FYI: HobbyTown

Just stopped by there and they're closed until June 1st for inventory.

That seems...excessive...

Oh well. Back to the garage table.

That's what I thougt too. It looked like they had cleaned the place out. Though was just sitting in my car and didn't actually get out to look.

Yeah, inventory doesn't take weeks. I hope that they do actually re-open on June 1st, but I won't be holding my breath.

I hope so too! Since I work a couple of blocks from there I go there a lot at lunch.

I just don't see how inventory in a space like that could take two weeks.

And who knows how long they've been closed for. The note wasn't even typed up, it was just hand written on the door.

I don't think you do inventory and take the registers out. And all the inventory. And collapse the fixtures.

bsimon wrote:

I don't think you do inventory and take the registers out. And all the inventory. And collapse the fixtures.

So you've looked inside? That bad?

I thought there was just some recent discussion about making the Tuesday game night bigger?

Eh, there could be several explanations.

No sense in doomsaying. I just wish I had a middle ground gamespot for me and my 40k friend to hit up for the next two weeks.

bsimon wrote:

I don't think you do inventory and take the registers out. And all the inventory. And collapse the fixtures.

That could be a prelude to a remodel, but you generally put up a sign that says "closed for remodeling" not "closed for inventory."

I suppose they could have put up the sign when they were actually doing an inventory prior to packing everything up for the remodel... still not holding my breath. Generally businesses can't afford to be closed for that length of time. My old store in California is planning to add a second story, and they're planning on keeping to their regular hours during as much of the building process as possible.

Fulminata wrote:

bsimon wrote:

I don't think you do inventory and take the registers out. And all the inventory. And collapse the fixtures.

That could be a prelude to a remodel, but you generally put up a sign that says "closed for remodeling" not "closed for inventory."

I suppose they could have put up the sign when they were actually doing an inventory prior to packing everything up for the remodel... still not holding my breath. Generally businesses can't afford to be closed for that length of time. My old store in California is planning to add a second story, and they're planning on keeping to their regular hours during as much of the building process as possible.

Agreed. I used to manage a business of similar proportions and we would the inventory over night, because we couldn't afford to be closed.

I hope they're just remodeling. I may try to go by there tomorrow and actually look around.

I haven't seen a post here from Clockwork Gekko. I was under the impression that he organized a lot of events for HT; such as Friday Night Magic. He might possibly be able to dispel any rumors or gossip regarding HT not reopening its doors.

*looks around for Clockwork*

I was told on Sunday they were going out of business (I swung by there yesterday to take a look). It was around 5 pm, but the lights were out and the shelves were in piles on the floor with no merchandise in sight. There was a 8x11 handwritten note on the door mentioning inventory and reopen on June 1. They may be reopening June 1, but as what? You don't gut a store to do a simple count of what you have.

You'd think if they were going out of business they'd have a going business sale to move inventory or at least wait until the end of the month???

The whole thing is a little off. I have the number to a guy paints armies that also runs the Tuesday Night games. Might give him a call today and see what's up?

From Clockwork (via Facebook):

In a nutshell, As of now it's closed. Jennifer and Todd sold it off. It looks like the party that bought it is probably going to open it up again. I'm trying to get more info on who said party it is, and what they intend on doing.

Speechless

bsimon wrote:

From Clockwork (via Facebook):

In a nutshell, As of now it's closed. Jennifer and Todd sold it off. It looks like the party that bought it is probably going to open it up again. I'm trying to get more info on who said party it is, and what they intend on doing.

Truth.

I was bummed when I found out.

Wow; if HT is really gone that takes the local GW stores down to two; CHG and TSE.

I would have to assume it isn't coming back. Why would they unload all the stuff and rip out the shelving if they had sold the business itself to another HT store franchise owner?

It doesn't make too much sense to me; but I am sure someone can explain it.

I just don't see it opening back up.

gamewizard wrote:

Wow; if HT is really gone that takes the local GW stores down to two; CHG and TSE.

I would have to assume it isn't coming back. Why would they unload all the stuff and rip out the shelving if they had sold the business itself to another HT store franchise owner?

It doesn't make too much sense to me; but I am sure someone can explain it.

I just don't see it opening back up.

The sign is the only thing that doesn't make sense.

Maybe the new owner didn't like the layout?

Well the sign does not make since at all. if they are going to reopen it, they would have had some of the product still in there. you don't sell a business without selling the product in it. I went Tuesday and everything was in the center with one moving box left there. Well that means to get paints I am going to have to drive to springdale. oh well

DEATHWATCH CONUNDRUM wrote:

gamewizard wrote:

Wow; if HT is really gone that takes the local GW stores down to two; CHG and TSE.

I would have to assume it isn't coming back. Why would they unload all the stuff and rip out the shelving if they had sold the business itself to another HT store franchise owner?

It doesn't make too much sense to me; but I am sure someone can explain it.

I just don't see it opening back up.

The sign is the only thing that doesn't make sense.

Maybe the new owner didn't like the layout?

The three most likely explanations that I can think of given the information in this thread:

1) The new owner is moving the store's location. This makes the most sense to me based on the evidence.
2) The new owner is doing a complete remodel that requires the store to be empty. This makes slightly less sense to me based on what I know of remodels, but is still a strong possibility.
3) The new owner already has a store somewhere else and was simply buying inventory. This makes less sense given the sign and how quickly the fixtures were taken down, but is a small possibility.

Again, this is all pure speculation based on the info in this thread and my limited experience with similar situations.

Fulminata wrote:

DEATHWATCH CONUNDRUM wrote:

gamewizard wrote:

Wow; if HT is really gone that takes the local GW stores down to two; CHG and TSE.

I would have to assume it isn't coming back. Why would they unload all the stuff and rip out the shelving if they had sold the business itself to another HT store franchise owner?

It doesn't make too much sense to me; but I am sure someone can explain it.

I just don't see it opening back up.

The sign is the only thing that doesn't make sense.

Maybe the new owner didn't like the layout?

The three most likely explanations that I can think of given the information in this thread:

1) The new owner is moving the store's location. This makes the most sense to me based on the evidence.
2) The new owner is doing a complete remodel that requires the store to be empty. This makes slightly less sense to me based on what I know of remodels, but is still a strong possibility.
3) The new owner already has a store somewhere else and was simply buying inventory. This makes less sense given the sign and how quickly the fixtures were taken down, but is a small possibility.

Again, this is all pure speculation based on the info in this thread and my limited experience with similar situations.

I went by there at lunch today to pay respects and the old owners were inside. Just a couple of empty racks in the middle of the store and the train set. The place was empty. Their Hobby Town Truck was around back. Looked like they were loading things but may have stopped due to the down pour?

Doesn't look good at all.

And you didn't go throw yourself up on the window like a tree frog? I would have; screaming "I WANT MY HOBBYTOWN!"

Didn't you see that it was raining???????

That's a lot of effort!

Getting wet would have been worth a possible answer!

Wouldn't it have ?

gamewizard wrote:

Getting wet would have been worth a possible answer!

Wouldn't it have ?

If I hadn't had to go back to work it would have been. May go back by there tomorrow.