Retiring From The LHS Business at 94...

Thanks for posting this story.  My main take away is that he's made the world a better place through his dedication to the hobby.  Still going strong at 94.  Hats off to Mr. Schuh.  

That used to be a regular stop every time I visited Buffalo. The light has been dimming for the last ten or so years though with diminishing stock and fewer days and shorter hours open. The last two stops this past year I found the place closed. At one time it was best place to get modeling supplies in western New York with detail parts, decals, and kits that no one else stocked. It will be missed.

 

Pete

Good Story…thanks for the link!

I can’t wait to show this article to my mother…she's 94 also.
Schuh’s Dad lived to 101...WOW!!!  That’s a lot of candles…
Let ‘s hope Schuh enjoys a long and healthy retirement..

K.C.

Thank you for posting the story. Like Pete, I stopped by Kval every time I was in Buffalo. Kval was probably the friendliest train shop I have ever visited. They were always glad to run the display layout for my kids. It didn't matter how much we purchased.
During the period I visited, their selection of Lionel was limited, so we typically purchased a few HO pieces.

Thanks for posting.

What a great LHS!

Got to respect a LHS owner who wears a tie as well....class.

Yay for somebody who beats the system and makes 94.  Too bad I never made it to

that shop some years ago when I had a friend familiar with the area.  This shop is

not the one that was in an old freight house, and, I think had a fire somewhere in

that area?

That used to be a regular stop every time I visited Buffalo. The light has been dimming for the last ten or so years though with diminishing stock and fewer days and shorter hours open. The last two stops this past year I found the place closed. At one time it was best place to get modeling supplies in western New York with detail parts, decals, and kits that no one else stocked. It will be missed.

I think Pete said it all.  I wish I had the opportunity to visit the store, certainly a legend which represented America past.

Appears to have been a train legend around the Buffalo area. Nice story. Thanks for posting.

What a nice story.

 

Still .... a sad story, too.

Quick story about Mr. Schuh. We always bought there or Spoonley the train man in Buffalo. My son about 7 at the time wanted a coal dump car.We went to Kval to purchase.He handed the car to my son and the car slipped from the bottom of box and broke the truck and coupler on the floor. Otto the repair guy cam out and said it was doa. Mr schuh reached over and handed him a brand new one gratis. Two years ago we were there with my two year old grandson , he spotted a small stuffed Lenny doll Mr. Shchuh handed it to him to start his railroad empire. Class guy. Hope he enjoys his retirement. Will be missed

What a great story to start off my day.  Sounds like he made a very positive impression on the hobby and his customers.  I wish him a long and happy retirement.

 

Art

Sad story. I'm happy for him that he is retiring, but it's too bad there isn't someone to carry on the store and his way of doing business. If only these special old train store owners and stores had apprentices to pass their knowledge and stores down to when they retired instead of everything just going away. Anyway, I hope he still gets to enjoy some trains during his retirement. 

I read the story and it is a tribute to a great model railroader, hobbyist and business person. It's always sad when a good man in a specialized business has to retire but at 94 he's had a good run. Mr Schuh is among the last of a dying breed of Model Railroad shop owner and he will surely be missed.

We must remember that life is constantly changing, except perhaps the way we make babies!!

 

Mr Schuh Rules! Great story. John

Thanks for posting the story--he had a great run.

 

And a Lionel PE set was the last set he sold on 12/31. 

I have to agree with rtr12.

He could have taught someone how to make a living with the business. He had it figured out.

Nice article, thanks for posting.

 

Bob is a great guy and He and his store will be missed.A walking encyclopedia of lionel knowledge.

Every time I read a story like this.I am reminded of a old song."Know that they don,t make them like they use to."Sir I hope you have a very good retirement.Because you have earned it.

I was in Niagara Falls a few years ago.  Flew into Buffalo.  Made the rounds of a few LHS's.  I stopped by K-Val and met the owner.  He was very pleasant.  Little did I know I was meeting a local legend!  

 

I wish him good luck in his post LHS life.

Thanks for sharing this inspiring story!

-Greg

Great article about a great man. What passion!

My father bought me one of the first Williams Reproduction 2500 series passenger sets in Amtrak to go with My Lionel ABA F3 8466, 8475, & 8467 and a used Lionel ZW at Kval in the mid 70's which served me well for 25 years before I bought my MTH Z4000.  Bob is the nicest guy you'll ever meet and I will always remember his voice when he answered the phone at the shop "Kval Hobbies".  Good luck Bob!  Thank you for all of your kindness over the years.

 

quote:

I have to agree with rtr12.

He could have taught someone how to make a living with the business. He had it figured out.

 

Maybe not.

After being in business for so many years, there is a good chance that Mr. Schuh didn't have the overhead of a mortgage or rent that a new owner would have.
In addition, the article stated that sales were declining.

As I posted earlier, I always visited Kval when I was in Buffalo, it certainly was a great store.