A name with meaning...

 

Hurricane Hobbies was founded in 2000 by Ron Ricketts in the small beach community of Englewood, Florida. Originally, the store was known as Lemon Bay Hobbies after the body of water between Englewood and Manasota Key of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The store opened in April 2000 in a modest 500 square foot location in Heron Plaza. Because of the popularity of great prices and outstanding customer service, the store soon outgrew its humble beginnings and in 2002 moved to a roomier 2000 square foot location in the same plaza.

2004 saw another growth opportunity for Lemon Bay Hobbies when it purchased another hobby shop and moved to the larger town of Port Charlotte, Florida, 18 miles southwest of Englewood and several blocks from beautiful Charlotte Harbor. The store’s new 2700 square foot residence was previously the home of The Hobby Shop. With a billboard sized sign facing busy US 41, the name stuck.

Port Charlotte was hard hit by Hurricane Charley on August 13, 2004. The Category four hurricane, predicted to hit Tampa, FL, took a last-minute hard right turn into Charlotte Harbor. Packing sustained 145 mph winds with 173 mph gusts, the eye-wall passed over our hobby shop and caused severe damage to the majority of the residences and businesses in the area. The entire area's economy would not support a business such as a hobby shop for years to come.

Being Ohio natives, we decided to start all over again, maintaining what we loved most, running a hobby shop with a new name.... Hurricane Hobbies! We opened our doors in Lewis Center, Ohio on February 14, 2005. 

 

Fast Forward 13 years and many blustery winters...

With our hearts planted in Florida we are finally back to the state we love, making Jacksonville our new home.

We hope you enjoy our store and find what you are looking for at competitive mail-order prices. We are dedicated to bringing you the best hobby goods available and look forward to serving the Mandarin area and Jacksonville for many years to come.