Visiting Chicago where are the LHS? (2024)

I will be staying close to O'Hare. Are there any good hobby shops in the area. I will be there most of this week and would like to check out the local shops to kill some time in the evenings. Looking for shops that are more car/crawler oriented.

Thanks."thumbsup"

jetboat said:

If your still going to be around sat, we are having a comp down at orland park hobby town.

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Nope, heading back Friday.

team3six said:

Venture hobbies, wheeling Illinois.20 minutes north of o'hare probably the largest store as well.

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Thanks, I will check them out!"thumbsup"

Venture hobbies is a waste of time, place is nothing like what it used to be.

Al's hobby shop in addison il is the best ive found lately.

Mega Fattie said:

Venture hobbies is a waste of time, place is nothing like what it used to be.

Al's hobby shop in addison il is the best ive found lately.

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Cool. Al's looks a little closer to my hotel anyway. Do they have indoor crawling? I'm bringing my crawler I think.

Al's is the same as leisure in my book... I drove 45mins to get there to get a part they had, got to the door at 5:30 on a wed. They decided since business had been slow they were closing early and refussed to sell me my part or the truck ($1200 truck mind you) that the guy that got there at the same times as me wanted.

Only 2 shops in the chicago area with Indoor crawling is Remote Control Hobbies in Naperville and Hobby Town In orland park (though the HT course is under construction.)

saydee1800 said:

Al's Hobby Shop is in Elmhurst. Has always been my favorite.

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X2 "thumbsup"

Thanks for all the help guys. Al's was a great shop and the people there were extremely helpful. Strictly R/C and ChicagoLand Hobby both sucked! I was in ChicagoLand R/C for 10-15 minutes before I even saw anyone that worked there, then they just walk right past me with out saying a word. I went to a HobbyTown USA too, it was ok, typical HobbyTown.

I will hit Al's the next time I am in town."thumbsup"

Agreed, the only two decent shops are Al's and Liesure Hours. Yes I'm aware that some people have had bad experiences at both but they are the best stocked shops in the region.

The HobbyTown in Northbrook isn't too bad but the do cater to the RTR crowd and such. Same goes for the HobbyTown in Schaumburg.

AreCee said:

Agreed, the only two decent shops are Al's and Liesure Hours. Yes I'm aware that some people have had bad experiences at both but they are the best stocked shops in the region.

The HobbyTown in Northbrook isn't too bad but the do cater to the RTR crowd and such. Same goes for the HobbyTown in Schaumburg.

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I went to the HobbyTown in Northbrook. It was ok. I ended up buying a SCX-10 there.

I bought a Tamiya DF-03Ra at Al's."thumbsup":mrgreen: