Recently I wrote about the death of Hobby People, a legendary chain of hobby stores. The internet seems to be eating the old fashioned brick and mortar retail store in all industries. In the article I rationalized that retail space is far more expensive than warehouse space. In order to justify the retail space you'll need to turn the inventory much faster than online, or simply sell more to each customer.
As consumers we've all been in the position of not wanting to run to the retail store for an item that simply costs a few bucks. Let it show up in the mail in a few days, it's easier. And besides, we can shop around for the best deal.
But then one day it happens. You've got plans and just as you're getting ready something breaks. Perhaps it's a propeller or maybe one of your batteries has seen it's very last charge. Suddenly you don't have time for Amazon Prime or eBay. You need it now. Though it goes against your grain to take your time and gas money to go to the hobby store you do it anyway. If you're into your hobby this is your candy store. What should have been under a $20 purchase turns into $200 because you find something you simply fall in love with. Welcome to the last great haven for retail!
Hobbytown U.S.A. located in the newer section of Corona, CA (a few miles from the 91 or the I-15 is my local hobby store. It's a combination of the old world hobby store and the new online hobby store. The old world hobby store is one where odd and obscure parts are stocked for the serious hobbyist, sometimes to the point where they stick around for a decade or two. The new online hobby stores are light on parts and heavy on kits.
Hobbytown U.S.A. has an internet presence. You can shop online,24 hours a day at hobbytownusa.com. The price you'll find online is the price you'll find in the store in most cases. And with many of the things you'll find distributed from Horizon Hobbies, one of their main vendors there is no better price online. You will pay the going rate. What online provides you with is simply convenience
Hobbytown U.S.A. located in the newer section of Corona, CA (a few miles from the 91 or the I-15 is my local hobby store. It's a combination of the old world hobby store and the new online hobby store. The old world hobby store is one where odd and obscure parts are stocked for the serious hobbyist, sometimes to the point where they stick around for a decade or two. The new online hobby stores are light on parts and heavy on kits.
Hobbytown U.S.A. has an internet presence. You can shop online,24 hours a day at hobbytownusa.com. The price you'll find online is the price you'll find in the store in most cases. And with many of the things you'll find distributed from Horizon Hobbies, one of their main vendors there is no better price online. You will pay the going rate. What online provides you with is simply convenience
Going to a hobby store is always a fun experience. Among the highly stocked shelves are so many different hobbies that you'll find a mom with her 13 year old son who is upgrading to a 3S 5000mA LiPo battery for his RC car because he brought his grade up from a C- to a solid B in Geometry. Standing behind him is an old timer who is picking up balsa wood to repair minor damage to one of his wings on his Bi-Plane.
What you don't get online is someone behind the counter you can chat with. There is a difference between people who live and breath their hobby and people who work in the store. Since this is a franchise the owners are passionate about the hobbies they sell. You can see it in their eyes as they talk about flying fields and who is flying what. If you have questions, they usually have the answers.
The one thing that has also changed is a whole new breed of scumbag that is actively stealing mail and parcels in our neighborhood. I've had parcels stolen from my mailbox. When it comes to a handful of servo horns it only ads up to a few dollars. When you start talking about $80 motors and $200 kits than yes, it does worry me. One day my neighbor told me that the $100 baseball bat he ordered arrived. Well, at least the box did. Someone stole the bat out of the box on his front porch while he was at work. Thus, if there is anything of real value that I plan on ordering in the future I will gladly drive to the store and pick it up. Often they have stock locally which they can get their hands on in a day or two.
What you don't get online is someone behind the counter you can chat with. There is a difference between people who live and breath their hobby and people who work in the store. Since this is a franchise the owners are passionate about the hobbies they sell. You can see it in their eyes as they talk about flying fields and who is flying what. If you have questions, they usually have the answers.
The one thing that has also changed is a whole new breed of scumbag that is actively stealing mail and parcels in our neighborhood. I've had parcels stolen from my mailbox. When it comes to a handful of servo horns it only ads up to a few dollars. When you start talking about $80 motors and $200 kits than yes, it does worry me. One day my neighbor told me that the $100 baseball bat he ordered arrived. Well, at least the box did. Someone stole the bat out of the box on his front porch while he was at work. Thus, if there is anything of real value that I plan on ordering in the future I will gladly drive to the store and pick it up. Often they have stock locally which they can get their hands on in a day or two.
Overall, Hobbytown USA is a find and I am proud to call it my local hobby store.
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