05-14-2009, 07:23 PM
It does seem bad. But.....
My LHS is actually moving to another, bigger location. But he's also one of only two shops in the area. And his business is actually doing great.(That...And his wife wants the basement back). He's told me, that some of the big high dollar items, do stay longer on the shelf, but have eventually been sold. Lots come in for mostly rolling stock, supplies and scenery.
Last two time I was there(a couple of weeks ago), there were people still dropping $300.00, $400.00 USD on the counter.
Last year, there were three other hobby shops. Two were mostly trains, one was an "all hobbies" store. The two mostly trains didn't close because of the economy, it was because of customer service. My LHS guy picked up the customers, the other two stores lost when they closed. My LHS guy told me that a couple of them said, if they weren't so convenient, they would of never gone there. Now, because the owner of the LHS I frequent, treats you like a person, and not a dollar sign, they don't mind the drive.
My LHS is actually moving to another, bigger location. But he's also one of only two shops in the area. And his business is actually doing great.(That...And his wife wants the basement back). He's told me, that some of the big high dollar items, do stay longer on the shelf, but have eventually been sold. Lots come in for mostly rolling stock, supplies and scenery.
Last two time I was there(a couple of weeks ago), there were people still dropping $300.00, $400.00 USD on the counter.
Last year, there were three other hobby shops. Two were mostly trains, one was an "all hobbies" store. The two mostly trains didn't close because of the economy, it was because of customer service. My LHS guy picked up the customers, the other two stores lost when they closed. My LHS guy told me that a couple of them said, if they weren't so convenient, they would of never gone there. Now, because the owner of the LHS I frequent, treats you like a person, and not a dollar sign, they don't mind the drive.
Torrington, Ct.
NARA Member #87
I went to my Happy Place, but it was closed for renovations.
NARA Member #87
I went to my Happy Place, but it was closed for renovations.