Retail Therapy

In these recession hit times it's so good to read that there are still a few out there whose entrepreneurial spirit lives on, undampened! Last month I wrote a post about a Northern based chain of stores whose owners have decided to experiment with new toy soldier and model departments in a number of their branches. Let's hope that goes well and that they decide to open a few more

In a similar vein this month I bring you news of an American toy soldier store which is now going to have a presence on this side of the pond, as well as a new, as far as I know entirely British, toy soldier shop opening its doors to the British public

Crown Military Miniatures is an American concern that will now be offering a number of its product lines for sale in the UK through Collectors Corner, a small shop located at 61 Bartholomew Street, Newbury in Berkshire

Available for purchase from Collectors Corner will be figures from Black Hawk, Conte Collectibles and March Through Times

Centurion Toy Soldiers is a new store located in Chester. It's been advertised in the toy soldier press for a while now and I'm pleased to see that their website is finally up and running. According to the owner, Iwan Williams.....

Centurion Toy Soldiers is a shop selling toy soldiers and historical miniatures. We are based in Chester inside the city walls about 10 meters from the city's North Gate. We decided to open a soldier shop here in the north west of England as there is a definite shortage of shops of this kind in the UK

I have asked myself if there is a need for a physical toy soldier shop with the internet and E bay making the figures readily available from all over the world at the click of a button? Well I personally think that there is, call me old fashioned but I would rather walk into a shop where I can look at the figures and talk about them with someone else who shares a passion for collecting toy soldiers. So if you live in the North West of England, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales, the Midlands or even the Welsh Marches come and pay us a visit as we are not too far away. I really hope to see you soon

Iwan is currently stocking figures from W. Britains, Thomas Gunn, and First Legion, as well as one range from Kronprinz Toy Soldiers and boxes of Airfix plastics

Happy hunting!