The Gentle Jungle

They moved again, this time back across Pulaski Road. They’re by the Dunkin Donuts.
The store is much smaller and it carries mostly items for radio-​controlled aircraft. Not much train stuff, a few models. I’m not into this hobby, but just listening to the guy at the counter (not Mike, but one of the staff members) talk to two geeked-​out adult customers, it’s clear they know what they are talking about. Wish I could be more help, but I just wanted to say that they moved.

So I was driving home from the Hobby Town in Orland Park (definitely not planning to go back there any time soon-​service sinks) the other day and came across this very discrete hobby shop ‘The Gentle Jungle.’ I wouldn’t have even noticed it if it weren’t for a lawn sign on 127^th street. It’s a small retail space in a business park, but at least it faces 127^th. Anyhow, I decided to stop by and check out the place. This is definitely a «small business» establishment. Do not expect your typical creature comforts that you would see from a typical hobby shop. The main reason being is because IT’S NOT! It is actually also a bird (parrakeets, etc) shop. The shop apparently also grooms birds. Back to the hobby side of the shop. They mainly specialize in RC Planes, Mike the owner is an RC plane and bird guy. He also has RC Cars/​parts in the shop too. Mike is a really nice guy and even buys/​sells used RC Cars. The best part of the shop is probably their new RC Car tech. His name is Guy. His hourly rate is $ 30/​hr, but he’s usually pretty generous with his time if he’s around and will share is knowledge for FREE. Since my first visit to the shop I have already been back 3 more times in the past month. I know Hobby Town is a franchise and more recognizable, but why not support Mike and his small business. I actually sold him a couple of TMaxx trucks and purchased a new Traxxas T-​Maxx 3.3 from him. Usually his prices are cheaper than Hobby Town. If you are into RC stuff and in the area I would definitely check the place out. I live downtown and this place is just about equidistant to other hobby shops, but this will be my go to place for a while. I would have given this place 5 Stars if it weren’t for the birds chirping so loud every time I’m there.