Tucked inside an Ace Hardware store on East 22nd Street in Tucson, Arizona, The Hobby Place at Ace is one of the most surprising retail discoveries you can make in the state. Most people walk in expecting paint and plumbing supplies, but what they find is an incredible world of models, RC vehicles, Gundam kits, and hobby supplies that rivals specialty shops across the country.
With a 4.6-star rating from nearly 500 reviewers, this independently owned gem has built a loyal following among hobbyists of all ages. Whether you are a seasoned model builder or just starting out, this hidden treasure at 7071 E 22nd St is absolutely worth a visit.
A Hobby Shop Hidden Inside a Hardware Store
Not every great discovery comes with a flashing sign. The Hobby Place at Ace sits quietly inside an Ace Hardware franchise at 7071 E 22nd St in Tucson, Arizona, making it one of the most unexpected finds in the entire state.
Shoppers who wander in expecting hammers and nails often stop in their tracks when they spot entire walls of model kits and hobby supplies.
According to longtime customers, this is actually the only hobby-focused store in the country operating under the Ace Hardware brand. The store is independently owned, which gives it the freedom to stock a highly curated and impressive selection.
That independence is a big part of what makes it so special compared to a typical chain retail experience.
Free parking is available, and the store is open seven days a week from 9 AM to 6 PM, making it easy to plan a visit anytime.
An Extraordinary Selection of Plastic Military Models
One reviewer said it best: this store has roughly three times more military models than any other shop they had ever visited anywhere. That is a bold statement, but walk through the aisles and you will understand why.
Shelves are stocked with multiple versions and scales of planes, tanks, and armored vehicles from brands like Tamiya and Italeri.
Rare finds like the Elephant tank destroyer and Tiger I and II in several versions have surprised even experienced collectors. Whether you build 1/35 scale World War II armor or prefer 1/72 aircraft, the depth of the selection here is genuinely hard to match.
No empty shelves or bare hooks either, which is a refreshing change from stores that look picked over.
For anyone serious about military scale modeling, this is the kind of shop that earns a monthly visit just to see what is new on the shelves.
Gundam and Gunpla Kits Galore
Gundam fans in Tucson have a clear favorite. Multiple reviewers specifically call out The Hobby Place at Ace as the best place in town for Gunpla, which is the popular hobby of building Gundam model kits from Japan.
The selection spans multiple grades and sizes, giving beginners and advanced builders plenty of options to choose from.
Prices are listed at MSRP, so you know exactly what you are getting without any surprise markups. The staff, including team members like Dan, Rob, and Mikey, are known for being knowledgeable and patient with customers who have questions about which kit to pick next.
One reviewer noted they had been wanting to check the store out for years and was thrilled to finally discover the Gunpla section along with paints, thinners, stands, and markers all in one place. For Gundam builders, this spot is a genuine local treasure worth telling friends about.
RC Cars, Trucks, and Airplanes Ready to Roll
Remote control vehicles have a way of making adults feel like kids again, and The Hobby Place at Ace leans into that feeling hard. The store carries a solid lineup of RC cars, trucks, and airplanes, including brands that are tough to find at big box retailers.
Traxxas products are among the options available for RC enthusiasts looking for quality.
Staff members have earned praise for taking the time to explain the differences between models and brands without making customers feel rushed. One parent shared how team member Mikey patiently walked them through every option while shopping for an off-road RC car for their son, turning a confusing purchase into a genuinely fun experience.
The store has also made returns straightforward when issues arise, helping customers find the right replacement product instead of leaving them frustrated. That kind of hands-on service keeps RC hobbyists coming back again and again.
A Paint Selection That Serious Modelers Dream About
Finding a wide variety of modeling paints in a single store is rarer than most hobbyists would like. The Hobby Place at Ace solves that problem in a big way.
The paint section stocks Tamiya paints and panel liner, Mr. Hobby and GSI Creos paints, Vallejo, AK Acrylics, and even Abteilung 502 products, which are typically hard to track down locally.
Weathering products are also available for modelers who want to add realistic wear, rust, and battle damage to their builds. Reviewers consistently note that the paint shelves are well-stocked and organized, with no frustrating gaps where popular colors should be.
That level of consistency makes planning a project much easier.
Primers are also part of the inventory, rounding out a paint selection that rivals what many dedicated hobby shops in larger cities can offer. For anyone who takes model finishing seriously, this section alone is worth the trip.
Specialty Hobby Tools You Cannot Find Just Anywhere
Good tools make a huge difference in model building, and The Hobby Place at Ace understands that better than most retailers. The store is reportedly the only place in Tucson that carries Dspiae hobby tools, a premium brand known among serious modelers for its precision and quality.
That kind of exclusive local availability is a real draw for dedicated builders.
Beyond Dspiae, the tool selection covers a wide range of accessories needed for assembling, painting, and detailing models. Hobby knives, tweezers, sanding sticks, and other essentials are stocked alongside the more specialized gear.
Having everything in one place saves modelers from hunting across multiple stores or waiting on shipping.
Staff are genuinely knowledgeable about the tools they sell, which means you can ask questions and get real answers rather than a shrug. That combination of rare inventory and helpful expertise is exactly what sets this shop apart from average hobby retailers in the region.
Model Railroading Supplies That Fill Entire Walls
Long before Gundam kits and RC cars took center stage, trains were at the heart of The Hobby Place at Ace. The store originally focused heavily on model railroading, and that heritage is still very much alive today.
Reviewers describe walls filled with train track, scenery materials, diorama supplies, and accessories covering multiple scales.
Whether you are building a simple oval layout for a beginner or a detailed landscape diorama for serious display, the selection here has the parts and materials to support your vision. Balsa wood, glue, and ground cover are among the classic supplies customers mention finding without any trouble.
One reviewer called it a classic old-school hobby store, the kind their grandfather might have loved, and that nostalgic quality is a genuine part of its charm. For model railroad fans who have watched specialty shops disappear over the years, finding a place like this still thriving in Tucson feels like a small miracle.
Lego Sets and Metal Earth Kits for Every Age
Not every hobby involves glue and paint, and The Hobby Place at Ace knows that well. The store carries a solid selection of Lego sets, including larger adult-oriented kits that go beyond what you typically find at toy stores.
Reviewers mention finding cheap and large Lego sets that made for perfect gifts, which says a lot about the value offered here.
Metal Earth kits are another standout offering. These intricate metal model kits let builders create detailed replicas of landmarks, vehicles, and more using thin laser-cut steel sheets.
They make excellent gifts for people who enjoy hands-on building but may not be ready to tackle traditional plastic models.
One customer specifically praised the store as a go-to gift destination, pointing to Metal Earth, Legos, and model cars as reliable crowd-pleasers for friends and family. The variety here means almost anyone can walk out with something they are genuinely excited to build.
Knowledgeable and Friendly Staff Who Actually Love Hobbies
A great product selection means a lot more when the people helping you actually know what they are talking about. At The Hobby Place at Ace, staff members like Dan, Rob, Mikey, Luke, and the rest of the crew have earned consistent praise for being both knowledgeable and patient.
Customers do not feel like they are bothering anyone when they ask for help.
One parent recalled how Mikey spent real time explaining RC car options without any pressure, turning what could have been a confusing purchase into a memorable outing with their son. Another reviewer watched staff help other customers with care and attention, noting how friendly and understanding the team was as shoppers explained their hobby situations.
Returns have also been handled smoothly, with staff going out of their way to find the right replacement product. That level of personalized service is increasingly rare in retail, and it is a big reason why this store has earned such a loyal following in Tucson.
Diorama Supplies for Builders Who Love the Details
Building a great model is one thing, but placing it inside a fully realized scene is where the real storytelling begins. The Hobby Place at Ace stocks diorama supplies that let modelers bring their builds to life with realistic terrain, foliage, water effects, and more.
Reviewers specifically mention diorama materials as part of what makes the selection so impressive.
Weathering products complement the diorama supplies nicely, letting builders add mud, rust, dust, and battle wear to vehicles and figures placed in a scene. The combination of these materials under one roof saves serious hobbyists from piecing together supplies from multiple sources.
For collectors who build 1/35 scale military scenes or train layouts with detailed landscapes, having access to this kind of inventory locally is a genuine convenience. The store feels like it was put together by people who actually build models themselves, and that thoughtfulness shows in every section of the shop.
A Store That Feels Different Every Time You Visit
Some stores feel exactly the same every single time you walk through the door. The Hobby Place at Ace is not one of them.
Multiple reviewers mention that the store always seems to have something new or different to discover, making repeat visits feel genuinely worthwhile rather than routine. The rotating inventory keeps regulars engaged and coming back to see what has arrived.
The store decor has also drawn compliments, with one reviewer calling it stellar and inviting, the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and browse rather than grab and go. Even the selection of specialty sodas at the store has been called out as a fun and unexpected bonus.
That sense of discovery is part of what makes The Hobby Place at Ace feel more like a local institution than just another retail stop. For hobbyists in Tucson, it has become the kind of place you bring out-of-town friends to show off.
Ace Hardware Gift Cards and Coupons Are Welcome Here
Here is a practical detail that many shoppers do not realize until they show up: The Hobby Place at Ace accepts Ace Hardware gift cards and coupons. Since it operates as an independently owned Ace Hardware franchise, customers can use those rewards toward hobby purchases, which is a genuinely useful perk that most dedicated hobby shops simply cannot offer.
That connection to the Ace Hardware brand also means the store benefits from the trust and familiarity that many shoppers already have with the chain. At the same time, its independent ownership gives it the flexibility to stock a far more specialized and curated inventory than a standard hardware location would carry.
Prices are generally listed at MSRP, so while the store is not always the cheapest option, the selection and in-person experience offer real value that online shopping cannot replicate. Using existing gift cards or coupons makes the visit even more budget-friendly for regular customers.
Why This Hidden Gem Deserves a Spot on Your Weekend Plans
With a 4.6-star rating from nearly 500 reviewers, The Hobby Place at Ace has clearly earned its reputation as one of the best hobby shops in Arizona. Customers travel from across Tucson and beyond to browse its shelves, and many describe it as the kind of store they wish existed closer to home.
The sheer variety of what is available under one roof is genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the region.
The store is open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM, with free parking available on site. Reaching the team is easy by calling 520-747-9473, and management has shown a real commitment to addressing customer concerns and improving the experience for everyone who walks through the door.
Whether you are a lifelong hobbyist or someone just discovering the joy of building models, stopping by this Tucson gem is the kind of outing that turns into a favorite weekend tradition. Go check it out for yourself.
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