Dave's Hobby Shop is located in the Historic District of Van Buren, Arkansas, just west of the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Depot. We are at 600 Main Street, right on the corner at 6th & Main in what is known as the Anheuser Busch Building.
The building is on the National Historic Register and according to sources, was built in 1892. It is said to be one of the last remaining Anheuser Busch Ice House left standing. A year long endeavor of rehabilitating the interior is finished and over the next years (2006/2007 and on) a concentrated effort will be made to return the outside to original condition. The outside still maintains the last known A and Eagle emblem of the Anheuser Ice Houses on the front and large letters spelling out "Anheuser Busch" are on the 6th street side of the building. The front entry way is adorned with Anheuser Busch tiles.
Great efforts were taken to ensure that no materially damaging construction was done as Dave's Hobby Shop was placed into operation in the building. All wood work was done by hand by the owners and all cases and fixtures custom fitted to the floor plan. All walls, ceilings and floors were maintained in the condition found or revitalized as needed. The lights in the building are all energy efficient florescent bulbs and fixtures except for 6 small incandescence specialty applications. Specialized lighting was used to high light the magnificent ceiling and floors. A gentle mix of old and new blends the atmosphere very nicely. The building is a center piece building in Van Buren, Arkansas.
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That is Dave's Mummy in the corner
A working MicroTrains' Christmas "North Pole Village" in action
The check out counter is a 1843 original front and back bar ! Thats Dobson, our butler ... hiding out
Well, the Mummy is still in the corner, and isn't about to leave the refreshment area
Dobson would be happy to sell you a little kitty
We stock a lot of fully asssembled ships as well.
Lots of books and magazines and a view from the Mummy's area. Boo...
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