Is Hobby Lobby a real hobby shop as we know it?

[Andrew Borgogna]

This morning my wife mentioned that Hobby Lobby is opening a new store near where I live.  My understanding is that Hobby Lobby is more a craft and boutique store than real hobby shop.  Does anybody out there have an opinion on Hobby Lobby?  It would be nice if it turns out to be a real hobby shop.
Andy

[Balsa Butcher]

Hi Andy, you are correct, it is a craft/boutique shop. A small section for plastic models, maybe some Gullows kits, a balsa rack... expensive, mostly craft grade as opposed to aircraft grade. Bass wood and light ply as well. Possible CA although I haven't seen it recently. Good for brushes, misc craft stuff. Worth taking the wife to but don't expect a rebirth of Tony and Addie's shop, or even Smith Bros. in Northridge. 

[Steve Helmick]

There is "Hobby Lobby" and "Hobby-Lobby". Look at their websites and you'll see that what you're getting is the craft shop version.  Steve

[Paul Wescott]

Hey Andy,  I have visited their store in Huntington Beach a few times.  Huge!  But it is NOT a hobby store as we know it.  It is a plain vanilla CRAFT (and sewing) store, only very large.  Sure they have a couple of plastic models and some Testor's paint just like Michael's Crafts but it's really only for kid's school projects.

They only use the name "Hobby" Lobby because nothing good rhymes with craft.  Daft Crafts? Laughed Crafts?  Craft Shack (that's a stretch plus shack implies run down or low quality.  Go check out their website (www.hobbylobby.com) and you'll see.

Paul Wescott
5400 Model Airplane Photos and Counting!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/star-paul-star/collections/

[RC Storick]

Boutique, Bead bells and bangels. Paper,brushes and do dads. All stuff you wont use so don't get your hopes up.

[proparc]

Boutique, Bead bells and bangels.

Nonsense, I use that stuff on my ships all the time.

[mike londke]

My local Hobby Lobby carries Sig adhesives (epoxy and CA), exacto knives, some nice paint brushes, and has a decent selection of balsa and plywood. Plus there is always a 40% off coupon in the Sunday paper every week.  I can get some items much cheaper than my LHS. Not a real hobby shop for sure but they save me a few bucks on supplies almost weekly.

[Jim Kraft]

Since my wife visits there often, I go with her sometimes and always find something to get. We get about two 40% off coupons a week via webmail. I have purchased vinyl stick on letters, balsa, ply, brushes, small glassed in display cases for my old engines, Sig yellow glue, and small bottles of the best CA I have ever used. I use a lot of those coupons. They also have lots of different shaped sanding sticks with different grades of sanding compound.

[Mike Griffin]

I am sure everyone already knows this but there is a Hobby Lobby and a Hobby Lobby International... the international is the hobby shop.  Mostly all RC stuff.

Mike

[Don Hutchinson AMA5402]

I always check the balsa rack at Hobby Lobby and Ace hardware. Some really nice wood shows up there now and then.
Don

[55chevr]

Hobby-Lobby in Franklin Tennessee was a leader in electric RC flight back in the 90-s.  Graupner stuff for the most part.   Now stocks lots of high end Axi motors.   I used a lot of their stuff 2 years ago when they were the only source for electric flight. The other shopping mall type Hobby Lobby is a trinket and paint your own wood toy store.  Good for dried flowers, beads and craft stuff.

Joe

[Andrew Borgogna]

Thanks guys, I will check it out when it opens just to see if there is anything I can use.
Again thanks.
Andy

[55chevr]

lots of white glue ... if you need any

[Bill Little]

Hi Andy,

I agree with the other guys.  It is mainly a great big crafts store.  But I have bought CA, Sig CA applicators, and Excel blades, etc., when in a pinch.  Ours has been open for several months and I have not seen everything available.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Phil Krankowski]

Saving shipping charges or fuel makes the craft store version a fair deal for me, even without the sales or coupons.  The inventory turns over fairly quickly so unlike my not-so-local hobby shop I can be assured the glue is fresh and not half dried out (high density Testors...Yeahhhhhh....Riiiight...)

They have a decent selection of knives, metals, woods, glues, and some other materials...but not all in the same part of the store.

You can also stock up on cheap rubber band power for entertaining the younger crowd.  Just remember to swing past the local office store for a bag of 7 inch file rubber bands, since the rubber usually fails before the wood (well, for me at least).

Phil

[George Hostler]

The Hobby Lobby crafts store here in Clovis, New Mexico has helped me with shortages in balsa, basswood, music wire and brass tubing (K&S in 12 inch sections). They carry Guillow rubber powered plane kits. They certainly aren't a model airplane hobby shop by any means, but have helped in a pinch. Although not plywood, I've substituted 1/32" and 1/16" basswood sheet for ply. They have ply in larger sizes, but it is like the 3 ply, not 5 ply sheets, but still works in a pinch.

I buy 20"x30"x3/16" (508x762x5 mm) poster foamboard at the Dollar Tree Store for $1 each, for my model airplane foam construction needs.

       

[dave siegler]

They sell ca, balsa, wire, tubing and air brushes.  Also rub on letters and drafting supplies.

[Paul Smith]

I went through the Hobby Lobby in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  There are lots of "hobbies" other than model airplanes.

I was able to bag some air brush parts I couldn't find elsewhere.  Some of the other craft stuff can come in handy for a few occasional modeling needs.

If you're in the area, try Larry's RC Models and The Prop Shop.  The real deal in brick-an-mortar flying model shops.

[Will Hinton]

The "other" Hobby-Lobby is my source for Thunderbolt glo-plugs.  As far as I'm concerned, that's the only plugs to use in the piped PA's.

[John Cralley]

Hobby-Lobby is a for real model airplane store but I only find it on line!! Got a couple of Thunder Power Lipo batteries from them a while back at 1/2 price. The other Hobby Lobby described above is a whole different ball of wax. 

Go here fro the model stuff.  http://www.hobby-lobby.com/

[Douglas Ames]

Your wife's right, however they do sell balsa and CA.
The balsa tends to be all over as far as weight goes.
The ply isn't too bad.

[john e. holliday]

There is all kinds of stuff in the Hobby Lobby Craft store that I get that the local hobby shop doesn't seem to want to supply any more.  Brass and copper tubing,  some balsa and airbrush supplies.