Shops in New York (1 Viewer)

[Peiper007]

Hello

I will be visiting New York and spending a day at Woodbury Common outlet village in October this year, does anyone know of any TS shops I could visit? I collect K & C, J Jenkins and First legion, know there is a show in November but cannot wait to go till then.

 

[jazzeum]

There are none, unfortunately.

 

[Spanish soldier]

It is strange, the big city there is not a toy soldiers store.


Francisco

 

[theBaron]

It is strange, the big city there is not a toy soldiers store.

Francisco

Not at all. It's a specialty hobby, with customers few and far between. It's not generally economical to maintain a bricks-and-mortar store, particularly in our larger cities like New York, where real estate is at a premium.

The next nearest vendor I can think of, who maintains a retail store, is Matt Murphy of Hobby Bunker, in Malden, Massachusetts. Or going in the other direction, here in PA, we have Jim Hillestad's Toy Soldier Museum, though even he doesn't have regular retail hours, as far as I know.

Now, there are other vendors, like George Guerriero of Minuteman Toy Soldiers, also in Massachusetts. But I don't think George maintains a retail store. His business is all via web and mail order, and shows (George, sorry if I'm misspeaking or speaking out of turn).

No, it's far more economical to use the Internet, than to keep a store and have retail hours. Those who do run stores have a fortunate combination of factors that let them do so and make a profit. Otherwise, they'd give up the store, too.

Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

The rent costs, not to mention utilities, is just too prohibitive.

 

[Andanna]

The rent costs, not to mention utilities, is just too prohibitive.

Or you are selling out of your home; shop display and personal display in one:


BT Toy Soldiers
Kevin Noll
5760 Nottingham Court
Laurys Station, PA 18059
Phone: 610-261-1074
Email: btsoldiers@aol.com

You need to call in advance .....

But this is quite a walk from downtown NYC.

 

[jazzeum]

They're not really comparable.

 

[katana]

Back in the 1970's when I lived in NYC their were many Toy Soldier shops. The best was The Toy Soldier Shop on 5th avenue. Rappaports was another on Lexington Ave. Polks Hobby had Toy soldieers as did FAO Schwartz. Macys and Gimbals had toy departments in those days that carried Britains, Elastolin, Timpo and Starlux. Long ago and far away and those fine days will not come again!

 

[Warrior]

Not at all. It's a specialty hobby, with customers few and far between. It's not generally economical to maintain a bricks-and-mortar store, particularly in our larger cities like New York, where real estate is at a premium.

The next nearest vendor I can think of, who maintains a retail store, is Matt Murphy of Hobby Bunker, in Malden, Massachusetts. Or going in the other direction, here in PA, we have Jim Hillestad's Toy Soldier Museum, though even he doesn't have regular retail hours, as far as I know.

Now, there are other vendors, like George Guerriero of Minuteman Toy Soldiers, also in Massachusetts. But I don't think George maintains a retail store. His business is all via web and mail order, and shows (George, sorry if I'm misspeaking or speaking out of turn).

No, it's far more economical to use the Internet, than to keep a store and have retail hours. Those who do run stores have a fortunate combination of factors that let them do so and make a profit. Otherwise, they'd give up the store, too.

Prost!
Brad

Well said and it's the sad reality of where our hobby is in 2018.


The truth is there just aren't enough collectors within a 45 minute drive to make having a store worthwhile. You have rent, utilities, employees and inventory costs to think about. Not to sound like a get off my lawn type, but as a kid, there were loads of stores and hobby shops in Massachusetts that carried and sold toy soldiers, now as Brad said, it's just Matt at Hobby Bunker, he's the last man standing in the entire state, which is stunning but true.


It's a sign of the times; the internet is king of a hobby that is very slowly circling the drain...…………….

 

[ExRanger]

There was one outside West Point for many years but he gave up and I believe doesmail order and shows. Nice little shop. Always paid a visit after spending the day at the Point.

 

[katana]

The problem with online purchases is caused by the manufacturers not advertising their products accurately. The new collector could order an FL Tiger I and some K&C WWII figures and be very disappointed with the compatibility of his purchases. A disappointed customer is not usually a repeat customer. A walk in store allows a new collector to view armor and figures together and determine what works prior to purchase. Some online sellers try to educate their customers i.e. Treefrog, Sierra and Hobby Bunker via forums and cautionary notes about size variability.

Increased prices result in increased expectations of quality and accuracy; both of which can best be apprised in person as photographs can conceal some issues. I think current pricing is resulting in a decrease in new collectors entering the hobby. I have seen many collecting hobbies diminish over the years due to increasing prices. Japanese Swords are an example; as are model trains. High prices and diminishing quality drove collectors to other more economical interests.

 

[FrankDrake]

You US-Guys a lucky, in Germany we have just 5 Dealer and only in Berlin a store.

 

[Mirof]

Perhaps


Burlington Antique Toys - Upper East Side - NYC Toy Store
Burlington Antique Toys - (212) 861-9708 - 1082 MADISON AVENUE (81ST & 82ND)

This is not your run of the mill toy store but a very cool shop that has incredible selections of toy soldiers and other gems for those youngsters and their parents with an interest in history. The owner Steve Balkin is an artist who will gladly share his wisdom and collection with you



check here :
http://littlebabebigcity.com/new-yo...tique-toys-upper-east-side-nyc-toy-store.html

 

[nysoldiers]

Perhaps


Burlington Antique Toys - Upper East Side - NYC Toy Store
Burlington Antique Toys - (212) 861-9708 - 1082 MADISON AVENUE (81ST & 82ND)

This is not your run of the mill toy store but a very cool shop that has incredible selections of toy soldiers and other gems for those youngsters and their parents with an interest in history. The owner Steve Balkin is an artist who will gladly share his wisdom and collection with you



check here :
http://littlebabebigcity.com/new-yo...tique-toys-upper-east-side-nyc-toy-store.html

Pretty sure they closed several years ago.

 

[theBaron]

Perhaps

Burlington Antique Toys - Upper East Side - NYC Toy Store
Burlington Antique Toys - (212) 861-9708 - 1082 MADISON AVENUE (81ST & 82ND)

This is not your run of the mill toy store but a very cool shop that has incredible selections of toy soldiers and other gems for those youngsters and their parents with an interest in history. The owner Steve Balkin is an artist who will gladly share his wisdom and collection with you

check here :
http://littlebabebigcity.com/new-yo...tique-toys-upper-east-side-nyc-toy-store.html

Pretty sure they closed several years ago.

But his digital footprint lives on

I think you're right, Rich. Burlington used to advertise in Old Toy Soldier, if I am not mistaken, but I looked in my latest issues and there are no ads from him.

In addition, wasn't Burlington an antiques seller, who also sold toy soldiers, and not a toy soldier specialty store?

Prost!
Brad

 

[nysoldiers]

But his digital footprint lives on

I think you're right, Rich. Burlington used to advertise in Old Toy Soldier, if I am not mistaken, but I looked in my latest issues and there are no ads from him.

In addition, wasn't Burlington an antiques seller, who also sold toy soldiers, and not a toy soldier specialty store?

Prost!
Brad

The street level was a book store and the basement was pretty much all toy soldiers. In later years he also sold his art.
I met Robbin Williams buying toy toldiers there many years ago.

 

[semperrandyfi]

There was one outside West Point for many years but he gave up and I believe doesmail order and shows. Nice little shop. Always paid a visit after spending the day at the Point.

Ex-Ranger? For real? There are NO 'ex' or' former' Marines.Just sayin'.

The shop long ago at West Point was owned by Tony& Marilyn Ciccarello. Moved the shop,yes,but as the owner of Armies In Plastic as you mentioned.

Take care

A Marine

 

[sapper]

We call ourselves the lucky country and I think with what I have been reading, that could be true. I live in Brisbane Australia and one of my hobbies is toy soldier collecting. I live about ten minutes by car from a toy soldier shop dealer which is called The Military Workshop. Now some forum members will instantly recognise the name and Brett the owner, regularly contributes threads with his contributions of knowledge and witty remarks. If you ever visit the shop,from the outside it is rather plain and inside there is usually boxes of toy soldiers partially blocking corridors but then the wonderment takes your thoughts away. Brett has numerous display cabinets of dioramas and collections of various makers that are the latest releases and one's that have long been retired. Some are fairly rare to acquire and I believe Andy from King and Country makes occasional purchases when he visits on his annual pilgrimage. Now Andy and Brett are friends from long ago in Hong Kong before the Chinese takeover and we like to think that we have the inside running on what is happening in the hobby. Whether that is the case or not the experience of visiting the store can be more rewarding as Brett will talk to you for hours about toy soldiers, movies, how to solve the world's problems if you have the time to spare.
On a Saturday morning there is usually a gathering of well known forum members in the store and if you want to make a purchase it often takes longer as the
catching up with what is going on normally draws you in. I make most of my purchases during the week when it is less busy. So I think we are lucky or maybe fortunate to be right across every aspect of the hobby and if you ever visit our fair city it could be well worth the experience to have a look. Regards Greg.

 

[Andanna]

This would ruin me.

 

[Panzer ace]

As I have mentioned before, I live within 20 minutes of a dedicated toy soldier store in both places I call home.

I have said it once and I will say it again, there is nothing like buying toy soldiers from a toy soldier shop. As far as I am concerned shows come close to the shop experience and the internet serves its purpose.