Rant on... Is there a listing of hobby shops in the continental US that stocks R/C airplanes kits? Not ARFs - real kits. I've traveled all over, east to west, but can't find anyone that stocks a Top Flite Gold Edition kit, SIG, or any other kits. Rant off...

I've never seen a listing like that, but agree that there are fewer and fewer hobby shops in general, and of those hobby shops left, fewer and fewer stock kits. The local hobby shop in my area, RC Hobbies and More, does stock a small selection of kits and keeps a pretty good selection of building materials and supplies in stock. I did buy a TF P47 kit from there a few years ago, but I actually end up purchasing most of my kits second hand off of e-bay or at swap meets.

Lazerworks in Wichita Falls, TX keeps a few mainstream kits and has a selection of laser cut short kits that they produce on the shelves. Roy's Hobbies in Hurst, TX has a selection of kits on the shelves.

That's a start! I'm not opposed to driving a few hours to give a LHS my money. I just hate getting there and not finding anything. Maybe a stickie with shops that stock real kits?

The reality of it is that LHS are being killed by online suppliers.

This is true of pretty much all retail. Even giants like Walmart and Target are seeing unprecedented declines in store traffic and sales while Amazon and on-line retailers keep growing and growing. Shopping malls are about to become a thing of the past as anchor stores like Sears and JC Penny continue to close down. It's just not possible for any brick and mortar retail business to compete with the selection, prices, and convenience of an on-line operation.

That's true, however, I'm sure there are still some stores that stock kits and supplies for builders. Those are the shops that I'm looking for and would prefer to give my money to.

I agree up to a point. There is no way local shops can afford to tie up inventory dollars with slow moving kits, it would put them out of business if they tried. I do try to buy supplies from my local shop as often as possible though.

Me too. If I can, I will drive 30 minutes out of my way to get supplies from my LHS if for no other reason than to help them stay open. We had two here in the Memphis area and now we are down to one. It would suck if they disappeared too...

Hobby Haven in Urbandale Iowa always has some kits.. (DesMoines area) They have more airplane supplies than most shops do as well.