Some of the best afternoons in Oklahoma start in a plain strip-mall parking lot. You walk in planning to grab one small thing, and suddenly an hour has slipped by while you stare at shelves of tiny engines, glossy kits, and paint pots in every color.
For builders, tinkerers, and curious kids, a good hobby shop is getting harder to find. This one still feels like a treasure chest waiting to be opened.
A South Memorial Storefront Full of Surprises
Tucked into a shopping center at 6808 S Memorial Dr, Suite 116, HobbyTown looks like any other storefront from the parking lot. Step inside, though, and the place opens up into rows of model kits, remote-controlled vehicles, paints, and tools stacked high.
The shop belongs to a national chain built around hobby gear, from model airplanes to RC cars and games. Even so, the Tulsa location has its own loyal following.
Some shoppers say it is one of the only true hobby shops left in the area, which makes it feel even more special.
South Tulsa locals know it as a go-to spot for weekend projects. Families from farther away make the trip too, and one visitor mentioned driving about an hour and a half to shop here.
That says plenty about how hard it can be to find this kind of store nearby.
Inside, the shelves tend to be well organized and fully stocked, according to longtime customers. You can move from car models to rocket kits to brushes without hunting around.
It is an easy place to wander, and an even easier place to lose track of time while you plan your next build.
The Last Hobby Shop Standing
Remember when every town seemed to have a hobby store with a model train humming in the window? Those days have mostly faded, and online shopping has taken over much of the market.
HobbyTown in Tulsa hangs on as a place where you can still hold the box in your hands before you buy.
Regulars point out that it is pretty much the only hobby shop left around here. A few miss the old days when stores could carry even more stock.
Still, they admit the selection of hobbyist items remains strong and varied.
That mix of nostalgia and practicality is part of the charm. One couple shared that they have been coming for more than five years.
They noticed the inventory growing and improving over time, especially in the areas they care about most.
Not every opinion lines up, of course. Some longtime shoppers feel the plastic model kit stock has thinned while prices crept up.
Others see a store adjusting to what people actually buy today.
Either way, having a real shop to visit matters. Talking face to face, comparing kits side by side, and leaving with a project the same day is something no shipping box can quite match.
Traxxas Trucks and Speed on the Shelves
Zoom. That is the sound most people imagine when they think of HobbyTown, and the RC department backs it up.
Remote-controlled cars and trucks are easily the most talked-about part of the store.
Fans say this is one of the few places around Tulsa where you can buy Traxxas RC vehicles without ordering online. For anyone who wants to see the truck, check the tires, and drive off with it that same afternoon, that is a big deal.
One shopper called the RC department excellent, plain and simple.
The shelves also carry the extras that keep these machines running. Batteries, chargers, adapters, and hardware sit close by, so you are not stuck at home with a car and no power.
RC planes and boats show up too, giving the selection more range than you might expect.
A family once bought two RC vehicles for their kids and left impressed. Staff made sure they had every adapter, battery, and charger needed.
Then they showed how everything fit together and shared tips for getting started.
If you have a young driver at home, or you are secretly the one who wants to race, this section is where the browsing usually begins.
Gunpla Heaven for Mobile Suit Builders
Ask a Gundam fan in Tulsa where to shop, and there is a good chance they will point you here. The Gunpla selection is one of the store’s biggest claims to fame.
One builder described the stock as huge, and another called it easily the best in the area.
For newcomers, Gunpla means plastic Gundam model kits from Japan. They snap together into detailed robots, and the hobby has exploded in popularity.
Builders love finding basic kits on the shelf that can be oddly tricky to track down online.
Spouses and partners have noticed, too. One shopper shared that this is her husband’s favorite stop for Gunpla.
She said the store keeps growing its range over the years.
Staff have also helped first-timers sort through the options. A visitor once took a long time picking a first Gundam kit, and an employee patiently offered suggestions.
He mentioned local groups that meet for specific hobbies, where to find paint, and which tools make building easier.
Shoppers have also spotted a few Pokemon models mixed in. Some even mention a club connected to the hobby.
For fans, that turns a quick shopping run into a doorway into a bigger community.
Paint Aisles, Plastic Cars, and Tiny Brushes
Walking in the front door, one visitor found herself right in the paint aisle, and she was not complaining. Micro detail brushes hang next to paints made for miniatures and paints made for RC car bodies.
It is the kind of corner that makes artists slow down.
Plastic car modelers seem especially happy here. One builder said the store has everything needed from the kit itself to the final finish.
That means glue, paint, and the small tools that turn a gray model into a showpiece.
Fans of the Rolife brand get a nice surprise as well. One shopper explained that big craft chains often stock only a few pricey Rolife sets.
HobbyTown carries more of the brand, plus similar sister brands, giving builders more choice.
Shelves hold both powered and non-powered models, rockets, and trains. Trains in particular come up often among regulars.
Legos make an appearance too, so younger builders have something to dig into.
A quick heads-up for card players: one visitor noted that the physical store does not sell card games. The website may help, but the shop itself sticks to building, painting, and driving.
Plan your trip with that in mind.
Friendly Experts Behind the Counter
Helpful staff is the single most mentioned thing about this shop, ahead of even the RC cars. Visitors often describe the team as super knowledgeable, upbeat, and passionate about the hobbies the store supports.
Several call the customer service top tier.
That know-how matters when you are new. Picking the right battery or paint can feel confusing, and a patient explanation saves a lot of frustration.
Parents especially appreciate when someone walks them through setup before they leave.
Being honest, not every visit goes perfectly. A few shoppers have said some employees seemed rushed or quiet during checkout.
One RC plane fan felt that car customers got more attention than plane buyers.
Those moments stand out because the usual story is so different. Many visitors describe being greeted warmly, asked if they need help, and thanked on the way out.
Some say they plan to come back again and again because of how they were treated.
A smart tip is to come with questions ready. Whether you are into trains, rockets, or Gundam kits, the people here tend to light up when a customer shares their interest.
The conversation can be half the fun of the visit.
Hours, Prices, and Planning Your Visit
Good news for weekday tinkerers: the doors stay open into the evening. HobbyTown runs Monday through Friday from 11 am to 7 pm.
Saturday hours stretch from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday is shorter, from noon to 5 pm.
Finding it is simple. The store sits at 6808 S Memorial Dr, Suite 116, in south Tulsa, with easy parking in the shopping center lot.
You can call ahead at 918-307-2000 to check whether a certain kit or truck is in stock.
Calling first is a smart move for anything specific. Inventory changes, and some shoppers have noticed certain categories shrinking.
A quick phone check can save you a wasted drive, especially if you are coming from out of town.
On prices, opinions vary. Plenty of visitors mention great prices and awesome deals on models.
Others feel some kit prices have climbed in recent years.
The store also has a web page through the HobbyTown site. It can help with browsing ahead of time or finding items not carried in the shop.
One regular suggested extra patience around the busy holiday season, so plan big gift runs early.
Worth a Rainy Afternoon in Oklahoma
Picture a stormy Oklahoma Saturday when the lake trip falls through. Instead of another movie, you load up the car and head to a place where every aisle hints at a new project.
That is the real magic of HobbyTown.
RC fans will find trucks, batteries, and gear they cannot easily grab elsewhere in the region. Gundam builders get one of the strongest Gunpla selections around.
Model car painters, train lovers, and young Lego builders all have their own corners to explore.
It is not a perfect shop, and few are. Some longtime customers miss bigger stocks of classic model kits, and service can vary by visit.
Still, most people leave talking about friendly experts and shelves that keep them browsing.
For families, it is a chance to start a hobby that grows with your kids. For grown-ups, it might reignite something you loved years ago.
One afternoon here can easily turn into weeks of building, racing, and painting.
So if you are near south Tulsa with a little time to spare, stop in. Bring your curiosity, maybe a wish list, and leave room in the trunk for whatever catches your eye.
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