The times they are a changin' at Charles Ro????

My guess is that since things are moving more to BTO, having store hours for walk-ins is making less sense.  That and people are more comfortable with online shopping these days.

Ro always seems to have great prices (for pre-orders anyway) and if it helps them keep prices lower that might be the deciding factor for them.

I think for out of warranty repairs we'll see more independent repairmen pop up.  Not sure what the point is of having a store for that sort of thing now-a-days.  Lionel doesn't offer training from what I understand, and all in-warranty repairs have to go to them anyways.

A well-known local train shop in PA reduced their open hours, though they're still open on Saturdays; staff told me they're having challenges finding employees.

I would guess this is fallout from Covid. As a result .There may be less foot traffic on the weekends.  Maybe they are short staffed as well.

I'm in Illinois, so there's no chance of me seeing the physical store on the weekend .

Whatever they deem necessary. I have a hard time finding fault in their business model as I've ways had first rate service start to finish.

From placing the order, to confirmation, tracking and delivery it doesn't get any better.

If a credit card expires during the preorder period. Ro will call for the updated info. You can even preorder with no credit card at all and be notified when payment is due. As always,no down-payment is necessary.

The website works well and online ordering has been, and is the future of purchasing. As they say the future is now.

Guys, it is obvious there are multiple reasons for store hours to change especially since the recent health situations everyone is having if they have a business ... not only in our hobby but across the gamut of all retail and service establishments.  I really don't know what else can be said and so I think all of us need to be more understanding during these trying times.