Rider's Hobby Shop on Carpenter Road plans to close within weeks
The Rider’s Hobby Shop in Pittsfield Township plans to close within weeks, some 65 years after the franchise was founded in Ann Arbor.
The store, located at 3140 Carpenter Road near Ypsilanti, is selling all of its inventory, equipment and fixtures at a reduced price, said owner Brent Martin.
Inventory includes model building supplies, wooden ship models, model rockets and kites. Once everything is sold, Martin said the store will close.
Customers wait outside a former Rider's Hobby Shop location on West Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor.
Photo from Rider's Hobby Shop website
“We’re hoping to have everything sold by the end of the month or mid-August,” he said.
The hobby shop first opened in an old Ann Arbor carriage factory in 1946, selling mostly pens and stationery. Many long-time local residents would remember the shop's former location on West Liberty Street.
At one point, there were 16 Rider’s Hobby Shop stores in six states: Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Georgia and Virginia. The Ypsilanti area shop opened in 1988, and Martin bought the store five years ago.
But after the shop closes, only two Rider’s Hobby Shops locations will remain: one in Grand Rapids and one in Flint. Those will remain open.
Model planes inside the store.
Courtesy of rosefirerising via Flickr
“Rider’s got quite a reputation with hobbyists and people from all over would come there, so the owner eventually expanded,” Martin said.
Martin said the business fell prey to the economic downturn because the shops “don’t sell anything people can’t live without.”
“It’s a bad combination when sales are declining but expenses just keep going up,” Martin said. “The Michigan economy is obviously tough on everybody and we’re seeing that money has gotten so tight that people don’t have extra income.”
Since announcing that the local store will close, Martin said he’s heard feedback from customers that are upset to see the shop close after being such a long-time fixture in the area.
“We’ve been getting a lot of people coming in and saying, ‘I used to come in here with my grandpa,’” Martin said. “Our customers have been shocked, disappointed and supportive.”
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Gordon
Thu, Jul 21, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
Again, I just don't understand why citizens think politicians have anything to do with job creaation good or bad. Blame politcos for a slide in the economy that has had cyclical moves (people are lemmings) for 1000's of years. Yes, some minor fine tuning can be done with tax incentatives etc; but we have seen what a fine kettle of fish that has put us in. We have toyed with tax incentives till or 6th grade tax system requires an accounting degree. It's all about incentives when you have enough money to make choices. Without discreationary income the incentive is to reduce expenses. Creating more effiencent merchandizing increases volume and reduces unit costs no matter the country it comes from. My two cents says we are experiencing the effects of two rapid close together major changes in our economy. 1- the communication revolution of the 80's & 90's. 2- the transitution from a Service economy to a Tech / Idea economy. Like the 20's the beginnings are exuberant and the 30's happen when our institutions are still trying to adjust to the changes. As a group we adlust slow as individuals a few move ahead rapidly. War has been the stimulis in the past. My hope we are learning that doesn't work anymore. War is a delayed stimulis because the benefit comes from after the war when the resources are directed to producing real goods & services. Business closing come from the slow adoptibility of both the customer & the business to meet the new needs by providing the new incentitives.
Mike K
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
I learned this news the hard way. Went in there this weekend to get some rockets for the kids, and get them off the couch. Well, I did get the rockets, but will have do the rest via mail order. It's a shame. I've read many of the replies, but I've always had decent and knowledgable service. As for anyone suggesting Snyder is the problem, please, that's ridiculous. In the future, Snyder's tax plan might help save business's like this.
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 5:02 a.m.
The whole thing comes down to Facebook and gaming. Kids come around to realizing there is more to life than that, but I'd probably not count on it from age 12-25 these days. I speak from experience. Still waiting on some of mine to get there.
Mike K
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
Good point. When I was a kid entertainment was model railroading, racing, shooting rockets, riding bikes.... Today my kids have a PS2 on one TV adn a PS3 on the other. The racing track (bought at Riders 9 months ago) does come out every once in a while, but they get board with it. I'll have to teach them "bump off" and run a train across the tracks to mix it up to kick it up a notch.
James J. Gould
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.
It would be nice to see an accurate historical piece done by someone who knew Ken, Ruby, and Bruce Rider from the good-old-days on Liberty St. Mike Allen has all the stores outside of Ann Arbor and is doing ok. Too bad he didn't get the flagship store also.
Think!
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 2:55 a.m.
There's a hobby shop called Model Cave opening soon at Michigan Avenue and Huron in downtown Ypsilanti. I was looking at the kits in the windows when the owner came out to say hello and told me they were most likely opening in September and would be specializing in model kits and trains. So sorry to see that Riders is closing but it's also nice to see a new local proprietor giving the hobby shop business a go in this area.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 11:51 p.m.
Sorry to see this. Over the years have spent a fair amount of money on model railroad equipment and supplies there. You will be missed. Good Night and Good Luck
DonBee
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
I am a regular at Riders. This is not Lansing's fault. On numerous occations, glue, paints and other supplies have been unavailable in the colors or types desired. Special orders for these items could take 2 or 3 weeks. While I tried to continue to buy at Riders and be a loyal customer, the ending of the Red Card program, further reduced loyalty from many people. Then add that signs posted offered standard discounts on some items, but the discount was not always taken at the register. All in all, the employees are wonderful and Riders will be missed, but the falling inventory of basics, combined with the lower cost of items on the internet is what did them in. This was not a political issue, rather it was an inward cycle that they never recovered from.
Diego Amor
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.
I see I'm a little late to the party here, but I still want to contribute. There were some wonderful folks working in that store who I assume will need to find new jobs and my heart goes out to them. Big hearted people who could see the wonder in a child's eye yet also try to help grown-ups reliving their childhoods. It was a fun place to do some dreaming. With all due respect to the politicking, Rider's demise is primarily attributable to two factors. The lousy economy and competition from the Internet. This has been said by others, so I just want to add my agreement. Perhaps an economic rebound will allow someone else to give this market a try. Whoever that is will have to give a lot of thought to how to compete in the Internet era.
Adam Jaskiewicz
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:49 p.m.
I used to go to the Liberty store with my dad as a kid. Not that long ago, really (I'm 26). I don't think I've ever been to the Carpenter Road location. We lived on the west side, so that was pretty far out of the way.
Ron Granger
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.
What a bummer. It's always great going there and being able to find exactly what I need for projects. I have read that the generations who built models are getting older.. Kids today don't build models, they read about other people doing stuff on the internet. So there is nobody to fill those shoes. A lot of model and train shops are closing across the country.
jns131
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.
Someone who knows what he is talking about. Models, trains and et all that you use your thinking brain for are all but a thing of the past. Same with cross stitch and knitting. All a thing of the past. Now it is fast electronics to keep the mind stimulated. A lot of children today can't keep their hands still because todays children are texting and Wii playing. Sad reality that our grandchildren will never know this.
sbbuilder
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
Ever since they demanded that they put my date of birth (not expiration, mind you) on my check, which already had my address, phone number, and drivers licence on it, I haven't darkened their door. Too bad, but over the years I've spent a fair amount of money there, and they treated me like I was some dung on the bottom of their shoes. See yah....
Joe Hood
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 1:20 a.m.
People still use checks for retail?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
Probably required by the bank or check clearing service they used. If so, great job of shooting the messenger. Good Night and Good Luck
Evan Mccausland
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 8:56 p.m.
What a shame. Yes, I'm a customer whose visits to the store grew fewer and fewer over the past year or so. Although the staff were friendly and willing to order what (HO train equipment) I needed or wanted, it seemed their inventory was frequently sparse and not really tailored to local tastes. Modelers in MI do love the local lines, yet it was a rare day when an Ann Arbor piece of rolling stock -- let alone GTW, DTI, etc. -- showed up on the shelves. Yes, they could have ordered it from the distributor, but to be frank, shopping elsewhere -- sometimes through the distributor itself, but often at the Ryder's in Flint -- put the product in my hands far sooner, and occasionally at a lesser cost. I'm all for supporting small businesses, but by that standard, it's hard to really justify shelling out extra money. Nothing personal; it's just business/ capitalism. If the consumer can buy it elsewhere sooner and at an equal or lesser price, it's hard to really thrive off of such a business model. I will say that the timing of this couldn't be worse -- the future of the Michigan Model Train Center in Pinckney is in question following the passing of longtime proprietor (and all-around great guy) Skip Macdonald. That essentially left Ryder as one of the few places in the area that specialized in trains, let alone any hobby -- unless, of course, you cared to drive to Farmington, Novi, Flint, Lansing, Utica, and elsewhere. Oh well. Such a shame I've had to watch the entire Ryder's chain circle the drain over my lifetime -- I grew up at the two Utica stores and watched both close, moved to the Madison Heights location and watched that shutter up, and now the same with this locale. Best of luck to the remaining stores that continue to carry the torch in the years to come.
Evan Mccausland
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 5:51 p.m.
Slater: I work in downtown A2, used to live in Milan, and now call the Brighton area home. J-Bar has some incredible stock, but some equally incredible price tags affixed to the merchandise.
Slater
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
Evan - You don't say where you live but have you ever been to J-Bar Hobbies in Tecumseh? They have a very large train area and carry everything from Z to G gauge with lots of rolling stock. This may be a shorter drive for you.
Bogie
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 8:11 p.m.
I am sorry to hear any business going down, but from a lot of responses on here; It seemed they didn't offer a quality product. Imagine that., competition forced them out of business. For all the Ricky haters, call Washington! See if Senator Stabenow can propose a small business hobby shop stimulus package! Did all of you blame Phizer (not sure on the spelling- not a user) on Ms. Granholm? (maybe that one was Bush fault) Just woneding.
Monica R-W
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 8:40 a.m.
It's was Pfizer....not Phizer. Also, seems as if Rick Snyder could have done something to help Borders and their 400 employees that will be LOSING their jobs. Especially considering that Washtenaw County is in his home mansion's backyard. But, hey...our states unemployment rate has risen since Snyder's been in office too...but, of course, its' not his fault (dripping sarcasm).
smacks
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
Michigan Paddle Sport is located on the east side of Portage Lake (technically Dexter Township), not Pinckney.
Que escandaloso
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
But don't go in unless you've got money to spend and definitely don't take your kids. About 3 years ago, I was treated very rudely when I tried to take my boys to look around and ask some questions. The shopkeeper wouldn't even let us in the store because of they boys who were ages 7 and 9 years. Since my father-in-law was a collector, I thought it might be nice to get my boys interested so that they could really appreciate the trains he left them when he passed away. Now every time we pass the store, my boys bring it up.
Slater
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
This is sad news indeed – I remeber going to Riders as a kid. They have been going down for a while now. I have been going to J-Bar Hobbies in Tecumseh for 20 years now. This is the largest hobby shop I have ever seen. The only thing they don't have is RC but they have a very large selection of Lionel as well as rockets and thousands of plastic kits. This is also a family owned business and the owners are very nice folks.
Are you serious?
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
Recently happened to stumble across the Rider's in Flint - not exactly an economically thriving area. That store, which is bigger than the Carpenter Rd one, was well stocked with knowledgeable helpful employees. There were a number of customers in the store. I came back and visited the Carpenter Rd store and was basically ignored by the four or five employees who were standing around talking to each other. Just my experience - YMMV. Don't know what the difference is but it might make an interesting story to find out why.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.
"Another one bites the dust.Big thank you to the crooks in Lansing including and especially Snyder." Snyder? I thought Al Gore invented the internet.
jns131
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
Snyder had nothing to do with this. It is the economy as a whole and people who are loosing interest in these types of hobbies. Thanks to Nintendo and PS3 and Wii? This is where people are heading into. Electronics, not hand stuff.
redwingshero
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 5:07 p.m.
I can remember going in to get model rockets many, many times for the annual cub scout picnic's when I was that young (and still today occasionally). Always impressed by the quality of stuff they had. I guess I was fortunate to grow up in A2 when the one on Liberty was still open. Sad to see it go.
Hmm
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 5:06 p.m.
What sad news! I bought my first and only model train there when I was about 8 years old, so sad to hear they are not going to make it
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 5 p.m.
too many folks whose "hobby" has become finding a job/keeping a job/paying the bills. Discretionary income is not what it used to be.
Top Cat
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 5 p.m.
Ryders has been on the decline for a number of years. As a Lionel train enthusiast, I recommend Michigan Paddle Sport and Hobby in Pinckney.
jns131
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:28 p.m.
Ryders gave up the train thing when it too found people were loosing interest in this. The big business Ryders got from us was the original Thomas The Tank Engine. Not the phoney stuff they make today. We have all the original pieces and will never buy plastic from China. Buy from Great Britain if you want the originals.
Fritz Milhaupt
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
And, sadly, Michigan Model Train Center is widding down business after its owner (and my long-time friend) Skip McDonald passed away on May 23.
Morris Thorpe
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
This is Rick Snyder's fault? Stop the reactionary blame and finger-pointing, dudes. I know partisan blindness it's easier than thinking but you ought to give it a shot. (For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of his, so save your breath.) In addition to the economy, I suspect the store was a victim of the internet. People like going in, looking at the product, holding it, asking questions...and then go home a buy it online for less. Sad because it was a fun place to go with the kids.
WalkingJoe
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.
I agree Rodney T. As much as I don't agree with Rick Snyder's policies we can't put the onus on him in this case. Like you pointed out the store fell victim to internet purchases and I also believe that unlike "the old days" kids (and adults) would rather play video games than build models or some other hobby.
kdadnick
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.
"Since announcing that the local store will close, Martin said he's heard feedback from customers that are upset to see the shop close after being such a long-time fixture in the area. "We've been getting a lot of people coming in and saying, 'I used to come in here with my grandpa,'" Martin said. "Our customers have been shocked, disappointed and supportive."" This is the problem...many people remember businesses fondly, but they don't support them any more. Mt. Pleasant had a lovely, family owned, fine dining restaurant, "The Embers" for over 50 years. They were never busier than they were when they announced they were going to have to close. Support the businesses you'd like to see in your community. If it's a "box store" fine....but don't cry when the others have to close.
tom swift jr.
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
The shop on Liberty was a gem. I used to take my kids there back in the '70s, it was a magic place for a couple of little boys. I'm guessing that a small shop like that doesn't funnel enough money to Rickey to benefit from his job growth policy much, eh?
Rob MI
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.
This is a shame. I've purchased a number of great things from Rider's over the years, but nothing in a few years for exactly the same reason they cite as their major problem.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 4:16 p.m.
oy editing!!! "But after the shop OPENS, only two Rider's Hobby Shops locations will remain"????
jns131
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.
Grand Rapids and Flint? O my.... my typo....need to look into that one.
jns131
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
They might be talking about the one in Jackson. Otherwise, this is a typo and this is the last Ryders Hobby Shop to exist in Michigan.
15crown00
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
Another one bites the dust.Big thank you to the crooks in Lansing including and especially Snyder.
Mike K
Tue, Jul 19, 2011 : 8:06 p.m.
Actually, if they could wait out one more year, Snyder's new tax policy might save it.
jns131
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
This time it is not the fault of Snyder but the economy as a whole. When Ryders 13 years ago started consolidating, the first to go was that Ryders on Liberty. I remember that day when they told my husband they were closing because the brothers decided to sell off what was once their fathers. No one wanted a hobby shop. Canton was the next to go 5 years later and I am not sure about the one in Jackson. But this one is the last in Ann Arbor. They sure made a go of it. End of an era. I knew this last Friday.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.
its all Teddy Roosevelt's fault. Ever since he said we needed to carry a big stick there hasn't been a chicken in every pot.
ChrisW
Mon, Jul 18, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
It never ceases to amaze me how people can assign blame to their political enemies no matter what the actual cause of the problem was.