Looking for hobby shop(s) in Milwaukee area

[Qwit Pushin]

I'm going to be visiting southern Wisconsin from May 8 -16, and had hoped to take a trip to Milwaukee to visit a few hobby shops. (I've been told they have some great ones.) Anyhow, I'm hoping a few of you may be able to provide some insight as to which ones you've been to and, more importantly, found to be worthy of the trip.

Thanks ahead of time for any info.

[Casey]

What are you looking for, specifically? Old, long out of producion kits, lots of supplies, aftermarket stuff?

Model Empire should be your first stop, period: http://www.modelempireusa.com/

There are three Happy Hobby shops, too- one a few block west of Model Empire, and two further north which are worth visitng if you're looking for older, out of production kits. One store is on 76th & Good Hope (NW side), one is on 81st & Burleigh, and the one near Model empire is on National Ave & 82nd(?) St. The Burleigh store is the best IMO, with the Natioanl Ave store #2, and the 76th & GH store #3...#3 is a bit dumpy and if you're afraid of big German Shepherds don't even go in.

Greenfield News & Hobby has a good current selection with some 2-5 year old re-issues (SSP, AMT Buyer's Choice, Model King) and a great selection of hobby-related anything and everything, so that's probably worth a stop if you're looking for sanding tools, odd brand paints, etc. The owner is super nice and super helpful, too, so it's a nice place to shop.

PM me if I can help you out any further.

[High octane]

Qwit Pushin,

Casey said it all and I have to agree as my FAVORITE hobby shops are Model Empire first and Greenfield News & Hobby second.

[rick6343]

Both mentioned above are musts.

Model Empire for kits and aftermarket.

Greenfield for supplies. They also have a huge magazine selection with about any car magazine you can think of.

[MikeMc]

do not forget Walther's (trains) is headquarters Milw. They run terminal hobbies..was at 60 th and florist....I have not been back for a while, but this was the place for lotsa goodies...tools, paints, etc.......Casey let us know if I'm still correct!

[Qwit Pushin]

Thanks to all of you. That's exactly the info I was looking for! I'm more excited now than ever to get there and do some shoppin' . (I may have to bring an extra -empty- suitcase just for my purchases,....on second thought, maybe I'll just have them shipped, I've seen the 'care' some of those baggage handlers apply.)

Thanks again!!!

[MikeMc]

I would also mention if you go to Milw....visit Usingers Sausage ....downtown on 3rd st......you will find some of the BEST of the WURST here....and they do give samples. From there go tour the Sprecher Brewery, and the Harley Museum...down in the valley.

Now you will know some of Milwaukee's best secrets......and why we get so fat!!!

[Qwit Pushin]

I would also mention if you go to Milw....visit Usingers Sausage ....downtown on 3rd st......you will find some of the BEST of the WURST here....and they do give samples. From there go tour the Sprecher Brewery, and the Harley Museum...down in the valley.

Now you will know some of Milwaukee's best secrets......and why we get so fat!!!

I intend to load up on the bratwurst while there, as well as take in a Brewers/Braves game. (I was born in Milwaukee, but we moved away when I was four, so only have vague memories. I do remember 'Samson' the gorilla at the Milw. Zoo, though.)

Anyhow, thanks for the tips. As far as I'm concerned, you should all be on the payroll of the Milwaukee Visitors & Tourism Bureau, you've been most helpful.

[MikeMc]

I intend to load up on the bratwurst while there, as well as take in a Brewers/Braves game. (I was born in Milwaukee, but we moved away when I was four, so only have vague memories. I do remember 'Samson' the gorilla at the Milw. Zoo, though.)

Anyhow, thanks for the tips. As far as I'm concerned, you should all be on the payroll of the Milwaukee Visitors & Tourism Bureau, you've been most helpful.

Born , raised, and retired in Brew town.....Would still be there except for the -25 below weather

BTW......Hit Klements Sausage Co for the brats we eat!!!!

[mikemodeler]

You didn't mention where in Southern Wisconsin you were going to be, but if you have time on your hands, there was a hobby shop in Racine called Gary's Hobbies. It catered mostly to R/C but was a great source for paints & supplies, although their prices tend to run a little higher. Not sure if it is finally closed, but in Kenosha was Don's Hobbies. Don was a great guy and had a ton of old kits and unlike some stores, did not re-price them up as they were discontinued by the manufacturers. He was scheduled to close last Christmas but might still be there if he couldn't sell his building.

Another thing to check out is Hobby Lobby. They haven't made it to the west coast but for those of us that have them, it sometimes is the closest thing to a hobby shop we have. Do a Google search and use the store locator to find a store near where you will be. They allow you to print off coupons and use them in the store (if they are running a coupon that week, otherwise they will run them on sale, like this week at 30% off. They sometimes run a little behind in getting new releases but they are a viable source for kits. They might even have some clearance kits!

The comments about Happy Hobby, Model Empire and Greenfield News & Hobby are spot on. I never knew how much I would miss them after I moved from the area 5 years ago! I try to make it to them when I go back and yes, I have shipped kits back!

If you can ship them via the post office, you will save yourself some money over UPS or FedEx.

Enjoy and let us know what you bring home!

[Casey]

You didn't mention where in Southern Wisconsin you were going to be, but if you have time on your hands, there was a hobby shop in Racine called Gary's Hobbies. It catered mostly to R/C but was a great source for paints & supplies, although their prices tend to run a little higher. Not sure if it is finally closed, but in Kenosha was Don's Hobbies. Don was a great guy and had a ton of old kits and unlike some stores, did not re-price them up as they were discontinued by the manufacturers. He was scheduled to close last Christmas but might still be there if he couldn't sell his building.

I've been to neither place you mentioned, but there's a "Hobby Time" on the east side of Kenosha I've been wanting to visit. They sell on eBay and list discontinued kits there, so that place seems to have potential to me.

Another thing to check out is Hobby Lobby. They haven't made it to the west coast but for those of us that have them, it sometimes is the closest thing to a hobby shop we have. Do a Google search and use the store locator to find a store near where you will be. They allow you to print off coupons and use them in the store (if they are running a coupon that week, otherwise they will run them on sale, like this week at 30% off. They sometimes run a little behind in getting new releases but they are a viable source for kits. They might even have some clearance kits!

There is a Hobby Lobby in both Racine and Kenosha, and the Kenosha store is huge. There's also one NW of Milwaukee in West Bend if you're headed up that way. You can even stop at the Brat Stop in Kenosha if you get that far south.

[Qwit Pushin]

You didn't mention where in Southern Wisconsin you were going to be, but if you have time on your hands, there was a hobby shop in Racine called Gary's Hobbies. It catered mostly to R/C but was a great source for paints & supplies, although their prices tend to run a little higher. Not sure if it is finally closed, but in Kenosha was Don's Hobbies. Don was a great guy and had a ton of old kits and unlike some stores, did not re-price them up as they were discontinued by the manufacturers. He was scheduled to close last Christmas but might still be there if he couldn't sell his building.

Another thing to check out is Hobby Lobby. They haven't made it to the west coast but for those of us that have them, it sometimes is the closest thing to a hobby shop we have. Do a Google search and use the store locator to find a store near where you will be. They allow you to print off coupons and use them in the store (if they are running a coupon that week, otherwise they will run them on sale, like this week at 30% off. They sometimes run a little behind in getting new releases but they are a viable source for kits. They might even have some clearance kits!

The comments about Happy Hobby, Model Empire and Greenfield News & Hobby are spot on. I never knew how much I would miss them after I moved from the area 5 years ago! I try to make it to them when I go back and yes, I have shipped kits back!

If you can ship them via the post office, you will save yourself some money over UPS or FedEx.

Enjoy and let us know what you bring home!

I'm visiting family in Watertown. Time won't be an issue, so appreciate the added references. I'll check 'em out on the web before I drive there. As for the sub-zero temps, I remember those as well. Every year when watching 'Christmas Story' I always get a kick out of the scene where Ralphie's mom is dressing his brother Randy for 'extended deep-sea diving' . I can relate to that experience. Seems more time was spent putting on mittens, boots, scarves, etc. than was spent being outside!

Well, again, can't thank you guys enough for the referrals. Take care!

[Qwit Pushin]

Just returned from my visit to Wisconsin. Made it to 'Model Empire' in Milwaukee and am now convinced that God is a model car enthusiast. As I walked through the front door, I swear I heard a choir of angels singing. 'God's Hobby shop was the highlight of my trip. Thanks to all who provided the references. I also visited Greenfield News and Hobby. This too was a great all-purpose shop. Spent way more than I should have, but opportunities like that don't come around everyday. Thanks again to all who replied to my query. Can't wait to go back!

-Mike