Rekindling a Love for Model Building: From Childhood Memories to Carnival Rides

As a kid, my sister Becki was always fascinated by cars and vehicles—a passion that far surpassed my own interest. I vividly remember our time in the little yellow house at the end of Easter Lane in Mobile. I was just about to start kindergarten when Becki began building model cars from kits she or our parents bought from TG&Y or K-Mart.

Becki was meticulous and fast when it came to building her models. I loved watching her progress; from box to completion, it never took her more than a few days before she moved on to the next project. These weren’t the snap-together models that started appearing in stores towards the end of the 1980s and early 1990s; these were the kind that required real effort and skill. I remember the sound of the plastic pieces being removed from the sprue, the bright light she aimed at her workspace, and the distinctive smell of Testors enamel paint and modeling glue. Once you smell Testors enamel paint or modeling glue, you'll never forget it.

Personally, I never had a strong interest in car models, but I appreciated the hobby for others. I loved that model kits were so accessible. There was usually a whole aisle dedicated to models, with kits and the tools to build, paint, and display the finished product available in stores like K-Mart, TG&Y, and Woolco. For many years, Walmart also carried a good selection of models, paint, and glue, but it seems they have since discontinued their model section. Thankfully, stores like Hobby Lobby, Hobbytown, and Michaels still carry a decent supply of paints, glues as well as model, ship, airplane and car kits.

Bobe's Hobby House, sadly permanently closed

Some of my best memories involved walking through Bobe’s Hobby House in Pensacola, Florida, which was owned by my friend Katie’s grandfather. There, I saw a box with a model of my absolute favorite carnival ride, the Skywheel. I begged my mama to buy it for me, but she flat out said no and bought me a small balsa wood airplane instead, which I destroyed within a couple of minutes of playing with in our backyard. A few years later, I saw the same model in the “Things You Never Knew Existed” catalog printed by the Johnson Smith Company and added it to my Christmas list. Unfortunately, model kits would never be part of my childhood. I'm not sure if my parents thought I didn’t have the attention span or feared the models would just sit and collect dust if they even made it to completion.

It wasn’t until the late 1990s, when Terry and I were living in Smyrna, Georgia, that I walked into a hobby shop on South Cobb Drive and saw that exact same model kit sitting on the shelves among thousands of others. The brand was called IHC, and the packaging looked quite basic with a drawing of a Skywheel and a brief description of what’s inside the box. It also mentioned the model could be motorized—how cool is that? My sister’s model cars were static and just cool to look at but never moved. While browsing the section, I realized that IHC not only created the Skywheel model kit but a whole line of carnival ride models like the Spider, a Flying Bobs-type ride called Thunderbolt, as well as a regular Ferris Wheel and other rides, games and concessions like one would see set up at a fair. I ended up buying the Skywheel, Thunderbolt, and Spider, along with some modeling glue, paint brushes, and other tools to work on my new models.

Out of the box, the models didn’t look like the pictures. They were basic colors that didn’t even match the actual rides, and the artwork that came with them was not self-stick decals but crudely drawn and colored renderings of generic art. However, the directions were good.

I assembled my Thunderbolt within an hour of getting home, but something about it bothered me—the colors, the artwork, the way the ride cars hung from the center point. Not sure what it was, perhaps a bit of everything, so I decided to disassemble what wasn’t permanently glued on and see about making it more realistic. Then my attention swayed over to the next model before I could really get it together again. Perhaps my parents knew I would do this, but I still enjoyed working on each one of them on and off. That year, Terry gave me several models that I hadn’t yet purchased as well as several motors for them. He’s always been good at picking up on what I want for Christmas and did a great job that year.

Though the IHC models weren’t exactly realistic, they were good for learning what modeling is about, and I soon discovered another brand called Faller. Faller not only made carnival models but detailed ones that looked just like the real thing, some even coming with lighting. Faller offered more than just carnival rides; they had roller coasters too. I purchased two roller coasters, completely assembled them, but unfortunately, they were destroyed during an incident in our old apartment.

IHC and Faller weren’t the only players in the carnival ride model game. Some individuals began creating their own kits, such as RAH Models owned by Ronald Hamm and Renauld's Midway Miniatures built by Warren Renauld, as well as the incredibly detailed working models made by Don Cummins. While the RAH models involved a bit more knowledge in what’s known as “kit bashing” to make assembly and theming more realistic, Ronald offered an array of rides that could fill an entire state fair if they were full-sized rides.

Over the years, I’ve not touched my models, many of which are unfinished or even taken apart for retheming but just not completed. I have, however, followed many groups dedicated to the hobby and am friends with many very talented men who create their own carnival models from various items as well as IHC, RAH and Faller kits. My friend Kenny Littlechild, for instance, has created a layout of rides that are elaborately detailed yet made from long matchsticks, cardboard, and other basic items.

Being that I enjoy working with my hands, writing, and a million other things, I have decided to start working on the old ride models I already have, get them complete, and move on to more—perhaps even recreating a classic layout of my favorite years from the fairs I have attended.

I will be sharing photos of my completed models as I finish them. Though I wouldn't hold my breath too long, as it will probably take me a while for some of them since many have suffered damage from being shuffled around and stored in closets and under beds. Stay tuned for updates and progress pictures!

Remembering TG&Y: The Store That Had It All

TG&Y Store Fronts

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, some of my best memories were from when my mom or dad would take my sister and me shopping. One of our favorite places was TG&Y, a beloved variety store. This "five and dime" was a staple in many communities across the United States, catering to people who weren't exactly well-off or just enjoyed an all-in-one shop. It predated the expansion of Wal-Mart and it's only rival at the time seemed to be K-Mart. I've heard it called Toys, Games & Yarn, Turtles, Girdles & Yo-Yos, and other variations because of its diverse departments.

TG&Y was founded in 1935 by Rawdon E. Tomlinson, Enoch L. “Les” Gosselin, and Raymond A. Young, whose initials formed the store’s name. The chain quickly grew, reaching its peak in the 1970s and 1980s with nearly 1,000 stores in 29 states. Known for its slogan, “Your best buy is at TG&Y,” the store aimed to provide a wide range of products at affordable prices. Walking into a TG&Y store was like stepping into a treasure trove of goods. The store was divided into several departments, each offering a unique shopping experience:

Toys: The toy section was a paradise for kids and for kids like me who weren't really taken to toy stores, it was THE toy store. From classic board games to the latest action figures (hello Masters of the Universe), TG&Y had it all. Popular items included yo-yos, dolls, and model kits. My sister spent hours in her preteen years gluing together and painting model cars with Testors glue and paint from TG&Y. Prices were incredibly reasonable, with many toys costing less than a dollar. Towards the end, I racked up on Masters of the Universe action figures because clearance prices were around a dollar.

Yarn and Crafts: For the crafty shopper like my mom, TG&Y’s yarn and crafts department was heaven. You could find a wide variety of yarns in different colors and textures, perfect for knitting and crocheting projects. A skein of yarn typically cost around 50 cents to a dollar. Unfortunately, my mom gravitated to budget-friendly acrylic yarns in orange, brown, mustard, white, and dusty rose that usually felt a little itchy. She enjoyed crocheting, and the prices were right for her, so that's what mattered.

Pets: TG&Y had a pet section where you could buy small pets like goldfish, hamsters, and parakeets. Pet supplies, including food and cages, were also available at budget-friendly prices. I always wanted a hamster, but my cousin Lynda put a nail in the coffin when it came to my mom deciding to get one for me after hers escaped several times. I honestly don't think my mom would have bought one anyway; she wasn't much of an animal person and was good at using other people's examples, no matter if the story happened or not.

Household Goods: From kitchenware to cleaning supplies, TG&Y offered a range of household items. You could find everything from pots and pans to brooms and mops, all at prices that wouldn’t break the bank. My mom's cleaning supply list was definitely fulfilled by TG&Y: Dutch Cleanser, 409, Lemon Joy, and Windex were her go-to products.

Clothing: The clothing department featured affordable fashion for the whole family. Whether you needed a new pair of jeans or a cozy sweater, TG&Y had you covered whether you wanted them or not. What you wore wasn't a big deal during elementary school unless it was dirty or stinky, and by the time I was in middle school, when kids began to worry about impressing others and not wanting to wear cheap clothes, TG&Y was already on the way out and not offering up-to-date clothing.

Hardware: They sold motor oil, tools, pesticides, bug killers, garden implements, and lawnmowers. My dad bought a riding lawnmower from TG&Y, and it worked for years.

Electronics & Records: The electronics section featured various brands and sizes of TVs, as well as different brands of stereos and record players. I don't remember if they carried high-end stuff, but I know they carried lower-priced brands like Soundesign, Emerson, and their own store-branded transistor radios. The record section covered top 40 pop, rock, country, soundtracks, and compilations. They carried records, tapes, and up until the early 80s, 8-tracks. TG&Y also carried 45 records but always seemed to be a week or two behind the new release selection at K-Mart, although they were a dime or so cheaper. I remember when my dad bought me Van Halen's Jump, my first "grown up" 45 at the TG&Y in Schillinger Road in Mobile, Alabama. I played it on my hand me down Emerson Disco 80 record player until the grooves were worn to the point where it sounded like it was being played on a radio station that wasn't quite getting full reception. I was so proud of it and I always looked forward to looking at the records in TG&Y. 

One of the most memorable aspects of TG&Y was its affordability. The store’s philosophy was to "have what people want at a price they can afford to pay," meaning shoppers could find great deals on a wide range of products. For example, a toy might cost 25 cents, a skein of yarn 50 cents, and a goldfish just a few dimes. This made TG&Y a popular destination for families looking to stretch their dollars.

Shopping at TG&Y was more than just a trip to the store; it was an experience. Entering TG&Y involved passing by a kid's merry-go-round and a car ride that took a quarter per ride, a few gumball and candy machines, and a couple of arcade games like Pac-Man and Galaga. The friendly staff, wide variety of products, and unbeatable prices created a welcoming atmosphere that kept customers coming back. Whether you were a child eagerly picking out a new toy or an adult stocking up on household essentials, TG&Y had something for everyone. Some stores had their own lunch counters. One in Mobile, Alabama, had one, and I obsessed over the fruit punch in the JetSpray Beverage Dispenser because something about it looked refreshing. Can't remember what the food was like, but I feel it might have been similar to the K-Mart restaurant or Woolworth lunch counter. The checkout experience was just like all the other stores at the time, with simple cash registers, credit card imprinters with slips, and flat paper bags that sounded super crinkly, which would get folded closed and the receipt stapled to by the cashier.

My last memory of an actual TG&Y, before McCrory's converted them to the short lived concepts of even cheaper dollar store concepts like Dollar Zone, was the Gulf Breeze, Florida location which always had pool and water floats fully inflated and stored just outside the front doors. I always wanted my parents to stop there to buy a float on the way to Pensacola Beach.

Though TG&Y stores have long since closed their doors, the memories of shopping there remain vivid for me. It was a place where my parents could find just about anything they needed while entertaining their kids, all at prices that made you smile. TG&Y may be gone, but its legacy as a beloved variety store lives on in the hearts of those who shopped there. For anyone looking for a similar shopping experience, minus the pets, records, lawnmowers, and crafting sections, the closest thing in modern times would be stores like Roses or perhaps a Walmart that hasn’t been converted to a Supercenter.