23 Hobby Shops in ILLINOIS (Fun, Affordable, & Variety)
Hobbies are fun ways to relax and take the edge off, and people of any age can enjoy them.
Beyond leisure, hobbies can also help you preserve a talent, develop skills, form friendships, and connect with the community.
A hobby can be anything from collecting model trains to homemade crafts, as long as it’s something you enjoy and do for leisure.
There are as many hobby shops as there are hobbies, each catering to different audiences like action figure collectors, comic book collectors, or graffiti artists.
If you’re looking to start a new hobby or resume an abandoned one, then be sure to read this article to the very end, as it lists some of the best hobby shops in the state of Illinois.
And by the way, you may also want to check out the best consignment shops and pawn shops in Illinois.
Hobby Shops in Springfield, Illinois
1. Hobby Lobby (Arts & Crafts Retail Giant)
Hobby Lobby Stores is one of the largest arts & crafts retail chains in America, with almost a thousand branches across almost every state.
The franchise was founded in 1972 and has become a popular spot for customers to get supplies for various hobbies and arts & crafts projects.
Regardless of your interests, you can probably find the supplier you need at a Hobby Lobby store and for pocket-friendly prices.
They have high-quality supplies for jewelry making, crafts, interior decorations, floral arrangements, picture framing, and other hobbies like knitting.
Beyond supplies, they also sell handmade arts & crafts items like shoes, bags, toys, ornaments, and other memorabilia that can make an excellent gift for a friend.
Hobby Lobby stores are open from 9 am to 8 pm every day of the week, making them a reliable source to get your hobby materials.
As you can expect from a large retail chain, they have competent staff who are there to guide you through the store and help you make the best purchases.
Address: 3325 S Veterans Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62704
2. OMS (re)Models (Layout Automation Services)
OMS (re)Models is a locally owned model train shop specializing in repairing and upgrading different types of model trains.
They primarily repair or upgrade HO and N scale model trains, helping hobbyists around Springfield restore their model trains and bring them to modern standards.
Additionally, they provide layout automation services using high-quality electronic components like Raspberry PI Processor to add an exciting touch to their model trains.
Beyond repairs and upgrades, you can purchase some of your favorite model train brands from OM (re)Models, including Tam Valley, ESU, and TCS products.
Similarly, they sell various model train parts and are an authorized service provider and spare parts dealer for notable brands like MTH and Bachmann.
You can visit their physical store to buy or repair a model train or visit their website to check their product catalog, price lists, and regular updates.
Address: 2703 Covered Wagon Trail, Springfield, IL 62711
3. Michaels (Large Arts & Crafts Retailer)
Michaels is one of North America’s largest arts & crafts retailers, with over a thousand branches in Canada and America.
They specialize in providing supplies for various hobbies, including interior decoration painters, graffiti artists, florists, and other crafts.
Regardless of your hobby, chances are you can find the supplies you need at a Michaels store, as they have a vast catalog of quality products.
You can access different products at quality prices with constant sales offers, discounts, and other incentives to get the best from your money.
Each Michaels store also has a team of well-trained staff that provides excellent customer service and can guide you through making the best purchases.
As a large retailer, Michaels is almost always open, meaning you can always dash in to grab your favorite supplies and materials, and the fun never needs to end.
Address: 2501 Wabash Ave, Springfield, IL 62704
4. Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop (Specializes in Children’s Products)
Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop is your one-stop shop for all sorts of unique toys, model trains, puzzles, games, dolls, stuffed animals, and other fun products.
This fantastic hobby store is suitable for hobbyists of all ages and has a vast inventory of high-quality products from different manufacturers.
You can always visit their physical store, but they also have an excellent website that allows you to shop for hobby products by brand or interest.
Their store is open all days of the week except Mondays, and their open hours are much shorter on the weekends.
As most of their products are made for children between the ages of 1 and 7, Little Lincoln’s Toyshop takes extra care to guarantee the authenticity and safety of their products.
They have various buyer incentives to help you get the best out of your money, including a loyalty club with many special privileges.
Address: 3450 Liberty Dr. B, Springfield, IL 62704
5. Die Hard Games (Local Board Game Store)
Die Hard Games is a local hobby shop specializing in selling various board games, tabletop games, and painting tools.
This store prides itself in being a small, close-knit enterprise with hands-on knowledge of all its products.
As a result, this is an excellent choice for new hobbyists or gamers looking for some advice on what games to start with and how to get started.
Die Hard Games has a vibrant community of gamers and hobbyists, and they regularly organize tournaments and other events for like-minded gamers to interact.
They also provide remodeling services for your miniature games and can help you appraise and trade certain collectibles like game cards.
If you’re looking to dispose of any old games or merchandise, Die Hard Games is also a consignment store, and you can get some good deals on your old stuff.
Address: 2761 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62703
Also see our article on Flower Shops in Illinois.
Hobby Shops in Rockford, Illinois
1. HobbyTown (Large American Retail Chain)
HobbyTown is a large American hobby retail chain specializing in selling hobby products, toys, collectibles, and models.
They have over a hundred stores in several states nationwide, providing hobbyists with high-quality hobby products and toys.
Founded in 1980, HobbyTown has continued to remain a reliable source of games, toys, paint, tools, kites, and remote-controlled toys,
Customers can visit their physical stores, where they’ll be received by well-trained staff who can guide them through making their purchases.
You may also order through their website to enjoy seamless service and efficient delivery within Illinois and worldwide.
As a large-scale retailer, HobbyTown offers some of the best prices and has one of the largest inventories of exciting toys and hobby products.
You can also leverage their constant discounts and sales offers to get more for less.
Address: 3782 N Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61114
2. Royal Hobby Shop (Diverse Collectibles Available)
Royal Hobby Shop is one of Rockford’s oldest hobby shops, specializing in selling games, puzzles, model trains, miniatures, doll houses, and other collectibles.
They’re a one-stop shop to find exciting new toys for kids and boast some of the best prices within Rockford.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself, a kid you want to surprise, or a collector friend, Royal Hobby Shop has the needed products.
Most of their products are certified for authenticity and come in mint condition, ensuring they’re great for playing with or keeping as collectibles.
While Royal Hobby Shop doesn’t have a website, you can visit its Facebook page to look through its inventory and make an order over the phone.
Alternatively, you can visit their physical store, which is open from 10 am to 3 pm from Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday.
Address: 3920 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108
3. Hobby Lobby (Arts & Crafts Retail)
Hobby Lobby stores are almost everywhere, and the quaint city of Rockford is no exception, as residents can easily visit the Hobby Lobby branch on State Street.
This arts & Crafts retail giant is a one-stop shop for all your hobby needs, arts & crafts supplies, interior decor materials, and unique memorabilia.
You can visit this store regularly to take advantage of their frequent discounts and sales offers, on top of already pocket-friendly prices.
They have a well-trained staff who are always ready to point you in the right direction and recommend unique products.
Thanks to their large-scale operations, Hobby Lobby stores have a wide selection of products, and you’ll likely find what you need.
They also have very long open hours from 9 am to 8 pm, making it a perfect place to grab supplies anytime.
Address: 6640 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108
4. Midwest Rail Junction (Local Model Train Shop)
As you can tell from the name, Midwest Rail Junction is a local hobby shop specializing in selling model rail and train products.
Being an authorized dealer for many brands, Midwest Rail Junction has a vast inventory of model train products for pocket-friendly prices.
They’re a one-stop shop for all model train enthusiasts with products like train sets, electrical parts, rail tracks, paint, and other tools.
Midwest Rail Junction also functions as a consignment store, and you can trade or swap any of your old model trains for better products or store credits.
Their physical store is open to customers from 9 am to 5:30 pm on every day of the week except Sundays, and you can also visit their website to order online.
If you’re not in Rockford, it doesn’t matter, as Midwest Rail Junction delivers model trains, accessories, and parts to any location within the country
Address: 1676 N Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61107
Also see our article on Pawn Shops in Illinois.
Hobby Shops in Champaign, Illinois
1. Horizon Hobby (International Distributor)
Horizon Hobby is an international distributor of hobby products with its headquarters in America.
They sell hobby products and manufacture remote-controlled model planes, trains, and other die-cast toys.
You can also visit a Horizon Hobby store to purchase spare parts for your remote-controlled model cars, planes, or helicopters.
Horizon Hobby deals in various high-quality brands, including Hobbyzone, Axial, E-flite, and Blade, ensuring you have many options.
They also offer constant sales offers and discounts for various occasions to save money when getting a gift for yourself or as a toy for a friend.
To buy any of their exciting model toys, you can visit their store in person or order through their website for delivery to your preferred location.
Fortunately, they also offer same-day shipping and free delivery to specific locations, making them a stress-free way to get hobby materials.
Address: 2904 Research Rd, Champaign, IL 61822
2. Tower Hobbies (Hobby Retail Store)
Tower Hobbies is a successful hobby retail store specializing in selling various model vehicles, including planes, trains, boats, and helicopters.
They also specialize in selling other hobby products, like science kits, telescopes, rock tumblers, airbrush equipment, and metal detectors.
You can find a wide variety of high-quality products at Tower Hobbies, an authorized dealer for brands like E-flite, Arrma, Castle Creations, and Kyosho.
This hobby shop is committed to building a vibrant community of hobbyists, so they have a standby team of well-trained staff that provides excellent customer service.
They also have a fantastic catalog of resources detailing buying guides, tournament information, and other hobbyist events on their website.
You can leverage their many sales offers and discounts or join their loyalty club for even more special privileges.
Address: 1608 Interstate Dr, Champaign, IL 61822
3. Slot and Wing Hobbies (Provides Repair Services)
Slot & Wing Hobbies is a locally owned hobby shop in Champaign that has been in business since 1965, selling various hobby products.
They have a vast inventory of different high-quality products from various manufacturers, including model plains, trains, and other vehicles.
As an authorized parts dealer for model vehicles, they also provide repair and upgrade services for damaged or outdated models.
If you’re a seasoned hobbyist or a beginner just exploring, there’s something for you in their trains, drones, cars, and boat collection.
You can check through their products by visiting their physical, which is open all weekdays from 10 am to 7 pm and for shorter hours during the weekend.
Alternatively, you can also visit their online store on eBay, where you can view most of the products in their inventory and order yours.
Address: 1040 W Bloomington Rd, Champaign, IL 61821
4. Blackline Supply (Arts & Crafts Store)
Blackline Supply is a local arts & crafts store specializing in selling various art supplies, including adhesives, paint, drawing boards, and other art tools.
They have a large inventory of high-quality art supplies from various manufacturers, making them a great one-stop shop for all your art needs.
This makes them an excellent choice for sketch artists, painters, drawers, and model artists looking for quality supplies at pocket-friendly prices.
Blackline Supply is also committed to building a community of art lovers and has various resources to support artists, including an annual Model Sponsorship.
You can always visit their physical store, which is open Mondays to Thursdays, from 3 pm to 8 pm.
They also have a functional website where you can view their products and make your order for delivery to your preferred location or store pickup.
Address: 809 S 5th St, Champaign, IL 61820
Also see our article on Yarn Shops in Illinois.
Hobby Shops in Peoria, Illinois
1. Michaels (Wide Selection with Discounts)
Thousand of hobbyists in Peoria have visited the Michaels store to get supplies as it’s one of the country’s largest arts & crafts suppliers.
As a one-stop shop for hobbyists, Michaels has a wide selection of high-quality products for different hobbies, including knitting, decorations, baking, and art.
Beyond their vast catalog, customers also love Michaels because of its pocket-friendly products, consistent discounts, and sales offers.
As a retail giant with years of experience doing the arts & crafts business, Michaels has secured customers’ trust in sourcing authentic products.
They also have a team of well-trained standby support staff who can answer questions and help you navigate the store.
If you’d instead not visit the store, you can shop through their website and even use their same-day delivery or curbside delivery services.
Address: 2601 W Lake Ave B8, Peoria, IL 61615
2. American Pioneer Hobbies (Distributor of Model Airplanes)
American Pioneer Hobbies is one of the foremost distributors of model airplanes for Black Horse and ARF in America, Canada, and across South America.
They sell directly to customers and supply retailers across North America with certified Black Horse model planes and accessories.
Additionally, they sell accessories for other model vehicles, like wheels, batteries, electrical components, and fuel systems.
You can order from American Pioneer Hobbies by calling any of their numbers or sending an email, and all their details are available on their website.
They ship orders anywhere in North and South America and go to great lengths to ensure your products arrive in mint condition.
While you can’t make an order through their website, you can use it to stay updated on new products and other developments.
Address: 11021 N Buckskin Ct, Peoria, IL 61615
3. CRC Hobbies (Serves Peoria for 20 Years)
CRC Hobbies is a first-rate hobby shop that has served customers in and around Peoria for almost twenty years.
They specialize in selling remote-controlled model vehicles, including trains, boats, helicopters, planes, and cars.
Additionally, they sell high-quality accessories and tools for model vehicles and provide customers with repair and upgrade services.
CRC Hobbies boasts a team of well-trained and competent staff who can provide insightful answers to any questions or concerns you may have.
Beyond selling and repairing model vehicles, CRC Hobbies also functions as a consignment store, making them an excellent option to dispose of or swap your old model vehicles.
You can visit their store to look at their products as they’re open between 12 pm and 8 pm every day except Monday.
Address: 4200 E Washington St, Suite B, East Peoria, IL 61611
4. Unique Colorful, Fun (Local Craft Shop)
Unique Colorful Fun is a local craft shop in Peoria that sells arts & crafts supplies and handmade items.
If you’re a fan of simple yet unique homemade items, then be sure to visit the Unique Colorful Fun store, as it has a great selection of products.
You can shop for handmade bags, shoes, and vases made from various materials, including yarn, straw, and beads.
If you’re nifty with your fingers, you can also browse their high-quality materials for your personal arts & crafts projects.
Unique Colorful Fun store is open between 9 am and 7 pm from Mondays to Fridays, so you can visit to look at their product selection.
Their store is kid-friendly, accepts credit and debit cards, and is available throughout the day to respond to inquiries.
Address: NE Madison Ave, Peoria, IL 61603
5. Just For Fun (Local Game Shop)
Just For Fun is a local game shop that specializes in the sales of all types of board games, tabletop games, role-playing games, and miniature games.
They also sell puzzles and model vehicles, including accessories, and have served customers in the Peoria area since 2005.
This store offers a wide selection of games related to popular franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Warhammer.
Beyond selling games and other hobby products, they also regularly host events for hobbyists and gamers to interact and compete.
You can visit their physical store on Sterling Avenue, where you’ll be received by professional staff who provide excellent customer service.
Unfortunately, you cannot order from their website, but it contains many helpful resources and updates about upcoming events and new products.
Address: 3010 N Sterling Ave, Peoria, IL 61604
Also see our article on Consignment Shops in Illinois.
Hobby Shops in Lombard, Illinois
1. Lombard Hobbies (Local Shop for Model Trains)
Lombard Hobbies is a local hobby shop specializing in selling model trains and other railroad items in the N and HO scales.
They have a wide selection of high-quality model trains and train accessories from renowned brands.
If you’re a seasoned railroad enthusiast or a beginner looking for the best products, then Lombard Hobbies is a great one-stop option for you.
Beyond having quality products, Lombard Hobbies also provides several resources to help train enthusiasts to connect wid learn.
Lombard Hobbies has been in business since 1978 and has built a solid customer base based on its reputation for providing the best quality.
You can visit their store in person for an amazing shopping experience or order your favorite products through their website for delivery to your preferred location nationwide.
Address: 524 St Charles Pl, Lombard, IL 60148
2. Hobby Lobby (Arts & Crafts Retail Giant)
If you live around Lombard and are into any form of arts & crafts, you must have visited the Hobby Lobby store in the area at least once.
This retail giant has a wide selection of high-quality products for various hobbies, including arts & crafts, interior decoration, picture framing, and knitting.
You can also find unique handmade products that are great for decorating your space, gifting a loved one, or accessorizing.
With a team of well-trained staff that are always on duty, you need not worry about getting lost in the store or trying to find an item.
Similarly, Hobby Lobby has fairly affordable products with frequent discounts and sales orders to help you get the best from your money.
You can visit their store anytime between 9 am and 8 pm or make an order via the website for a contact-free experience.
Address: 255 W Roosevelt Rd, Lombard, IL 60148
Also see our article on Bookstores in Illinois.
Hobby Shops in Kildeer, Illinois
1. Games Workshop (Manufacturer of War Games)
Games Workshop is a successful manufacturer of war games from Britain, best known for the Warhammer games and franchise,
It was founded in 1972 as a manufacturer of wooden boardgames like mancala or backgammon and later started importing the Dungeons & Dragons game from America.
Eventually, Games Workshop started making its own games and has grown to a global franchise with branches in countries worldwide.
Games Workshop has designed various role-playing games, including games related to popular books and movies like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
At this Games Workshop store, you can expect to find various miniature role-playing games, including Warhammer, War Cry, and Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game.
They also sell collectibles like miniature action figures and merchandise like shirts and cups that you can buy to show your love for your favorite role-playing game.
Address: 605 E Dundee Rd, Palatine, IL 60074
2. Mint Memorabilia (Authenticated Genuine Products)
Mint Memorabilia is a local collectibles shop that sells various collectibles to customers in and around Kildeer.
You can find almost any type of collectible at Mint Memorabilia, including autographed jerseys, sports merchandise, playing cards, and other items.
The store goes through extensive authentication processes to ensure that its products are genuine and of the highest quality.
They also have a team of well-trained and friendly staff who are willing to answer any customers’ questions and provide excellent customer service.
You can shop for collectibles at Mint Memorabilia through their website or by visiting their eBay store, where many of their products are listed.
Their physical store is also open every day of the week, so you can pick a convenient time to stop by with some friends and grab some collectibles.
Address: 808 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
3. Maxx Products (Distributes Model Products Nationally)
Maxx Products is a hobby shop founded in 1991 and has since provided radio-controlled model vehicles, parts, and accessories to customers nationwide.
They’re an authorized model parts dealer and work with brands like Castle Creation, Falcon, and Hitec to distribute hobby products to over 200 hobby shops in the country.
As a result, they’re an excellent one-stop shop for all your model vehicle needs, as they have a large inventory with pocket-friendly prices.
Beyond model vehicles, some of the other items they sell include motors, propellers, batteries, chargers, servos, wheels, and other tools.
Their physical store is open from Mondays to Fridays between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, so you can visit to make your order directly.
You can also order via their website for delivery to your preferred location within the country and internationally.
Address: 815 Oakwood Rd, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best Consignment Shops, Yarn Shops, and Flower Shops in Illinois.
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