HobbyTown Lincoln Celebrates Eight Decades

HobbyTown Lincoln marked its 80th 
anniversary in business, with owners Dan and Chelsy Schmidt also celebrating 20 years at the helm. Dan Schmidt began working at the store as a teen before later buying it with Chelsy in 2006, and the shop has survived a recession-era shakeup by focusing on community-driven hobby activities, including RC racing, rockets and tournaments.
 

 

The celebration brought together a community of hobby enthusiasts, former staff, and previous owners to reminisce about the store’s evolution since “Chick Bartlett’s 
HobbyTown” first opened its doors downtown in 1946. The celebration featured a curated collection of memorabilia from HobbyTown’s eight decades in Lincoln, allowing guests to look back at HobbyTown’s rich history. Thom Walla, one of the founders of HobbyTown, and Chick Bartlett’s granddaughter, Anna, were among the visitors.