Would not know about the shows most on nowadays are so stupidly boring.

Of course they are.  That's why we don't watch them.

A very bad time to own a business that depends on discretionary spending for its revenue.

Right in my back yard no less!!!   I've been so busy managing my parents' declining health this past year (December was a complete blur), I had no idea Herb's was closing.  

They were one of the last true hobby AND craft stores.  Although their O-Gauge selection was pretty much limited to Lionel starter sets and a small number of tradition-sized O-Gauge rolling stock and FasTrack, I stopped in now and then for general scenery supplies that applied across the board for all scales.

I'd estimate less than 20% of their floor space was devoted to trains (Lionel starter sets, HO track and trains, and N-scale track and trains)... the bulk of the store was a craft shop for crafts of ALL types.  In short, it was a great place to shop when you were "modeling" or crafting a solution to a problem you encountered when building a layout.

Sad to see they are closing.

David

Have they closed already?  When is their last day?

Sorry to see them go.  I always stopped by when I was in the area or I made a quick detour when the missus dragged me to New Hope.   Always found something to buy whether for trains or another hobby.

--Greg

Oh yes...I certainly agree. The Lovely and Gracious Linda and I tuned in to Fox News at about 11:58. Then, after the ball dropped and the New Year was officially here, we were out of there by 12:01. That's all I can stand...

Sorry to hear about Herb's, but if he's been open for 40 years, don't you think it's about time he retire?

yes , but its been handed down and run by family and dedicated staff for years and years, just not enough coming in to balance out what goes out, the building,electric,insurance,payroll,stock costs &on&on...Its scary "main st" incomes are dying off everyday and it seems to be escalating...I am now in the same boat...done today after 34 yrs ,own business ,same reasons....nothing left to budget on my part and my customer base is financially decimated

 Done DOA

and I have to add, extremely saddening all the way around

With the thin margins a hobby shop has to operate at it is getting very tough for many of them. People know that they can buy on the internet for less then a brick and motor store can ever compete with.  They come in to see, feel and learn, then they go home to order it on line.

I just bought my first post war starter set on e-bay. The price was so good I had to post a bid and I won. But, when the set arrived the caboose was missing. I got in touch with the seller and he just knew he packed it in the box. I really could care less because the engine ran like it was brand new and the cars where in good shape. Not to mention that the whole set cost less then the engine was going for at York and I had another caboose just like it at home. My point is that when on line we don't always get what we bargin for, with our hobby shop we know what we get.

My primary go to shop is Nicholas Smith and should that go away it would be as if an era in my life has come to a close. The only thing I regreat about the past twenty-five years that I have been shopping there is that I did not find them sooner.

I can't help but feel sad whenever I hear of a old time hobby shop shutting their doors regradless of the reasons. They are more then a place that sells us stuff, they are a source of knowledge, friendship and entertainment.

I guess life moves on because we have this site that offers us the same thing.

As George Harrison said in  his Album title "All things must Pass". I add that life always finds a way.

Around here, the effect of "big box" retailers like Michael's and Hobby Lobby has killed off many of the small independents in the craft/hobby business. The Wal-Mart story all over again.

I don't agree there. My 'LHS' is near both and does just fine. (he is 50/50 on hobbys and crafts) WHY?? Because he sells almost nothing they sell.....and the few hobby items that overlap (plastic models) he has better prices and service. Big Box stores of any kind are not the single cause of local biz going under. Look at looming cost of running a biz in 2013-14 and you will see more reasons that the big box stores ever created.

I have NO idea of the location of this store.  Please identify the STATE at least.

I don't know because I don't watch that dribble.  Network television continues to be a vast wasteland for the most part.

Doylestown, Pa.

What a waste of the RF frquencies!

I AVOID network television like the plague.

It will suck your brains out your ears with its stupity.

Only exception is the "Big Bang theory"

I hate to say this but my wife likes to watch that dribble. But, being that I'm a happy pappy that wont's to stay that way I sit there and make mundane comments like; that's a nice outfit she has on, or do you wont to go to times square next year? I ask this same dumb question every year knowing she will be fast asleep before the ball drops.

Oh well,all and all considering the alternative I hope and pray we all meet here again next year with the same old jokes.

HAPPY NEWYEAR!

Not quite sure what the evening shows have to do with the shop and its closing?

I miss something here?

Greg

Hi Greg, how long have you been with us? We have more trouble then a politician staying focused on a question.

I been around 65 years. On here for about, I don't know, 5 yrs...maybe more.

You mean the guys have trouble staying on a topic? And posting pertinent comments?

I never noticed that, thanks for pointing it out. 

Happy New Year to all. Greg

I was in bed at 10:30.. I don't watch that junk anymore.

Stopped by there tonight.  They are clearing out quickly with 20% off their generally list prices.  The O-Gauge stuff is down to a couple of Lionel Wind Turbines, some misc roilling stock and a few other bits and pieces.  HO and N is not much better.  Some scenery stuff. 

I will miss them, having basically grown up with them as my local hobby shop.  However, I cam't say they were always the friendliest or helpful.  In any case, good luck on future endeavors and happy retirement.

Times are hard for everyone and not getting better 

all I have to shop is on line here.

Hey look, speak for yourself, pal, OK? I'm doing just fine. On another matter, I'm getting sick of having to look at your ad everytime I open a post. Why don't you buy an ad on the forum instead of scrounging around trying to get free press. It's really disgusting. IMHO.

          --Bob Di Stefano

Then don't open his posts.  No rules broken=no foul.   All the issues going on in the world and you find this disgusting??

--Greg

Also throw in A.C. Moores, and to some degree Joanns, and in many areas, the craft market is kinda tight.  Plus, its not uncommon for these chain stores to have 40% coupons. 

Jim

Stopped in last night (Thursday) just to see the remaining train stock... virtually NOTHING aside from Floquil paints, a few bags of ballast and scenic foam, and some random pieces of track.  All the O-Gauge Lionel starter sets were long GONE.  I don't think I've ever seen the "real walls" in that store, 'cause they were always covered with stuff on display.  Not anymore!  Lots of vacant display racks as well.

One of the store workers mentioned to me that they need to clear out by end of February.  But honestly, I'm not sure they'll need to stay open that long based on how little was left.  Interesting observation though... folks often expect "going out of business" sales to be these hugely discounted give-aways.  But with this "retirement sale", the deepest discount was 20%.  Sometimes it's just nice to see store owners doing things "on their terms" rather than giving away the store because they might otherwise need to.

I will definitely miss this hobby shop being in my back yard.  Although it didn't meet my interests in terms of O-Gauge locomotives and rolling stock, it was a modeler's favorite -- whether you needed something for that special project or you just needed some general scenery supplies.

Another chapter closes...

David

I agree...it was pretty poorly said, but my interpretation of his quote was that if the guy wanted to retire, he certainly deserved to. I could be wrong.

Our local hobby shop closed it's doors a couple of months ago. Been there around 25 yrs. Too much mail order from overseas. The fads change and most loose interest after awhile.

Frank

I visited this shop several times when visiting my friends in New Furlong. It was a nice store.

Gentlemen,

   A real shame, was a nice store for a long time.

PCRR/Dave

Allan-

I agree with you on that (other then football games, which have their own problem in terms of coverage, and one or two guilty pleasures, I don't watch it). Funny part is the person who first called television "a vast wasteland" was the head of the FCC back in the early 60's..the old expression, the more things change the more they stay the same.

Well I've been in the store a few times. As far as O gauge the selection was  limited. But It was a wonderful crafts/hobby store. It had a good supply of material for scenic projects. I always enjoyed visiting. Did purchase a caboose and a boxcar from them, also some fast track.