FERNDALE – As a young boy, Rainy Hamilton Jr.’s dreams were filled with model trains, intricate winding tracks and the lifelike scenery that surrounded it all. The passion that continues to fuel his love for model trains also serves as the driving force behind today’s grand opening of his very own hobby shop — Rainy Day Hobbies.
Situated on Woodward Avenue in downtown Ferndale, the 2,000-square-foot store will serve as a retreat for “kids of all ages,” featuring merchandise to cater to both the veteran hobbyist or those just entering the world of model trains.
“My father, Rainy Hamilton Sr., started my interest in model trains one Christmas, and from that moment, I was hooked,” said Hamilton, a founding principal architect at Detroit-based Hamilton Anderson Associates. “I looked for every opportunity to earn a little extra allowance, and as soon as it was in my pocket, I jumped on my bike and rode straight to the hobby shop.”
Those trips to the hobby shop gave Hamilton time to dream about the day he’d walk into his own hobby shop — a place where he would be able to share his love of all things steam and diesel with the community.
“My vision for Rainy Day Hobbies is to create a getaway for those who revel in model building and model railroading, which is the world’s greatest hobby,” Hamilton said. The space also contains a multipurpose gathering area that can be used for socializing, as well as workshops, training sessions, viewing videos and even holding birthday parties.
Upon entering the shop, patrons will become energized by the bright walls, splashed with primary colors that pop against the light wood floors. Racks of wooden puzzles and books are nestled in the front of the store, surrounded by wood trains, cars and planes, perfect for children as young as 2 years old.
The store’s long walls are lined with the latest in HO train cars and locomotives, including those in both O- and N-scale. A massive model schooner is perched atop one of the store’s tall shelves, and mounted on the wall is a clock that welcomes each new hour with a train whistle and trip around its clock face by a bustling locomotive.
The grand opening will take place today with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m.
Gratiot Valley Model Railroad Club will be on hand at the grand opening to display one of the club’s N-scale layouts. Light refreshments will be served, and a 10 percent discount will be given on purchases made at the grand opening.
