This Nebraska Hobby Shop Is A Paradise For Anyone Who Loves Model Kits And RC Cars

A hobby shop in Nebraska once had to build walls around its own race track. Rain soaked a national RC championship there in 2009, so the owners enclosed the whole dirt course.

That tells you how seriously this place takes tiny cars. The indoor tracks have hosted national-level racing.

Weekly races still run three nights a week.

Then there’s the store itself. It stocks RC planes, boats, drones, Gundam kits, trains, rockets, and LEGO sets.

It’s widely known for one of the biggest Gundam and model kit selections in the state.

I like how it works for every skill level. A kid with a first rocket fits right in beside a racer tuning a championship buggy.

I can’t imagine a better rainy-day rescue for a family that loves building things. So where exactly is this place hiding?

Omaha’s Racing Headquarters Wears a Familiar Shop Name

Out in northern Omaha sits HobbyTown HobbyPlex, a shop that doubles as a full racing complex. Racers often just call it The HobbyPlex, and the nickname fits.

The name sounds like a chain store at the mall. Then you learn the place is locally owned and operated, with roots stretching back two decades.

Inside, the retail floor handles the shopping side of the hobby. Behind it, the tracks handle the bragging rights.

Few stores in Nebraska blend those two worlds this smoothly. You can buy a truck, grab parts, and test it on a real track in one stop.

That combination is the whole appeal. Most hobby shops send you home to try your new car in the driveway.

Here, the driveway gets replaced by world-class indoor dirt and carpet surfaces. Your new purchase meets serious terrain the same afternoon.

The building also welcomes the curious who have never touched a transmitter. Staff aim to bring new people into the hobby rather than gatekeep it.

So whether you’re a seasoned racer or a parent clueless about spur gears, you’ll fit. Everyone starts somewhere, and many start right here.

Twenty Years of Tiny Cars and One Very Rainy Championship

Rain changed everything in 2009. That year, wet weather disrupted the ROAR 1:10 Offroad National Championships on the shop’s then-outdoor dirt track.

The response was bold. The owners enclosed the entire off-road course, finishing in time for the 2011 ROAR 1:8 Electric Offroad Nationals.

That’s a lot of construction for cars that fit in a shoebox. It also shows how much the place cares about racers.

HobbyTown HobbyPlex opened in 2004 and celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2024. Two decades is a long run for any specialty store.

The same year brought a major facelift upstairs. The main sales floor got new shelving, racks, counters, floors, and walls.

During the work, the store temporarily moved downstairs. Business kept rolling, much like the cars on the track out back.

Longtime faces add to the story too. One manager has been with HobbyTown for nearly 30 years, according to the shop.

Put those pieces together and you get a place with real staying power in Nebraska. It grew up with its customers, and plenty of them grew up with it.

Shelves That Could Swallow Your Whole Saturday

RC cars, trucks, planes, boats, and drones fill one part of the store. Turn a corner and you hit LEGO, puzzles, games, and STEM toys.

Hot Wheels have their spot too. So do slot cars, model trains, and rockets.

The list keeps going in surprising directions. HobbyTown HobbyPlex even carries ATVs and electric moto bicycles.

That variety makes it easy to lose track of time. You came for one battery, and suddenly you’re eyeing a train set.

Parts and aftermarket upgrades are a big deal here. Racers need specific components fast, and well-stocked shelves keep them on the track.

Families benefit from the range as well. One kid can hunt for a LEGO set while another studies RC trucks.

The 2024 renovation gave the sales floor fresh shelving and counters. Browsing feels organized rather than like a treasure hunt in a garage.

Bring a list if you have willpower. Leave it at home if you’d rather wander.

Either way, expect to spend longer than planned. Nobody walks out of a place this stocked in five minutes, and honestly, why would you want to?

Gundam Fans Should Clear Some Shelf Space at Home

Gunpla builders, take note. This shop is often credited with the largest selection of Gundam kits in Nebraska.

That’s a big claim in a hobby where fans hunt specific grades and releases. Having a deep in-person stock saves a lot of online searching.

Bandai kits sit alongside classic model categories. Model cars, planes, and other plastic builds round out the modeling section.

Paint and finishing supplies matter just as much as the kits. A great build often comes down to the right brush, glue, or paint pen.

The modeling side also has knowledgeable help. Staff can point beginners toward tools that make a first build less frustrating.

Free air-conditioned work areas give builders a place to work too. That’s a nice perk when your kitchen table is already covered in sprues.

Model rockets live here as well. A first launch with a kid is a classic rite of passage, and the store can outfit the whole adventure.

Whether you build robots, cars, or rockets, HobbyTown HobbyPlex treats modeling like a main event. It isn’t an afterthought squeezed beside the RC aisle.

Dirt, Carpet, and Lap Times That Actually Count

Two surfaces, two personalities. The indoor dirt off-road track brings jumps and grit, while the high-grip carpet on-road track rewards precise driving.

Both are maintained with care. Layouts change regularly, so regulars never get bored memorizing one route.

Weekly racing runs every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. That steady schedule gives racers a reliable rhythm all year long.

Bigger events roll through too. The facility hosts the JConcepts Indoor National Series and championship races, and it has hosted ROAR nationals.

That puts Omaha on the national RC map. Drivers travel in from other states to compete on these surfaces.

Can’t make it in person? Live lap-timing and race feeds let fans follow along from home.

Covered pit areas come with power outlets. Racers can charge batteries and make quick adjustments between heats.

Newcomers can use the indoor track too. Practice time gives beginners a safe place to learn before they ever enter a race.

Watching a race is a treat even without a car. Those little machines move fast, and the crashes come with zero insurance paperwork.

Rock Crawlers Get Their Own Playground

Not every RC fan wants speed. Some prefer creeping a scale truck over boulders at a pace a turtle would respect.

Those drivers get room here too. HobbyTown HobbyPlex offers both indoor and outdoor scale crawling courses.

Crawling is about patience and line choice. One wrong wheel placement and your rig tips over like a sleepy cow.

Having an indoor course is a real advantage in Nebraska. Winter weather can’t cancel your climb when the rocks live under a roof.

The outdoor course brings a different feel in warmer months. Fresh air and natural textures make the challenge feel more trail-like.

Crawling also suits younger drivers and beginners. Lower speeds mean fewer broken parts and more time actually driving.

Parents can join in without needing racing reflexes. It’s a hobby where careful thinking beats quick thumbs.

If a part does snap, the parts counter is just steps away. That beats ending your day early over one busted link.

Crawling may be slow, but the satisfaction is big. Clearing a tough obstacle feels like summiting a mountain, just a much smaller one.

A Repair Bench and a Flight Simulator Under One Roof

Broken RC cars happen. Sometimes it’s a stripped gear, and sometimes it’s a jump that went far too well.

The shop offers setup and repair services for RC products. Technicians work on cars, airplanes, and boats.

That’s a lifesaver for beginners. A new driver may not know a spur gear from a pinion yet.

Staff knowledge is one of the store’s strongest selling points. Many employees are deep into the hobby themselves.

They can help match parts to your model. Getting compatible pieces the first time saves both money and a second trip.

Then there’s the fun extra for pilots. The store has had a flight simulator for practicing RC flying.

Practicing on a screen makes a lot of sense. Crashing a virtual plane costs nothing but pride.

Free air-conditioned work areas round out the support. Builders and racers can tinker comfortably instead of sweating in a hot garage.

Put it all together and HobbyTown HobbyPlex feels like a hobby clinic. You arrive with a problem and leave ready to drive again, which is the best kind of fix.

Room for Grandpa, the Grandkids, and Everyone Between

Families make up a big part of the crowd here. The shop describes itself as a hub for competitive racing and family fun.

Those two goals blend well. A serious racer and a curious kid can share the same building without stepping on each other.

Kids who aren’t driving yet still get plenty to look at. Racing cars zooming around a track is basically live entertainment.

Adults often rediscover old hobbies too. Model trains and rockets tend to bring back childhood memories fast.

The facility offers wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking. A handicap-accessible stand helps more people enjoy race days.

On race days, a food stand keeps people fueled. Long events are easier when snacks are close.

RV parking is available as well, though without hookups. That’s handy for racers traveling from across Nebraska and beyond.

It’s good, clean fun in the best sense. Screens get put down and hands get busy.

For an Omaha family looking for something different, this works year-round. Rain, snow, or wind, the fun stays indoors and dry.

Before You Head to Scott Circle

Finding it is easy enough. HobbyTown HobbyPlex sits at 10020 Scott Circle, Omaha, NE 68122.

That puts it in the northern part of the city. Drivers from Lincoln, Fremont, or Council Bluffs can make it an easy day trip.

The store opens seven days a week. Weekdays run into the evening, while Saturday and Sunday close earlier.

Sunday starts later in the day. Check current hours before you go, especially around holidays.

Race nights fall on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. If you want to watch the action, plan your visit around those days.

Track schedules matter for drivers too. Certain days are set for specific track types, like dirt off-road or dirt oval.

Look at the posted schedule before loading your car. Showing up with an oval car on off-road day leads to a quiet ride home.

Track time comes at a reasonable cost, and pricing can change. Ask at the counter for the latest rates.

The YouTube channel, The HobbyPlex Show, offers product news and how-to guides. It’s a fun way to preview the place before you go.

Worth the Drive for Builders and Racers Alike

Some shops sell hobbies. HobbyTown HobbyPlex feels like it lives them.

The giant inventory alone justifies a trip across Nebraska. Add national-caliber tracks, crawling courses, and repair help, and the case gets stronger.

It’s also a rare mix of serious and welcoming. Championship racers share space with first-time builders.

That balance is hard to pull off. Plenty of specialty spots feel intimidating to beginners.

Here, the goal is to grow the hobby. Staff want new people to try it, not stand awkwardly by the door.

The building itself tells a story too. A rained-out national event led to an enclosed track that still draws racers today.

Twenty years in, the shop keeps improving. The 2024 renovation proved it isn’t coasting.

So who should go? Gundam builders, RC racers, train fans, rocket parents, and anyone itching for a hands-on project.

Bring a curious kid or your own inner one. Either way, expect to leave with a bag of parts and a plan to come back sooner than you meant to.