Why I still like Tommy Gilbert's

[wm3798]

I haven't been to Tommy Gilbert's in Gettysburg in years, but every time I go there, I find something that's fun.  It's the only shop I've ever been to where you can find just about anything hanging on the rack...



This is a Details Associates (are they still around?) N scale American Standard 3.5 gal flush with standard black lacquer seat.  And for you modelers out there, yes it was a kit!

Is this a great country or what?

Lee

[Mark5]

Man I haven't been there since it was sold ages ago.

[Roger Holmes]

The N scale women in your household are going to be upset ;D

[GonzoCRFan]

How are their prices, Lee? That place is about the closest thing I have to a LHS...

[wm3798]

He's not bad, but he's not a deep discounter either.  Get your locos and what not on line, but you can find detail parts and scratchbuilding supplies, scenery etc. in good supply.  He's one of those guys that if people come in and ask for N scale, he'll start stocking more.  He's got ME and Atlas c55 track in stock, and other staples.

Lee

[Mark5]

It used to be just Gilbert's right?  ???

Is Tommy the son or something? Or is a Gilbert still involved?

My memory is seriously hazy here.

[Iain]

Sounds like the Antique Barn, except they have been known to discount things a lot.  Also if Mr. Wayne has something that is sold out everywhere else, he will not raise the price like some folks would.

[wm3798]

The original Gilbert's was down on Steinwehr closer to the battlefield.  The old man sold the shop to an idiot about the same time Tommy opened his up on Water Street.  The two shops were competing for a while, but the new owner of the old shop had zero customer service savvy.  Treated everyone like you were going to steal him blind.

In the end, the old shop closed, and most of the clientele stuck with Tommy's new shop.  If you remember the bins and bins of bits and pieces at the old shop, they are now at Tommy's.  The old shop stuck with the model planes, cars, and RC stuff, had no idea how to serve the railroad modelers.

The old shop closed probably 20 years ago now, it's now yet another ticky tacky museum/tourist trap/gift shop.

Lee

[Iain]

The original Gilbert's was down on Steinwehr closer to the battlefield.  The old man sold the shop to an idiot about the same time Tommy opened his up on Water Street.  The two shops were competing for a while, but the new owner of the old shop had zero customer service savvy.  Treated everyone like you were going to steal him blind.

In the end, the old shop closed, and most of the clientele stuck with Tommy's new shop.  If you remember the bins and bins of bits and pieces at the old shop, they are now at Tommy's.  The old shop stuck with the model planes, cars, and RC stuff, had no idea how to serve the railroad modelers.

The old shop closed probably 20 years ago now, it's now yet another ticky tacky museum/tourist trap/gift shop.

Lee

Sounds like what happened to all attempts to open up a hobby shop around here.  They almost always become so-called antique dealers that serve tourists.