29-03-2025
Missouri's biggest toy and hobby store opens in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, MO. – It's crunch time at the city's new Hobbytown store. After a months-long construction project, the new retailer is getting ready for a grand opening next week.
'I'm still a little nervous about getting it all done because we still got a bunch of things get out of boxes and that, but it's looking pretty good,' explained Tim Weyers, owner of Springfield's Hobbytown store.
The last time we talked with Weyers, his team was in the middle of remodeling and moving into part of the long vacant former K-Mart on South Glenstone. Finally, the new location is having it's big reveal
Weyers said, 'You know, I wanted something different. I wanted it to be a place where people can come in and experience it, you know, feel, feel at home, you know, if they want.
The opening of new space, now Missouri's largest toy and hobby retail store, comes years after the nation's other big toy stores went out of business. Shoppers had moved online or abandoned toys altogether when video games and computers became preferred ways to have fun. Now, customers of all ages are coming back around.
Weyers explained, 'We're very optimistic even already, which is a soft opening. We're seeing a lot more toys go out the door…a lot more play-type types of things. And, you know, and it's educational for the most part.'
Overlooking the store is this massive mural highlighting the transportation theme of the store while paying homage to our past.
'I wanted something to reflect that works for Springfield franchise, so that's why we went for Springfield, the birthplace of [Route] 66. It catches a train car and plane.'
The mural is a point of pride for the artist.
Sherri Davis of Sherri David Art explained, 'That just makes you thankful that you've had the opportunity to do it and to share something with the public that you feel is beautiful. She added, 'Each one that I do is my favorite. So right now, this is my favorite!'
'Already we've had people come up and take their pictures against it that same way with the dinosau, Weyers said.' And that's what I was aiming for, you know. Come in, see what we have, and enjoy yourself while you're shopping.'
The store had a soft opening a few weeks ago but is planning a grand opening celebration April 4-6.
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