What Happened to AmpDraw Hobbies in Southern California

The Southern California hobby community recently bid farewell to a longtime fixture in North County San Diego’s hobby scene. AmpDraw Hobbies, located at 1540 Encinitas Blvd in Encinitas, permanently closed its doors in January 2023 after serving hobby-enthusiasts for over two decades.

A Rich History in the Hobby Community

AmpDraw Hobbies first opened its doors in 2004 as San Diego’s newest RC shop, initially setting up in Solana Beach before moving to its well-known Encinitas location. Over the years, the store built a reputation as North County San Diego’s best-stocked hobby shop, offering an extensive range of products from RC vehicles and vintage models to trading card games and tabletop gaming supplies.

The store was particularly known for its diverse selection of hobby products, including popular brands like Traxxas, Tamiya, and Games Workshop. RC enthusiasts could find everything from the latest models to rare vintage pieces.

Impact on the Local Community

For many years, AmpDraw Hobbies served as more than just a retail store – it was a gathering place for hobby enthusiasts throughout North County to connect, share their passion, and engage in their favorite hobbies.

Looking Forward: Options for Hobby Enthusiasts

While the closure of AmpDraw Hobbies leaves a void in the North County hobby scene, San Diego hobby enthusiasts still have options for pursuing their interests. HobbyTown Santee continues to serve the greater San Diego area with a comprehensive selection of hobby products and an active community events calendar. Located about 40 minutes from Encinitas, the store offers many of the same product categories that AmpDraw customers enjoyed, including RC vehicles, plastic models, and gaming supplies.

 For those missing AmpDraw’s community atmosphere, HobbyTown Santee hosts regular events that bring hobbyists together.Their knowledgeable staff provides the kind of expert guidance and support that hobby enthusiasts valued at AmpDraw.

The Future of Hobby Retail in San Diego

The closure of AmpDraw Hobbies reflects the ongoing changes in the hobby retail landscape. However, the passion for hobbies in San Diego remains strong. Whether you’re an RC enthusiast, model builder, or tabletop gamer, the hobby community continues to thrive through local stores, events, and gatherings.

While we say goodbye to AmpDraw Hobbies, their legacy lives on in the countless hobbyists they inspired and supported over the years. For those looking to continue their hobby journey, HobbyTown Santee welcomes you to visit their store, participate in their events, and become part of their growing community of hobby enthusiasts.

Popular Brands Available at HobbyTown Santee

For hobbyists looking to find their favorite brands, HobbyTown Santee offers a comprehensive selection of trusted names in the hobby industry. Some of the popular brands available include:

AMT, Arrma, Academy Hobby Model Kits, The Army Painter, Associated Electrics, Avalon Hill, Axial, Bandai, Bob Smith Industries, But-a-Salt, Carrera, Castle, Catan, Cobble Hill, Common Sense RC, Crayola, Diamond Dotz, Du-bro, Dungeons and Dragons, E-Blox, Eco Power, Elenco, Enkay, Estes, Eurographics, Excel, Faber-Castell, Fascinations, Fun in Motion Toys, Futaba, GF9, Games Workshop, Gens Ace, God Hand, Gravitrax, Hasbro, Spirograph, Hobby Zone, Hot Racing, HQ, Ironquad, Italieri, K’nex, Kyosho, Lego, Losi, Magic: The Gathering, Mattel, Metal Earth, MIP, MST, Nat Geo Learning, Pinecar, Polar Lights, Pro-Line, Protek, Radiomaster, Ravensburger, Redcat, Revell, Robby Gordon, ROKR, Rolife, Royal & Langnickel, Rubiks, Sanwa, Schylling, Shashibo, Tamiya, Team Associated, Thames & Kosmos, ThinkFun, Traxxas, Trefl, Ugears, Warhammer, Wizards of the Coast, Wooden City, Yokohama, Zen Chalet

You can explore our complete selection of brands and products on our RC vehicles, models & tools, gaming supplies, and more. Our knowledgeable staff is always ready to help you find the specific products you’re looking for.

The spirit of hobby retail in San Diego endures, adapting and evolving to meet the needs of both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers to the hobby world. As we remember AmpDraw Hobbies’ contributions to the community, we look forward to the next chapter in San Diego’s rich hobby tradition.

A Warm Welcome to Former AmpDraw Customers

At HobbyTown Santee, we’re here to support you as you continue your hobby journey. If there’s a product you’ve been searching for, an event you’d like to see, or anything else we can do to help, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us to share your thoughts and let us know how we can make you feel at home in our community.