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Reply to "Starting a hobby shop business"

Greenville and Spartanburg had 2 great train stores that also sold bicycles and other hobby items.  The Great Escape I believe was the name.  Pretty sure they have both been out of biz for quite a few years.  Here in Hendersonville, about 40 miles away, there is a hobby shop, and the owner was trying to sell it for a couple years with no takers.  The plus to it is that the owner owns the building and the land, is basically retired, and running it for something to do, so any income is just extra cash to him.  He has been in biz for over 50 years, and says getting inventory is almost impossible now, plus having to compete with online sales, which he also participates in and is the larger money maker for him.  One of the big hobby store killers back in the 70's was the invention of the toll free 800 number.  I believe MTH started that way, he didn't really have a store, but a storage building with a great inventory of off the shelf stuff, and an 800 number to call.  Might be confused on that issue, would have to dig out some old Model Railroader magazines from the era, but thought I recall full page ads with hundreds of items listed with 'Mike's Train House' at the top of the page.  I also recall that brick and board shops complained to all the suppliers about not being able to sell their inventory, people would come in, look at things in person, and then go buy it via the toll free call.  The suppliers tried to help by offering a more generous wholesale discount only to brick and board stores, but apparently it was not enough when it came to selling trains and supplies.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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