Building the New A&M Hobby Shop: A Renovation Journey
The initial phase of transforming our new location involved the necessary, and sometimes less glamorous, task of demolition. Our first walkthrough revealed a few key areas that required immediate attention before we could even begin to build our vision. Sections of water-damaged ceiling tiles were removed, and the existing vibrant red walls required patching and preparation for a new color. We also removed the outdated Cat5e data infrastructure to make way for a more modern network. The floor, covered in both VCT and carpet, had to be cleared, a process made more labor-intensive by initial delays in getting consistent power and water service. Perhaps the most physically challenging aspect was removing the large, existing mirrors, which proved difficult to maneuver and dispose of after our attempts to find them a new home were unsuccessful. The bathroom, however, remained largely untouched in this initial phase.
With the demolition complete, we moved on to a key structural element: the dividing wall separating the retail space from our office and storage areas. The baseboard was bolted to the concrete floor, and side studs were lagged into the existing wall for stability. Extending into the ceiling, the wall required modification of the existing ceiling grid and bracing to the building's steel frame. The design was a simple span with a standard door opening. A major setback during this phase was a three-week delay in material delivery, which temporarily halted the entire renovation and impacted our carefully planned schedule.
Next, we tackled the electrical and network upgrades. For the electrical system, we created distinct lighting zones for the front and back, and installed new power for the cash wrap and wall. The network infrastructure was upgraded with Cat6 cabling and a wall rack, replacing the old in-wall data box to support our systems, including the new Shopify POS.
Painting was key to branding the new location. We chose a lighter blue, but the existing red walls required significant prep. To prevent bleed-through, we applied three coats of primer before the final blue. This extra step ensured the true color and transformed the space, making it feel like home.
With the walls painted, we turned our attention to the flooring. In the main retail area, new laminate flooring was installed, offering durability and a modern look. In the back storage and office areas, the existing VCT flooring was refinished to provide a clean and functional surface.
Enhancing the retail environment was the installation of a smart lighting system in the front area. This included a new track lighting system for highlighting displays and upgrading the existing T8 bulbs to smart LED lights for better efficiency and ambiance control.
The installation of the new cash wrap was a relatively straightforward process. With the space prepped and electrical in place, the assembly and securing of the unit near the front of the store was efficient, creating a central hub for transactions.
As the major construction elements came together, the focus shifted to the final preparations. The entire unit was thoroughly cleaned, and our existing product inventory was moved into the rear storage area. The new Shopify POS system and office equipment were also set up. However, we encountered an unexpected delay with the delivery of the slatwalls for the retail display area due to current tariff issues.
Despite this final hurdle, we are excited to announce that we will be offering in-store pickup at our new location starting on May 1st. Please note that due to the delay in receiving our slatwalls, most of our product will not be on display in the retail area at that time. We appreciate your understanding and can't wait to start serving you from our new space, even in this limited capacity, while we await the arrival of our full display setup. We'll keep you updated on that front!
