From the FWIW Dept;

For those who were wondering - yes they are selling the Lionel bar stools ($129 plus tax). I ordered one today and when they quoted me the price with tax I questioned them. And they said they had to apply sales tax even to out of state orders.

does anyone no wat store was there before dat wasent it the nba store

I bedive it wad Vitoria Sekrets.

Tex

I was just there. Small layout and nice people. However one ominous thing. I asked about the layout in Grand Central and the lady said they wouldn't put it up this year. Horrors!

quote:

I was just there. Small layout and nice people. However one ominous thing. I asked about the layout in Grand Central and the lady said they wouldn't put it up this year. Horrors!

As of Sunday, installation of the Grand Central Layout is scheduled for the week of November 16th.

From what I can see of the photos of the layout windows and store it looks a bit disappointing for the massive potential that they have. With a great location like this a larger operating layout with some scenery and several Lionel buildings and other items with more scenery and perhaps layers and more trains running would be of more interest and get more people I would think in the store. And perhaps with the store racks they could do a better job by having more trains featured racks of train sets on display.

Do they have the catalogues here as well to look through ?? Purchase or have for free??

How about a map showing Lionel dealers around the country??
For folks from out of town this would let them know that if they buy a train set they can get extra bits at a hobby shop Lionel store close to their home.

quote:

Originally posted by NYC Fan:

quote:

I was just there. Small layout and nice people. However one ominous thing. I asked about the layout in Grand Central and the lady said they wouldn't put it up this year. Horrors!

As of Sunday, installation of the Grand Central Layout is scheduled for the week of November 16th.

That's good to know.

quote:

Originally posted by TexSpecial:
I bedive it wad Vitoria Sekrets.

I just found out Victoria's Secret. She's a guy!

quote:

I was just there. Small layout and nice people. However one ominous thing. I asked about the layout in Grand Central and the lady said they wouldn't put it up this year. Horrors!

quote:

As of Sunday, installation of the Grand Central Layout is scheduled for the week of November 16th.

quote:

That's good to know.

It is verified. Installation will take place on Nov 17th and 18th. And, the layout is scheduled to be open to the public Nov 25th thru Jan 18th.

Great pictures, I think it is wonderful to see a Lionel store back in NYC. Can only bring good things and more exposure for the hobby. Love the picture of the little boy with his nose pressed against the glass. I hope Lionel does well with this store it will help all of us no matter what you brand like.


Have a great day NormW

quote:

From what I can see of the photos of the layout windows and store it looks a bit disappointing for the massive potential that they have. With a great location like this a larger operating layout with some scenery and several Lionel buildings and other items with more scenery and perhaps layers and more trains running would be of more interest and get more people I would think in the store. And perhaps with the store racks they could do a better job by having more trains featured racks of train sets on display.

All of us who recall the great Lionel Showroom of the 1950's and early 1960's, especially if you were a little kid visiting during the holiday season, are hard pressed to be impressed by anything! Your point is well taken. However, this is a great step forward for Lionel and the toy train hobby. The exposure in this location will be unparalleled. I would add that with relatively short notice, limited set up time and in a limited space, TW Design did a great job in creating a very attractive environment to show the excitement of toy trains.

Hey Mister whaddya smiling about ?

Couldn't be the Coupon could it?





Coupon

NYC Fan........

Guess what I received in the mail today........Lionel bag. Thanks Skip...my best to you and family. Merry Christmas.

Tex

they should display more subways,because many newyorkers like subways instead of cho-chos.

Anyone ask the ladies in the store if they will offer a commemorative, exclusive boxcar for the Christmas '09 season. THAT would be an added draw for people like us. Otherwise, I hope to visit, but doubt I'll be buying anything.

Tex,

You're very welcome and Merry Christmas!

BTW, that bag represented the 2nd sale in the Lionel Store. Ratpak was 1st and I was right behind him

BTW, Skip... I really enjoyed seeing your Christmas layout in CTT. You have done a great job with it! The story kind of implies that you build a new table base for it each year. You don't really do that, do you?

quote:

Originally posted by RadioRon:
Anyone ask the ladies in the store if they will offer a commemorative, exclusive boxcar for the Christmas '09 season. THAT would be an added draw for people like us. Otherwise, I hope to visit, but doubt I'll be buying anything.

Yes we did, no they won't

rat

Skip, I would like to tip my hat to you as a result of the fine gesture you have demonstrated with Tex. This type of expression represents the forum and many of its members very well also.

Have a nice evening.

Ken.

Ron,

I usually keep a holiday layout for a couple of years. I enjoy planning and building, and with the kind of changes I usually make, it's just easier to start from scratch. The previous Christmas layout I had measured 4' by 10' (two 4' by 5' tables)and sat directly on the floor. The Christmas tree sat on that table. The latest layout measured 5' by 9' and sat on 22" legs.

I have built new tables for this years layout (5' by 9' also), in anticipation of the Lionel Grand Central Terminal. Since it's arrival before Christmas is questionable, I may just go with last years layout.



Thanks Ken....there are a lot of good people in this forum community of ours, and it's nice to be able to make one happy. Happy Holidays!

Wife and I are going to NYC this Sunday for a Broadway show. Plan to stop and see the store.

Skip.....

After I give my grandaughter her Lionel stuff in the bag for Christmas I'll frame the bag and put a plaque up to that effect.

I should be receiving my Lionel Train Store stuff, including the stool in the next few days. Will shoot a photo and post.

Tex

This is the stash of Lionel stuff I purchased from the NY Lionel store. The box for the stool arrived today and all the other items I requested from the store were inside, packed nicely.

Included is the Lionel ceramic clock, magnet, T-shirt, holiday sticker's, scrap booking kit, small Lionel Bag and stool. The stool is awsome!

Tex

Tex, now you've done it! You are going to create quite a stir by getting your stool. Great to see that you received your items already, that was sure quick service. Was your items shipped from Michigan or New York? They told me my stool was coming from Michigan. I also wanted to order a t-shirt but the lady I spoke with wasn't sure if it could be shipped from Michigan along with the stool.

Ken.

Tex, how much does the Lionel ceramic clock go for?

RadioRon.....Wall Clock $15.....I'm sure glad I got the Lionel Scrapbook kit. There are all kinds of neat stuff in it.

Ken....It looks like it was shipped out of Mich.

Tex

Rat Pack:

Er, that was a pic from the CAROL train, right?

That is correct Dom. It was part of the tour on 11/1

rat

Heading to NYC the first weekend in Dec., as a surprise for my wife for Christmas. She's never been to NYC before, so we are taking a train up to Penn Station and then staying in the city for the weekend.

Taking in a show Saturday night, and site seeing Friday and Saturday. I can't wait to surprise her. She'd actually really like going into the Lionel store, esp. since it will be decked out for Christmas.

That's great timing Steve. Everything should be up and running and the tree in Rockefeller Center is lit as of the evening of December 2.

Hope you have a great time. Take pictures and share them on the forum!

quote:

Originally posted by NYC Fan:
That's great timing Steve. Everything should be up and running and the tree in Rockefeller Center is lit as of the evening of December 2.

Hope you have a great time. Take pictures and share them on the forum!

Excellent news! I was hoping that the tree would be lit by then.

We are staying at the Algonquin Hotel, right in the heart of the theatre district. I can't wait to spring the surprise on my wife.

Nice pictures!

I like the clock as well, what does it go for?

quote:

I like the clock as well, what does it go for?

It goes for hours and hours... (sorry)

I received my barstool today. I ordered it on November 6. The sales lady mentioned it would be two weeks before it would be shipped so it appears they are shipping them a little ahead of schedule. It looks super! Anyone else receive theirs yet?

Everyone have a nice weekend.

Ken.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ken in Nebraska,

 
For patrons exiting Radio City Music Hall (and other passers-by)...

               

 
... if I were Lionel, I'd consider adding additional signage (... though it may be restricted by the lessor)


               

The small, round Lionel logos in the window may not be familiar enough to present day clientele.

... and it would hide those unattractive spotlights, as well!

Just a suggestion.  
 

quote:

Originally posted by Calabrese94:

Does anyone know what store was there before it wasn't the Lionel store?

Yes,   it was posted here...    
 

Thanks for the pics guys. Nice looking store. Maybe we can have one in London
next year....hint hint, pretty please

Regards
Nick

quote:

From the FWIW Dept;

For those who were wondering - yes they are selling the Lionel bar stools ($129 plus tax). I ordered one today and when they quoted me the price with tax I questioned them. And they said they had to apply sales tax even to out of state orders.

We can also get the bar stools they are a standard item this year from Lionel.

Don't get me wrong. I like...even LOVE...Lionel trains. For all of my 65 years.

But my take on Mr. Calabrese's new store is different than most of the replies so far.

I'm from Michigan.
We have >15% state unemployment. Our city is at >21% unemployment.
Our industry is gone, most factories leveled to the ground.
Our city population has dwindled by 35%.
I work at a hobby shop in the trains department.
Our store had 5 locations. We closed 3 of them in the last 5 years.
Our state's capital doesn't even have a hobby shop at all...none, zip, nada.
Our customers hardly have any 'disposable income' for hobbies anymore.
Lionel was once a Michigan-based corporation.
Lionel was once a Michigan manufacturer.
Lionel is neither, now.
Lionel decided to leave...and go to New York City.
A Lionel store in New York City does not help our store in Michigan.
The costs of the NYC store will be borne by products we must sell in Michigan.

I would sooner have had Lionel hold...or lower..the price on their Christmas 2009 box car. It would have been a kinder marketing gesture in a struggling economy. The price went from $54.99 to $64.99 in one year. We've had 3 customers who have made this traditional annual purchase for as long as I can remember walk away from their reservation this year. At a MSRP of $64.99, they've had enough. We typically have reduced the price for our repeat customers, but we couldn't help as much this year. Another corporate decision, to have additional profit-seeking entities (distributors) enter the food chain this past year, didn't leave us with as much room to help the struggling retail customer.

I'm sorry. I don't want to be a Grinch about this. We're hurting just like a lot of you. We need REAL help, not 'lipstick'. To a barely-surviving LHS in Michigan, this sort of a corporate store is, well,...lipstick.

KD

quote:

I'm sorry. I don't want to be a Grinch about this. We're hurting just like a lot of you. We need REAL help, not 'lipstick'. To a barely-surviving LHS in Michigan, this sort of a corporate store is, well,...lipstick.

KD

Got a website & or POS option on that site? How come if you are crying about a barely surviving Michigan hobbyshop, that neither the name of the hobbyshop, website is on your signature line?

After all, every little bit counts.

Count me among those who feel Lionel is doing a very good thing by having this store open this holiday season. They saw an opportunity and took advantage of it. Kudos to Jerry and his crew!

As for the sales tax, we bought a stool, had it shipped home free, no tax, plus 20% off coupon. Total, $103.99.

Add me to the list of those who think this was a smart move for Lionel, but I wonder of the retail train dealers in Manhattan or even in the other boroughs were happy to see it. Do you think this "seasonal" shop takes business away from the local established train shops?

quote:

Do you think this "seasonal" shop takes business away from the local established train shops?

No worse than a zillion stores of all types did back in an earlier era when Lionel trains were sold just about everywhere. Every bit of positive exposure the hobby can get--Lionel and everyone else--is a good thing, in my opinion. If even a few folks who browse there or buy a starter set decide to give this relaxing and creative hobby a try, it's a win-win for everyone in the long term.

I agree with others that this is too sparse. Too refined and high brow. At first glance it looks more like a museum than a store. People like stacks of product with a big sign showing the price. I know it's a small store, but you don't sell as much when the employees have to go fetch the products. People like to handle the boxes and contemplate the purchase. Also, there should be more and larger displays. Make it a spectacle. Have a train meander through the store on a track suspended from the ceiling. Have a Polar Express train running on a track with scenery, buildings, and characters built to mimic the story. I've seen on on YouTube, that does a great job at this with minimal effort. It's not hard to really do it right.

Hopefully this store will be successful enough that they bring it back next year and the next with improvements. Despite my complaints, I am overwhelmingly happy about this. It's one more sign that Lionel is back. And it can only mean good things for this industry.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NYC Fan:
Opening of the Lionel Store in Rockefeller Center November 1, 2009.

NYC Fan,

Just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the posted pics. Where I am now, it would be virtually impossible for me to be there and those pics make it seem like I actually could have been!

Thanks Again,

Rufus

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dkdkrd:
Don't get me wrong. I like...even LOVE...Lionel trains. For all of my 65 years.

We're hurting just like a lot of you. We need REAL help, not 'lipstick'. To a barely-surviving LHS in Michigan, this sort of a corporate store is, well,...lipstick.


Read your comments with interest. Hopefully the economy will improve and
until then we must all hold firm in our convictions.

My take on the Lionel Store is that is just good business, nothing personal I am sure.

Rufus

Hay Allan.....

Next year do you think the NY Lionel Store (if they do it again) can carry OGR magazines. That would be a nice touch.

Tex

quote:

Next year do you think the NY Lionel Store (if they do it again) can carry OGR magazines.

They can if they want to, of course. But I suspect that they are more oriented toward Lionel-specific items, as well they should be given the relatively small size and seasonal nature of this particular store. But if they wanted OGR, you can be sure we would assist in meeting their needs.