This is a bummer. I purchased my first train set at Willis Hobbies in the early 70's when I started N scale model railroading with my Dad. During those years, we didn't have a clue what we were doing, but Al (I believe the current owners' Dad) was always patient and helpful. Back in 2009 at the NMRA National Convention in Anaheim, I saw a guy a few years younger than me who looked familier, but I couldn't place him. I introduced myself and learned it was one of Al's sons (Steve ?); I guess I'd seen him at the shop during the years I lived on LI.
I live in California now, but whenever I get to Long Island, I try to visit. Too bad.
Well this is somewhat distressing news (for me), I would normally stop by Willis every other month (or more) in normal times, although the past three months have not been normal times around these parts (Long Island). I don't think the store was allowed to be open in April/May as it would be considered non-essential. I did notice some supply shortages starting last year (well before the pandemic hit) in things like brass rod/tube and Tamiya paints among other items, but I just figured these were flukes. I brought many a kit, styrene strip/sheet, paint, track, decals and so on from Wilis over the decades, hopefully they will be able to reopen the store for business before they close for their final time (will they have been stripped bare by then?) I don't know how much slack Trainland would pick up, or Nassau Hobby either. Willis gets high marks in Yelp and other review sites, so the brand has some value, and there is lots (and lots) of vacant commerical real estate on Long Island (CBRE and their ilk signs are pretty much everywhere you look), problem is how realistic the rents will be set. The Willis Hobby website seems not to have been updated since last Christmas; maybe they will post a farewell message at some point.Among many things in my memory of Willis, in the late 1990s (till about mid-00s) toward the back was a low shelf with loads of magazines. Of course eventually the second tier (as they were called then) model railroad magazines faded, and the remaining titles were moved to the back corner - not sure if that symbolizes anything...
That was another hobby shop that I have heard of, but never visited.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Always unfortunate to lose another shop but at least it's closing due to retirement, rather than economic reasons. Most of those closing that I've observed during the past 5 - 10 years have been single shops with ower retiring. I lived in NY (Rochester and later Syracuse) for a number of years but never heard of this particular shop.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I received an email from one of the owners of Willis Hobbies, Mineola, NY. They're retiring, have sold the building and trying to sell the business. I know both owners and I'm happy and sad. Happy that retiring is the next phase of their lives, but sad to see another great hobby shop closing. Closing should be the end of summer.
At their present location, the train and die cast departments are on the lower level, and the R/C car and plane department are upstairs.
I remember when I was a kid in the 70's I used to bicycle to them when the store was close to the Mineola train station. Took me an hour to get there, but I was always enamored with the store.
I wish both Steve and Ken the best in their retirement!
Neal