Paul Frieler's historical models; remeber?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

hello all,

I normally do Sci-Fi post’s But this I felt would get the most attention. With all respect .

My “second” home away from Home Mom and Pop models store is going away. those in Los angeles and by reputation.Known paul frieler’s Historical model store went out of buisness after 30 yrs. back in 1998? i think…

i was onlt 3 yrs old when i saw his store in the 1970’s. Time passes so do other things. “All aboard model Rail road” closed 4 years ago? due to familly needs… also A grate store.

i have not goten confirmed close of " My home away from home" One of the Grate Time Store’s; will no longer be here. I can’t say today , but those of you who love and lost those hobby stores in the past know the regret But, the Thanks thay All gave us …

Time , attenttion and advice & in the best of customers service “Friendship”

if thier is. Or as of yet, have not. had a listing In the forums “tell us your story” / or “a tribute to those going the the way side…” this should be…

with the best of intentions and best regards to All. “supporrt your local hobby store”

mike

2

I used to travel to LA frequently on business back in the late 70’s and early 80’s and would always try to find some time to stop by Frieler’s while I was out there. Great shop. They always had stacks of all the new releases on the shelves and some amazing models on display. I can still vividly remember seeing a Revell 1/32 F-14A kit that was on display in their window that faced into the mall. It was shortly after the kit was originally released and the model was just flawless.

Back when I was traveling a lot, I would check the shop listings in the back of FSM to look for shops in the area I would be visiting. In addition to Frieler’s one of my all-time favorites was Venture Hobbies in Wheeling, IL. I would spend hours there flipping through all the Micro Scale and Fred Cady decals they had in stock.

When I moved to Sarasota 22 years ago we had something like seven hobby shops, two train shops, and one wooden ship place. Now all we have left is one train place. Sign of the times I suppose, but still sad.

The wooden ship shop used to hold Saturday morning group classes. A class of four or five (mostly retired) modelers would sit around tables in the back of the shop with the instructor, a pot of coffee and a box of doughnuts while they learned the intricacies of planking, rigging or some other essential skill. That’s how my dad got started in ship modeling after he and my mom followed us to Florida from Indiana after they retired. I think he enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow modelers as much as he enjoyed the time at his workbench.

I still buy paint and glue from the surviving local train shop. I’ll spend some time looking at their layouts and usually end up buying a copy of Model Railroader while I’m there (maybe out of guilt, to somehow legitimize my being there). I recently read Sam Posey’s book Playing with Trains and the old shop that Posey writes about in NYC is eerily similar to our local place - a lot of stuff on the shelves that looks like it been there for years, if not decades. I really wonder how they have managed to stay in business over the years. Maybe it’s like being a priest and they make your take a vow of poverty if you own a hobby shop.

Sorry for rambling on, but it’s late (early actually) and I guess I’m feeling very nostalgic tonight.

Mark

3

Hello Mark,

No, your were not rambling. just remembering the Joy and grate times modeling has to offer. those stores we all grew up with . My friend Chuck " Mod-L-Mainia " is not going to stay open much longer . This man has opened his door to every one . a work station in the back of the shop. Ban saw ,tools tables for any one to work on… Any advice . The Kids and famillies working in the shop. A temperary paint station… This man was about the hobby and the Customer Service and Community. over the last 5 years?

I saw him order a Two “VW dicast” swap parts just to fill an order for a ladie whom has a wish for a christmas Gift . His store is small. and his heart is Grate ! when i found this store I was about to STOP all modeling … in his list of parts ideas and joy to learn the friends i made and lost . One named Gary (Kamlia? ) built subjects out of one pice of sprue. A tree part that became a radio car antina in 1940’s, so historicaly accurate down to the truck and history . it all started only talking about sprue’s…

another was a Subject about the last two wars. 60’s and early 70’s… I’ll have to look for the subject but . though the parts were weak and the paint was not perfict … the real loss of life . and those forgoten issues were over so many heads … that in an armor / avation invorment no one got it …

the work section. let at times. the talk would out do the customers …

chilren came after school to work on projects in the store.,while they stored them in his store . So they could coma back and continue to wrok with out losing parts. but you know kids with cell phones. Parrents, always knew were they were …

my very first time looking for the shop i was lost .I asked two Guy’s at a red light; if they know ? YEP; That way …" they said …

in the Models avialable were not always thier but every week he would twice drive to pick them up… so any one … he would also buy from you if you really needed the money …

he helps out so many others So many that even when you brought a RC body and he Fixed it . with out charging you … while the other shop down the road would … get an arm and a leg…

Art . flying , modeling , Nor kit bash. nothing be out of range… oh; yes.one grate thing… he started a junk trade in the tool area. 4 boxes basic pasts you take any thing you need and leave the same abount of plastic in trade … no money , no issues… just look and find … then build…

well. i gues i need to stop…

a teacher & friend . i am to lose. those , whom i learnd as much from . now only a monthly ipms meeting i’ll meet … no more days of. odd hours nor just sit and talk paint or build …

a hobby store. of the hobby, for the hobby, & by a hobbiest…No more…

nfpa1002

4

Hello Mark,

No, your were not rambling. just remembering the Joy and grate times modeling has to offer. those stores we all grew up with . My friend Chuck " Mod-L-Mainia " is not going to stay open much longer . This man has opened his door to every one . a work station in the back of the shop. Ban saw ,tools tables for any one to work on… Any advice . The Kids and famillies working in the shop. A temperary paint station… This man was about the hobby and the Customer Service and Community. over the last 5 years?

I saw him order a Two “VW dicast” swap parts just to fill an order for a ladie whom has a wish for a christmas Gift . His store is small. and his heart is Grate ! when i found this store I was about to STOP all modeling … in his list of parts ideas and joy to learn the friends i made and lost . One named Gary (Kamlia? ) built subjects out of one pice of sprue. A tree part that became a radio car antina in 1940’s, so historicaly accurate down to the truck and history . it all started only talking about sprue’s…

another was a Subject about the last two wars. 60’s and early 70’s… I’ll have to look for the subject but . though the parts were weak and the paint was not perfict … the real loss of life . and those forgoten issues were over so many heads … that in an armor / avation invorment no one got it …

the work section. let at times. the talk would out do the customers …

chilren came after school to work on projects in the store.,while they stored them in his store . So they could coma back and continue to wrok with out losing parts. but you know kids with cell phones. Parrents, always knew were they were …

my very first time looking for the shop i was lost .I asked two Guy’s at a red light; if they know ? YEP; That way …" they said …

in the Models avialable were not always thier but every week he would twice drive to pick them up… so any one … he would also buy from you if you really needed the money …

he helps out so many others So many that even when you brought a RC body and he Fixed it . with out charging you … while the other shop down the road would … get an arm and a leg…

Art . flying , modeling , Nor kit bash. nothing be out of range… oh; yes.one grate thing… he started a junk trade in the tool area. 4 boxes basic pasts you take any thing you need and leave the same abount of plastic in trade … no money , no issues… just look and find … then build…

well. i gues i need to stop…

a teacher & friend . i am to lose. those , whom i learnd as much from . now only a monthly ipms meeting i’ll meet … no more days of. odd hours nor just sit and talk paint or build …

a hobby store. of the hobby, for the hobby, & by a hobbiest…No more…

nfpa1002

5

I remember this shop quite fondly. My workplaces have often been within a 10-15 minute drive from the shop. I worked the evening/swing shift from 1993 till now. So from then until their doors closed I would go in early to work and stop by to browse and shop before my shift. Their stock selection was unparalleled for ANY shop in the LA/OC area. The only downside was they tended to price a bit higher than any other shop in the area. They did have great help and the built up kits that were displayed were excellent. Very inspiring work to emulate.

Unfortuantely over the years I have seen too many mom and pop local hobby stores pop smoke and close their doors in the LA/OC area. Rossmoor Hobbies, The Model Shoppe, Brookhurst II, Mac’s Hobbies, Accuscale, and a few others I can no longer recall the name of are now just pleasant distant memories. Some were short lived, others around for many years. Thankfully there are still a few survivors to be found. Most encouraging, one recently (within two years) changed owners and saw a new vibrancy and has improved. While I personally have a stash that could open a small store of my own, I am a big supporter of the LHS and do my part buying whatever to help keep them in business.

Support your LHS!!! Nothing online can compare to going there and seeing and handling the kits, supplies, and AM accessories in person.[#toast]