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Caboose Hobbies Closing?/Moving?

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Caboose Hobbies Closing?/Moving?
Posted by Mark B on Thursday, July 14, 2016 11:46 AM

Caboose Hobbies of Denver is having a sale that has a notice that their landlord has sold the building they occupy. Most every thing in stock is 25% off.

Are they going to move?

Are they the buyers of their current building?

Are they closing?

Anyone have any further information?

Sure would hate to see them go away.

Mark B

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Posted by vsmith on Thursday, July 14, 2016 11:56 AM
Well... there website has a flier for a "Transition Sale". That to me says they will be moving, where and when is undetermined, and that they are discounting stock to make the move easier. Hopefully, maybe you should give them a call and ask them directly https://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/index_brief.php

   Have fun with your trains

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Posted by middleman on Thursday, July 14, 2016 12:30 PM

I was there this morning for the sale - a small crowd was waiting for the doors to open.I overheard a customer say they had to be out in 90 days. There is already a lot of open space on the shelves.

Mike

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Posted by Mark B on Thursday, July 14, 2016 12:38 PM

I did call them and only got a vague "transitioning sale" answer. Nothing was given out about the future of the store.

Mark B

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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Thursday, July 14, 2016 1:28 PM

They are among my absolute favorite online retailers, as they still care about customer service. Hoping that their "transition" goes smoothly, and that they find a better, nicer new home.

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, July 14, 2016 1:51 PM
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Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Thursday, July 14, 2016 7:00 PM

Sounds like they are staying in business.  Just in a new location.

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

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Posted by Stevert on Friday, July 15, 2016 10:33 AM

Found a few things I needed, that at 25% off made it worthwhile to place an order.

This is the first time I've ordered from them, does anyone have any history with them as far as how long it takes to process the order, how well do they pack/ship, etc?

Since I've placed the order I'm already committed, just wondering what to expect.

 

Edit/Update:

My order arrived today.  It was correct, well-packed and in perfect condition.  They even put two big, red "Fragile" stickers on the box!

The "cheapest option" shipping was a little slow, but that's to be expected and is just an observation, not a complaint.

I wouldn't hesitate to order from them again, if they have something I need at a competitive price.

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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Friday, July 15, 2016 10:55 AM

Stevert,

I have ordered many times from them, always get pretty quick delivery (Colorado to NW PA in a week (5 business days, or less, unless it was OOS) and never a problem with any damage. (Always arrived either UPS, or Fedex-USPS combo delivery service, and always in one piece.)

Only once was there ever an issue, and it was an incorrect item was shipped. I had ordered multiple items, we will say items "A", "B", and "C", and was expecting multiple shipments. (All were pre-orders of unreleased items, expected  to be released at different dates.) The invoice stated item "A" shipped, but I got item "B". (Item "B" was a more expensive one.) They not only fixed the error, but they also gave a discount on my purchase, and did something totally unexpected, insisting on my keeping item "B" free of charge. (I did not ask for this, nor was it expected.) Yes, they were informed of my thanks, and they now have a very loyal customer. (My LHS is not very local, so most of my purchases are online.)

Hoping that their move goes smoothly, and that the new building is better for them than the now sold one. 

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Friday, July 15, 2016 11:24 AM

LION has never used Denver's Cabbose, but has been in the New York store by the same name. LION does buy from Trainworld, that being my local hobby shop when I lived in NYC. But then I am still waiting for the MTH Subway cars that I pre ordered through them.

Only time LION been in Denver, him was at the Airport. Nothing more than that.

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

GMG
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Posted by GMG on Friday, July 15, 2016 4:22 PM

One of the many things that was great about CH was the knowledgeable staff which are involved in the hobby - I will truly miss the resource.

Hope they are able to find another location and keep their staff.

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Posted by E-L man tom on Monday, July 18, 2016 10:14 AM

Although the location for Caboose Hobbies is a good one for customer exposure, the location just south of downtown Denver is not a very good one for customer access and parking. First, they're on the corner of a one-way street (Broadway) and a side street that is rather obscure (Virginia Ave., I think); Second, their parking lot is very small, you can park out on Broadway too if the parking lot is full, which, if on the weekend or during the holidays, it usually is. Point being, customer access is sometimes difficult, especially if you don't know your way around Denver. So, I hope their new location solves these problems. I'd hate to see them go away, they're a regular institution in Denver.

Tom Modeling the free-lanced Toledo Erie Central switching layout.
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Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Thursday, July 21, 2016 1:52 PM
Caboose Hobbies
July 18 at 12:59pm ·

Hello everyone!

Caboose Hobbies has NOT announced they are closing in any way. Caboose Hobbies rumors and speculation abound on the internet. Don’t believe anything you see on the internet forums. It is pure speculation.

Yes, the land lord is selling the property and building that Caboose Hobbies leases. The land lord notified us Wed. last week as per our lease agreement with them.

We just don’t know… The Miller’s (the owners of Caboose Hobbies) are looking at new store location possibilities around the Denver Metro area.

Pre-reservations: are still good and will be. If needed they will be transferred to the manufacturer directly or another distributor, hobby store, dealer etc. We are still taking Pre-order reservations (any project to be released in the future). We are not taking back orders or special orders for projects already released.

Instead of following the hype, why not purchase something to support Caboose Hobbies?

The good news is we are having a HUGE sale! See our website for full details!
And thank you for your loyal support!

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

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Posted by vsmith on Thursday, July 21, 2016 4:38 PM
That's good news!

   Have fun with your trains

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Posted by azrail on Monday, July 25, 2016 2:29 PM

There may be some former K Marts that may be available for Caboose to move into in the future.

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Posted by Firelock76 on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 2:19 PM

If there's no reasonable properties in Metro Denver, try a little north towards Fort Collins, or a little south toward the 'Springs, or a little west toward Golden.

But hell, you folks know the area better than I do, you probably don't need any help from me.

Good luck!  Hope to visit you next time I'm out that way, whenever it might be.

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 4:26 PM

Don't get your hopes up, guys.

This has happened to my LHS, my favorite restaurant, my barber, my golf club.

When a place closes for remodeling, moving to a new location, transitioning, whatever, it really means that they are closing for good. I never understand why they just don't come right out and say that.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 9:00 PM

richhotrain

Don't get your hopes up, guys.

This has happened to my LHS, my favorite restaurant, my barber, my golf club.

When a place closes for remodeling, moving to a new location, transitioning, whatever, it really means that they are closing for good. I never understand why they just don't come right out and say that.

Rich

Are you enjoying yourself there Rich?  Sheesh.  Yes, hobby shops close - sure, we read it all the time.  Some day it might happen to CH, but I'm not as ready to put a nail in their coffin as you are.  Wait until the fat lady sings before you play taps.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 10:07 PM

riogrande5761

 

 
richhotrain

Don't get your hopes up, guys.

This has happened to my LHS, my favorite restaurant, my barber, my golf club.

When a place closes for remodeling, moving to a new location, transitioning, whatever, it really means that they are closing for good. I never understand why they just don't come right out and say that.

Rich

 

Are you enjoying yourself there Rich?  Sheesh.  Yes, hobby shops close - sure, we read it all the time.  Some day it might happen to CH, but I'm not as ready to put a nail in their coffin as you are.  Wait until the fat lady sings before you play taps.

 

Jim, I have been a lifelong Cubs fan, so I am used to disappointment and heartache.  Crying

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 10:10 PM

richhotrain
I have been a lifelong Cubs fan, so I am used to disappointment and heartache.

Hang in there.  Even the Red Sox managed to win a World Series.

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 10:12 PM

maxman

 

 
richhotrain
I have been a lifelong Cubs fan, so I am used to disappointment and heartache.

 

Hang in there.  Even the Red Sox managed to win a World Series.

 

What is a World Series?

Alton Junction

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 10:24 PM

richhotrain
maxman

 

 
richhotrain
I have been a lifelong Cubs fan, so I am used to disappointment and heartache.

 

Hang in there.  Even the Red Sox managed to win a World Series.

 

 

 

What is a World Series?

 

It is what causes your heartache and disappointment.

My father suffered from the same thing.  Why, I remember as a youngster when I saw him watching the radio.....

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Posted by JEREMY CENTANNI on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:06 AM

richhotrain

 

 
maxman

 

 
richhotrain
I have been a lifelong Cubs fan, so I am used to disappointment and heartache.

 

Hang in there.  Even the Red Sox managed to win a World Series.

 

 

 

What is a World Series?

 

 

Something the White Sox have won!  Go Sox!Big Smile

Also I never made to Caboose Hobbies but I sure as @$%@#$ want to!  So make it so!

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Posted by Geared Steam on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 12:06 PM

Go Cubbies! My 2 Cents

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Doughless on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 12:19 PM

Despite the nay-saying, I'm inclined to tkae caboose Hobbies at their word at this point.  I read where the reason given for the move is that the owner wants to tear down the building.

This might make sense.

I don't know much about the location or Denver itself, but a lot of urban cities are growing in population yet running out of real estate.  The only solution is to go "up".  It may simply be a situation where the ground under that old building can be put to a better use than what it has been for years.  Tearing down the building and replacing it with, say, a 20 story apartment building certainly would allow that ground to generate more revenue than a hobby shop could pay. 

We'll see if CH moves to another brick and mortar location, but wanting to tear down an older retail building to redeploy the ground under it for a better use is something that is happening all over urban America these days.

- Douglas

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Posted by jjdamnit on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 1:57 PM

Hello all,

In that are of Denver the Recreational Marijuana industry has taken over. (I'm not trying to make a moral statement, just a statement of fact.)

As has been speculated in other posts, that same square footage could bring in more money (and taxes) as a dispensary than a hobby shop.

If this same situation was a national brand coffee shop moving, forcing out the same business, in I would still be saddened by the chainging times.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

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Posted by Motley on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 6:55 PM

I know exactly what happened. If the owner of the property did indeed sell it. The landlord can make a huge amount of money. The Denver real estate market right now is off the charts. Landlord are selling properties for huge proffits.

Same thing with housing, nobody can afford to pay rent anymore. I know because I recently had to move because the landlord sold the house. Now I'm paying a whopping $1700 /mo. for a small sized house with no basement.

Its crazy here in Denver right now. 750,000 people moved here just in the last year.

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

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Posted by Doughless on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 7:07 PM

Yeah.  Its the same in a lot of places.  Its like everybody got burned back during the housing bubble and didn't want anything to do with buying real estate, or couldn't because they were upside down for long time.

But population keeps expanding nevertheless and demand has finally caught up to or exceeded supply. 

Especially in areas or neighborhoods that have become hot or trendy. 

- Douglas

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Posted by softail86mark on Saturday, July 30, 2016 9:57 PM

I just hope the new location has that beautiful mural of the locomotive crashing out of the building into the parking lot!!!!!

I lived just south of Denver in Castle Pines just down I-25. Went there at least once a week for 10 years....

That's where I moved from when I moved to Northern California. My wife once gave me a $1000 gift certificate for there one Christmas!!!! Man, I had a blast!!!

MC

WP Lives

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Posted by narrow gauge nuclear on Sunday, July 31, 2016 4:50 PM

I have purchased their better ground throw kits with switch stand and found their product superb and will continue to favor them with my business.

 

Richard

If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed

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