In about a month’s time I’ll be moving to the North side of Dallas and starting my first proper detail-orientated model aircraft, the Do-335. I’m currently in east Texas and pretty much limited to the Hobby Lobby in town.
Does anyone know of good stores in Dallas that will support my model-making hobby? I’m one of those people who would rather buy it in a store than online. I just prefer to get out of the house to make this hobby somewhat physically challenging. [;)]
Where exactly are you in E Texas? I live in Sulphur Springs and work weekends in Greenville at the airport.
I’m in Longview, Texas. I sent you a PM a couple days ago about your location, too lol.
I’ll be in Dallas in a month and I think I’ve found a good place called Mike’s Hobby Shop superstore on the North West side.
I finally figured out how to access my PMs today (hey, I’m computer illiterate). I’ve never been to Mikes so I can’t comment on it.
I’m going to Dallas in October, so I’m curious about what sort of hobby shop type things there are in that area.
Welcome to Dallas. I came up from Longview also. Mike’s Hobby is more of a rc hobby store. I go there all the time for my rc needs. They do have some kits but that is all. In north Dallas there is a place called Hobby Town USA and they carry just about everything you need.
Thad
Hobby Town is better? I’m amazed. From Mike’s website it looked like he had 100+ model aircraft (on his online store) from Hasegawa, Tamiya, etc so I thought he would carry all the additional equipment like paints, thinners, decals, etc.
From what I understand Hobby Town is a chain, do they really have stuff like squadron putty, micro set, polly scale, and a good paint selection?
Really appreciate the info on Mike’s, that was going to be my first stop but now I’ll save it for a rainy day! Hobby Town is only 3 miles from my new place, if it’s got everything then I’m set. [tup]
All Hobby Towns are different. The one in N. Dallas will have everthing you need. Mike’s has a small inventory of your basic stuff (no pe, decals) basic paints.
Thad
I have been to quite a few hobby shops in the DFW area and my 2 favorites are Wild Bill’s and MAL Hobby. Both are located in Irving within a couple miles of each other just a little west of Loop 12. Wild Bill’s is “packed to the gills” and have a good selection of models. If you don’t find what you are looking for at Wild Bill’s just ask. They probably have it somewhere.
MAL is a local institution. Its been in business for over 50 years They don’t have a huge selection of models but you just got to go anyway. I would almost describe it has a muesum of what hobby shops were like in the 1960’s or 70’s.
[tup] MAL is a great place for ref. material too. Keep a sharp eye out when you go looking for the place because it is stuck in the back of a small shopping center.
Wild Bill’s has plenty of old kits but beware when you buy paint there (old stock) Some of the stuff has been there a while.
Thad
Nice, I’ll be sure to check out bill’s. I was in Mesquite yesterday and looked at A-1 Hobby and Mesquite craft + hobby - complete failure. A-1 was all remote controlled aircraft and craft + hobby was like a mini hobby lobby.
Oh well, I guess I’ve learned to call before going anywhere!
I live in North Dallas. There are two Hobby Town USAs in the area. Someone already mentioned the one in Plano. There is another one in Dallas, on Walnut Hill, about a quarter mile east of 75.
Another thought - don’t laugh - Hobby Lobby on Preston Road in N Dallas. I went in there one day and they had a whole rack of models on clearance at 40% off. I walked out with an armful of good quality armor models from Tamiya and Dragon. I now try to hit that store every couple of weeks to see what else they’ve moved to the clearance rack.
Welcome to Dallas,
Larry