Right now, my main source for kits is Great Lakes Hobby and Train on Van Dyke in Utica. They have a good selection of kits, but not too much in the way of aftermarket parts (photoetch, tracks, etc.) I’ve tried ordering through them a few times with mixed results.
I used to frequent Old Guard in Sterling Heights, but they closed some time ago.
I like stores that have an inventory I can look at, and I usually don’t purchase hobby stuff online - wondering if there is a shop that stocks aftermarket parts so I can have a look before I purchase. Any recommendations?
Bishop I’m from the area and have visited the Toy Soldier store on several occasions, as far as AM parts forget them. They carry more paints, weathering, and a lot of scenery.
The Model Cave in Ypsi is an old school hobby shop. They carry a nice supply of kits and paints, some AM stuff but I woudn’t count on it.
I’ve asked the LHS owners that I know and the answer is pretty simple. There are tens of thousands, if not more, different aftermarket parts for just about everything. Stocking even a modest selection would just not make sense.
Also, so much good stuff now comes from Eastern Europe, esp. Ukraine.
If you find a good online source, it works very well. Try to find one that specializes in one thing.
I can understand that. I’m maybe a little nostalgic for digging around in cardboard boxes on the floor for that Cavalier Zimmerit I had been looking for! I also don’t use credit cards, which makes the online shopping thing a bit more difficult.
Gold Medal Models PE, Black Dog Products deck critters, Trumpeter AV-8s
My Revell America: Blue Jacket blocks, Model Shipways strip wood,
Stuff from USA, Poland, Czeck, China, Turkey. All pretty cheap, hey I’m not rich, bought on the internet.
It gets fun Bishop. These are often little garage indies that have great products. Contact the owner, next thing you know they want pics for their site.
Another vote here for The Model Cave in downtown Ypsilanti. It is an old school, uh-mazing hobby shop. Plastic literally stacked to the rafters. John and Melissa are top notch.
If they don’t have it, they can order it for you. I can usually get anything there for +/- $3 of what it costs shipped from Sprue Brothers or Squadron. I have a buddy that lives in Fort Wayne and he has started ordering from them instead of ordering online. They ship to his home, at cost. Last time I wanted a kit, I was on a business trip, and just sent them a Facebook message - boom, done. My kit was there to pick up when I got home.
Most of the aftermarket stuff I see in the store is car-related with a smattering of ship stuff, but again, they can order you just about anything you want. There are some things (like Pavla resin, for example) that have very limited distribution in the US that John can’t get his hands on, but that’s rare.
Bishop I’m from the area also and shop t Great Lakes too frequently!
P&D on Grosbeck and 13 mile have some aftermarket stuff. Worth a look. I scored a bunch of aftermarket at the SEMMEX in Madison hts 2 weeks ago. Some great prices too.
Old Guard I miss, Al (owner) was a dear friend.
The Detroit Area Auto Modellers have a show April 3rd at Macomb Community College just off 12 mile and Grosbeck. They usually have enough vendores to make it worthwhile. And even though they have mostly car models still a lot of planes, armor and ships.