And they are still in Richfield on 64th and Penn Ave. But wasn't Carrs Hobby Store in Duluth, MN, at one time on the other side of the street from where it is now? And maybe down a block or two? And does anybody out there remember the name of the hobby store on Lake Street I was talking about? Plus, people keep telling me I'm wrong on this. I'd like to hear the memories of others out there. Despite the humorous put downs, one always felt welcome and had fun at Pete's. Which is still going strong.) And it was just fun to hang out with him or his assistant Rick from time to time. (The MCCM, the Model Car Club of Minnesota.

He was very supportive of our local model car club. And sponsored a hobby show on TV.Īnd then there was Pete's store on University Avenue, about a mile south of Northtown Mall. I think they also ran a store in Har Mar Mall at one time. But, I did not know him then.Īnother great place on Lake Street was Woodcrafter's. I became close friends with the owner 25 years later. Other places? I remember a short lived slot car place in Fridley, in the mid 60's. But, didn't have the money to buy as much as I wanted. It was like finding hidden treasure going into that place. It was run by some old guy and he still had several kits from the late 60's and early 70's at the time.

But, I don't think it was a Gagers.Ī hole in the wall place I remember was small hobby store just east of Bloomington Avenue, on Lake Street in South Minneapolis. There was also a hobby store like Gagers in Northtown Mall. There use to be one in both the Brookdale Mall and another in the Rosedale Mall. Gagers (been so long, I'm not sure on the spelling of this one) was another local hobby chain I remember. But, Apache is the only one I remember being in. I know there were several Jolly's Hobby Stores. A fairly easy bicycle ride from our homes in Fridley. The other hobby store we most frequented was Jolly's in Apache Plaza. And you know, my one buddy and I always paid him back. He never took our name or wrote down what we owed. Jerry would still sell us the kit or slot car, telling us to pay him what we owed him next time. Maybe off by 25 cents (a big amount back then). I remember a couple of times a buddy or I being a little short on money to buy something we wanted. Jerry was one of the great guys to do business with when I was a kid.

The first place I need to mention is Jerry's Toys and Hobbys in St. Paul I have fuzzy memories of old hobby shops long gone. Well living all my life in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. I've seen topics here dealing with old hobby stores long gone in different cities.

Minnesota hobby shops with slot cars