AMain Hobbies is set to acquire the hobby and specialty retail chain, HobbyTown, effective later this summer. The agreement will include the retailer’s headquarters and distribution center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
As a result, AMain Hobbies will have three distribution centers, including its existing centers in Chico, California and Charlotte, North Carolina.
The HobbyTown chain of 106 retail stores spans 35 U.S. states and features a wide selection of radio control cars and airplanes, models, toys, puzzles and games, and STEM toys. Thom Walla, Merlin Hayes, and Mary Hayes founded HobbyTown Unlimited in 1985 and opened the first franchise store in 1986.
“With almost 40 years under [its] belt, HobbyTown has been the go-to place for countless enthusiasts, like myself, to fuel their passion for radio-controlled cars, airplanes, specialty toys, and games, as well as STEM toys,” says AMain Hobbies CEO Kendall Bennett. “Thom Walla and Bob Wilke have developed a proven successful retail model, and we’re stoked to bring our expertise in e-commerce, customer service, and fulfillment to the table. Our mission is clear — we want to buck the current trend and expand the retail scene across the U.S. We want to create a space where enthusiasts can come together, discover new things, learn, and connect with others while enjoying their free time.”
HobbyTown Founder Thom Walla adds, “We have formed a great partnership with AMain Hobbies for the past seven years. We have confidence Kendall and his team at AMain Hobbies along with the HobbyTown team will continue the tradition of bringing an enjoyable one-stop shopping experience to customers across the country.”
Several U.S. markets are targeted for HobbyTown franchisee growth in 2023 and beyond. Current hobby store owners who have considered expansion or enthusiasts who would like to own their own hobby store can inquire at hobbytownfranchise.com.
“AMain Hobbies was founded by a true hobbyist in Kendall Bennett,” says AMain Hobbies Chief Financial Officer Kevin Kiser. “Growing, supporting, and advancing the hobby industry is what Kendall and the entire AMain Hobbies team strives to make happen on an everyday basis. We spend countless hours and resources to ensure we provide the best overall customer experience in the industry. It’s been said many times that brick-and-mortar stores are vital to the hobby industry. This is an opportunity for us to invest entirely in that belief and give retailers better tools to make them more profitable, save time, and feel like a valued part of the industry ecosystem. We are excited to combine the use of our data and technology with the existing HobbyTown stores and any other hobby dealers that want to grow their business model to ultimately provide the consumer with the first true omnichannel experience for our customers.”
