HobbyTown celebrates 80 years of bringing fun into Lincoln homes

Owners Dan Schmidt and Chelsy mark 20 years of ownership at the same time

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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HobbyTown, a hobby store in Lincoln, Nebraska, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this weekend. The store was opened in 1946, and current owners Dan Schmidt and Chelsy have owned it for the past 20 years, having started as a sales clerk and customer respectively.

Why it matters

HobbyTown's longevity in the Lincoln community highlights the importance of small, locally-owned businesses that cater to niche hobbies and interests. The store's ability to survive the late-2000s recession demonstrates its resilience and adaptability in the face of changing consumer trends.

The details

HobbyTown offers a range of hobby activities for customers, including racing cars, building rockets, and hosting tournaments. The store nearly didn't survive the late-2000s recession due to a 'fundamental shift' in how people were buying products, but the current owners were able to steer the business through that challenging period.

  • HobbyTown opened in 1946.
  • Dan Schmidt and Chelsy bought the store in 2006.
  • Dan Schmidt started working at HobbyTown as a sales clerk at 18 years old.
  • Assistant Manager Joel Teply started at HobbyTown in 2009 and was a customer there as a child.
  • HobbyTown is celebrating its 80th anniversary this weekend.

The players

Dan Schmidt

The current co-owner of HobbyTown, who started working at the store as a sales clerk at 18 years old and later bought the business with his wife Chelsy in 2006.

Chelsy

The current co-owner of HobbyTown, who bought the business with her husband Dan Schmidt in 2006.

Joel Teply

The assistant manager of HobbyTown, who started working at the store in 2009 and was a customer there as a child.

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What they’re saying

“I was a sales clerk and it was just kind of one of those things that I loved working here. I really had a passion for it.”

— Dan Schmidt, Co-owner (1011now.com)

“Every time we went there to town, I would spend like at least an hour there just, you know, winding up my parents to let me take a look around.”

— Joel Teply, Assistant Manager (1011now.com)

“There was really a fundamental shift in how people were buying stuff and there was really a pinch, and we almost didn't survive.”

— Dan Schmidt, Co-owner (1011now.com)

What’s next

Former staff members are expected at the store Saturday as part of the ongoing anniversary celebration.

The takeaway

HobbyTown's 80-year history in Lincoln demonstrates the enduring appeal of small, community-focused businesses that cater to niche hobbies and interests. The store's ability to adapt and survive the challenges of the late-2000s recession highlights the resilience of mission-driven enterprises that prioritize customer engagement and fostering a sense of community.