Hobby Haven — Attraction in Urbandale

I've been visiting Hobby Haven since it was in Sherwood Forest, and it's always been great. My comments apply to static plastic models, since I don't do R/C, at least not yet. The selection is always first-rate and up to date. Since I live out of town, my habit has been to check the Squadron website for new stuff and then buy it at Hobby Haven--why send the money to Texas and heaven knows where else when I can shop locally? A bonus is a table with "recycled" kits and supplies--many of these come from estates and I presume HH shares the profits with the donors. In any case, my family has instructions to bring my unbuilt stuff here when I die. There is a full selection of glues and paints and all the things one needs to use them effectively. No off-brands, either: Tamiya, Testors, X-Acto, and others. The staff are always ready to provide advice and a good joke. If I lived in Des Moines, I'd probably hang out here a day or two each week just for the conversation. One hint: the approach is a bit easier from the north than from the south on 86th Street. Turn right, cross the frontage road, and bear right into the parking lot. One can also get there by turning right off of Hickman Road just before the light at 86th. R/C lovers, there is a track on the west side of the building. Is their stuff pricey? Maybe, but it's relative. The days of 99-cent airplane kits by Aurora is long gone, but the newer stuff is often exquisite. Especially the Tamiya kits, of which HH...

This place is great. So many models to choose from. If they dont have what you're looking for they are more than happy to order it for you if they can find it. Very helpful and friendly staff, always willing to answer any questions you might have. Can be little pricey, but hey, you get what you pay for right? And it's a local business so I have no problem paying a few extra $ to support them. Also they have trains in about every scale you can imagine, slot car sets and track, all kinds of remote control cars, planes and helicopters, drones and they even have consignment stuff. Highly recommend stopping here if your into anybody the above mentioned hobbies. The entire store is like Hobby Lobby's model aisle times about 10,000 and on steroids. Oh did I mention they have a track for RC racing.... and puzzles?

2023 Edit: Went today to buy a 3D RC Helicopter... never having flown one and buying g what I was going to buy would've been a disaster for me. The owner of the store took the time to explain to me why this is the case and proceeded to sell me about $300 less stuff so that I would have a good experience as I learn to fly heli. That's damn good customer service...

Editing my previous review: I just stopped by with my son for the first time in quite a while. First off, we were not greeted at the door as all the employees were helping other customers and that would be an unreasonable expectation. When they did have time they warmly welcomed us, but WITHOUT MASKS!

I found out they do not have a mask policy and haven't had any issues during the pandemic even with the regular races multiple times a week.

Once I was able to calm myself down, stop shaking and pour a vat of hand sanitizer over my entire body I was able to get everything I needed in a timely and very friendly manner. I was able to see all the new GUNPLA kit's they just got in, including some new, interesting Evangelion Bandai Real Grade kits.

All joking aside, this is a shop I have been visiting since I was a child and love the opportunity to bring my children by when we have a chance. As a local, family owned business, they do a great job of keeping up on new trends and helping new hobbyists get what they need.

Great people and more than fair prices along with a vast knowledge base makes this business a rare national treasure.

5/5 stars in 2018 to...