|
|
Post by cornerfieldrailfan on Jun 29, 2024 12:06:57 GMT
I didn't know until recent, that Chi Town in Michigan closed up permanently. That is very sad. I never got a chance to see that large 2 rail layout. I wanted too. But at least we have our place Corner Field Model Railroad Museum located in Huntsburg Ohio. We are the largest family owned model railroad in the U.S. 32' wide x 145' long. But it still saddens me Chi Town closed up.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adam on Jun 30, 2024 12:54:31 GMT
It's never good when a model train business closes. It sure seems like the mom and pops are shrinking fast.
|
|
|
|
Post by healey36 on Jun 30, 2024 13:24:11 GMT
Brick-n-mortar is terrific, but you need three things as well; you have to have (1) a simultaneous online presence, (2) the ability to service what you sell (or team with someone that can), and (3) offer an MSRP discount, even nominal. Without this, your long-term prospects are doubtful IMHO.
|
|
|
|
Post by nycgeorge on Jul 2, 2024 11:57:36 GMT
Chi-Town was not a train store. It was a huge O Scale (2 rail) layout. It was the dream layout of the owner who bought a small closed down grocery store and built it. Scenery was only started in a couple of spots. And it took a crew of at least 3 to run it. Problem - the owner died, the operating crew got old, and the kids had little interest in the trains. The kids placed the building and layout together on the market. Only offers I heard of were for the land that the building and layout were on. So now it sits closed up awaiting who knows??
|
|
|
|
Post by dlagrua on Jul 2, 2024 14:49:07 GMT
AFAIK Chi-town was owned by a lawyer that loved model trains. It was truly large but When I saw videos it looked like it was never completed. I would guess that the family was comfortable financially and the next of kin had no interest in running the exhibit. Thus another nice layout hits the dust. That seems typical these days.
|
|
|
|
Post by ron045 on Jul 5, 2024 13:13:46 GMT
Brick-n-mortar is terrific, but you need three things as well; you have to have (1) a simultaneous online presence, (2) the ability to service what you sell (or team with someone that can), and (3) offer an MSRP discount, even nominal. Without this, your long-term prospects are doubtful IMHO. Bingo.... The ones doing this are and will continue to be successful.
|
|
