HobbyTown USA will be permanently closed within the next few days.
The store, located at 1812 Thomasville Road, is scheduled to close for regular business hours by May 5th. HobbyTown USA is a franchise business with locations throughout the United States. In Tallahassee, you’ll find them in several areas, including Mahan Drive.
Vanessa Broadhead and her husband Michael purchased the franchise rights to the current location in September 2014. The couple, who both served in the U.S. Navy, moved to Tallahassee to put down roots and buy the store to be closer to family.
Broadhead said the couple decided to put the store up for sale in June 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, no viable offer emerged. The store’s inventory of puzzles and other activities has become extremely popular as the pandemic has shuttered schools, businesses and indoor events across the country.
HobbyTown USA is known for having a wide selection of toys for different ages, toy airplanes and boats, drones, helicopters, rock crawlers, and more. While the store has developed a loyal following of customers, enthusiasts and collectors, Broadhead said it was time for a change.
Remaining inventory will be sold at a discounted price as a non-returnable final sale. We also sell store fixtures, showcases, and fixtures.
“We’ve been doing this for 15 years…retail isn’t the same as it was years ago,” she said.
Contact economic development reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters at X.