I always make a list before I go.

HAHAHAHAHA! The old angry guy!!! I grew up in LaGrange! I had been going to that shop almost daily from when I was about 8 till about 30. He has always been old and angry. Its like he harbors contempt for you for being a customer and bothering his bordom. You would think he would know me by now, but every time I go in (now it just for old times sake since Al's is 10 min from work) he does not look at me, I ask him for a part, theres that deep sigh, then he gets up like he was busy with something and is really irritated, finds the part and condescends to sell it to me. Been there recently? He sold half the store to a boutique or something and its mostly dead.

Actually, the last few times I went there, I peaked his interest with something and he got all nice... and chatty... it was really weird. The guy that was with me needed parts too. When I was done "chatting", my friend asked for a part and he got all old and angry again... very odd fella.

I go to five shops. Leisure, Venture, and Al's, and Shane's counter at Intense Raceway Park. Being that I'm on the NW side of chicago I also use Chicagoland Hobby on Northwest Hwy, near Devon.

I don't buy anything online. Hobbyshops need our business.

I determine where I'm going to shop by where I'm at during the day when I'm heading out for parts. I almost always call ahead to make sure the store has what I need before I go.

I also think that if a hobbyshop could, they should put in beer taps. I'd spend another 10 bucks on beer just leaning on the counter when I'm there, drinking. Sometimes that's what it feels like when I'm at a hobbyshop counter...just like a tavern. Being that we've been racing for a while now, when I go to any of the shops there's almost always someone we know from the local tracks, and I end up shooting the breeze, adding an extra 20-30 minutes to my shopping experience.

Actually Al's could put set up a counter for BSing and drinking a beer. The pizza place next door has a bar. They could just cut a hole in the wall. LOL!!!!

The Pizza Palace next door has excellent food! I've gone in there on many occasions after shopping at al's to get some food with my friends.

Me and newguy and our kids ate there one day, had a few beers, it was great!

yea i stop in thier also from time to time to eat after stopping at als