Thirty years ago, when I returned to the model railroad hobby, Davis Trains (then known as Davis Electronics) was just a small storefront in Milford Ohio that the primary business was Sony electronics (mostly TVs). At that time, the train department consisted of a small display case of Lionel equipment fronting about a half dozen shelves of Lionel sets. Quite a bit of stock was classic '50s vintage items. Over the ensuing decades, Joe Davis expanded his store to two additional storefronts to include Lionel, MTH, K-Line, as well as HO, G scale, and an extensive array of scenic and hobby tool products. Since I live only 6 miles from that now lost source of model railroad treasure, I would visit there almost every week and rarely left empty handed. Joe and his helpful staff made me feel as if I was a part of the model railroad family. Parking in front of his store would almost always present cars with license plates from Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee. Pennsylvania, West Virginia and others from the Midwest. The day after Thanksgiving when Joe would have an "open house" that would include his own layout and collection, there would be a line outside the door just to get in the store.
Things began to go downhill when K-line left the marketplace as a large part of his store was devoted to that brand. The vacancy was taken up by non-railroad toys which I presume didn't fare too well in making up the loss of a major model railroad brand. Not to long after that downturn, Joe Davis died and his son and (I believe) daughter-in-law took over the business. With a decimated model railroad product line and toys that were often sourced by consumers at big box stores, Davis Trains began to suffer. Near the end, Joe's son confided in me that the internet was really taking a toll on his business. That observation did not surprise me. I for one was extremely grateful for having a fully stocked and staffed model railroad store so conveniently located. I never bought anything off the internet unless Davis Trains just couldn't get it for me. It indeed was a sad day when they finally closed their doors.