Whistle Stop Hobbies

I like it. Owner seems friendly enough. Good assortment of different toys/​hobby projects. Prices seem in line with competitors.

I was disappointed with this store when I stopped in recently to browse. I am a long-​time hobby enthusiast and was excited a hobby shop was opened in my neighborhood. I was waiting on a prescription at the pharmacy next door so did not intend to make any major purchases but had every intention of coming back in the future. As a token of appreciation for allowing me to browse, though, I did buy several packs of baseball cards as I was leaving.
The store manager (owner?) was very condescending about the fact that I was only spending a few dollars in the store. I was immediately told I would not be allowed to use a credit card for the purchase with a dismissive tone (I was not planning on it). Then when I presented a $ 20 bill I was asked if I had anything smaller. Right in front of me, the manager asked another customer in the store if he had change to help break the $ 20 bill. The manager and the other customer acted as if they were doing me a favor providing change for my $ 5.28 purchase.
How can a store that has been open all day (this was at 5pm) not have enough change to provide a customer after telling that customer they can’t use a card?
I fully appreciate the difficulty running hobby shops and the slim margins. It does not help business or encourage customers to come back when you belittle them for the size of their purchase. As a child I loved going to hobby shops but always felt a little disappointment afterwards because the proprietors tended to be condescending and dismissive of hobby novices. It is sad to see this continue because it is killing the hobby industry. It is far easier to buy these things online, but people still want to go to stores for the experience. When that experience is bad they have no reason to make the extra effort.
I have two young boys who I imagine will one day want to spend a lot of money in that store (my money, of course). I won’t stop them from shopping there but I doubt I will return anytime soon.

Walking into this hobby shop is like getting to go back in time. It is a stereotypical mom & pop shop is all of the best ways. It’s family owned and operated, which gives an environment that is extremely friendly and customer oriented – the way it’s suppose to be. I came in looking to get a model car, but had no clue what I needed to get. The owner, Frank, helped me figure it out and was never pushy trying to sell me things I didn’t need. It’s a small shop and easy to miss, but it is really a hidden gem. You have to check it out! I promise you won’t be disappointed!