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You only needed one bottle of flat black paint. Then you spotted a new tank kit, a rack of decals, and a wall of brushes you did not know existed, and suddenly the afternoon was gone.
Arizona has a surprising number of hobby shops where that happens, from giant warehouse-style stores in the Valley to tiny gaming hubs in the high country. This list covers 10 of them across Tolleson, Tempe, Tucson, Glendale, Chandler, Yuma, Prescott, Flagstaff, and Lake Havasu City.
Some are packed with scale models and model railroad gear, while others lean into Gundam kits, Warhammer miniatures, or RC racing. Every one stocks paint, which is the excuse you will use to walk in.
Save this before your next project, and maybe warn whoever is waiting in the car.
1. Andy’s Hobby Headquarters, Tolleson, AZ
From the outside, it looks more like a West Valley warehouse than a toy shop. Step inside, and that industrial space turns out to be packed floor to ceiling with model kits.
The selection runs wide here. Scale model cars, planes, and tanks share space with Gundam kits and Warhammer supplies, so builders from very different corners of the hobby end up in the same aisles.
Paint is a strong point, along with the tools and accessories that make a build come together. The store is notably organized, which helps when the inventory is this large.
Hours are simple to remember: 10 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week. Weekday daytime hours and Saturday afternoons tend to draw the most traffic, so plan accordingly if you like browsing without a crowd.
Find it at 2150 S 91st Ave in Tolleson. I would save this one for a free afternoon, because a quick stop rarely stays quick.
2. Hobby Depot, Tempe, AZ
If a model needs it, odds are good it is somewhere inside Hobby Depot. That is the reputation this Tempe shop has built on Southern Avenue.
The store covers plastic models and accessories, model railroads, rockets, and slot cars. Walk in, and you are met with rows of kits, glues, tools, and railroad-scale supplies.
The paint and supply section deserves its own mention. Decals, brushes, cements, and sandpaper sit alongside a deep paint stock, which makes it a dependable stop when a project stalls over one missing item.
Hours run 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, and noon to 5 PM on Sunday. The address is 109 E Southern Ave, an easy hop for anyone in Tempe, Mesa, or central Phoenix.
3. Arizona Hobbies, Tucson, AZ
Model train fans in Southern Arizona, take note. Arizona Hobbies is one of the last stores in the Tucson area still carrying HO and N gauge railroading supplies.
The shop opened in 1998 with a focus on model trains and railroad literature. Over the years it expanded into scale models, rockets, kites, tools, and paints.
RC fans get plenty of attention too, with cars, trucks, and airplanes in the mix. The store also runs an online shop with order pickup, handy if you want to reserve something before driving over.
Plan around the schedule, since it is closed Sunday and Monday. Saturday hours are short, 9 AM to 1 PM, while Thursday stays open until 7 PM.
It sits at 3600 S Palo Verde Rd #109, with free on-site parking.
4. Hobby Bench (Bell Road), Glendale, AZ
Night owls get a break at this one. Hobby Bench on Bell Road stays open until 8 PM on weekdays, which makes it an easy after-work stop for a fresh jar of paint.
It is a long-standing shop known for RC vehicles, model kits, and trains. The plastic model selection is huge, focused on the kind of kits you build and paint yourself.
What stands out is depth across categories. Instead of a token shelf for each hobby, each section carries a large selection.
Saturday afternoons are the busiest time, while Monday and Wednesday mornings tend to be quieter. Sunday hours run 11 AM to 5 PM.
The store is at 4240 W Bell Rd #A11 in Glendale, handy for the northwest Valley.
5. Hobby Action RC Raceway and Shop Chandler, Chandler, AZ
Most hobby shops let you buy the car. This Chandler stop also has a large indoor track where you can race it.
Hobby Action is built around radio control, and the storefront is packed with RC kits and accessories. Racing, bashing, boats, planes, rockets, and slot cars all have a place here.
Builders are covered too. Gundam kits, Hot Wheels, and plenty of paint and glue round out the shelves, so a non-racer in the group has reason to linger.
Weekend afternoons and Wednesday evenings draw the biggest crowds, likely tied to track time. Weekday mornings are much calmer.
Hours are 10 AM to 7 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 5 PM on weekends, at 855 N 54th St.
6. Amjunlimited, Yuma, AZ
Yuma builders do not have to drive to Phoenix for Tamiya paint. AMJ Unlimited stocks it, along with a lineup that covers a lot of hobby ground.
This locally owned shop carries model kits, Gundam and Gunpla, trading cards, retired LEGO sets, collectibles, tools, and supplies. That retired LEGO shelf is a fun detour for collectors hunting older sets.
The store is also a community spot. Card tournaments, Build Nights, and workshops give hobbyists a reason to show up beyond shopping.
Customer service is a real strength here. Hours run noon to 8 PM Wednesday through Sunday, with the shop closed Monday and Tuesday.
Find it at 1322 S 4th Ave.
7. Warhammer, Prescott, AZ
A trip downtown in Prescott can easily include a detour to the Depot Marketplace. Inside, this dedicated Warhammer store focuses on one hobby and does it thoroughly.
Shelves hold Warhammer miniatures and the paints made for them. The store also offers gaming and painting areas, so you can try a technique on site.
The experience here is interactive and personalized. Newcomers get guidance, and veterans find a place to play.
It is closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday, and 11 AM to 5 PM Sunday.
The address is 377 N Montezuma St, Suite A109.
8. Geekery Games, Flagstaff, AZ
Tables, minis, paints, and cards. Geekery Games packs all four into one Flagstaff storefront on Milton Road.
The shop is rooted in trading cards and tabletop gaming, with dedicated play space. Plenty of tables and chairs make it easy to sit for hours sorting cards or playing a game.
Miniature painters will find supplies here too. The store is clean and welcoming, and the employees are a highlight.
Late hours set it apart in the high country. It stays open until 10 PM Wednesday through Friday, and noon to 6 PM on weekends, closed Monday and Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday evenings are the busiest. Free parking is available at 1800 S Milton Rd #115.
9. Heroes & Villains, Tucson, AZ
Comic books and vinyl records are not what most people expect next to model kits. At Heroes and Villains on Broadway, that mix is the whole appeal.
This expansive store covers comics, tabletop games, and model kits. The Warhammer 40k section is large, with Gundam kits, LEGO, board games, and Magic: The Gathering nearby.
Prices can run a bit high, but the availability and quality make up for it. Staff know the hobby well and are easy to talk to.
The store is LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space, with a gender-neutral restroom and Wi-Fi. Saturdays are busiest.
Hours are 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 5 PM Sunday, at 4533 E Broadway Blvd with free parking.
10. Warhammer Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City, AZ
Lake Havasu is not only about boats. This Warhammer shop gives the river town a spot for collecting, painting, and gaming with miniatures.
Free intro activities make it friendly for beginners. Visitors can learn the basics and choose a first model from Age of Sigmar or Warhammer 40,000.
The paint, tool, and supply selection is strong. Plenty of table space for games keeps players coming back.
Hours match the Prescott location: closed Monday and Tuesday, 11 AM to 7 PM Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday, and 11 AM to 5 PM Sunday.
Look for it at The Shops at Lake Havasu, 5601 AZ-95 #808. It is a nice indoor break on a hot afternoon, and that one paint pot might turn into a new army.
