Model Shops in the Chicago/downtown area?

Does anyone knows about any info about Model Shops in the Chicago/downtown area?

http://www.alshobbyshop.com/store/index.asp

they are in elmhurst which is about 40-50 minutes from Chicago. very good store, although its now more of an RC shop

Try Ram Train and Hobby. A classic crammed hobby shop with an eclectic colleciton of japanese and american models. A good selection of modelling supplies, too. A little pricey, but which private shops aren't these days?


Ram Train & Hobby Shop
(773) 775-3382
6603 W Higgins Ave, Chicago, IL 60656

There are also several Hobby Lobby shops in the suburban areas, and they usually have a sale on models around Christmastime in December.

This is really the only plastic shop in the greater Chicago area.

http://www.venturehobbies.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page1.html

Half the store is plastics. A great selection.

Funny this thread came up because last weekend I was travleing around town and shops have really closed up in this area. Ebay and the internet hobby stores have really taken over.

Ram's has changed and is focusing on O / G scale trains. They have a great selection of N/ HO scale also.

They have about ten plastic cars in the whole shop right now.

If you make it just north to Evanston, try Tom Thumb:
http://www.tomthumbcrafts.com/

The best thing about this store is that they have models they stocked twenty years ago that have never sold and are still marked with old prices. I've bought two Tamiya Peugeot 405s for $29 each, as well as several other older Tamiya and Fujimi kits.

I forgot to add, I 'm looking for something I can find using maybe a taxi or bus. Thanks to all you guys anyway.

Try M&M Hobbies in OakLawn. Its a very nice place that also has resin car kits in stock. Very nice but small. They have some superb military and classic figures on display in several cases. You will learn something if you study the built models. Al's Hobby is also nice, but not half as good as it used
to be. Venture has alot of plastic but no one in the store has a clue about plastic car kits.

Tom Tanner/Ferrari Expo model contest 2009