Just found out about another hobbyshop closing their doors. This is the second shop in this area to go under in the last six months. I used to(and still do) feel sorry for the folks who have to drive two or so hours just to get to a shop but now I’m finding myself close to being in the same boat. What a drag! There’s only one shop left and it’s forty miles one way and although it’s a nice little shop it’s still limited by what they keep in stock. Of course they’ll special order anything you want. Nice enough gesture but I can do the same from home, only extra being shipping cost and comparing that to the cost of gas to get me to and from would probably be a wash. One would think that in a city of over two hundred thousand people and an metro area of over one million there would be a local shop that could stay the course, keep the doors open. Guess it’s just an example of how small a group of people we are. Part of all this makes me want to go out tomorrow and open up a shop but then I look at what’s happening to these small nickle and dime businesses and then I’m not so sure if that would be in my best interest. Looks like I’ll have to keep mailordering and do without the “shop talk” that I always enjoy when I visit a local hobby shop. What’d I do with my catalogs!
Van-hobbies which has been operating in Vancouver for many MANY years is closing, it really sucks, that is where I bought my very first model. The only good thing to come out of it is that they had 30% off everything.
Is this the shop that was near Oakridge Mall at 41st and Cambie? If so then that’s where I bought my first “adult” model. That’s adult as in grown up, not Pr0n! You bunch of dirty minded so and so’s. [:D]
haha, you said “Pr0n”. I thought only college 1337 sp3/\k3rs used that term.
Serously, we all hate to see our local hobby shops go. Thankfully I’ve got 2 about 10 minutes from the apartment. It’s tough for them to compete when their rent is sky high, and everyone can get their models online. I have yet to place an online order, but I will soon, to get some small things the LHS dosn’t offer. I’d rather pay a little bit more and get it from a store front then get it shipped across country.
And what makes you think I’m not a 1337 sp3/\k3r college type? Or maybe a H4x0r who smurfs the interweb in my undies? Do I type like I’m a really only a 40-something glue addict? LOL! [(-D]
Seriously though, I dread to think what would happen if the LHS were to close. I do buy the odd kit online, but only ones that the LHS doesn’t stock. I buy at least half my kits, all my paints, the glue and the monthly FSM mag from him. He supported my package of gear for the troops hobby clubs (see the thread in Charity and Goodwill), and I support him as best I can!
My LHS here in my hometown closed two years ago. I can remember when I was a kid there were two in this town. The closest one to me now is about a half hour drive, but it’s a relatively good one. At least it has LOTS of models in the box. Oddly enough, it only carries Aztek airbrushes…but other than that it has lots of supplies. Thing is, it’s a city of nearly a millionand there is only one in that city!
It certainly looks like the Internet is killing the LHS…sad really.
