The end of a era (for me)..

[Spawn67]

Well folk's our local Hobby shop closed yesterday after 50 years in buisness. I was surprised it lasted it long as it did. It's probably one of 2 places I can think of that ive shopped at from ages 5 until now (Im 40). The owner Jim taught me alot about being a collector at a very young age. I credit him for helping me become the toy collector I am today. But life goes on..
Anyone else have a place close down the last couple years that had alot of meaning for you?1010532_10151880834363240_887865068_n.jpg

[MIB41]

Sign of the times for sure. I think online shopping is probably doing more to end stand-alone stores than anything else.

[Earth 2 Chris]

That's a shame. I hate to see these type of places go out. I can't even think of any non-chain hobby stores anywhere near here.

Chris

[HardyGirl]

Aww..that's really sad. I know there was this stamp collecting store on Grand Ave, that also sold some really cool vintage comics, cheap, and they're gone now too.

[johnmiic]

We had a place in Flushing, NY called Mike's Comic Hut. The guy bounced from store to store until he managed to get a *big* store. It was like a supermarket for comic books it was so huge. Then the industry downturned in the `90's and he tried one more small store and *poof* disappeared.

[The Bat]

Yeah, it is sad. When I was a kid hobby shops were everywhere...now almost all of them are gone. But there are at least 2 of them in my State(New Hampshire)that I know of...not counting Comic shops. Back in my home State Maine, I can't even think of one.

[Blue Meanie]

We had a place in Flushing, NY called Mike's Comic Hut. The guy bounced from store to store until he managed to get a *big* store. It was like a supermarket for comic books it was so huge. Then the industry downturned in the `90's and he tried one more small store and *poof* disappeared.

I know the place. George Perez used to frequent the shop before becoming a huge artist. Only was in it once...Trying to get out of a communion dinner for a distant cousin that I haven'tr seen since. The shop was right down the block from the catering hall the communion was dinner was being held at. Before I went in the shop I had read about Perez' affiliation with the shop. This was the original pre 90's store you referenced.

Very few left...but IMHO it's not the internet that is doing it to some of these stores. Some of the store owners really don't know how to branch out into anything that is not the actual comics that they sell. Some don't want to get involved with accessorizing their stores to include Toys/Posters/and even supplies for the collectors. Some claim it takes up too much space and others just don't want to be bothered. I've been dealing with this scenario with the Comic Book store I've been going to since I was 9 years old (44 years young now) Surprised that he hasn't gone under yet. Not that I would want to see that happen. You have to change with the times and learn to adapt. Waiting for the day my comic book shop will go poof.

[PNGwynne]

I'm very lucky I guess: Although I live in a small rural town, I have a decent hobby shop 15 minutes away--I order models & buy supplies there fairly often.

I also have a nice comics/vintage toy shop about 35 minutes away. The owner carries it all: new & old comics, vintage toys and games of all sorts, Diamond Select, lots of exclusive figures & busts, cards & role-playing items.

[Spawn67]

I should point out to gang that in that same shopping center there's a old school clothing store called Cohen's that's been around forever as well. It was the place to go when i was a kid through high school (with the exception of the local malls another RIP but that's another story) I don't know how that store has survived through the mall era and internet era. Of course the store is a former shadow of what it once was but going in there is like going back in time..
This hobby shop was almost like a landmark in a way because it had been there so long..

[VintageMike]

There was a comic shop I went for I want to say 25 years. Started in the basement section of a local mall and later moved upstairs. A few years ago the mall decided to completely redo itself and they were shown the door. He tried moving down the street but ultimately without the mall traffic they closed. Just went one day and everything was shut down. The former owner still does the local comic shows in the area at least.

[Werewolf]

Bummer. Sorry to hear that.

[Access]

Wow. Same thing happened to me. My childhood hangout was Popes Hobby land in Wausau Wisconsin (Where I grew up). They announced they were closing end of November, so I made a special trip up there with my son (We live in Tennessee now! LOL)

It was great to be able to share that piece of my growing up, with my son. The place was exactly as I remembered it when I was growing up too!

[Brown Bear]

I feel your pain. I had the same barber cut my hair for 25 years and a few months ago he passed. The shop closed, very sad day for me. He was like family.

[mazinz]

We had a place in Flushing, NY called Mike's Comic Hut. The guy bounced from store to store until he managed to get a *big* store. It was like a supermarket for comic books it was so huge. Then the industry downturned in the `90's and he tried one more small store and *poof* disappeared.

I used to love Mike's comic Hut. I would visit it everytime I used to go to my Grandmother's apartment in flushing (this was in the early to mid 80's).

[toys2cool]

That sucks bro, ours closed down a few years back