“The previous owner was going to close it down, and Plano needed a hobby shop,” Sullivan said of why he chose this path.
When he bought the business, it was located at Spring Creek Parkway and US 75. Due to low visibility at that location, he relocated to a bigger spot at Parker Road and Avenue K before moving to the shop’s current location nine years ago. Sullivan said he moved because the current space is larger, and there is a lot of traffic on 15th Street.
Sullivan said he chooses inventory based on what he thinks will sell, customer input and current trends. However, he said his decision-making process has changed over time.
“It used to be looking at ads in magazines, but those have gone away,” he said. “That’s a shame. It used to give us a good heads-up on what was coming.”Top sellers at T&T Hobby Shop are remote control cars that range from $149-$999, remote control airplanes that sell for between $110-$400 and model rockets that cost from $20-$80, according to Sullivan. Rockets range from balsa wood models to more detailed pieces, including reproductions of real-life NASA rockets, according to the business. He said his customers are comprised of “full-scale” auto mechanics, bankers, lawyers, pilots and more. Their ages range from 3-90.
On more than one occasion, Sullivan said fathers have come into the store carrying an older model remote control car. For those looking for something specific, T&T Hobby Shop also offers special ordering, and customers can send a message through the business’ website. Sullivan also repairs remote control vehicles, which he said is a skill he picked up along the way as a hobbyist.
“When I got on this side of the counter, it went along with the business,” he said.
Sullivan said his favorite thing about owning this business is dealing with people.
“My customers are the greatest people on earth because they are my customers,” he said.
T&T Hobby Shop
2757 W. 15th St., Plano
972-633-2470
www.tandthobbyshopplano.com
Hours: Sun. noon-4 p.m., Mon.-Sat. noon-6 p.m.
