In my youth I was an avid modeler. As time went on I moved onto to other interests, but always held a fondness for the experience. Now that my son is old enough, I have begun to turn him onto the hobby, and he has really embraced it. With HQ Hobbies being relatively close by, we stopped in to check it out with the intention of buying something cool.
We found the place easily enough - placed on the end of a tiny strip mall. From outside we looked through a large window that featured some cool-looking models. Unfortunately, it looked like they had been in the window for several years as all of the packaging was bleached out by the sun. The window itself was pretty dirty. At the time I didn't think much of it, other than it wasn't really that great of a first impression.
Upon entering we were overwhelmed by the stale stink of cigarette smoke. One foot inside the place my son turned to me and said "Ungh, disgusting! it smells like cigarettes in here!" And when I say "overwhelmed" that's no exaggeration or hyperbole - it was like walking into a solid wall of the nastiest nicotine odor I've smelled in years.
Someone (I'm assuming the owner) called out a hello from behind the shelves of models. We returned the greeting and began to look about. Yes, there is a wonderful collection of models. Yes, I did see some cool items that looked to be out-of-production. While the owner was preoccupied by a movie playing on a TV behind the counter, he did seem friendly enough when we had a question.
Some regulars came in, and the owner stood in the doorway and had a cigarette with one of them. The wind was blowing the smoke back in the shop, which made the experience even worse.
A minute after that my son started tugging on my arm and asking to leave. I could have easily spent another hour in the tiny shop just looking at all of the cool models. I had also gone in there with the full intention of buying several things. However, I had to agree with my son - the smell and smoke were way too much - we had to get out.
Upon leaving we saw that the owner was using the sidewalk and parking lot as his ashtray. There were butts all over the ground in front of the store.
Given the fact that brick and mortar stores are shutting down at a record rate, and that the modeling industry is dwindling overall, I have to wonder why the owner would jeopardize his business by smoking cigarettes inside his store and drive away potential customers. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
RJ, if you read this, I want you to know that I love the fact that you are trying to keep the modeling hobby alive by operating a cool retail outlet. I love the fact that you seem passionate about your inventory, and the industry as a whole. I especially love that you own a dog named "Panzer" and let him run around the store. But dude! If you're gonna smoke (and I couldn't care less if you do) then walk the 15 feet out the front door, and do it outside! And would it kill you to use an old coffee can for an ash tray? I mean really, throwing your butts all over the ground is truly revolting. Keeping your inventory dusted and vacuuming the floors wouldn't hurt either. Keep doing what you're doing, and you'll continue to drive away potential customers who may be entering the hobby for the first time. Just not a smart business move. Give it some thought. I know we won't be back till you decide to clean up your act. Please know that I hate to have to leave a poor review for a small local business such as yours - especially for a hobby that I do love. If you do decide to do the right thing, then I'll be more than happy to give you 5 stars. read more
