A great-grandmother opened this hobby shop right after World War II. Her brother had started the first hobby distributor in the United States back in 1914, and he helped stock her shelves.
That family is still running the place today. The current owner is the third generation to keep the doors open, working alongside his wife.
I love that one store can hold Lionel trains, 1/12 scale dollhouse furniture, Estes rockets, and RC drones all at once. It sounds like a toy chest that kept growing for eighty years.
This corner of Missouri feels built for curious people of every age. Kids, grandparents, crafters, and tinkerers can all find their own aisle.
So which hobby would pull you in first, and how long would you last before picking up a second one?
A Family Story That Started With A Very Helpful Brother
Back in 1946, a determined woman opened a hobby shop in St. Louis. That store became Schaefer’s Hobby Shop, and her family has kept it going ever since.
She had a pretty handy connection, too. Her brother, Patrick Morsy, founded Ace Model Craft in 1914 as the first hobby distributor in the United States.
He helped her get started by supplying merchandise for the shelves. Talk about a sibling who shows up when it counts.
The founder was the great-grandmother of Art Schaefer, who owns the shop today. Art runs the business with his wife, Sherri, as the third generation in charge.
His father spent his whole life tied to the store. He started working there at just 14, as a freshman in high school.
That kind of history matters in a hobby shop. Model trains, kits, and crafts change over the years, but deep family knowledge sticks around.
The shop has now served the St. Louis area for roughly eight decades. Few Missouri businesses of any kind can say that, let alone one devoted to fun.
So when you visit, you’re not just shopping. You’re stepping into a family project that began right after World War II and never really stopped growing.
All Aboard For A Serious Model Train Lineup
Trains might be the beating heart of this place. The selection covers complete sets, single cars, track pieces, and plenty of accessories.
Gauge matters here, and the shop handles a wide spread. You’ll find N, HO, G, and Lionel O, so tiny tabletop layouts and big backyard setups both have a home.
Classic Lionel sets sit alongside themed options. Harry Potter and Polar Express sets make especially fun holiday starters for kids.
Collectors get plenty to study as well. Steam locomotives and diesel engines appear from brands like Walthers, Bowser, Accurail, Atlas, MTH, Bachmann/Williams, and Broadway Limited.
Here’s a practical tip for beginners. Pick your gauge first, because track, cars, and scenery all need to match it.
Not sure which scale fits your space? Ask the staff, since they describe themselves as hobbyists who want your project to succeed.
A starter set under the tree can turn into a lifelong hobby surprisingly fast. One loop of track becomes two, then a bridge, then a whole town.
Families who share a train layout often pass it down too. Considering this shop’s own three-generation story, that feels exactly right.
Just budget a little extra time near these shelves. Engines have a sneaky way of hooking grown-ups as much as kids.
Build A Whole Tiny World Around Those Tracks
A train with no scenery is just a train going in circles. Luckily, the landscaping aisle fixes that problem in a big way.
Risers and inclines help your track climb hills. Grass mats, rock molds, and ballast give the ground real texture.
Then come the fun extras. Bridges, crossings, tunnels, towers, and culverts make a layout look like it belongs somewhere.
Water effects let you add ponds or rivers without a single drop of mess. Trees, plants, and acrylic paints finish the natural look.
Small details tell the story, though. Miniature people, animals, houses, buildings, asphalt roads, and automobiles turn a plain board into a busy little town.
Lighting deserves extra thought. A few glowing windows at night can make a layout feel truly alive.
Here’s advice worth keeping. Sketch your layout on paper before buying, so you know how much track, ground cover, and structure you really need.
Start with one scene, like a station or a farm. Finish it, enjoy it, then expand when you’re ready.
That slow approach keeps the project fun instead of overwhelming. And honestly, every trip back to Schaefer’s Hobby Shop for one more tiny cow counts as progress.
Tiny Furniture Lovers Will Want To Pull Up A Very Small Chair
Some people dream of a bigger house. Dollhouse fans dream of a smaller one, filled with perfect little sofas and teacups.
Schaefer’s Hobby Shop carries an extensive selection of 1/12 scale dollhouses. That’s the classic size where one inch equals one foot.
You can buy a full dollhouse or individual rooms. Room boxes are a smart choice if you want a mini project without a huge time commitment.
Then there’s the furniture. Tiny beds, tables, chairs, and accessories let you decorate exactly the way you like.
Builders get special treatment too. The shop stocks dollhouse woods for construction and finishing, which helps when you want custom trim or floors.
A tip for first-timers is to choose a theme early. A cozy farmhouse kitchen or a vintage parlor keeps your shopping focused.
Miniatures make a great shared hobby across ages. Grandparents and grandkids can each decorate a room, then compare results.
The detail work also builds patience and steady hands. Gluing a teacup the size of a pea will teach you calm quickly.
Best of all, redecorating costs far less than in real life. Nobody complains when you swap the wallpaper in a room smaller than a shoebox.
Planes, Drones, And Helicopters Are Ready For Takeoff
Things that fly bring a special kind of excitement. This Missouri shop covers RC planes, helicopters, and drones for pilots at different skill levels.
Plane brands include E-Flite, FMS, HobbyZone, and Rage R.C. Helicopter fans can look at Blade by Horizon, while Rage R.C. also handles drones.
The buying options are worth understanding. Planes come as Ready to Fly, Bind and Fly, or Plug and Play.
Ready to Fly includes nearly everything, so it suits beginners best. Bind and Fly works with a transmitter you already own.
Plug and Play skips the receiver and transmitter. That one fits experienced flyers who like choosing their own gear.
New pilots should start slow and simple. A sturdy trainer plane forgives rough landings much better than a speedy model.
Wide open spaces help too. Practice on calm days, far from trees and power lines.
Prefer flying without a remote? The shop also carries plastic aircraft model kits, plus the paints and tools to finish them.
Those kits stay safely on a shelf after you build them. Nobody crashes a display model, unless the cat gets involved.
Rockets Give The Phrase Things That Fly A Louder Meaning
Count down from five, press the button, and whoosh. Model rockets deliver one of the most thrilling moments in the hobby world.
Schaefer’s carries Estes Rockets, a brand many families know well. Kits are available for beginners and for more experienced rocketeers.
Beginner kits are a smart starting point. They usually involve simpler assembly, so kids can feel proud quickly.
Rocketry also sneaks in real science. Kids learn about thrust, gravity, and recovery without feeling like it’s homework.
Safety comes first, of course. Launch in a big open field, follow the kit instructions, and keep an adult nearby.
Painting your rocket adds personality. Bright colors also make it easier to spot on the way down.
Planning a group activity? A launch day with friends or a scout troop can fill a whole Saturday afternoon.
Bring a notebook if you enjoy tracking results. Writing down which rockets flew highest turns a fun day into a mini experiment.
And when one lands in a tree, consider it a lesson in wind direction. Every rocketeer earns that badge eventually.
RC Cars And A Service Desk That Speaks Fluent Traxxas
Ground-level speed gets plenty of love here too. RC cars and trucks come from Traxxas, Arrma, Axial, Losi, Tamiya, and Kyosho.
Water fans aren’t left out. Pro Boat and Oxidean Marine boats are on hand for pond adventures.
What really stands out is the service department. The shop repairs certain brands, including Traxxas, Arrma, Axial, and Losi.
That’s a big deal for anyone who drives hard. Broken parts happen, and local help beats waiting weeks for mail-order fixes.
A smart move is to buy a few spare parts early. Suspension arms and driveshafts tend to give out first after big jumps.
Batteries and chargers deserve attention as well. Matching the right charger to your battery keeps things safer and longer lasting.
Beginners might lean toward a ready-to-run truck. It arrives mostly assembled, so the fun starts sooner.
Builders who love wrenches can try a kit instead. Putting a car together yourself teaches you how to fix it later.
Either way, Schaefer’s Hobby Shop gives drivers a place to shop, ask questions, and get back on the dirt fast.
Beads, Yarn, And Paint Prove This Place Goes Way Beyond Wheels
Plenty of shoppers arrive for trains and leave with yarn. The craft side of the store is huge and surprisingly varied.
Jewelry makers get a dedicated bead department. Sterling silver, 14k gold-filled findings, semi-precious stones, crystals, Czech glass, seed beads, and charms all appear.
The shop also offers jewelry repair and custom design. That’s handy when a favorite necklace snaps.
Needle artists have options too. Crochet, knitting, cross stitch, embroidery, and latch hook supplies fill their own section.
Classes add even more value. Schaefer’s teaches jewelry making, knitting, and crocheting for people who learn better hands-on.
Artists can stock up on acrylics, charcoal, ink, brushes, canvases, pastels, and sketchbooks. Paper crafters will find cardstock, scrapbooking tools, quilling supplies, and Cricut machines.
Craft kits make easy gifts for kids. Choices include weaving, clay creations, terrariums, and painting projects.
One tip is to bring a sample when matching colors or bead sizes. Eyeballing from memory rarely works out.
The mix makes family trips easier, too. Everyone in the car can find something, even the person who swore they were just there to drive.
Plan Your Trip To This South County Treasure Chest
You’ll find the store at 11659 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63126. It sits in the South County area near Sunset Hills, about a block east of Lindbergh.
Before heading out, check the current hours. Schedules can shift, so a quick look online saves a wasted drive.
Give yourself more time than you think. With so many departments, a quick stop easily stretches into a long browse.
Plastic model fans should save room for that aisle. It holds armor, auto, military, sci-fi, Gundam, and pop culture kits.
Paint brands include Testors, Tamiya, Revell, Vallejo, Mission Models, Humbrol, and Mr. Color. That’s a serious lineup for anyone who loves detail work.
Odd and wonderful extras pop up everywhere. Slot cars, diecast collectibles, science kits, Metal Earth models, and U-Gears wooden mechanical kits are all here.
Scout families should note the Pinewood Derby supplies. Getting materials and tools in one spot makes race prep less stressful.
Schaefer’s Hobby Shop has kept Missouri hobbyists supplied for generations. Bring a list, bring patience, and maybe bring a second bag, because one hobby rarely stays alone for long.
