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ModelCave Hobby Shop

12/8/11

Recently Steve Nelson mentioned that he had heard there was a new hobby shop in Ypsilanti called the ModelCave and he wondered if anyone had been there yet. The silence that followed indicated that a mission had to be undertaken. It just so happened that I would be coming through Ypsilanti on my way home from a business trip so I checked online and found the hours (Wednesday-Saturday 11am – 8pm, Sunday 12-5), the address (103 W. Michigan Ave) and directions and stopped by for a visit on a Friday night. The shop is easy to get to from I-94, just take the South Huron street exit (US 12) North to Michigan Ave. They are on the southwest corner of the intersection with parking in back or along the street out front.

It is not a large shop, but they have a lot of models, both current issues and older kits. I spent some time talking to the owner and he said he gets his older kits through connections who frequent estate sales. He appeared to have some rare kits that might appeal to collectors , but most of the stock is there to cater to builders. Here are some photos of the inside of the shop. Click on the photos to make them larger.

: Car Models

: Aircraft Models

: Center Displays

: Paints

He also has a display case in the back where there were a number of built models on display including this neat Mad Max Vehicle.

: Mad Max Vehicle in the display case.

In addition to the kits, the shop stocks Tamiya and Vallejo acrylic paints, Humbrol enamel, Alclad and Model Master Automotive Lacquer paints, Vallejo weathering and diorama materials, Air Brushes (Aztec and Passche), air brush parts, tools, and aftermarket decals and detailing accessories. He has a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/ModelCave/252848264740575) where they have been posting new kit arrivals and updates on store hours. I was tempted by some of the science fiction kits he had, but settled on a couple of cans of Tamiya Fine surface primer. All in all it was a nice visit and I will probably stop by again the next time I am in the area.

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