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Sydney Hobby Shops 1960s and 70s

Posted by Robert Mills on 23/6/2008, 18:27:20
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Hi All

This is my first post on this site.

I have been thinking about how many Hobby shops have been operating in Sydney over the recent past - say the last 30-35 years or so. Maybe some of the members can fill in missing details .....

I can recall several shops operating in the city centre -

Levensons downstairs in Pitt St where the Picadilly centre is located now. One of the staff, an English guy, later ran his own hobby store up Northern Beaches way - Dee Why shops perhaps ??

Fantastic Toy and Hobby in Angel Place (Run by the eccentric John De Horn with his station waggon adorned with balloons advertising his store) - When did this shop fold ?

A shop in Rawson Place near Central during the 60's when many old movie cinemas were still operating nearby

A small shop in George St near Wynyard and on the same side of the road. But what was its name ?

Of course Hobby Co - which was managed by Frank Murrell in the 70's and spawned Keith Hudson's Modellers World in Goulburn St. Keith had managed the Rail Dept in Hobbyco before going solo.

Searles - cant recall the location of their shop.

And in the suburbs out East there was a branch of Fantastic T and H in Bondi Jn during the 70's and a small hobby store in Bronte Rd in the 60's plus a store near Five Ways in Bondi.

I guess Toy and Hobby shops were a key feature of suburban shopping centres before the category killers moved in and the retail world became a "toy" for Westfield.

How times have changed ~

Welcome your feedback .....

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Sydney Hobby Shops 1960s and 70s - Robert Mills 23/6/2008, 18:27:20
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--Previous Message-- : Hi All : : This is my first post on this site. : : I have been thinking about how many Hobby : shops have been operating in Sydney over the : recent past - say the last 30-35 years or : so. Maybe some of the members can fill in : missing details ..... : : I can recall several shops operating in the : city centre - : : Levensons downstairs in Pitt St where the : Picadilly centre is located now. One of the : staff, an English guy, later ran his own : hobby store up Northern Beaches way - Dee : Why shops perhaps ?? : : Fantastic Toy and Hobby in Angel Place (Run : by the eccentric John De Horn with his : station waggon adorned with balloons : advertising his store) - When did this shop : fold ? : : A shop in Rawson Place near Central during : the 60's when many old movie cinemas were : still operating nearby : : A small shop in George St near Wynyard and : on the same side of the road. But what was : its name ? : : Of course Hobby Co - which was managed by : Frank Murrell in the 70's and spawned Keith : Hudson's Modellers World in Goulburn St. : Keith had managed the Rail Dept in Hobbyco : before going solo. : : Searles - cant recall the location of their : shop. : : And in the suburbs out East there was a : branch of Fantastic T and H in Bondi Jn : during the 70's and a small hobby store in : Bronte Rd in the 60's plus a store near Five : Ways in Bondi. : : I guess Toy and Hobby shops were a key : feature of suburban shopping centres before : the category killers moved in and the retail : world became a "toy" for : Westfield. : : How times have changed ~ : : Welcome your feedback ..... :

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