Malden Hobby Shop Moving To Wakefield Due To Redevelopment

MALDEN, MA — A toy and hobby shop on Exchange Street is leaving Malden after more than 20 years. Hobby Bunker is moving to Wakefield ahead of the redevelopment of its current building.

The shop's owners say they "can't get a lease" in the new building, and they cannot afford space elsewhere in Malden. Hobby Bunker will open at 103 Albion Street in Wakefield April 1.

Nichole Mossalam, who ran for state representative last year, said she was the director of a mosque that was pushed out of the same building. The plan to redevelop the space has been in the works for at least five years, she said.

"The building owners made this decision a long time ago and have been slowly phasing out tenants for some time...the mosque spent years looking for a new space as we negotiated with the building owners to give us more time," Mossalam wrote on a Facebook post announcing Hobby Bunker's move.

Hobby Bunker opened in Malden in 1998, selling toys, games, collectibles and other items for hobbyists.