Ballwin Hobby Store Balances History, Technology

For train and model enthusiasts like John Phillips, advances in transit technology means evolution in the model world as well, though sometimes at the expense of learning new skills.

“Part of a hobby store is it’s educational,” said Philips, owner of in Ballwin.

“People’s tastes are always changing and they’re coming out with new products,” Phillips said. “That’s probably the most difficult. You just have to keep up with the changes.”

Small crafts such as radio-controlled helicopters, which Phillips said have taken off in popularity in recent years, no longer require the technical know-how for assembly that was required a generation ago. Although easier access to simplified models and RC units may appeal to the mainstream, that often means aviation or locomotive fans aren’t required to develop a steady hand or appreciation for regimen.

“You’d basically get a box full of parts and either glue it together or build it,” Phillips said. “Now everything is pretty much ready to run or ready to fly …. So the trend is people don’t have as much time on their hands.”

The owner of the shop in Ballwin, which has been in its current location for roughly 3 years since moving from east of Highway 141, said the market changed since the store's launch roughly 15 years ago.

“The real estate market was at a bottom,” Phillips recalled of the store’s move. “We looked at three or four places thought this was probably the best (location)."

While constructing intricate models may sometimes feel like a lost art, the joy of being inside a hobby store rarely eludes customers.

“Usually people are in a good mood when they come here, because they’re going to do something fun and it’s entertaining,” Phillips said. “It’s different than if it’s a restaurant or something. Everything here is to entertain yourself and have fun.”