Royal Hobby Shop — Local services in Rockford Township

Just visited Rockford in April and had to take a nostalgic spin through RH: it was a sad, dilapidated shell of its former self. Growing up in the 80’s, I remember the store being almost magical, filled with model kits, everything D&D, action figures, and the latest games like Car Wars. Acknowledging the pandemic’s impact on small businesses, the selection at RH has dwindled and the store feels stuck in another decade. The back area, which used to be a separate entrance and house the RC offerings, is now blocked off and there’s a consignment shelf on the right wall for resale materials. Perhaps the owner is just riding things out until retirement - the store certainly looks like...

One of the best of the best when it comes to Rockford hobby shops. I'm more so into cosplay with gunpla mixed into that passion for hobbies, and they don't have much for either (decent gunpla selection that is expanding though!) Lots of different model kits, board games, items for diorama making, wide variety of model paints too, but it's such a nice experience shopping here. Staff is very friendly, sharing regular updates on their Facebook page of new items that come in and of any interest you just give them a call and they'll put a hold on it for you. Prices are...

I really love this place for the amazing models they have. Owner is a really nice older gentleman and is willing to order things for you if requested and they can get them. Lots of incredible military scale models and miniatures, paints, brushes, and scale terrain. They don’t have a huge selection of much else, and they seem to center around modeling and war gaming. I think that’s great, they know what they sell and what they’re good at. I won’t go anywhere else for military models,...