There is a hobby shop in my city that has existed for many years. The original owner sold it back around the 1980's I think.
The new owner has done quite well but it is very slowly shrinking in size. I have noticed it over the years.
Other issues affect the shop. Cost are always going up. Unless you have ever operated a hobby shop you will have no idea of what it is like. I have talked with the owner a few times. It is mind boggling.
I saw how many times he had to move.
Model railroading is popular in my area. I know may model railroaders and there is probably the biggest show once a year for two day. Online sales. Seems to be one issue.
They handle all scales, planes, cars, other hobbies. A retired fellow takes care of a couple layouts.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
My former LHS folded because the owner was past retirement age, and his shop's landlord jacked up the rent. The last I looked, the shop was still vacant.
He could get most stuff I wanted, but I might have to wait a while because his in-stock inventory was small, but I was seldom in a hurry so that was fine with me.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I know.
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I don't want to mention any specific names, but some formerly great ones are really in a state of decline.
The same is happening with wargaming centered and R/C centered hobby shops.
It breaks my heart. Sorry, my response is emotional. I love hobby shops. So much of my youth was involved with hobby shops.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I see alot of whining on here about the demise of the local hobby shop on here and many of the reasons have been discused before but it seems to always end up with people trashing others found memories. I too have some fond memories but I don't wear rose colored glasses (an analogy for I can see the good as well as the bad). The local hobby shop had its time in the sun and now is going the way of the Dodo, they will still exist but not as a true business venture (meaning a way to make a profit that takes into account the hours put in). The reasons are clear (to me) why this is occuring. One that I have not seen discused is that our hobby has grown in product and diverity so that a hobby shop would have to be a very large warehouse to offer a reasonable amount of the items out there and the list is growing daily. I know alot of online people who started online companys and built them, espesialy in the field of scale buildings.