North Chicago Hobby Shops?

I am going to be in Grayslake, IL, and wondering if there are any good hobby shops there in the North Chicago area. I am going to downtown Chicago also, so maybe a good one there too?

The closest hobby shop in that area is:

  • Ron’s Mundelein Hobbies ( combination Model Railroad and Kits )

  • (847) 949-8680
  • 431 N Lake St
  • Mundelein, IL 60060
  • Map and Directions

The largest is:

  • Venture Hobbies & Crafts

  • (847) 537-8669
  • 23 Huntington Ln
  • Wheeling, IL 60090
  • Map and Directions

Next largest for floor to ceiling kits is:

Ram Train & Hobby Shop- (773) 775-3382

6603 W Higgins Ave, Chicago, IL 60656 Get directions
However: note owner may or may have closed store due to pneumonia complications. He has serious alergic reactions to any perfume, aftershave, scented detergent, cats, Manny…

Also, if you miss visiting your local strore:

  • Hobby Lobby

  • (847) 949-6685
  • 4 Oak Creek Plz
  • Mundelein, IL 60060
  • Map and Directions
  • view website

Wow, thanks for the detailed reply. It seems like when I visit a “hobby” store in a new town, it only carries RC or train stuff.

I will have to check out Ron’s again. My sister used to live down the street in the early 1990s from them and I walked there a couple times. Ram’s looks interesting, but sounds like the owner has a lot of health problems. Venture’s website loks like mostly RC stuff.

I did find a Hobby and Bike shop in Grayslake, but models and bicycles are a strange combination for a business.

I haven’t had time to visit, but a friend happily told me 3 weeks ago the store replenished it’s stock of kits.

BTW…please refer to the $229 thread for instructions on how to get your wife to let you buy and keep a kit valued at $229 or more…[whstl]