I started Hobby Addicts in 2021 after being furloughed at the height of the pandemic. I never intended for it to become a "real business," but I had always dreamed of one day owning my own shop. When my furlough ended, Hobby Addicts became a great side business and a way to connect with amazing people in the community.
Fast forward to May 2024—I took a leap of faith and left my full-time job as a Senior Project Manager to run Hobby Addicts full-time. I traded financial stability for my passion, and here we are. For over a year, I’ve been searching for the perfect location to open a shop, and to say the process has been exhausting would be an understatement. I’ve come close several times, but things just didn’t align. Now, I’m on the verge of finalizing a lease, and I’m both excited and nervous for what’s ahead.
I’m putting everything on the line to bring this shop to life the way I’ve always envisioned it—a large facility that caters to both RC racers and gamers. My goal is to create a space with a dedicated Mini-Z track, future expansion for a larger-scale carpet track, and ample room for trading card games and events. More than just a store, I want Hobby Addicts to be a place where people can hang out, enjoy their favorite hobbies, and find products at prices comparable to online retailers.
As I get closer to making this dream a reality, I feel a mix of excitement and nerves, but I truly hope this vision is something the community will love and support.