For years the closest hobby shop to my house was in Montgomery, Alabama about 70 miles (approx 110 km) away. I used to stop by on my way back and forth to the VA hospital in Birmingham. One of the guys who worked there was a retired USAF guy who loved toy soldiers almost as much as I. They closed almost twelve years ago now (how time flies), leaving me with Hobby Town USA's in Birmingham (175 mi), Mobile (175 mi), and Opeleika (approx 125 mi) away. I used to stop by the one in Birmingham every time I was in town to see what they had. They never carried HaT products, only Revell, Italeri, and IMEX ACW and ARW kits. Their big thing seemed to be RC planes and cars.

I finally asked one of the guys why they didn't carry HaT and he just looked at me like I was crazy. That was the last time I stopped by for awhile. About four years ago, just on a whim, I decided to go back and check it out. The place had closed.

All I can say is thank goodness for the internet.