The
store’s new additions include the
“Wall of Track,” the introduction of
more than 60 new brands of supplies,
and the offering of how to classes
on most aspects of model
railroading, Ruby said.
The
store will also add radio controlled
planes, cars, and boats.
Blue
Ridge Hobbies will continue to offer
model railroading items for
beginners up to craftsman. The items
available include everything from
track and scenery to trains and
detail craftsman modeling kits.
The
store also responds to the new
demand of model railroading with the
introduction of DCC (Digital Command
Control) operation for Model Trains
several years ago.
“It’s
kind of like the convenience store
of model trains” or hobbies, he
said. “If you need it, you can come
down to the store and it will
usually be on the shelf. It’s rare
that it’s not.”
Ruby
started the business online at his
home in 2005. He opened his first
retail site across
the street from the store’s new
location in 2007.
The
business has grown in products and
sales in spite of the recession.
Ruby
said sales are up 38 percent in
year-to-year comparisons, from
January to
September 2008 and 2009. The sales
total last year compared to this
year’s projections
will be up 29 percent, he said.
“When
we first opened we were nickels and
dimes – literally,” he said. “We
were lucky
some months in the first year to
make $9,000 in sales. We do that in
a day, day in a half, now.”
Geoff
Duncan, a long-time customer of Blue
Ridge Hobbies, believes model
railroading is
somewhat recession proof because
it’s a relatively modest hobby as
hobby expenses
go - you get a lot of bang and
pleasure for the buck” and “it is a
great at home
hobby that doesn’t require a lot of
traveling overhead to get there.”
Duncan attributes Blue Ridge
Hobbies’ success, in part, to
“substantially
discounted products” and Ruby’s
knowledge as a model railroader and
businessman.
Blue
Ridge Hobbies’ grand-opening
celebration is Oct. 1- 3.
Customers can register for drawings
for free items contributed by major
wholesalers during the celebration.
Business writer Angelia Davis can be
reached at 864-298-4276. |
