The price of apathy… aka the hobby store closed
August 23, 2011
Driving through East Troy yesterday, I noticed a “for lease” sign in the window of the hobby store. My profound response?
“Hmm…”
… and I kept driving.
An enterprise that someone spent time and effort trying to establish now joins the ranks of fellow failed businesses. The economy (blame it on Bush or Walker)? The location?
Nope. They just sucked, plain and simple.
Growing up, I loved to build scale models. A store in East Troy? Awesome! As I opened their door, I was already trying to decide what I’d purchase. Something sci-fi…or, maybe a cool helicopter… been a while since I built an aircraft carrier…
…I was met by a guy behind the counter who didn’t even greet me when I entered (I was the only person in the store) and the most half-hearted selection of EVERYTHING. Skimpy offerings in the plastic model kits, R/C cars and planes, model trains… it was like the wind left my sails and I was left to drift in a sea of apathy… if apathy could be a hobby store.
After a couple pity laps around the store, I smiled, said thanks, and walked out the door. My first and only visit.
Passing the shuttered business, it made me think of what it could’ve been, if I had had a crack at running it. Location may be part of it, but you’d strive toward making the store THE location for models, the Mecca of models in SE Wisconsin. Great selection, passionate staff, world-class service, etc.
Dave’s Hobby in East Troy is THE ONLY place you want to go for your hobby needs. They rock!
Instead, that place will probably become another Curves location in a few months, the hobby store forgotten.
They didn’t leave their mark. They didn’t distinguish themselves.
Are you leaving your mark, to be the best spouse, parent, friend, boss, employee, volunteer, etc., etc., etc.?
