While Falcon Hobby Supply survived after a fire three years ago at the original location on Dirksen Parkway, the business is now in the process of winding down operations. A post on the company’s Facebook page stated, “It is with a very heavy heart, we have to announce that our plans to move the store to the west side of Springfield have fallen through and it now looks like we will be closing our doors in the near future.” Owner Paul Carlson said there is not a set date for the closing, which will depend on the sale of the remaining inventory. “We’ve gone down to reduced hours. We’re open a few days a week to sell what we have left.”
The business moved to 2700 E. Ash St. one month after a fire heavily damaged the building and inventory at the original location. The new location had more space and Carlson added indoor and outdoor tracks for remote-controlled cars and an obstacle course for drones. However, the Facebook post stated, “…unfortunately, it was not enough to make this a profitable venture.”
Carlson said once Falcon Hobby Supply closes, he plans to spend more of his time focusing on Turbo Fire Pizza, a Springfield-based business that he co-owns with Tim Collins. The first build-your-own pizza restaurant opened in 2015 at 2414 N. Dirksen Pkwy. and a second location at 605 W. Jefferson St. was added in May, in addition to a food trailer and wholesale business.
Carlson said he hopes the closing of the seven-year-old Falcon Hobby Supply business serves as a reminder to people of the importance of shopping local. “It’s a classic case of where people buy too much online and a local business like ours can’t support itself.”
