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Steel
City Hobbies history of "Future Plans"
Pittsburgh/Bridgeville, PA
store open for business on January 11, 2005
We
were surprised
at how fast we built this one…..just
two weeks from the day we got the keys! (Thanks to all who dedicated the time
and effort to put the store as well as the track together.) Everyone involved
was happy to do so because it means that they can start racing on the largest
track EVER in the Pittsburgh area. More details to follow! Take
a look at some
progress pictures.
- Mike - 1.12.5
Washington PA store
open for business on June 14, 2004
We
are happy to announce that we have finally opened a store in
the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area. The new store, which will be our flagship facility,
is located in
Washington Pennsylvania (inside the Washington Mall off of Rt. 19) with easy
access
from
the
I-70
/
I-79
corridor.
Store pictures.
What to expect
in Washington
We have the facility to host 2 in-door tracks. Currently, we are hosting
the areas largest carpet track that is open daily with racing on Saturdays.
In addition, we plan to be
hosting
touring
car racing outside every so often, but that show will be traveling around
the Western PA area to locations such as Heinz Field. In addition, we hope
to be
the first to host R/C Drag Racing. Next year we hope to have completed the
state's largest out-door off-road track with all the amenities.
When there was
light
Deep Creek Lake in Oakland Maryland was the perfect spot to test the waters
for several reasons. In addition
to my store manager being local, he was obviously a good choice as he brought
experience to the business as well as a lot of “passion” to
the sport of R/C Off-Road. Other reasons were to familiarize and line up
all our vendors so whenever we did open a shop north of the Mason Dixon
line
it would be a smooth transition.
With any new
business venture you have
to
protect
your principle and with the way
Steel City Hobbies has grown in Western Maryland. My team
and I have been through several
ups and downs over the last year researching this venture. We have had
a few side-steps; from larger companies interested in what we had to offer
wanting
to help build
a large facility, to others wanting us to merge
with
them. One thing I have learned even before getting into the hobby business
is to
stick with the sure thing, and to not jump into something without good
research. Needless to say, I was not comfortable with what we found and opted
to continue to grow at a reasonable pace where we can continue to do business
without affecting our primary vision.
The On-Going
Search
I have also learned to take it slowly and turn over every rock, as
you do not
want
surprises
to jump out at you. (of which we have had our doozies!) This way we can
assure our customers that at any future location, SCH will be there to stay.
I have met some great people and some not so great people along the road
to success. But I feel that Steel City Hobbies has already made
a small positive impact on the R/C industry. I feel that this is just
the beginning of becoming one of the nation's leading R/C hobby shops. I
am working
with
a great
team and I feel Steel City Hobbies can and will continue
to provide the best experience with R/C the industry can offer.
The Next
Move...
Our next move will be into Allegheny County with a 10,000 SF store & track. That
is more than enough room to host a regulation size carpet Ozite track, and a
great area for paved & dirt racing outdoors. We are very excited about this
move and we will keep you posted. This should be happening around January 2005.
- Mike Rooney
Steel City Hobbies
Updated:
October 25, 2004
August, 5, 2004
June 1, 2004
May 19, 2004
April, 2004
Contact information
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