THE INSIDE LOOP
PHIL’S HOBBY SHOP CELEBRATES 40 YEARS!
By Jay Smith, Executive Editor | jays@modelaircraft.org
WHEN I WAS IN FLORIDA at the end of April, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to visit the hobby shop that my father and Phil Van Hart started 40 years ago in Pinellas Park. The shop is currently owned by Brian Hunt, with whom I used to race RC boats as a kid.
As luck would have it, Brian was working on the Sunday afternoon that I stopped in and we found ourselves reminiscing about old times. It was great to catch up, and I took my time looking at all of the cool stuff for sale. I ended up purchasing an old Aurora model kit that has been rereleased. I also picked up some extra propeller adapters for APC propellers.
Many of the hobby shops in Pinellas County are long gone, such as House of Hobbies and Archies Hobby Shop. House of Hobbies is the first hobby shop that I have a memory
When I was in Florida at the end of April, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to visit the hobby shop that my father and Phil Van Hart started 40 years ago in Pinellas Park. The shop is currently owned by Brian Hunt, with whom I used to race RC boats as a kid.
of being in, and I worked at Archies for a time. Hobby shops are special places, and I hope that they will continue to operate for future generations to enjoy.
