Hobby Town USA: Experiential Review
Hobby Town USA is a franchise retail store that caters to pretty much any hobbyist's needs and wants. Their wares include everything from remote-controlled airplanes and helicopters to tabletop gaming modules and arts and crafts. Hobby Town's diverse stock is unmatched by most other retailers. Its selection is perfect for both beginner and advanced hobbyists. Each department within the store is staffed with friendly, knowledgeable hobbyists who are on standby to help inform and find products. Aside from customer service, the business is clean, well-kept, and lit. It is always lively, no matter the time of day you go. Hobbyists and tabletop gamers come and go throughout the day. The dedicated tabletop gaming room is free to use and has shelves of accessories at your disposal to create your ideal landscape for gaming. The particular location I visited for this review is located at 840 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy, Suite 650, Kennesaw, GA, 30144.
The first impression of entering the store exceeded my expectations as always. Staff at this location never fail to welcome you and brighten your day. When I arrived at opening, the staff was ready and waiting to let my friends and me in. They held the doors open for us while we carried in models for tabletop gaming. The store entrance is well-kept and decorated with a large model train track. This particular train track was once on display as one of the largest in the southeast. The track is interactive with many buttons for different trains. The details of the terrain were amazing; whoever built the terrain and track must have spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours handcrafting it. This large track appeals not only to hobbyists but even to those who come just to look around. The store has many appeals for every kind of person. Past the train display is the checkout counter. Here is where my second encounter with employees was. I was met with positive energy and a “Good morning!”. Employees were more than excited to point me in the right direction.
"This is a wonderful place for those who enjoy tabletop gaming to come together and share an incredible experience."
Next, I found myself entering the game room. I'm unsure if that is what it’s called, but it fits its purpose. This room is large, bright, and filled with tables of various sizes to meet your gaming needs. The atmosphere is cozy and friendly. Here you can find tables to play anything from Warhammer 40k to Pokémon card games. This particular room caught my attention not only because I was here to play, but because it is the community hub for tabletop gamers in Kennesaw. While I had beaten the crowd, usually this room is occupied with many players from many different genres of games. A neat addition some may not know about is that there is a staircase to a private game room just before you enter this part of the building. Aside from tables, accessories, and terrain, the shelves of the most popular tabletop games are full of boxes to satisfy your needs. The models, books, cards, purchasable terrain, etc., are bountiful and appeal to all who enjoy the hobby. Shelves are organized appropriately, so it is not difficult to find what you are looking for. Another part of this game room is the help desk. Here you will find at least one or two employees who can show you around. In the glass desk, you can find just about any kind of dice you could imagine at a reasonable price. A large display shelf is also a part of the desk that holds professionally painted models for sale. The employees at this desk are incredibly knowledgeable about most of the games. They are available to you to show you how to play games and answer questions. For a first-time player in most tabletop games, the staff is on standby to explain things you may be struggling with.
This leads me to the last and probably most important part of this review. The community here is phenomenal and diverse. If you stop in on a weekend, you will find people of all ages and genders here playing with friends. This is a wonderful place for those who enjoy tabletop gaming to come together and share an incredible experience. Hobbyists of all kinds, including the employees, are what make this place thrive. The store itself hosts all sorts of events that bring the community together. While the business and game room is already a happening place, events encourage further connection amongst hobbyists. Nothing beats good, friendly competition. The focus on community here allows connection, learning, and growth of skills, all while feeling inclusive and welcoming. Overall, this business stands out to me in ways that no other store can. The feeling I get, as someone new to the hobby world, is something hard to describe. Every time I visit, it's better than the last, and I always leave with something new, whether it's a good experience or physical products from the store. It exceeds my expectations in every time, and deserves a strong recommendation.