a second like shop in San Bernardino. I believe he was in modeling and was active as a railfan. A number of years later he sold everything and moved to Reno, Nevada, and opened a hobby shop there. Does anyone know if he is still alive and still in the Reno area?
croteaudd Some fifty-five or so years ago there was a hobby shop in Riverside, Calif. called Harper’s Hobby Shop that catered especially to model trains. Jim Harper was its owner. He was very successful and opened a second like shop in San Bernardino. I believe he was in modeling and was active as a railfan. A number of years later he sold everything and moved to Reno, Nevada, and opened a hobby shop there. Does anyone know if he is still alive and still in the Reno area?
Given your time frame it seems unlikely he is still active or alive, but the hobby shop might be still with us. However, many hobby shops even extant in the 80s are long gone.
That's an unfortunate fact of life for a lot of small businesses, not just hobby shops. It can be hard to find someone to take over the business when the original proprietor retires.
I know of a fellow who closed his shop, but still goes to train shows, trying to sell what's left of his stock...
Another such shop was owned by a member of the local model railroad club and chiefly served as a source of supplies... It's gone now, too.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Is this him?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNNVlt4gTVs
There seems to be a number of google hits in searching for "Jim Harper hobby shop" and variations.
I had a well known (in Iowa) hobby shop in Des Moines that changed owners a couple of years ago. They are just a shadow of what the once were as far as model railroading. They still have a fairly decent line of HO, but that doesn't help me in N scale.
They are focusing on the drone and R/C segments. All the people that had been in the model railroad department are gone. So while the hobby shop is still there, it really no longer is.
Jeff
jeffhergert I had a well known (in Iowa) hobby shop in Des Moines that changed owners a couple of years ago. They are just a shadow of what the once were as far as model railroading. They still have a fairly decent line of HO, but that doesn't help me in N scale. They are focusing on the drone and R/C segments. All the people that had been in the model railroad department are gone. So while the hobby shop is still there, it really no longer is. Jeff
Hobby Haven?
Haven't been there in a while, since I gave up on modeling (replaced knees don't like getting under the table)...
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
blhanel jeffhergert I had a well known (in Iowa) hobby shop in Des Moines that changed owners a couple of years ago. They are just a shadow of what the once were as far as model railroading. They still have a fairly decent line of HO, but that doesn't help me in N scale. They are focusing on the drone and R/C segments. All the people that had been in the model railroad department are gone. So while the hobby shop is still there, it really no longer is. Jeff Hobby Haven? Haven't been there in a while, since I gave up on modeling (replaced knees don't like getting under the table)...
Yes.
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