Don't know what else can be added that was already said. I've frequented this store since I was in my preteens, while they were at their old location on the other side of Colusa Highway (Hwy 20).
Bob McBratney the original owner that passed away a few months ago was certainly an "interesting" ole guy. He was a former Air Force pilot, and he had many interesting stories to tell. I don't think the store was never really a major source of revenue for him, it was more of a hobby than anything else. His real bread & butter was his real estate holdings in some of the industrial parks in that area (including where the store is now). He was one of the lucky few who could afford to make it work; indulging and maintaining it now as well as during prior economic downtimes during the last few decades. What's interesting is that he and Mike Wolf shared a similar falling out with Lionel (both had private, "lively falling outs" with Richard Kughn at York), and for the longest time he flat out refused to carry Lionel which didn't change until a few years ago, sort of like Charles Ro with MTH. Bob also for a time refused to sell Williams due to his perception of quality issues but now they carry that line as well. And I think his store was the first, if not one of the first, K-Line Superstores in the nation.
Robert Forren the acting store manager has been with them for what seems like ages, and he's one of the nicest guys you could ever come across, and has been a friend of the family for many years. I still remember when he used to work at Gridley TV & Appliance when I was growing up, and my late grandmother always enjoyed talking to him. What many may not know is that he's also a railfan and photographer, and I remember a couple of times he would come to our house with his slide projector to show us some of his great trackside photoshoots he would do at Feather River gorge, including action at the Keddie wye.
Anyway, great store, lots of inventory, and that's not even including "the warehouse" in the back that others have already mentioned. Talk about tons of trains, they've got 'em that's for sure.
