Assistant Editor’s thoughts
by Don Hanley
How local is your hobby shop?
Further, yet closer than you think
I
s losing local hobby shops something we should be con-
cerned about? There is an active thread on the MRH forum
) that talks about the loss of
the local hobby shop (LHS).
Since many readers don’t follow the MRH forum threads, I will
use my editorial pulpit to share my thoughts on the subject.
My city lost its shop a few years back. There are other hobby
stores in the area, but none deal primarily with model railroad
products. So I had to learn how to purchase my supplies online.
In reading the different posts on this MRH website thread, I
think the biggest true loss is the camaraderie many felt from
hanging out at the LHS. I too miss catching up with shop staff
and with other modelers and their hobby pursuits. There are
benefits in interacting with other people in-the-flesh, especially
when they share the same passion for a hobby.
Some firmly believe the Internet is solely responsible for the
demise of the LHS, while others like ordering online. While the
Internet has and still is changing the retail shopping playing
field, it doesn’t explain all the reasons for the loss of the LHS.
Publisher’s editorial - 1
MRH-May 2014
