June 2012

Behind the Counter - Investing by owning your building

Secure your future by purchasing property

Industry Watch - One word for you: Plastics

Industry insiders share views on the future of hobby retail

Special Report - Price point of no return

The reasons behind rising costs

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New adhesives manufacturer boasts flexible epoxy
A new brand of adhesives will soon be available to hobby retailers across the country. Red Barron Adhesives will open for business in the next few months, Marketing Manager David Falkenhagen said. The...
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CORRECTION: New owner for Evergreen Scale Models
Evergreen Models Inc., maker of staple hobby store products, including styrene sheets and shapes, is under new ownership. Herb and Laura Rizzo of Chicago purchased the company in March from Don Ellerb...
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Metroliner is first all-new WalthersProto release
Walthers has announced its first all-new WalthersProto release in HO scale will be Budd’s Metroliner Electric Multiple Unit (EMU). Based on the unique trains as they operated from 1968 to ...
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2012 National Retail Hobby Store Association Table Top Expo

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Optimism up at NRHSA Table Top Expo
This year’s National Retail Hobby Stores Association (NRHSA) Table Top Expo saw slightly more dealers attend than last year’s show, and many of them were in an upbeat mood. The event, April 29–May 2 a...
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First Look: Slot.it Ford GT40 Le Mans 1968
Stock No.: CA18b MSRP: $64.99 Availability: Hornby America Target consumer: Le Mans fans, racing history enthusiasts First impression: Every serious slot car racer needs a good GT, and this Ford G...
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Slixx Decals to stay in business
Model decal manufacturer Slixx Decals announced May 3 on its website and in an email to its customers that it will stay open for business. Slixx owners Gene and Becky Sisemore had originally told Mode...
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New look for Walthers' Cornerstone structure packaging
Wm. K. Walthers Inc. has announced a new look for its Cornerstone HO- and N-scale structures. In a move to enforce the strength and vitality of Cornerstone products, models released in the second half...
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Atomik RC launches website, social media accounts
Atomik RC announced May 2 via a news release that its new website, blogs, and Facebook and Twitter accounts went live with minimal issues. The new website, www.atomik-rc.com, features all of the curre...
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Come see us at the NRHSA Table Top Expo
Dealers, be sure to stop by the Kalmbach booth (412) this week at the NRHSA Table Top Expo and visit with Lucy Poellinger from our Trade Sales department! Also, catch editor Hal Miller and adverti...
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Welcome to Model Retailer.com!
Model Retailer covers the business of hobbies, from financial and shop management issues to industry trends and the latest in product releases. We provide hobby shop entrepreneurs the tools and information they need to be successful retailers.

If you're a hobby store owner, this magazine is for you!

Have you seen any signs of the economy improving in your area? If so, what?
Allen Fenton of Al's Trains & Hobby LLC, Bedford, Ohio, said: Yes and no. My sales have been steady this year so far. I am getting a lot ...
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What business activity takes the most time to do every week and why?
Kimberly Miller-Gordon of Turn 4 Hobbies, West Boylston, Mass., said: Programming our POS computer as orders come in and entering the orders i...
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What has been your most effective retail display idea?
Jeph Coppley of ZNZ Hobbies, Lexington, N.C., said: I face as much product as physically possible. I try to treat all the shelves and walls as...
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What was your best-selling product during the holidays and why (features, price, etc.)?
Tim Foster of HobbyTown USA, College Station, Texas, said: The new Helion Dominus and Animus R/C cars. The features included with these cars a...
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Our annual Hobby Industry Business pages contains almost 2,000 listings of manufacturers, distributors, publishers, associations, show promoters and service providers, and much more. Download it now

How to Build Realistic Scenery
This special issue gives proven techniques you can trust to make scenery as realistic as possible.
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Rebuilding a Layout from A-Z
Follow Pelle Søeborg as he completely rebuilds his Daneville model railroad.
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Historic Trains Today
Explore the history and heritage of railroading with Historic Trains Today.
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Realistic Animation, Lighting & Sound, 2nd Edition
This edition helps modelers use today’s technology to add interest and action to their model railroad layouts.
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