The fading glue smell: Why Bay Area hobby stores are closing, and what it costs us

Hobbies Unlimited - San Leandro, Ca. Closed May 2024

In cities across the San Francisco Bay Area, and all over the country longtime hobby shops are disappearing. Shops that once stocked model airplanes, trains, plastic kits, paints, balsa wood, scale dioramas and parts are shuttering, owners are retiring, or chains are scaling back. For many hobbyists, these stores are more than just retail outlets — they are community hubs, inspiration sources, places to learn from knowledgeable staff, try materials before buying, and share ideas. Losing them is more than a nostalgia pang; it threatens the fabric of the modeling and craft community. To understand why this is happening, what the effects are, and how to stop the slide, we need to look at the causes, the consequences, and possible remedies.

Three main causes of Bay Area hobby store closures

Economic pressures: rent, labor, and inventory costs

The Bay Area is among the most expensive places in the U.S. to run a small retail business. Rent for retail space is very high, utilities are expensive, wages and benefits must meet California’s labor standards, and regulatory compliance (insurance, safety, environmental, etc.) adds cost. All of this squeezes profit margins, especially for stores that carry niche or slow‑moving inventory (rare model kits, specialty tools, etc.). Owners often rely on modest margins and constant turnover to stay afloat; when costs rise or sales dip, there’s little buffer.

Competition from e‑commerce and big box/online retailers

Many hobbyists can get kits, paints, tools, RC (radio control) parts, etc., delivered to their door from Amazon or other online specialty retailers. These online outlets often offer lower prices, bigger selection, and the convenience of shopping 24/7. This reduces foot traffic and sales in physical stores. As one market study shows, online sales in the “Toys & Hobbies” category have grown dramatically: in 2023, among the top 1,000 retailers in the U.S., online activity accounted for 65.3% of the category’s total sales. Digital Commerce 360 Big box stores / chain craft stores also compete on price, selection, seasonal promotions, and can afford to absorb narrower margins than small independents.

Changing demographics, hobby tastes, and owner lifecycle

The hobbyist base is aging in many cases; fewer young people are taking up model building, trains, balsa wood model aircraft, etc., compared to digital entertainment or other leisure options. Also, many small shops are family‑run, and when the owners reach retirement age, there may be no one to take over. An example: J&M Hobby House in San Carlos closed because the longtime owners decided to retire. San Mateo Daily Journal

Additionally, tastes change: some hobbies become less popular over time or have their communities shift online; for slower‑selling items, maintaining a large physical inventory becomes risky.

How these closures are affecting the model building community

• Loss of access to specialty supplies and parts

  
  

  Many modeling kits, paints, decals, specialty tools, wood, brass/metal parts are hard to find except in dedicated hobby stores. When stores close, enthusiasts often have to order online, which can mean longer wait times, shipping costs, and risk of damage or returns. Also, some rare or out‑of‑print items may only be available secondhand or via hobby shops’ excess stock.

• Fewer opportunities for learning and mentorship

  
  

  Hobby shops are often places where beginners get their start: staff help with which glue or paint to use, how to set up airbrushes, how to clean up parts, etc. Also, shops often host workshops, model club meetups, display evenings. Losing those venues means fewer chances for face‑to‑face learning and community bonding.

• Erosion of the social component / local culture

  
  

  Part of what makes hobby building satisfying is being among others who share the passion. Physical stores serve as gathering points. When they close, hobbyists may become more isolated. It can also discourage new people from entering the hobby if they don’t have local support.

• Concentrating power in large retailers and online platforms

  
  

  With fewer local shops, large online platforms dominate, which can mean less diversity in what’s stocked, less personal service, and fewer opportunities for small or niche suppliers to reach customers.

How we can stop this from happening — locally and across the U.S.

1. Support local hobby shops

   • Buy locally when possible: Even if it costs a bit more, purchasing from your local shop helps them survive.

   • Be loyal customers: frequent smaller purchases, not just occasional large ones.

   • Spread the word, recommend them, bring friends or family into the hobby through them.

   • Attend events, workshops, shows hosted by them—even just to show up; that foot traffic matters.

2. Hybrid business models and innovation

   • Hobby shops can build strong online presences: inventory catalogs, online ordering or reservations, pure‑ecommerce supplementing their physical store.

   • Offer services that online shops can’t: in‑person workshops, paint matching, restoration help, display nights, community spaces.

   • Use the store as a fulfillment or pickup point, possibly to cut shipping or leverage local logistics.

   • Curate inventory: instead of trying to stock everything, focus on what the local community wants, rare items, specialty products, memorabilia or kits that have collector appeal.

3. Community and organizational support

   • Hobby clubs, maker spaces, local non‑profits can partner with shops to co‑host events, exhibits, youth programs, perhaps share space.

   • Municipal governments can provide small business incentives: tax breaks, rent subsidies, zoning or lease protections for small retailers.

   • Local fundraising or cooperative ownership: maybe community stakeholders can help buy or support shops (similar to community‑owned bookstores or food co‑ops).

4. Encourage new generations

   • Promote modeling, scale building, and hands‑on crafts in schools, libraries, community centers.

   • Youth programs, after‑school clubs where kids can try kits, build, learn. This increases hobbyist base and ensures new customers.

   • Exposure via social media, YouTube, TikTok: people often discover modeling or crafts via content online. Shops can collaborate with creators, do livestreams or tutorials, to make modeling feel accessible.

Conclusion

The closure of hobby stores in the Bay Area is lamentable not just for nostalgic reasons, but because it erodes a network of supply, learning, culture, and community. While economic pressures, online competition, and changing demographics are major drivers, they do not guarantee a hopeless future. With intentional support (both from consumers and policy), creative business models, and investment in community and youth, hobby‑store culture can survive — and perhaps even thrive again — locally and nationally. For model builders everywhere, the question is: will we lose the shops that inspire us, or will we help keep them alive?