This Nevada Hobby Store Has Everything For Your Inner Model Builder

A few minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, there’s a shop with an actual track for RC cars sitting right inside. That alone got my attention. Then I learned the owner builds models himself.

The shelves hold Gunpla in High Grade, Master Grade, and Real Grade. Tamiya spray cans line up next to Mr. Hobby paints and metal color bottles. Ships, tanks, planes, and cars all share the space with trains and Warhammer figures.

I like how this Nevada store skips the flashy stuff and goes straight for what builders need. Tweezers, masking tapes, glues, and weathering supplies are all here. A case of finished customer builds shows what all those parts can become.

So what happens when a model shop gets run by someone who actually sits down and builds? I believe the answer is worth a closer look.

A Model Builder Runs This Show, And It Shows

Hobby Island is the kind of shop that feels built by someone who gets it. The owner is a model maker himself, so the shelves reflect real bench experience. That matters more than you might expect.

A builder knows the frustration of running out of thin cement halfway through a project. He also knows which tapes curve around a canopy without lifting. That insider knowledge shapes what lands on the shelves here.

The store opened around March 2022, which makes it a fairly young addition to the Las Vegas scene. Still, it already covers aircraft, armor, ships, cars, figures, and more. Not bad for a few years of work.

The owner is often on hand to offer advice. He also takes suggestions for new merchandise, so your wish list can actually go somewhere.

Try asking for a kit you can’t find, and see what happens. Bring questions about paint choices or tricky assembly steps. Talking shop with someone who has glued the same tiny parts can save you hours of trial and error.

Honestly, that kind of help beats any online forum thread. Plus, nobody here will argue with you in all caps.

Gundam Fans Should Clear Some Shelf Space First

Giant robots have a serious following, and this shop clearly knows it. Gunpla takes up a big chunk of the inventory. You’ll find High Grade, Master Grade, and Real Grade kits ready to go.

New to Gundam kits? High Grade is often a friendly starting point with fewer parts. Master Grade brings more detail and inner frames, while Real Grade packs a lot of detail into a smaller size.

That spread of grades makes Hobby Island useful for every skill level. A beginner can grab a first kit while a longtime fan hunts for a harder challenge. Everyone leaves with a box, which seems like a fair deal.

Gunpla snaps together without glue, so it’s a great entry into the hobby. Still, many builders like to add panel lines, decals, or a fresh coat of paint. The store carries the supplies for that next step too.

One tip before you go. Measure your display shelf at home, because these mobile suits tend to multiply fast. One robot rarely stays lonely for long, and your bookshelf may soon become a hangar.

Tanks, Jets, Ships, And Hot Rods All Share The Aisles

Scale modeling goes far beyond robots, and the classic categories get plenty of love here. Military vehicles, planes, ships, and cars all have a home on the shelves. Tamiya models are part of the lineup too.

Armor fans can look for tanks and other military vehicles. Aviation builders can browse aircraft kits, while ship lovers find hulls waiting for rigging and detail. Car builders aren’t left out, either.

Space and Japanese fantasy kits also show up in the mix. That variety makes it easy to try something new without driving all over town. Maybe this is the year your shelf gets its first battleship.

Here’s a practical idea. If you usually build cars, try a small aircraft kit to practice canopy masking. Switching subjects can sharpen skills you’ll use on every future build.

Tamiya is well known for parts that fit together cleanly. That makes its kits a solid pick for anyone easing into traditional plastic models. Pick a subject that excites you, since you’ll be staring at it for many evenings. Choose wisely, because that kit is about to become your new roommate.

Paint Lovers, Prepare For Some Tough Decisions

Color choices can make or break a model, and this shop takes paint seriously. Tamiya paints are stocked, including spray cans. Mr. Hobby paints, aqueous paints, and metal color paints are here as well.

Spray cans are handy for even base coats on big surfaces like car bodies. Bottled paints work well for brush detail or airbrush work. Metal colors help engines, weapons, and exhausts look properly shiny.

Aqueous paints are water-based, which many builders like for easier cleanup. Mr. Hobby offers a deep range of shades for armor and aircraft. Having several brands in one spot makes matching colors much simpler.

Here’s a tip that saves money. Bring your kit’s paint guide or snap a photo of it before heading out. That way you grab the exact shades instead of guessing in the aisle. Also consider buying an extra jar of your main color. Running out mid-project is a classic hobby headache.

Paint is a big reason the Hobby Island name keeps coming up among Nevada builders. Leaving with only one bottle may be the hardest challenge of the day.

Your Workbench Is About To Get An Upgrade

Good tools turn a frustrating build into a relaxing one. That’s why the supply side of this store deserves attention. Tweezers, glues, masking tapes, and weathering accessories are all on hand.

Tweezers might seem minor until you drop a tiny part into the carpet void. A solid pair helps you place decals and small pieces with way more control. Your patience will thank you.

Masking tape is another quiet hero. Tamiya brand tapes are available, and they help create crisp lines between colors. Use thin strips for curves and wider pieces for big areas.

Glue choice matters too. Different glues suit plastic parts, clear canopies, and small add-ons, so ask which one fits your project. Picking the wrong one can fog a window fast.

Weathering supplies add the dirt, rust, and wear that make models look real. A tank fresh from a dusty field shouldn’t look showroom shiny.

Start light and build up slowly for the best results. You can always add more grime, but removing it is much tougher. Think of it as makeup for machines, just with more mud.

Bring Your RC Car, Because There’s A Track Inside

A hobby shop with its own racetrack? That’s a fun surprise. Hobby Island has a 1/30 track for RC cars that’s available for use. A 1/30 scale track suits small, quick cars that zip around tight corners. It’s a great way to test handling without hunting for an empty parking lot.

Nevada sun isn’t always kind to outdoor racing, anyway.

Kids may love the chance to see small cars whip around the curves. Adults will probably sneak a few laps too, and nobody needs to know. Fun doesn’t check ages at the door.

Here’s a smart move. Call ahead or ask staff about using the track so you know what to bring. Fresh batteries are always a good idea before any race.

Small-scale RC driving also builds real skills. You learn throttle control, braking points, and patience on tight turns. Those lessons carry over if you ever move up to bigger cars. Plus, a crash at this size usually means a quick reset instead of a costly repair.

That’s a pretty forgiving way to learn, especially if your steering hand is still a little wild.

Trains, Kites, Puzzles, And A Whole Lot Of Hot Wheels

Not everyone in the family builds plastic models, and that’s fine. The shelves stretch well beyond kits. Die-cast vehicles, trains, kites, puzzles, and Lego kits all make an appearance.

Train fans can look for HO scale engines, one of the most popular sizes in model railroading. Die-cast collectors will spot Johnny Lightning cars and plenty of Hot Wheels. Warhammer Game figures also have a spot for tabletop gamers.

Small toys and collectibles round things out nicely. That makes the shop handy when you need a quick gift for a young relative. Birthdays sneak up fast, after all.

Hot Wheels have a special bonus here. The store occasionally offers free Hot Wheels with certain purchases. Kids tend to treat that tiny car like a trophy.

Kites are a cheerful pick for breezy Las Vegas afternoons at a nearby park. Puzzles work great for slow evenings when the paint needs time to dry.

Mixing hobbies keeps things fresh. One trip can satisfy a whole crew with very different tastes. Somebody always ends up with one more car than planned, and that’s part of the charm.

Finished Builds Will Make You Want To Start Yours Tonight

Inspiration hits hard when you see what other people have made. Hobby Island features a customer build display case filled with completed models. It’s like a mini gallery for local talent.

Looking at finished work teaches a lot. You can study how builders handled weathering, paint blending, or tiny details. Then you can try those tricks on your next kit.

The case also shows the shop’s link to the wider modeling world. The owner is a proud sponsor of IPMS USA, the International Plastic Modelers’ Society. He also supports the local IPMS chapter.

IPMS chapters often bring builders together to share tips and projects. If you want to connect with other modelers in Nevada, that’s a great lead to follow. Building alone is fun, but sharing it is even better.

Here’s a goal worth setting. Finish a build you’re proud of, then ask about adding it to the display. Few things motivate quite like knowing others might admire your work. Your half-built kit in the closet might finally get its big moment. Time to dust it off and give it a proper ending.

Plan Your Trip Around These Easy Hours And Location

Getting there is the easy part. The shop sits at 5075 S Arville St, Las Vegas, NV 89118, just off Tropicana and Arville. It’s only minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

That location makes it a smart side trip for visitors. You can swap the busy tourist attractions for a quiet browse through model kits. Your souvenir could be a Tamiya tank instead of a keychain.

Timing matters, so plan ahead. Hobby Island is generally open during daytime hours, with a shorter schedule on Saturdays. Sunday is a day off, so don’t plan a weekend finale around it. Check the latest hours before visiting.

Saturday mornings work well if weekdays are packed. Give yourself enough time to browse without rushing. Bring a list, but leave a little room for surprises. Pricing is often comparable to or better than online options, which helps the budget.

And if something is missing, ask about ordering it. Nevada builders finally have a local spot that makes shopping feel personal. Just maybe clear some space in the trunk before you go.