There are only 3 posts about this Connecticut hobby shop in the search O meter, the last one a year and a half ago. Has anyone dealt with them? Experience good or bad?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
No problem- very good people-they have a EBAY store also
I've been there many times over the years. It's more of an old-time toy shop than a train shop. They do have a train area in the back. They have a fair amount of stuff. You only find full retail prices. They also own the hobby Surplus Supply company upstairs. Not open to the public. Be prepared if you pay a visit, they have parking meters all around the building. And it's strictly enforced. There's a garage across the side street and they do validate at the store.
Amatos Hobby Shop is a regular vendor at the Amhearst annual Train show in Springfield. He seemed to have a very nice selection of new issue items as well as recent issue items. I have purchased from them at the show and the merchandise I purchased was fine. They seem like nice friendly folks. f
There are two Amato's Toy and Hobby shops in Connecticut - one in New Britain and the other in Middletown. Both worth a visit to look at O gauge model trains. The New Britain store has a large display at the Amherst Railway Society Big Railroad Hobby Show. I believe it is scheduled for the weekend before the Super Bowl every year.
MELGAR
Thanks so much to all who responded.
@MELGAR posted:There are two Amato's Toy and Hobby shops in Connecticut - one in New Britain and the other in Middletown. Both worth a visit to look at O gauge model trains. The New Britain store has a large display at the Amherst Railway Society Big Railroad Hobby Show. I believe it is scheduled for the weekend before the Super Bowl every year.
MELGAR
The "big e" seems to be scheduled the last weekend of January.
According to their website, the show is held "late in January or early in February." The next show is January 30/31, 2021. I have attended shows in both months. But, I do believe it is always the weekend before Super Bowl - but am not certain.
MELGAR
I live about 2 miles from the Middletown location, and have done lots of walk-in business over the past 25 years, no mail order. As previously mentioned, they are really a full-line toy store (in the old-fashioned sense) with a pretty good train department. Since the founder passed away a few years ago, the train department at Middletown has been shrinking, but New Britain is still what it was.
Customer service is much above average, but prices are generally full retail.
I had a great experience with Amato,s in New Britain today. I was not sure if they were open this morning when I called for some track. Steve answered the call and said they were not open but if I could come by he would have the track ready for me. I drove up to the store and he had the track ready for pickup. At the same time a young boy and his mother were looking for a puzzle and Steve went in it got it for them. This is old fashioned customer service.
Marty
Forgot to mention. They both have working train layouts. Although the one in New Britain hasn't been running for a long time. I think upon request he'll get it going. Middletown has a layout in the basement now. They removed the one upstairs. ( Or do not use it anymore. I thought I saw a glimpse of it through some shelving last time) The new downstairs layout is open for viewing on Saturdays when things are normal. And I think more during the holiday season.
