[WWI] Granddads in No VA closing shop

[Stephen Auslender]

Brian,
Sounds like Grandad's was the kind of hobby shop I knew in the old days.
A place staffed with friendly clerks who knew what they were talking about 
and wanted to help you. A place so friendly that you would see guys hanging 
around shooting the breeze.
The little hobby store in my town is like that. It was started up about 10 
years ago by a rather dour young guy. After 7 years he sold out to a middle 
aged guy who wants to see this shop succeed. He is more than happy to order 
new lines for the guys in the area. I buy things from him even if I can get 
them a bit cheaper on line. I want him to stay in business so when I need a 
part on a Sunday I can drive over to him and he might just have it. (He is 
closed on Mondays, open Tuesday through Sunday). There is a display of built 
and painted WW1 1/72 models hanging above the airplane plastic kit shelves 
like they are having a dogfight,  Stick and tissue and RC airplanes hanging 
higher up closer to the ceiling. Its the way a hobby shop is supposed to be.
If we do not support these small shops they will disappear and then we are 
stuck with on line purchasing. For me, there is no fun in buying on line or 
by phone. I like the personal communication of a good hobby shop.
Stephen


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nicklas, Brian" <NicklasB at si.edu>
To: "World War I Modeling Mailing List" <wwi at wwi-models.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2007 7:04 PM
Subject: Re: [WWI] Granddads in No VA closing shop


> Well even though trains seemed to make the bulk of their stock - and from 
> what I saw at the counter - the clientele, they became my "local shop" 
> after Nostalgic Plastic closed up.  Halfway around the DC Beltway, but 
> still far better than Hobby Works, who offered help until they realized I 
> wasn't there for R/C or 100 dollar slot cars.  I picked up more than a few 
> Roden kits at Granddad's, and they supported the local club with raffle 
> donations.  I was actually planning to stop there today and see if they 
> got the new issue of MMiR magazine, but wondered if they would stock it 
> while closing up.  Taking Mum on shopping errands ate up the day however. 
> And I got into the habit of ending time at Granddad's with a stop at the 
> Dairy Queen around the corner.
> Internet shopping is okay - but I miss the chatting with the guys and the 
> looking at stacks of kits - I always ended up buying a kit, a tool, or a 
> new adhesive.  There is another shop a few more miles out, but at 
> Granddad's the guy would come out frm behind the counter to show you 
> something.  This other shop I don't think I've ever seen the guy move - 
> just wave his hand and say "its over there."  Ugh - and Granddad's was 
> happy to order odd ball stuff for me - like MV Lenses they didn't normally 
> carry in a certain size.
> "Bummer Dude"
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: wwi-bounces at wwi-models.org on behalf of ot 811 list
> Sent: Sun 6/10/2007 1:14 PM
> To: wwi-list
> Subject: [WWI] Granddads in No VA closing shop
>
> Grandad's Hobby shop in Springfield is closing shop by end of next week 
> and
> moving to West Virginia.  I went there today and the store was practically
> bare.  Very sad - it was a great and convenient source for spur of the
> moment emergency purchases - they carried a really wide inventory of
> modelling supplies.  I guess they succumbed to the internet businesses, 
> and
> I guess I contributed to it in a way because I went there only when I 
> needed
> something in a hurry or was not available elsewhere.
> I am told they plan to offer mail-order from WV.
> regards
> Sanjeev
>
>
>