"The Passing of Tradition" (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

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Some of you may have heard that a fine old Toy soldier and Military Miniature Shop “Tradition of London” is closing its doors.

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For me, and I am sure many others, this is a huge personal loss. When I first started re-collecting “New Toy Soldiers” back in 1980 whenever I visited London I would always make a point of visiting “Tradition” in Shepherd’s Market (and also when they were in Curzon Street).

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Back then it was like going into an Aladdin’s Cave for toy soldiers… Glossy traditionals… Matt connoisseurs and grey/unpainted castings – what a huge choice… Plus there were all kinds of great books and magazines relating to uniforms, weapons, regiments and, of course, toy soldiers and military miniatures. I could (and did) spend many a happy hour (or several) browsing before making my final selection. And… I always ended up spending way over my original budget!

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During this time I got to know all the regular guys who worked in Tradition especially the manager Steve Hare.

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Steve was, and still is, a great and knowledgeable character in this hobby and business… He is a fund of useful information and is always willing to share it. In the Toy Soldier World, Steve knew “where all the bodies were buried”… Heck, he might even have buried a few himself!

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It is a sad fact that Toy Soldier Shops and Hobby Stores are indeed an endangered species… Although the internet is useful it can never compete with the simple joy and pleasure of opening the door of a real-live toy soldier shop, hearing the little door bell ring, seeing cabinet after cabinet full of toy soldiers and listening to the proprietor say, “Good morning, Sir, and how can we help you today?”

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Visiting “Tradition” was a big part of why I always enjoyed visiting London… and after December 31st…. it will be gone… and London will be the poorer for it.

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With grateful thanks to Steve and the boys at “Tradition”. All success in the future with whatever ventures and adventures you get up to… With best personal wishes,

Andy C.​

 

[TomNT]

Nice post Andy and it is a sad day that this well loved "Ye Old Toy Soldier Shoppe" has closed and i agree that you can never replace the bricks and mortar stores. I would love to be able to pop into a shop and browse and buy my toy soldiers but there are none anywhere close to me. Hopefully the demise of bricks and mortar stores is just a cycle and the existing stores can survive and new one's open in the future.

Tom

 

[Guy]

When I worked for the Rank Organization ( Hotel Division) I visited London at least twice a month. (I had an office just around the corner of Shepherd's market in the Athenaeum Hotel/Green Park) I visited that little shop many times . It's a shame to see it disappear. I bought my first metal soldiers in "Tradition of London". Will have to visit it one last time before the 31st of December. Another one of my favourite shops in London closing it doors . It's a big shame
guy:smile2:

 

[Rob]

Went in there a couple of times over the years, always had a polite welcome when you went there. Sad to see a TS shop closing but I hope they continue to do well online/mail order.

Rob

 

[PanzerAce1944]

A sad story to hear.I agree with the points made that you certainly can not beat the experience of going into a fully operational walk in Toy Soldier Shop and seeing everything laid out in front of you.Hopefully they will do well on the mail order
side and keep things going.The nearest one for me is King&Country's own KingsX in San Antonio.From the moment I enter that shop my total focus is on what is inside and life's everyday issues seem to quickly drift out of thought. Spending an hour looking around seems to go by in 10 minutes as like the old saying goes........"time flies when your having fun" ! Another example of how we need to support our local shops that we as collectors patronize whether it is in the heartland of America or the shores of the land down under.

 

[Sentaapua]

I have a very fond memory of them. I'm sad to know they are closing... :redface2: 2 years ago I was visiting London with my wife, and when we were walking back through Mayfair to our hotel by Hyde Park we just by chance arrived at Sheppard Market and saw a full pub at one of its corners, with lots of noisy young folks having a great happy hour after a working day at their offices. The quantity of people drew our attention, but seconds later I spotted a red framed glass window and a door and to my complete bewilderment there it was: a toy soldier shop!{eek3} What a surprise; I'll never forget that sensation...! In front of me was Tradition of London LTD; I almost burst in joy and rushed to the door. It was closed. Needless to say there I was next morning, and was magnificently treated, not without some curiosity (are there toy soldier collectors in Brazil?), and made some nice buys having an unforgettable time there. :smile2::smile2:These are the memories I’ll carry with me of this wonderful (almost textbook) little toy soldier shop!

 

[Panzer ace]

I read this post with sadness. I have never been to Tradition of London, however, I know what my two “locals”, Sierra Toy Soldier in Los Gatos and Kings X in San Antonio mean to me. I was at Sierra this weekend and it reminded me of the excitement that goes along with my collecting via a toy soldier shop rather than the internet. And that excitement is not relegated to the soldiers themselves. On this particular day Myszka (one of the owners of the shop) was there with her usual crew, (Matt and Evan) pointing out the new releases etc. while providing the absolute best customer amenities imaginable. (For those of you who have never been to Sierra I can’t recommend it enough, the word stunning does not do it justice). Of course, Kilted Vampire was there and I was also able to speak with him. Some of the other collectors I know also made their way in and pretty soon it had the feel of my local pub. The conversations encompassed many things, not just toy soldiers. It is moments like these that make toy soldier shops what they are: the pinnacle of service, the joy of seeing fellow collectors, the knowledge that your items will not damaged during shipping and in those items immediately in hand.

It is a sad day when any shop in the toy soldier family closes, I know what losing mine would do to me.

 

[HAWKEYE]

Never collected alot of tradition because i was into trophy, but i have one heck of a beautiful french imperial guard band. Sorry tt see them go