SAd news, T&A Hobby Lobby in Burbank is shutting down

After what, 55 years at the same location, T&A Hobby Lobby is shutting its doors for good. Tony, the owner is retiring. I don't have al the details but for those of you who never visited this place, you dang sure missed one. One look at the ceiling and all of the CL and RC models was amazing. he was a big supporter of my school's rocket project each year. I could always count on Tony to pass on building tips, advice and a huge discount to my kids. Another B&M leaving us. Sad news indeed. Fred, did you know about this? I know Tony always carried a supply of your egg lifters and other rockets. Do you think I will be able to buy a few rockets directly from you?

Reply to
Reece Talley
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Messages about this were posted on the SCRA YahooGroup a month ago as well as the news that the rocket stuff was all gone.

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last saw Tony in January at the AMA Convention. He did not call me or Martin to tell us about the closing.

The lack of "real" hobby shops is another reason I will not make kits regularly anymore. I'll only make them by special order and with a *LOT* of advanced notice and my OK.

I'll still sell parts mail order.

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Tony had a *LOT* of interesting customers over the years. Many TV and movie stars as well as thousands of people who work in the entertainment industry. I was in the store once when a TV star called him for R/C lessons. The biggest hit on his business was Lockheed closing up and moving out of Burbank. Also, Hobby People has a stoe right next to the flying field at Sepulveda Basin and Gizmos Hobby opened up only a few blocks from his location.

Pegasus is still there and much larger than ever since they moved into their new building.

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Reply to
Fred Shecter

Yes, I have some kits in stock at the moment even though I'm not making more right now. E-mail me with waht you need and I'll let you know if I have them in stock.

Reply to
Fred Shecter

Fred, I don't have your email. Please contact me at snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net. I'm going to need some kits for sure.

Reply to
Reece Talley

Wow. That makes me feel old. I remember working with Tony on the indoor RC flying exhibits at various hobby shows. He was very committed to getting kids excited about modeling hobbies.

T&A stands for Tony and Addie, you clowns....Addie was Tony's mom and partner in the business.

Doug Pratt

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Reply to
pratthobbies

I assumed it was Trains & Automobiles, or Trains & Aircraft.

-Kevin

Reply to
Kevin Trojanowski

Well, it's in my "reply to" (one you remove the "zorch" two places) and it's also on my website that I provided a link to, but I will e-mail you directly just for fun.

;)

Reply to
Fred Shecter

"Is" (I hope) since she was at the AMA show and looked as chipper as ever.

Reply to
Fred Shecter

That's great! They made quite a team. It must have been hard for them to decide to pack it in.

Makes me realize how out of touch I am with the model airplane world. Leaving my job at the AMA and starting the rocket business 13 years ago really cut me off from it.

I have some great memories of working trade shows and stuff, but I'm happier in the rocket world. Planning for my Level 3, working with my kids at Team America, firing hybrids...life is good.

Doug Pratt

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Reply to
pratthobbies

Reece,

Thanks for the news. Tony was a hoot and Addie something else too. Always made it a point to swing by their shop when ever I was in the area not so much for rockets but for glider info. He always took time to show me a bunch about free flight gliders and it never really bugged him that much that I was a rocket person... Last time I was there, he did have some FSI F-100's in that cabinet of his and IIRC, he had a nice Saturn V kit waaaay up there in the rafters. If you see them, please pass along my regards from Houston.

Best, Andy

Fred - Is that Captain fellow in Huntington Beach still in business?

Reply to
Andy Eng

Captain Lou disappeared several years ago without a peep.

Reply to
Fred Shecter

Sigh... He was a one of a kind too...

Reply to
Andy Eng

replying to Reece Talley, Harry Nelson jr wrote: I was last In the t/a hobby shop wile I worked for Lockheed in Burbank CA in the 1980s , I bought a b25 Mitchell medium bomber in Mexican colors. I have yet to see another one ! A great place.

Reply to
Harry Nelson jr

replying to Fred Shecter, Harry Nelson jr wrote: Hi do you happen to have a B45 tornado in 1/ 48 scale?

Reply to
Harry Nelson jr

replying to Reece Talley, Harry Nelson jr wrote: I was last In the t/a hobby shop wile I worked for Lockheed in Burbank CA in the 1980s , I bought a b25 Mitchell medium bomber in Mexican colors. I have yet to see another one ! A great place.

Reply to
Harry Nelson jr

replying to Fred Shecter, Harry Nelson jr wrote: Hi do you happen to have a B45 tornado in 1/ 48 scale?

Reply to
Harry Nelson jr

replying to Harry Nelson jr, Brian Kreisler wrote: Use to go to T and A hobby lobby with my boys. Tony was always helpful, bought many models there. Moved from Burbank and when I went back he had closed. I bought my first high power rocket kit from him. Sure miss that place. Always been heart broken I did not get to say good bye to him.

Reply to
Brian Kreisler

replying to Harry Nelson jr, Brian Kreisler wrote: Use to go to T and A hobby lobby with my boys. Tony was always helpful, bought many models there. Moved from Burbank and when I went back he had closed. I bought my first high power rocket kit from him. Sure miss that place. Always been heart broken I did not get to say good bye to him.

Reply to
Brian Kreisler

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