Today's Hobby Stores
Cast Your Anchor is a
new and innovative hobby store located in Toronto Ontario
Canada. It is Canada's only hobby store specializing in the art
of ship model building. Innovation is the key in today's
marketplace.
Gone are the days of overcrowded stores that cater to a wide
variety of interests and yet do not have a complete range of
products for any particular hobby nor the expertise to be able
to answer customer's technical questions. The customer base is
no longer neighborhood oriented. With the advent of the
internet, today's customer base is much more global The supplier
base is also global with cost savings being passed to the
customer.
Cast Your Anchor was created to promote the hobby of ship model
building both static and radio control. We are the only
organization in Canada devoted exclusively to this hobby. In
addition to offering hard to find products, we have experienced
technicians available to handle any question related to this
hobby. Our extensive database includes well over 100
manufacturers of product. The layout of our stores is more like
a gallery than the traditional hobby store. This allows us to
display a wider range of product. We currently carry over 4000
items in stock. We also make extensive use of our web site in
not only selling product but also answering questions.
In order to promote the hobby we have taken on a number of
initiatives.
Children's workshop: We offer a free workshop geared towards
children 8 years and up. Viking boats, schooners, triple masted
frigates all with a solid hull fittings, glue and paint. In
order to attract children into the stores, we carry an extensive
line of pirate paraphernalia. Aye matey!
Adult workshop: You don't have to tell us your age. Our offer is
to build any ship model you want and take as long as you want.
Even though this has grown into a social club, some building
does occur. The discussions on different building techniques is
quite interesting.
Reference library: We are building a reference library that is
for the use of our customers. It is professionally catalogued
and will be expanded as time goes on. In addition to the
modeling books we carry in the store, our library includes
reference materials related to specific ship models.
Forum: We are establishing an on line forum or chat room through
our web site so that customers can share their knowledge or ask
questions. Our web site includes helpful hints and
recommendations.
Displays: In our stores you will find a number of completed
models. These models are often used as references for builders.
They look good too!! Many of our customers lend us their
completed work so that we can share it with others.
Community Involvement: Cast Your Anchor participates in an
number of community related projects and is head manning the
re-establishment of the Toronto Marine Museum.
Today's hobby stores must be technically competent, killer
customer service oriented and willing to listen intently to
their customers. Nothing stays the same, so an ability to be
flexible is imperative.
For all your Ship Model
and Boat Kit needs, visit us at www.castyouranchor.ca.