Prompted by several queries posted by Forum members traveling on business and vacation, I've compiled a list of local, storefront hobby shops recommended by Forum members in the last few weeks. I've pulled this list from various postings that I've seen, added address and website information if available, and here it is.
Please keep adding to this list, but consider trying to keep the format consistent:
Country, State/Province, City and local address, website if available, and any specific comments relevant to selection and naval ship manufacturing in particular:
AustraliaPerth Hobby Centre396 Murray Street, Perth
Western Australia 6000
http://www.perthhobbycentre.com.au"It's right in the heart of the Perth CBD huge range of die cast cars and die cast military stuff. They have a huge range of military and aircraft kits and not a bad selection of ship kits in both plastic and wood, and the bandai stuff. Half the store is taken over by RC cars, trains, planes and helicopters, but great for a browse and if I need something in a hurry." - Perth-shipyard Stanbridges Hobby Shop23 Railway Parade, Mount Lawley
Western Australia 6050
http://www.stanbridges.com.au"Perth's largest and oldest hobby shop with a huge range of everything from books to kits, die cast, dolls houses, rockets etc. My personal fav and where I get most of my supplies." - Perth_shipyardBelgiumModelcenter BaillienTurnhoutsebaan 340
Antwerp (suburb Borgerhout)
“The nearest reasonbly well stocked shop I know of is a thirty minute drive from Brussels in Antwerp Modelcenter Baillien, Turnhoutsebaan 340. They are aimed mainly at the RC community, as are most model shops in Belgium.” - Maarten SchönfeldAu 16ème EscadronAvenue de l'Armée 136
1040 Bruxelles
http://www.16escadron.com"The owner Michael Beck is a very nice guy, and the shop is well stocked mostly with aircraft and armor, but has also a good ship range." - Jacques Druel, L'ArsenalCanadaImperial Hobbies5451 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC V6X 2C7 (Vancouver Area)
http://www.imperialhobbies.ca/Magic Box Hobbies2105 W. 37th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
http://www.magicboxhobbies.net/(604) 264-1746
"They have a fair selection of model ships in 1/700, 1/350, etc., and across brands such as Aoshima, Hasegawa, Trumpeter and so forth. Their selection is not as big as that in Imperial Hobbies in Richmond, BC, where I do most of my model-related shopping. They also have a wider selection of Aoshima kits than Imperial Hobbies, including rarer kits such as the super-detail seaplane tender Chitose with PE sets included, but I am guessing most of that is just old stock since the store seemed just about deserted when I went there. It seems to be an "Mom and Pop"-run model store run by a middle-aged Chinese couple, while Imperial Hobbies is run by several younger people and one middle-aged guy." - Haijun-watcher. BC Shaver & Hobbies742 Fort St.
Victoria, BC
http://www.bcshavers.com/CalgaryAll Calgary stores have current websites and they will show up with a quick Google search for the store names; due to the 50-URLs-per-post limit, they have been excluded.
PM HobbycraftNorth store: 2020J, 32 Ave NE
Model Landtwo-floor shop, ship kits are in the lower basement floor
3409A 26 Ave SW
Chinook and Hobby WestTrain-centric, but a few ship kits too
5011 MacLeod Tr. SW
Toronto areaPinnacle Hobby5970 16th Avenue, Unit 114-116
Markham, Ontario L3P 7R1
905-471-9634
GermanyModellbau Lausmann
Würzburger Str. 115
D-97204 Höchberg
http://www.modellbau-lausmann.de/+49-931-407865
Good selection of plastic and resin ship kits - and the owner is both a RN buff and a stalwart Airfix fan! - JoritNNT Modell+Buch
Schweizerblick 25
D-79713 Bad Säckingen / Harpolingen
Tel.: 0049 (0) 7763 - 4305
http://www.nntmodell.com/
"Massive PE Section and Resin Models" - oierlings Hong Kong All Hong Kong listings (and comments) are from the
Lonely Planet website; unfortunately, the Google Maps links in the LP thread (often following "or:") were incomplete and do not work - they've been edited out:
1.UML. with a couple of shops around HK.
A must visit shop(s) for Dragon BUT NOT FOR TAMIYA ..but only one of their shops as they all keep the same stock.
Should you miss something in one, ask the shopkeeper to call the other shops for your missing kit and only after confirmation venture out to look the other one up.
Otherwise waste of time and expenses to go criss-cross HK.
I visited Nathan Rd 579/Dundas str, or:
(go up to higher floors).
and the one on Waterloo rd. 63 or
and Pennington str Causeway bay, or:
AMAZINGLY well stocked with Dragon models.
Discounts are: buy over 500HKD get 10% off (except the already discounted goods) and over 1000HKD get 20% discount.
Dragon go for 10% discount anyway (for foreigners , but DO ASK).
Oddly enough TAMIYA kits are as expensive as in EU or USA :
(tamiya 35282 = 460 HKD)
Pretty much all foreign models (Italeri, Revell, Masterbox, Miniart) are same price as back home.
Their website:
http://www.universal-models.com2. Continental Models - (corner Pak hoi and Woosung Street)
A must visit shop.
or :
(do NOT ever use terms like "walk a few blocks south of this and that " it took me nearly an HOUR to find this shop after the insane directions of my predecessors).
Very well stocked with many different brands and the latest kit models, albeit of the same models 15 boxes (for instance of all the Trumpeter versions of the STryker AFV he had only 2 different types , but of each of them 15 boxes..).
I find the prices proper and not at all "more expensive than others".
No discount for foreigners.
CORRECT. LOOK FOR "WING ON" DEPARTMENT STORE AND ITS ON THE SIDE. BY HIONG KONG STADNARDS, THE MOST EXPENSIVE OF THE SHOPS. IN GENERAL HK RETAIL PRICES ARE 30-40% LOWEER THAN WHAT YOU GET IN NORTH AMERICA AND NO SALES TAX....
3. Sunny Models - Kwong Wah Street in Mongkok.
or :
Small shop but always interesting models for a fine price.
Especially Tamiya on low end. (tamiya 35282 = 280 HKD).
Often they have (a few) older models for sale at very nice price.
Opens between 12:00 and 13:00 closes between 20:00 and 20:30 !!
4. Wai Lee - also on Kwong Wah Street in Mongkok.
or:
Has more selection of models than 3, but a bit more expensive. Mostly focused on Japanese Robot/manga plastic kits.
However, I did find some nice discounted old Academy Model kits there.
Opens ? Closes between 21:00 and 22:00 hrs
STILL ACCURATE MOST SHOPS IN HK OPEN AT NOON AND CLOSE AT 10PM
5.Wang Kee on Waterloo Street in Mong Kong....I Walked and looked for this for an hour walking up the waterloo road and asked around NOBODY knew.
And I was ESPECIALLY interested in a shop supposedly focusing on Trumpeter models.
Gosh..I spend extra time on Google Street View and I find it:
here:
I did walk there , but perhaps it was still closed or my view was obscured.. anyway, If you visit this store , do make an update on its Trumpeter models..(give an example price , how many different types of models roughly indicated, etc).
THEY WERE THE TRUMPETER DISTRIBUTOR BUT NO LONGER. VERY FEW TRUMPETER KITS THERE. I FOUND WHAT I WANTED AT CONTINENTAL.
7. Ying Ming on Sai Yee Street in Mongkok.
or:
Mainly geared up for Academy Models. but also exclusive ICM models (but just as frikkin expensive as in EU or US)
Offers 10% discount on 2nd (cheapest) kit and 20% on 4th (cheapest) kits of Academy only.
Its Tamiya kits are also many and proper price (tamiya 35282 = 290 HKD).
Opens between 12:00 and 14:00 closes around 20:00 hrs
STILL ACCURATE. I UNDERSTADN THEY WERE THE MAIN TAMIYA IMPORTERS AND THEIR PRICE IS ROUGHLY JAPANESE RETAIL. OTHER SHOPS DO SELL TAMIYA FOR LESS, AROUND 20% OF JAPANESE RETAIL
8. Twineety, or now named Twinner. close to Ying Ming on Sai street.
or:
Small shop , but selling (Tamiya) models for the right price.
Do not forget to look up above your head where they store their models.
In case you can't find what you look for on the ground.
No 10% discount.
Opens between 12:00 and 14:00 closes around 20:00 hrs
STILL ACCURATE
9.Shiu Lee Leong at Lai chi Kok rd 34212. falcon Hobby/models.
Must be this entrance:
STILL ACCURATE. a WAYS TO GO TO GET THERE. LOTS OF EDUARD ETCH
ItalyLa SpeziaXXV Legio S.A.S.
Via Sant'Agostino 11b - La Spezia
+39 0187 23179
"Good selection of ship models, very kind and chance of ordering from quite every model manufacturer. Small amount of single boxes ,but wide selection." - Stefano Salesi JapanKit BoxNumazu City
“In Numazu City is a great hobby shop called the Kit Box - highly recommended.” – Gone Asiatic
Lucky Bayfort Honode-cho
“Lucky Bayfort Hobby store in Honode Cho.” – Gone AsiaticYaoya Hobby ShopHamamatsu
http://www.aa.alles.or.jp/~hobby808/
"Not a big shop but probably the best selection in town. The owner is a nice guy and doesn't stare at me the whole time I'm there like another place in town I won't mention. Place is open after 5pm during the weekdays though. One of only two places in town that carries Gaia paints. - ZenmixTamiyaShizuoka City
http://www.tamiya.com/japan/news/event/visit/visit.htm"Tamiya headquarters are open from time to time and they have a shop on the 4th floor with everything 30% off. If Tamiya is currently making it you can find it at that shop. The museum is fun to see as well." - ZenmixHasegawa
Yaizu close to Fujieda City
"Their headquarters is not a big building but it has a full F-104 sitting on the roof so when you see it you know you are there. They are not normally open for visitors but I've been and seen their museum as well. They let me buy anything from the catalog when I was there but it was MSRP." - ZenmixOsaka:
Volks[url]http://www.volks.co.jp/
[/url]
"Volks is a big place. 4 floors of nothing but plastic models and supplies. I could have spent many hours there. Big selection. I found a few things there I had never been able to find locally. They also sold Humbrol paints which surprised me because after the import fees I wondered who in their right mind would spend more than 300yen for a Humbrol tinlet when you can turn around and buy Mr. Color lacquers, Mr Hobby acrylics, or Tamiya acrylic/enamels for only 110yen a bottle. But I guess having the option is nice." - ZenmixJoshin Super Kids Landhttp://shop.joshin.co.jp/shopdetail.php?cd=1746"Another jumbo hobby shop and only two blocks or so from Volks." - ZenmixHobby Landhttp://www.hobbyland.co.jp/"I wasn't able to go to Hobby Land but I've heard it's one of the best in the city." - Zenmix PolandMartolaBruna 34 (300m near Metro Station Pole Mokotowskie)
Warsaw
http://www.martola.com.pl/en"My favorite in Poland." - JedrekRussiaProvided by Andrew (SilverGhost)
Moscow - the biggest Moscow hobby shop "Club-TM"
http://www.clubtm.ru/ (2 shops - in Olympic Stadium (plastic model kits) and in Children's World/Detskiy Mir at Lubyanka (railroads, die-cast, not much kits)) metro "Prospekt Mira" or metro "Lubyanka"/"Kuznetsky Most"
- Model-Lavka
http://model-lavka.ru/ metro "1905 year street"
- Hobbyforyou
http://www.hobbyforyou.ru/ metro "Bratislavskaya"
- Arena Pilotage
https://www.arena-pilotage.ru/ many RC models metro "Dinamo"
- Mir Modelista (Modeller World)
http://www.mirmodelista.ru/ metro "Park Kultury"
- and the oldest Moscow hobby shop Leyb-Сompany
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1679554002338039/ metro "Chkalovskaya"/"Kurskaya"
Saint Petersburg - War Collector
http://militaria-centre.com/ metro "Zvenigorodskaya"/"Pushkinskaya"
and 2 or 3 more hobby shops
United StatesCaliforniaD&J Hobby and Crafts96 North San Tomas Aquino Rd.
Campbell, CA 95008
http://www.djhobby.com“I discovered the 1/700 Waterline Series on a business trip to the SF Bay Area over 30 years ago and bought a lot of stuff from D&J Hobbies in Campbell, but I don't travel there anymore as I am now retired.” - GaryJinNCBurbank House of Hobbies911 S Victory Blvd
Burbank, CA 91502
http://www.houseofhobbies.com/Phone:(818) 848-3674
Suggested by Joe Ellias and Persona non grata.Brockhurst Hobbies 12188 Brookhurst St
Garden Grove, CA 92840
http://www.brookhursthobbies.com/Phone:(714) 636-3580
Recommended by Guest and Tracy White.JD Hobbies471 W 6th St
San Pedro, CA 90731
Phone:(310) 514-3702
Suggested by GaryRunnelsKit Kraft12109 Ventura Place
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 509-9739
Suggested by Persona non grataMilitary Hobbies830 E Lincoln Ave, Orange, CA 92865
http://www.militaryhobbiesonline.com/(714) 637-1211
Suggested by SeanF and Persona non grata.Pegasus Hobbies5515 Moreno St
Montclair, CA 91763
http://pegasushobbies.net/catalog/(909) 982-6507
Suggested by Bomb Magnet and Persona non grata.ConnecticutCraftec Discount Hobbies152 North Rd Ste 2
East Windsor, CT 06088
“Craftec Hobbies in Connecticut” - QuincyGeorgiaFree Time Hobbies4167 E First St
Blue Ridge, GA, 30513
http://www.freetimehobbies.com
"Large retail storefront with largest selection of different ship models and accessories in the South East." Affiliated with Blue Ridge Models (makers of resin and plastic injection ship kits in 1:350/1:700).LouisianaHub Hobby Shop 3829 Airline Drive
Metairie, LA
(504) 828-6868
MassachusettsThe Spare Time Shop222J East Main Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
http://www.sparetimeshop.com“At the Sparetime shop he has kits from 50 years ago and he will sell them at those 1950's prices. He's been there for like 40 years. “ – SirPaul. Also recommended by Quincy.The Hobby Emporium440 Middlesex Rd, #24
Tyngsboro, MA 01879
“At the Hobby Emporium the prices are a little higher but they are a much larger store with a more than helpful staff. Most of my questions get answered on the spot - no matter what I'm asking about.” - Sir Paul. Also recommended by Quincy.Centerline Hobbies167 Corporation Road
Hyannis, MA, 02601
http://www.centerlinehobbies.com“Nice shop for plastic and other hobbies/games. It's in the area of Cape Cod Mall.” – Ltotis
“CenterLine Hobbies in Hyannis (near the Cape Cod Mall) is the place to go. My folks live on the Cape and I get to CenterLine once every summer. They have a great stock of styrene kits including ships. I buy a new release every time.” – Paul HelfrichMinutemen Hobbies25 Elm Street
Braintree, MA 02184
http://www.minutemenhobbyshop.com“Only a few miles from the USS Salem. Small plastics shop.” - LtotisHarry’s Hobbies and Collectables250 E Main St
Norton Ma 02766
http://www.mymummy.com“Check before going as they have summer hours.” - LtotisThe Hobby Bunker33 Exchange Street
Malden, MA 02148
http://www.hobbybunker.com/MichiganJ-Bar Hobbies117 E. Chicago Blvd (M-50)
Tecumseh, MI
(517) 423-3684
"This shop has the largest inventory of model kits i have ever seen!!! 1,000's easily. The shop also has many other hobbies represented but model kits are the majority. The website for the shop is seriously lacking but if you visit it in person you will not be disappointed..." - Bob PMinnesotaScale Model Supplies458 Lexington Pkwy N
St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 646-7781
http://www.scalemodelsupplies.com/"Scale Model Supplies is the best in the area that I am aware of. Lots of selection and some classic kits too. Give yourself plenty of time on-site. It's down in a basement but don't let the setting fool you-lots of great stuff." - fuhrmanHub Hobby6410 Penn Ave S
Richfield, MN 55423
612-866-9575
http://www.hubhobby.com/Hub Hobby82 Minnesota Ave
Little Canada, MN 55117
651-490-1675
http://www.hubhobby.com/New JerseyAvenal Hobbies 1111 Saint Georges Ave
Colonia, NJ 07067
“Avenel Hobbies is about 20 minutes from downtown NYC, and one of the best hobby shops I've ever visited. Make it a point of visiting while out here.” – DevinF & M Hobbies3118 Rte 10 West
Suite 5
Denville, NJ 07834
http://www.fandmhobbies.com/index.php?p=1_4_About-UsNew York StateJan’s Hobby Shop1435 Lexington Ave
(between 93rd St & 94th St)
New York, NY 10128
“The only LHS if any consequence left in Manhattan is Jan's on 93rd and Lex. Decent selection, but seriously overpriced. Good for hobby supplies. Reachable by subway.” – DanK
“Agreed, decent shop, but VERY over-priced” - DevinThe Red Caboose23 W 45th St
New York, NY 10036
http://www.theredcaboose.com“The Red Caboose on West 45th. It's an... interesting shop. Disheveled and tossed about, it looks more like a permanent garage sale than a proper store, but I've been there twice in the past week and they've had the supplies I needed.” – DevinDave’s Hobby Shop384 Atlantic Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520-5217
“Dave's in Freeport used to be pretty good.” – DanKVCS Hobbies7513 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
http://www.vcshobbies.com“There's VCS hobbies in Brooklyn, which says they have a storefront there, but I've never been. I've always wanted to go because they seem to have a good selection of hobby lathes.” – DevinNiagara Hobby and Craft Mart3366 Union Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14225-5110
(near Buffalo)
"Billed as the largest hobby store in NYS. Ship model selection has always disappointed me given the size of the store, but an extraordinary range of tools and paints in stock, and if your interests stray to diecast, model trains, or armor or planes, you absolutely need to check it out. A mandatory stop for me when in western NY. Update: Better for supplies than models - ship model selection continues to appear in decline. - D-BoyPerformance Hobbies15 West Main St
Webster NY 14580
(near Rochester)
http://www.performance-hobbies.com/(585) 872-4990
-MikeCC
Ace Hobbies3019 Niagara St
Niagara Falls NY 14303
"Its about a 10 minute drive from the Falls, a bit lean on ship kits but has a decent selection of aircraft, armor and supplies." - MikeCCK & K Train & Hobby494 French Road
Utica, NY 13502-5934
"A surprisingly well-stocked shop in central New York." - D-Boy - Ltotis
OhioWings, Wheels and Waves
14 Lincoln Way
Massillon, Ohio 44646
http://www.wingswheelswaves.com"A small shop located about 15 minutes southeast of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The owner was a class act and nice guy to deal with." - MikeCC
PennsylvaniaAB Charles (New address)
4045 Washington Road
McDowell Shops
McMurray, PA 15317
http://www.ab-charles.com
"A good selection of kits." - Mike CCVirginia/Washington, D.C. Area Piper Hobby13892 Metrotech Dr
Chantilly, VA 20151
http://www.piperhobby.com
"Piper Hobby in Chantilly, Virginia (near Dulles Airport) is really the only serious hobby shop for plastic modelers in the DC area. It's about a half hour drive from DC (but DON'T try it during rush hour, or you'll be stuck in traffic for much, much longer). I love the panoramic photo of their shop on the web site. They have a good selection of models of all types, and a wonderful collection of finished models (mainly aircraft and armor)--all done to a very high standard.
Unfortunately Nostalgic Plastic closed a number of years ago. And I can even remember the time when there was a Squadron Shop in Silver Spring, Maryland, right outside of DC. How I long for the good old days. Sigh....- MikeE
Washington (State)Skyway Model Shop
12615 Renton Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98178
http://www.skywaymodel.com/Phone: (206) 772-1211
"My favorite and "home shop" - Tracy WhiteGalaxy Hobby
19332 60th Ave. W.
Lynnwood , WA , 98036
http://www.galaxyhobby.com425-670-0454
- Tracy WhiteSingaporeSuggested by Sleepwalker:The Falcon's HangarBlk 261 Waterloo Street
#01-27 Waterloo Centre
Singapore 180261
Tel: 6235 2390 Fax: 6338 2390
http://www.eshop.tfh.com.sgSuggested by Guest:Miniature Hobby (Near Tai Seng MRT):
8 Burn Road
#14-16, Trivex
Singapore 369977
Hobby PointTiong Bahru Plaza
302 Tiong Bahru Road #05-05A
Singapore 168732
(Above Tiong Bahru MRT Stn)
M WorkshopSunshine Plaza
91 Bencoolen Street
(S)189652
Storm Domain1 Selegie Road,
#02-02 POMO
SwitzerlandModelshop
Mülhauserstrasse 162 4056
Basel Switzerland
http://www.modellshop.ch"Lots of PE, Plastic Models some Resin but other stuff is very well supported" - oierlangsHobby Shop
Breitistrasse 12
CH-5610 Wohlen
Tel 056 622 42 46
http://www.hobbyshop.ch"Biggest store I know in Switzerland, huge AVF and Plane section. Ship section: mainly the typical Plastic Brands but some East European manufactures hard to get in Switzerland.
Big Historical (wood) Section, lot's of tools, massive RC Stuff. looks like they currently expand their PE Section (Eduard etc.). Evergreen Section etc." - oierlangsUnited KingdomDorking Models
12-13 West Street
Dorking, Surrey RH4 1BL
http://www.dorkingmodels.com/contact.php+44 (0)1306 881747
"If you don't mind the train journey [from Central London], you are about 45mins - 1 hour from Victoria to Dorking. Dorking Model shop is one of the best I have ever been to." - RobScotland, UKJamieson's Models30 Saltmarket
Glasgow G1
A wonderful old fashioned model shop, with very helpful owner and staff. If he knows you well, Iain will even let you have a furkle around in his basement storeroom! - David Griffith