Allied is closing....

[SP-Wolf]

Here in Orange County - we have Arnies Trains. Highly recommended and a wonderful shop.

Thanks,
Wolf

[JMaurer1]

Train Shop - Sacramento

Unofficial story: Walmart wanted to open a Walmart market in the same strip mall. Owner of the strip mall increased the rent prices and Train Shop wasn't able to pay the new prices. Announcement about closing was almost three years ago: Aug 14, 2012. Closed about a month later.

I also think that the owner was ready to retire and saw the writing on the wall. Train Shop was a great store and is missed.

[railnerd]

Train Shop - Sacramento

Unofficial story: Walmart wanted to open a Walmart market in the same strip mall. Owner of the strip mall increased the rent prices and Train Shop wasn't able to pay the new prices. Announcement about closing was almost three years ago: Aug 14, 2012. Closed about a month later.

I also think that the owner was ready to retire and saw the writing on the wall. Train Shop was a great store and is missed.

That was Bruce's right?   In the valley here, "Train Shop" usually refers to "The Train Shop" on Pruneridge Ave in Santa Clara.

[Rossford Yard]

Friend of mine worked at Nicky Smith's outside Phila. He endured that process continually. Customer finally begins to talk price and many times walks away proclaiming it can be purchased on the 'net for much less. He agrees with them then points out it isn't unusual for engines to not perform to expectations. (If the customer buys from the store, the engine is test run before ringing the sale.)  "Try returning it to your internet seller" he tells them. And some have the brass cojones to buy from the 'net and if it doesn't work, bring it to the store for a fix.

I buy on both the net and LHS, but those kind of folks bug me. I was married to one for 20 years, and in one case, after getting pregnant, we wanted a video camera.  Looked at Sunday ads, saw two places, with the closer place being $5 more.  We went there for instructions, product demo, etc. Spent over a hour. I was ready to buy, but my wife insisted we go across town for the $5 savings.  After you figure in gas, time, etc. we lost money on the deal, but to her, it was a strict matter of principle to buy at rock bottom prices, whereas I would easily have given the extra $5 to the first place for their time, and our convenience.  And that doesn't even count the number of times she took it back for some perceived flaw, which was often with most of her purchases.

You just can't please some people.

On a related note, I will say that your post caused me to look back at just how many times I did get an in depth product review or hobby issue answered at the LHS. In reality, not as much as one would think.  Most are just product pushers (many exceptions, I know) who aren't a real help.  That advantage for the LHS is entirely store dependent.  And, the gas issue is bigger than ever the last few years.  When you do the math of shopping at an LHS, gas, taxes and higher prices make it a tough sell, even if there are no shipping fees. 

Not to mention, the "we will order it" advantage is gone, since it is so easy to just order it yourself on the net and eliminate the middle man and extra wait.

Sadly, I see MKB as the model of the future for LHS and MRR.  Yes, a real store, but also a wholesaler to get lowest prices and a big net presence with real time stock and prices, to increase their potential customer base from a few hundred locals, to tens of thousands across the country/world.  In 20 years time, we may end up with only 10-20 regional mega stores with on line presence. 

[JMaurer1]

Yes, Bruces Train Shop. I originally lived in the bay area and always knew that the Train Shop was in Santa Clara. When I moved to Sacramento, Bruces Train Shop became the Train Shop for me since that where I have always gone for trains (either in Sacramento or Santa Clara).

[3DTrains]

Loved the original, often planned longer layovers at LAX and take a cab over.

I recall the original owner posting the sale notice on Train Board about ten years ago.  His blurb said the shop had averaged $3M in sales over the last XX years.  I wondered if it was declining, as in $2.5M in the most recent years, etc.  He answered a bit angrily and said it was constant.  Either way, that was a LOT for an LHS to sell, and still is.  Not sure what the final terms were, or if the norms applied (greater of one year revenue or 3X average profit)  Was said to see an iconic place change hands, move across the street, and become basically another LHS, pretty good, but not worth laying over for any more.

The depot wasn't even the original - that one was built in the late 1980s. The first one was on Pico (not much bigger than store #3), and I believe Allen worked there as a teen in the 60s. As an adult, he bought out the original owner when he retired, but kept the original store name.

I suspect the revenue he posted was somewhat dubious, as he also owned Daylight Sales Distributing (DSD) which shared the same address as the depot. For a long time, DSD was the exclusive supplier for LGB in America, and would have quite a chunk-o-change coming through.

BTW, I believe the building is still owned by Allen which he leases to Sammy's Camera. It's really weird to walk in and see camera gear in place where trains once stood.

Cheers!
Marc - Riverside

[Rossford Yard]

My wife is such a camera buff.  We have made trips to adjacent or close by camera and train shops. That one would be a bit weird......

I guess it would be interesting to know if Allen maintains the wholesale side of the biz, or if that went away or was included in the sale?

[SandyEggoJake]

Don't know if it's iconic.... but if ever in San Diego do stop in to the Frank the Train Man / JA Cooley Museum. 

Frank passed on in the late '80's but his (model train and classic car fanatic) pal Jim Cooley is doing his best to keep things doing.  I was there a few weeks back and a few kids came in to buy some stuff and on there way out each gave high fives and all said "bye Frank!".... but such didn't phase Mr. Cooley one bit who only warmly returned their greeting....and tossed me a knowing wink.

Truth be told, the train side is more a permanent  swap meet and very heavy on Lionel.  Don't expect any MTL stuff or really anything much in N.  And they are v light on modeling supplies.  But if you model early 20th century like i do, you'll want to stop in just to see his automobile collection...as well as his collections on.... well... just about everything old.

But back to the topic.... did anyone go to the Allied auction?

[SP-Wolf]

Well, last night a fire broke out at what's left of the store.  No foul play suspected - at the moment.

I find it rather odd. I surely hope it was not intentional. Is the store empty-?

HMMMM,
Wolf

[rjmnf]

I think it was full of stuff.  There was an auction scheduled for the 9th.....

www.vanhornauctions.com/allied-model-trains.html

[eja]

Don't know if it's iconic.... but if ever in San Diego do stop in to the Frank the Train Man / JA Cooley Museum. 

The original Frank the Train Man got a lot of my business before I saw the light (switched from HO to N).

The place you reference smelled so badly from tobacco smoke the few time I stopped by that I stopped going entirely. 

And you are correct ..... very little N  scale.

eja

[jimmo]

Here's the video:

[GaryHinshaw]

Why is it set to music?   

[dougnelson]

A sad and inglorious end.  I hope all those cases of brass were not still in there.

[superchief]

FIRE SALE AT ALLIED!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry can't believe no one else did that first .....sorry to see another LHS close