Boston's Best Hobby Shops
Hobbyists will find that Boston isn't quite a hotbed of hobby shops. In fact, most hobby builders will have to travel outside of the city to get the parts, kits and accessories they need. However, they will not have to travel far. There are plenty of local hobby shops within a short drive from the city. Everything from RC cars to model trains is covered in these area stores.
Hobby Bunker
33 Exchange St.
Malden, MA 02148
(781) 321-8855
www.hobbybunker.com
Hobby Bunker is the local shop to find miniatures and especially toy soldiers. The shop in Malden is great for browsing, but collectors and builders can also turn to the shop's website to find what they need. On top of miniatures ranging from holiday figures to uniformed generals, Hobby Bunker also carries vintage toys, scenery pieces, dioramas, games and model kits. Books available include a wide array of military history topics so miniature builders can get their scenes just right.
Related: Boston's Best Art Supply Stores
RC Cars Of Boston
471 Eastern Ave.
Malden, MA 02148
(781) 324-1999
www.rccarsofboston.com
RC car enthusiasts will find vehicles, repairs and parts at RC Cars of Boston. The store even has an indoor track where it hosts events for RC car owners. Renting the track is pretty affordable, with $25 covering a weekend day and $15 for a weekday. Hobbyists who love remote control vehicles but like to branch out to trucks, boats, planes and helicopters will find them all here as well. It might just be harder to find an indoor practice space for larger or flying vehicles.
Charles Ro Supply Company
662 Cross St.
Malden, MA 02148
(781) 321-0090
www.charlesro.com
Charles Ro Supply Company fashions itself "America's largest train store" and "America's number one lionel dealer." While miniature and other model enthusiasts aren't likely to find anything of use here, model train hobbyists will find no better shop in the area. It sells all scale model trains and has a store on its website for those who can't make the trip to Malden. The retail warehouse is about 30,000 square feet, allowing Charles Ro to stock a huge variety of model trains.
279 Boston Road
North Billerica, MA 01862
(978) 667-1600
www.hobbyfever.com
Billerica's Hobby Fever stocks a ton of different hobby items, from kites to science kits. This is the kind of place that both serious adult collectors and kids who like to make and break things can find what they want. Hobby Fever has RC cars, rockets, games, helicopters, accessories, trains, books, radio models and much more. All of the tools and toys anyone needs are available through Hobby Fever's retail and online stores.
Hanson Hobby
830 Main St.
Hanson, MA 02341
(781) 293-2804
www.hansonhobby.com
Hanson Hobby is a general hobby shop that has been servicing the South Shore for decades. Located in a quaint home on this small town's Main Street, it may not be a megastore, but it has all of the basics and much more personality. Radio control vehicles are this store's specialty, but hobbyists will also find models, paints, science kits and plenty of fun surprises. Hanson Hobby is well worth the 45-minute drive from the city.
Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
