Your Favorite Local Shop Recommendations - Add to this List

[D-Boy]

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:

Australia

Perth Hobby Centre
396 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 Shop
23 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_shipyard

Belgium

Modelcenter Baillien
Turnhoutsebaan 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 Sch�nfeld

Au 16�me Escadron
Avenue de l'Arm�e 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'Arsenal

Canada

Imperial Hobbies
5451 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC V6X 2C7 (Vancouver Area)
http://www.imperialhobbies.ca/

Magic Box Hobbies
2105 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 & Hobbies
742 Fort St.
Victoria, BC
http://www.bcshavers.com/

Calgary
All 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 Hobbycraft
North store: 2020J, 32 Ave NE


Model Land
two-floor shop, ship kits are in the lower basement floor
3409A 26 Ave SW

Chinook and Hobby West
Train-centric, but a few ship kits too
5011 MacLeod Tr. SW


Toronto area

Pinnacle Hobby
5970 16th Avenue, Unit 114-116
Markham, Ontario L3P 7R1
905-471-9634

Germany

Modellbau Lausmann
W�rzburger Str. 115
D-97204 H�chberg
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! - Jorit

NNT Modell+Buch
Schweizerblick 25
D-79713 Bad S�ckingen / 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.com

2. 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

Italy

La Spezia
XXV 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

Japan

Kit Box
Numazu 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 Asiatic

Yaoya Hobby Shop
Hamamatsu
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. - Zenmix

Tamiya
Shizuoka 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." - Zenmix

Hasegawa
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." - Zenmix

Osaka:

Volks
http://www.volks.co.jp/

"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." - Zenmix

Joshin Super Kids Land
http://shop.joshin.co.jp/shopdetail.php?cd=1746

"Another jumbo hobby shop and only two blocks or so from Volks." - Zenmix

Hobby Land
http://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

Poland

Martola
Bruna 34 (300m near Metro Station Pole Mokotowskie)
Warsaw
http://www.martola.com.pl/en

"My favorite in Poland." - Jedrek

Russia
Provided 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-?ompany 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 States

California

D&J Hobby and Crafts
96 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.� - GaryJinNC

Burbank House of Hobbies
911 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 Hobbies
471 W 6th St
San Pedro, CA 90731
Phone:(310) 514-3702

Suggested by GaryRunnels

Kit Kraft
12109 Ventura Place
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 509-9739

Suggested by Persona non grata

Military Hobbies
830 E Lincoln Ave, Orange, CA 92865
http://www.militaryhobbiesonline.com/
(714) 637-1211

Suggested by SeanF and Persona non grata.

Pegasus Hobbies
5515 Moreno St
Montclair, CA 91763
http://pegasushobbies.net/catalog/
(909) 982-6507

Suggested by Bomb Magnet and Persona non grata.

Connecticut

Craftec Discount Hobbies
152 North Rd Ste 2
East Windsor, CT 06088

�Craftec Hobbies in Connecticut� - Quincy

Georgia

Free Time Hobbies
4167 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).

Louisiana

Hub Hobby Shop
3829 Airline Drive
Metairie, LA
(504) 828-6868

Massachusetts

The Spare Time Shop
222J 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 Emporium
440 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 Hobbies
167 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 Helfrich

Minutemen Hobbies
25 Elm Street
Braintree, MA 02184
http://www.minutemenhobbyshop.com

�Only a few miles from the USS Salem. Small plastics shop.� - Ltotis

Harry�s Hobbies and Collectables
250 E Main St
Norton Ma 02766
http://www.mymummy.com

�Check before going as they have summer hours.� - Ltotis

The Hobby Bunker
33 Exchange Street
Malden, MA 02148
http://www.hobbybunker.com/

Michigan

J-Bar Hobbies
117 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 P

Minnesota

Scale Model Supplies
458 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." - fuhrman

Hub Hobby
6410 Penn Ave S
Richfield, MN 55423
612-866-9575
http://www.hubhobby.com/

Hub Hobby
82 Minnesota Ave
Little Canada, MN 55117
651-490-1675
http://www.hubhobby.com/

New Jersey

Avenal 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.� � Devin

F & M Hobbies
3118 Rte 10 West
Suite 5
Denville, NJ 07834
http://www.fandmhobbies.com/index.php?p=1_4_About-Us

New York State

Jan�s Hobby Shop
1435 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� - Devin

The Red Caboose
23 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.� � Devin

Dave�s Hobby Shop
384 Atlantic Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520-5217

�Dave's in Freeport used to be pretty good.� � DanK

VCS Hobbies
7513 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.� � Devin

Niagara Hobby and Craft Mart
3366 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-Boy

Performance Hobbies
15 West Main St
Webster NY 14580
(near Rochester)
http://www.performance-hobbies.com/
(585) 872-4990

-MikeCC

Ace Hobbies
3019 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." - MikeCC

K & K Train & Hobby
494 French Road
Utica, NY 13502-5934

"A surprisingly well-stocked shop in central New York." - D-Boy

- Ltotis

Ohio

Wings, 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

Pennsylvania

AB Charles (New address)
4045 Washington Road
McDowell Shops
McMurray, PA 15317
http://www.ab-charles.com

"A good selection of kits." - Mike CC

Virginia/Washington, D.C. Area

Piper Hobby
13892 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 White

Galaxy Hobby
19332 60th Ave. W.
Lynnwood , WA , 98036
http://www.galaxyhobby.com
425-670-0454

- Tracy White

Singapore

Suggested by Sleepwalker:

The Falcon's Hangar
Blk 261 Waterloo Street
#01-27 Waterloo Centre
Singapore 180261
Tel: 6235 2390 Fax: 6338 2390
http://www.eshop.tfh.com.sg

Suggested by Guest:

Miniature Hobby (Near Tai Seng MRT):
8 Burn Road
#14-16, Trivex
Singapore 369977

Hobby Point
Tiong Bahru Plaza
302 Tiong Bahru Road #05-05A
Singapore 168732
(Above Tiong Bahru MRT Stn)

M Workshop
Sunshine Plaza
91 Bencoolen Street
(S)189652

Storm Domain
1 Selegie Road,
#02-02 POMO

Switzerland

Modelshop
M�lhauserstrasse 162 4056
Basel Switzerland
http://www.modellshop.ch

"Lots of PE, Plastic Models some Resin but other stuff is very well supported" - oierlangs

Hobby 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." - oierlangs

United Kingdom

Dorking 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." - Rob

Scotland, UK

Jamieson's Models
30 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

[oierlings]

European shops I like:

NNT Modell+Buch
Schweizerblick 25
D-79713 Bad S�ckingen / Harpolingen
Tel.: 0049 (0) 7763 - 4305
Fax : 0049 (0) 7763 - 919018
http://www.nntmodell.com/
Massive PE Section and Resin Models

Modelshop
M�lhauserstrasse 162 4056 Basel Switzerland
www.modellshop.ch

lots of PE, Plastic Models some Resin but other stuff is very well supported

Hobby Shop
Breitistrasse 12
CH-5610 Wohlen
Tel 056 622 42 46
Fax 056 622 85 41
www.hobbyshop.ch
Biggest store I know in Switzerland, huge AVF and Plane section. Shipsection: 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.

[oierlings]

Ok, I'll add some mailorder stores in europe. Some of them have also stores to visit:

www.sockelshop.de or www.sockelshop.de (Have a look)

www.rai-ro.de (Tools / Paints etc)

www.modellmarine.de ( Select shop on the Menu)

All of those have lightningh fast service / mailorderservice

[FreeTimeHobbies]

Free Time Hobbies

USA, Georgia, Blue Ridge, 4167 E First St, http://www.freetimehobbies.com, Large retail storefront with largest selection of different ship models and accessories in the south east.

[JWintjes]

My favourite LHS:

Modellbau Lausmann
W�rzburger Str. 115
D-97204 H�chberg
Germany
+49-931-407865

Good selection of plastic and resin ship kits - and the owner is both a RN buff and a stalwart Airfix fan!

Jorit

[Tracy White]

Washington, USA (Western):
Skyway Model Shop - http://www.skywaymodel.com/ (My favorite and "home shop")
Galaxy Models - http://www.galaxyhobby.com/

[D-Boy]

Free Time Hobbies

USA, Georgia, Blue Ridge, 4167 E First St, http://www.freetimehobbies.com, Large retail storefront with largest selection of different ship models and accessories in the south east.

Thanks for your post - I almost added it myself, but since I've never visited in person. But from all the comments on this board, clearly an extraordinary local hobby shop. Tell me when you want to open an Upstate NY branch!

D-Boy

[D-Boy]

Washington, USA (Western):

Skyway Model Shop - http://www.skywaymodel.com/ (My favorite and "home shop")
12615 Renton Ave S
Seattle, WA 98178

Galaxy Models - http://www.galaxyhobby.com/

19332 60th Avenue West
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5112
(north of Seattle)

[Mike CC]

In the western New York area

Performance Hobbies http://www.performance-hobbies.com/
15 West Main St
Webster NY 14580

About 15 minutes from Rochester



Ace Hobbies
3019 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


Pittsburgh PA

AB Charles
1635 Mcfarland RD
Pittsburgh PA
15216
http://ab-charles.com
A good selection of kits, about 15 minutes west of downtown Pittsburgh PA

Massillon, Ohio
Wings, wheels and waves
14 Lincoln Way
Massillon, Ohio 44646

WWW.wingswheelswaves.com

A small shop located about 15 mintues southeast of the F\football hall of fame in Canton, Ohio.
The ower was a class act and nice guy to deal with.

[Persona non grata]

In So. California, I've got a few!:

Kit Kraft
12109 Ventura Place
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 509-9739

Burbank's House of Hobbies (my sentimental LHS - Been a customer of theirs for years!)
911 South Victory Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91502-2430
(818) 848-3674

Military Hobbies (A favorite of mine!)
138 East Taft Avenue
Orange, CA 92865-4326
(714) 637-1211

Brookhurst Hobbies
12188 Brookhurst Street
Garden Grove, CA 92840-2817
(714) 636-3580

Pegasus Hobbies
5515 Moreno Street
Montclair, CA 91763-1634
(909) 982-6507

[Stefano Salesi]

Italy

La Spezia

XXV Legio S.A.S.

Via Sant'Agostino 11b - La Spezia
Tel e fax +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.

[D-Boy]

Thanks for all the posts, folks... I'll add them in to the master list at the top; keep them coming!

D-Boy

[David Griffith]

Dear All,

Scotland, UK

Jamieson's Models
30 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!

Kind regards,

David Griffith

[Zemmix]

In So. California, I've got a few!:

Pegasus Hobbies
5515 Moreno Street
Montclair, CA 91763-1634
(909) 982-6507

Pegasus was my LHS growing up in the Inland Empire. Even when I moved down to Orange County at one point when I was working at Disney Land I still liked Pegasus but Brookhurst Hobbies wasn't half bad either.

Here in Japan my city doesn't really have any great hobby shops. The best there is in Hamamatsu is

Yaoya Hobby Shop
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.

If I hop on the local train for an hour I can get to Shizuoka city which is the home of Tamiya. 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.
http://www.tamiya.com/japan/news/event/visit/visit.htm

Hasegawa's HQ is actually not in Shizuoka city itself but another town 20 minutes down the line in Yaizu close to Fujieda city. It's 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.

I haven't had a chance to go looking around in Tokyo or Nagoya (hopefully Gone Asiatic can give some good references) but I have been to Osaka.

In Osaka there's a place called Den Den Town (Nipponbashi). In Den Den Town there are 2 places of note:

Volks
????????????4-9-18
http://www.volks.co.jp/jp/volks/sr/sr_o ... osaka.aspx

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.

Joshin Super Kids Land
?????????4-12-4
http://shop.joshin.co.jp/shopdetail.php?cd=1746

Another jumbo hobby shop and only two blocks or so from Volks.

Also in Osaka there's:

Hobby Land
????????4-8-6 ????3????????
http://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.

Hope this helps!

[Pagodaphile]

This is too valuable of a resource to end up in "thread oblivion". Can this be moved somewhere where it will become permanent?

.. ...

[Timmy C]

To the FAQ it goes!

My favourites:

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Imperial Hobbies
5451 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC
V6X 2C7
Canada
http://www.imperialhobbies.ca

[D-Boy]

This is too valuable of a resource to end up in "thread oblivion". Can this be moved somewhere where it will become permanent?

.. ...

Aw shucks, Pagoda!

D-Boy

[hawkeye3d]

Add to the Canada list, Toronto Area

Pinnacle Hobby
Telephone: 905-471-9634
E-Mail: pinnaclehobby @ rogers.com

Postal Address:
5970 16th Avenue, Unit 114-116
Markham, Ontario
L3P 7R1

Very knowledgable and helpful, friendly guys, a pleasure to do business with

[D-Boy]

Need to import these Hong Kong recommendations into the list: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=87953

Here's the list from Loneley Planet with some UPDATES AS OF MARCH 2011. Kerry Jang




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: http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 45.77,,0,0
(go up to higher floors).
and the one on Waterloo rd. 63 or
http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 13.62,,0,0
and Pennington str Causeway bay, or:
http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 76.03,,0,0

AMAZINGLY well stored 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.com

YES, STILL ACCURATE


2. Continental Models - (corner Pak hoi and woosung strt)
A must visit shop.
or : http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 56.23,,0,0
(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 kitmodels 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 : http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 02.65,,0,0
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 !!


STILL ACCURATE


4. Wai Lee - also on Kwong Wah Street in Mongkok.
or: http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 05847&z=18
Has more selection of models than 3, but a bit more expensive.
Though mostly focussed 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 focussing on Trumpeter models.

Gosh..I spend extra time on Google Street View and I find it:
here: http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... .46,,0,8.2
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.



6.Tristar - ARE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.
Apparently used to be here
http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 91,,0,5.51
(the shop that shows "Kyosho" formerly was Tristar)
in Yin Cheong Street...but the supposedly 1st floor commercial building is NOT HERE (no clear , visible, easy entrance around).
PLEASE PLEASE UPDATE if you know where.


GONE. THEY HAVE MOVED OUT. THEY DO NOT HAVE A RETAIL PRESENCE ANYMORE


8. Ying Ming on Sai Yee Street in Mongkok.
or: http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 79,,0,0.16

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


9. Twineety, or now named Twinner. close to Ying Ming on Sai street.
or: http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 2,295,,0,0
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


10.Shiu Lee Leong at Lai chi Kok rd 34212. falcon Hobby/models.

Must be this entrance:
http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s ... 41.74,,0,0


STILL ACCURATE. a WAYS TO GO TO GET THERE. LOTS OF EDUARD ETCH

[Bob P]

In SE Michigan...

J-Bar Hobbies
117 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...