UPDATED NEWS: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is NOT closing! (1 Viewer)

[BigDenny]

Bad news: It looks like Craig McClain's Old Toy Soldier Home is going to be closing sometime in the near future due to the negative effects of this economy. I've been going to this store ever since I was a kid and I had a chance to work there for a short time on the side. Craig McClain has done an incredible job of making this hobby inviting to our select few and to outsiders. The Old Toy Soldier Home has been a stable of the hobby for as long as I can remember, and it's a real shame if it's going downhill. If you are planning any major purchases sometime soon, please consider Craig. He's a terrific person and it's a real shame that his business is going under.

 

[jazzeum]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Sorry to hear that. Seems like Craig has been around forever.

 

[marco55]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Always sad to hear of another brick and mortar shop closing up.
Mark

 

[Louis Badolato]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

This is indeed sad news. I have long purchased from Craig McLean ("Bubba") and the former owner Bob Fisher over the phone, and, while i have never been there, I love brick and mortar Toy Soldier shops. Sadly, every one in New York City and Upstate have closed, and now one of the longest standing shops, where I bought much of my early K&C (they were one of the first K&C dealers) is going under.:redface2:

 

[Warrior]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Is he shutting down the business or just closing the store, ie, will he still have a website and do mail order, maybe some clarification is needed.

Craig and Woody are two of the nicest guys I've met in this business; if in fact he is closing up shop for good, I wish him nothing but the best going forward.

I give Craig, Matt, Tim, Richie, Mike, Paul, John, Stan and anyone else I may have forgotten all the credit in the world for having and maintaining a storefront in this business, a huge expense for them to say the least.

I remember as a kid all of the places just in Massachusetts my parents took me to that sold toy soldiers; now it seems across the country you can count the number of toy sodlier related stores on two hands, pretty sad state of affairs.

 

[ucla1967]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

This is really sad news, but I have feared this outcome for some time now. I made my second toy soldier purchase at the Old Toy Soldier Home about 20 years ago when Bob Fisher owned the shop. At the time, I bought King & Country glossies, Trophy of Wales, Ducal, and new Britains from Bob. As you probably know, Bob subsequently sold the shop to Craig along with the rights to the West Coaster Toy Soldier Show. I hope that this doesn't effect the West Coaster's future viability. I am not sure how much of the decision to close the shop has to do with Craig's health issues or with economic issues; maybe, it is some of both. In any case, it doesn't bode well for those of us who enjoy the special connection to brick and mortar shops that just can't be duplicated by the internet.

 

[lancer]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

I am very sorry to hear this. Although it has been a while since I purchased from him, many of my early buys when I got back into this hobby were from his store. I always liked his shop's variety and his friendliness on the phone. -- Al

 

[Peter Reuss]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

BigDenny -

May I ask where you got this update? In looking at their website I don't see anything about them closing.

Pete

 

[joesgis]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

This is terrible news. I can't believe Craig's shop is closing. Craig is one of the most wonderful persons in the hobby, and I hate to hear his busy is struggling that bad. If his store really is shutting down, I sure hope he maintains an internet presence as well as keeps throwing the annual Westcoaster bash.

Joe

 

[BigDenny]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Hi Peter,

Craig called me up several days ago to tell me about some issues he is having with his health, and to inform me that his store is going under.

I am planning on going in, in person next weekend to try to get some more details.

I remember him telling me when I worked there this summer that if the OTSH did go down, he would maintain a presence as an online vendor.


Best Regards,
Mike

 

[sammy719]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Very sad to hear another soldier shop is closing I visited the Old Toy Soldier home on vacations to San Diego and always found it to be a very nice place to visit and the staff were more then helpful, hopefully they keep a presence on the web and also still do the West Coaster show as well...Sammy

 

[Al Fisher]

Good News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is NOT closing!

I just received the following from Craig re the Old Toy Soldier Home: "Hello Al, we are not done . My health is a problem , the insurance company has made my life a challenge, I may move but we are still open ! Spread the word we are still alive , Thank you , Craig" Hurrah . . . they're good friends and a classy operation, so this is good news indeed.

Bosun Al

 

[ccdc11]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Hi ,I have also heard from Craig today and recieved the same assurance that he will still be open .
As a regular customer of his as well this wonderful site I try to spread my purchases around to several dealers . I drove two hours each way yesterday to Paul at toy soldier shoppe of wis and purchased three sets there .
Maybe it's a good time to throw a purchase or two at old toy soldier home .

 

[ucla1967]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

I spoke to Craig this morning and he assured me that he is NOT closing his store. He said that while he may have to move to another location, he will continue operating his business as both a physical location and on the internet. He also will continue to run the West Coaster Toy Soldier Show, as in the past. Please ignore this false rumor and continue to support the Old Toy Soldier Home.

 

[BigDenny]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

I spoke to Craig this morning and he assured me that he is NOT closing his store. He said that while he may have to move to another location, he will continue operating his business as both a physical location and on the internet. He also will continue to run the West Coaster Toy Soldier Show, as in the past. Please ignore this false rumor and continue to support the Old Toy Soldier Home.

Thank God, this is great news! From speaking to him, I was very concerned, I am happy to know that I was mistaken regarding his comments.

Regards,
Mike

 

[4th Hussar]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

I spoke to Craig this morning and he assured me that he is NOT closing his store. He said that while he may have to move to another location, he will continue operating his business as both a physical location and on the internet. He also will continue to run the West Coaster Toy Soldier Show, as in the past. Please ignore this false rumor and continue to support the Old Toy Soldier Home.

Gives me an excuse to go to South this winter{sm4}

 

[Louis Badolato]

Finally, a little good news!:smile2:

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Thank God, this is great news! From speaking to him, I was very concerned, I am happy to know that I was mistaken regarding his comments.

Regards,
Mike

Absolutely, We need to keep as many Toy Soldier shops open as possible !

 

[ucla1967]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Gives me an excuse to go to South this winter{sm4}

Bob,

Be sure and come down so you can take in the West Coaster Show on the first weekend in March. Craig and Woody will have multiple tables of toy soldiers for sale. Andy Nielson from K&C always attends, as does Gerard Prime from Frontline Figures, Richard Walker from Britains, Brian from Collectors Showcase, Rick from Figarti, and many others.

 

[LordAnhausen]

Re: Bad News: Old Toy Soldier Home, Vista, CA, is closing!

Once again rumor central has gotten ahead of itself.
This reminds me of when a group of plastic collectors on the Marx One List started the rumor that Paragon had ceased operation and no one bothered to check out the facts before telling us all of their supposed demise . Or when it was widely reported that Conte Collectables had supposedly gone out of business. It is always the best policy to check the FACTS before potentially damaging one of the stores or manufacturers before posting potentially damaging 'news'. Caution and courtesy. Caution and common sense.
VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT THESE REPORTS WERE WRONG.