The Danbury Hobby House

The Danbury Hobby House on Main Street in Danbury, Connecticut was my ‘source’ as a kid. It was my connection to the world of plastic and wood models. Whenever the opportunity availed itself, I would visit my “Dreamland.” The Hobby House was a small store located on the West side of Main Street, just north of the Danbury Library. Whenever Mom had to go downtown, I would always go along and stop by. Even if it was only to press my nose on the window to see what was new.

The store front was built to resemble a small house. Get it now? Hobby House, clever huh. The front door was recessed, giving the look of two Bay Windows on either side. It was painted white with blue trim, as I remember, with the name “Hobby House” proudly displayed over the small gabled roof that finished off the house look.

I only entered that front door if I knew I had the cash, and planned to buy something with my dollar allowance. My brother Bob and I each got a dollar every Friday from Dad’s pay envelope. Yes, that’s right I said pay envelope; cash, no checks. Once inside, it was a feast for the eyes and the mind; a “Feast for the Senses,” as they say. The store was small, with an L shaped wood and glass display cabinet that ran along the left side and back of the store. Hanging from the ceiling were models, which I assume were built by the proprietor. They ranged from large, 44” wingspan, Radio Control and U Control aircraft to small plastic aircraft models. I never went in to just look or browse, or “Poke” as my Aunt Anne and Mom use to say. I was on a mission. Once I went in, I never came out without a treasure.

In the wooden case were built-up plastic models of every type to whet the pallet with dreams of owning one just like it. The walls were lined with shelves, and on those shelves were the model kits. There were hundreds of models by manufacturers, some now defunct, such as Aurora, Comet, Lindberg, Monogram, Revell, and Renwall. There were the wood kits by Sterling, Berkeley, Guillows and Comet. All were “Made in the USA,” truly a rare commodity today. Those walls held a true cornucopia of dreams, a rainbow of color, a dizzying array of types and sizes of boxes filled with many hours of pleasure, and frustration. It was a dream for a kid with a buck.

The rear of the store had a small opening in the wall that separated the store front from the back room. The opening was covered with a curtain of sorts, to hide the place where the “Magic” happened. Believe me the Wizard of Oz had nothing on this gentleman. The aromas and smells that wafted over the wall and from that curtained door were inspiring. Enamels, plastic cement, wood glue (oh, the smell of the Original Ambroid!), and of course the Butyrate Dope, used for covering the wood models. I do believe he built most, if not all, of his display models. The aromas were “Magical.” I still say, “If it don’t stink it don’t work.”

I remember the man who owned the store had what I consider to be the “Patience of a Saint.” How does one make up one’s mind on which one to buy, when you can only afford one? Decisions, decisions, decisions. What was a boy to do? I am sure now, looking back, that he cringed whenever he saw Master William enter his establishment. Not to forget my Mom and Dad, who had to stand there as I decided.

I don’t know whatever became of the Hobby House, the models, or for that matter, the owner. Seems like one day it was there, and the next it was gone. Probably gone the way of many “Mom & Pop” establishments and probably, with my change in buying habits, partly my fault.

The Danbury Hobby House and its owner will always hold a special place in my heart, and my childhood memories. Every time I go back to Danbury, I always drive down Main Street and look at where the shop once stood. I’m always hoping that it may one day “Magically” re-appear.

Blue Skys and Tailwinds,

Captain Billy