A Sign of the Times

I think "bites the dust" is a little harsh.    When you read thru their entire announcement, it makes sense for them, and they are still fully in business.

Just like they made the move from hardware store to Model Train store in the late 70's when the majority of walk ins stopped coming for hardware, and were coming for trains.

As the web sales worldwide for them is far outpacing walk in customers, they made the wise decision to once again, move to how the vast majority of their customers shop.

By converting the walk-in store to more warehouse space, and devoting more resources to their online business model, it makes sense and is a smart move.

Is it fun to walk into a train store?  Of course it is.  I miss it on occasion.   However, whereas in the past even casual lookers would walk into a hobby shop while out and about, keeping the shops full of potential customers, these days it's just us.    It's not just because of online sales.  Hobbies and what people model shift over time.

In this day and age, this is smart business. No need for a fancy brick and mortar store full of expensive displays in the high-rent, retail district any more. All you need is a warehouse where the rent is cheap.

Like it or not, the days of visiting the hobby shop to see new products are rapidly coming to an end.

😐😑😐

It is indeed sad times but I would much rather have someone stay on-line than to close down completely.  I don't care for it but it seems to be the way things are going.

I remember visiting Kleins during the holiday season when they were still on Gay St. in downtown Baltimore.  The store was packed and people were lined up to check out at the the cash registers.  The employees were all around the store helping customers but they were also holding and using wireless phones to keep up with the calls coming in.  A form of very happy and well-organized chaos.  Those days are over but I am lucky to have memories of how it was. 

The current Kleins:

The public entrance was the door closest to my camera.

PGentieu posted:

I remember visiting Kleins during the holiday season when they were still on Gay St. in downtown Baltimore.  The store was packed and people were lined up to check out at the the cash registers.  The employees were all around the store helping customers but they were also holding and using wireless phones to keep up with the calls coming in.  A form of very happy and well-organized chaos.  Those days are over but I am lucky to have memories of how it was. 

I remember it well. The checkout line was always very long. If it was made they had it in stock. Baltimore’s answer to Madison Hardware. 

Rich Melvin posted:

In this day and age, this is smart business. No need for a fancy brick and mortar store full of expensive displays in the high-rent, retail district any more. All you need is a warehouse where the rent is cheap.

Like it or not, the days of visiting the hobby shop to see new products are rapidly coming to an end.

I haven't purchased any model trains in an actual brick and mortar hobby shop since 2002. 

I love ModelTrainStuff.com.  It's the first model train store I ever purchased from.  Coming up on two whole years in the hobby and I've never purchased a train at a brick and mortar store.  Unless something dramatically changes, I doubt I ever will. 

To paraphrase the title of this thread: The Internet, "Sign of Great Times!". 

As long as there is a good brick-and-mortar train store near me, that establishment will continue to get the majority of my train-buying dollars. There is NO substitute for the face-to-face interaction with a good dealer, the products, and the relationships that can be formed with the dealer's other customers, not to mention the service/repairs aspect on those occasions when it is needed.  I buy a lot online (various scales) and have for years, but will always prefer walking in the door and seeing the trains--and people--up close and personal.

Oh, yes. . .and I have been buying from MB Kleins (ModelTrainStuff) for many years, dating back to my time living in the Baltimore area when they were on Gay St.

Absolutely!!  On line only  is completely beneficial  and profitable for the owners'.  No hasleing with customers.  Extra profits on shipping charges. Minimum amount of employees. No question on pricing.  No regular hours necessary.  Algorithms for every scenario'....  The one LHS in my area closed five years ago.  And I only purchase minor accessories.  I purchased some scratch building supplies in Michaels.  Twenty Thousand on trains, trackage, scenery, lighting, figures, diecast vehicles, tools and miscellaneous items, all on line.  plus an additional two thousand on shipping.  And as stated, I'm not alone'... Would I have rather and liked spending that cash at a local hobby shop'.  Yes, but what choice did I have'..

I have mixed feelings on this topic... I have been leaving money at Grzyboski’s for 20+ years - a brick and mortar shop, but I almost ALWAYS have done my research online before I visit. I have made some impulse purchases when visiting the store, but I primarily know what I want going in, like tomorrow when I have to pick up an engine Joe has been holds for me while I’ve been helping my brother after major spinal surgery - and that is a major reason I frequent Grzyboski’s... the relationship with the owners. That be I said, I also have been buying a bunch of scenicing material from Nicholas Smith - great service, but I’ve never set foot in the store... one of these days!!! Which brings me to York - with the many store closings, a great feature of York is the ability to look, see, touch, and feel.

And Rod;

“I remember it well. The checkout line was always very long. If it was made they had it in stock. Baltimore’s answer to Madison Hardware”... as a long time Madison Hardware customer, I must respectfully disagree - Madison never had long lines, they had disorganized mobs waiting to pay   

Allan Miller posted:

As long as there is a good brick-and-mortar train store near me, that establishment will continue to get the majority of my train-buying dollars. There is NO substitute for the face-to-face interaction with a good dealer, the products, and the relationships that can be formed with the dealer's other customers, not to mention the service/repairs aspect on those occasions when it is needed.  I buy a lot online (various scales) and have for years, but will always prefer walking in the door and seeing the trains--and people--up close and personal.

Oh, yes. . .and I have been buying from MB Kleins (ModelTrainStuff) for many years, dating back to my time living in the Baltimore area when they were on Gay St.

 

All of my MTH comes from my local store. If there is a problem it is fixed on the spot with one of MTH's best repair techs.  Recently a set of Alco PA locomotives had multiple shorts and non illuminated numbers here and there. They were fixed on site and the locos were picked up by me the following week with a few extra cars picked off the shelves as well.

Two sets of E8 locos had mis-wired mars lights. Also fixed on site.  No shipping costs and the fun of doing a little shopping and conversation with the customers and store proprietors.  I also do not have to reroute packages due to deliveries while I am at work. No UPS basketball 3 point throws from midway across my yard. (Yes, that happened)

No porch pirate theft, (yes that happened too) and no misrouted packages that spent weeks bouncing around FedEx between Portland OR and Ohio only to show up back at the sender weeks later.  (Yes, true events)

The realities pointed out by Rich Melvin are true.  As evidenced by so many stores closing. I am lucky to have a thriving train store within 45 mins drive.  As long as that exists, it is my first choice.  

Rich Melvin posted:

In this day and age, this is smart business. No need for a fancy brick and mortar store full of expensive displays in the high-rent, retail district any more. All you need is a warehouse where the rent is cheap.

Like it or not, the days of visiting the hobby shop to see new products are rapidly coming to an end.

I agree Rich but I don’t have to like it! 

My favorite store was The Big Little Railroad Shop in Somerville but my first favorite train stores were Trainworld in Brooklyn and The Hazlet Train Shop. Only Brooklyn remains and it now costs over $50 in fuel and tolls to get there. Of course I could order on line from them but I loved going to the store. There was a store near me called Z&Z Hobbies (I believe) but they are gone too. Even the building is gone. The closest store to me now is Trains and Things. It is fun going there but I really don’t need a lot Trains at this point. I need scenery supplies and track and other that they don’t carry. It’s still fun to go there though. 

I had a lot of great train conversations with the former owner of The Big Little. I can’t blame her as she wanted to retire. I wish I could have afforded to buy the business. 

Scott, in this day and age of electronics a good tech is worth their weight in gold. You are very lucky to have one. 

I already miss the train store experience and will really miss it if it ever gone forever.