I remember going into a hobby shop as a teen. There were all sorts of model car kits, airplane kits, electric trains, kites, and everything you’d need to put them together. You could even buy paints without needing an adult present! Times have changed, but, then, times are always changing. The definition of a hobby shop has probably also changed. If a pastime is something you like to do, then that is likely your hobby.
Let’s take a look to see what “hobby shops” are here in Boise. I know I’ll miss a few (or a lot), and that is solely for a lack of information. I hope that one of your favorites is here.
hobbytown.com
HobbyTownUSA is a chain of stores whose Boise location is in the set of shops north of Boise Towne Square and just south of Applebee’s. Its address is 7849 Emerald Street, and its easiest entrance is the mall entrance by the IHOP. Closed on Sunday, it is open from 11-7 Monday through Saturday. You can check store inventory online, a feature I would find very handy, plus it saves the employees a lot of time from having to look to see if a certain part is in stock. Per the corporate website, “Today, HobbyTown franchise stores span the U.S. from coast to coast, making us the leader in the retail hobby and specialty toy industry. More than 100 HobbyTown franchise stores are located in 39 states in the continental U.S., making us the largest brick and mortar hobby retailer in the world!”
michaels.com
Recently acquired by a leveraged buyout firm, Michaels is an arts and crafts store located in the Franklin Towne Plaza at 8633 Franklin Road. Open seven days a week, the store offers ins-tore pickup, curb-side delivery and same-day delivery for a nominal fee. I’ve been in the store many times, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, then it probably doesn’t exist. They have it all! The store has “everything you need to explore your inner creativity. Our expansive craft assortments include the most popular art supplies, fabric, canvases, yarn, knitting & crochet supplies, frames, scrapbook materials, beads, jewelry kits, Cricut makers, and much more. We also offer traditional holiday and seasonal décor for many occasions including summer and graduation virtual party supplies, kids’ craft kits, party supplies, wreaths, and more.”
idahostatesman.com
Hobby Lobby, a national chain of arts and crafts, recently opened (April 2021) a Boise store in the space formerly occupied by Shopko in the shopping center at the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Fairview. Corporate information claims more than 900 U.S. locations, putting it at odds with other chains claiming to be the biggest. This new location is located at 8105 West Fairview, with shopping center entrances on both Fairview and on Milwaukee. There are other store locations in Meridian and in Nampa if one of those is closer than the Boise location.
Are you into a “different” hobby?
There are plenty of other hobbies that are probably not represented by the “traditional” hobby shop in Boise.
Ashkan Forouzani/unsplash
Maybe your hobby is working jigsaw puzzles. Or playing strategy games. The shop that comes out on top for these is All About Games, with its original location on Overland Road and a newer one in downtown Boise on 8th Street.
Todd Trapani/unsplash
Maybe you are a numismatist, aka, a coin collector. There are several coin shops for you to visit, and it might be worth visiting several before selecting one as the one where you’ll do business. Here’s a listing that is bound to be non-complete:
Idaho Gold, Silver, and Coin at 7070 West State is now open Monday through Friday from 9:30 - 5:30. [Author’s note: Not being open on the weekend makes it difficult for many working people.]
Rose Hill Coins & Jewelry at 3506 Rose Hill Street is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. In other words, they are closed on Sunday and Wednesday.
Highland Rare Coin wants to buy your coins at their downtown location at 217 North 10th Street. They are open Tuesday through Friday plus Saturday by appointment only.
What is your hobby? Was your favorite shop listed?
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