Small Business Spotlight: Harburn Hobbies

Tell us a bit about your business?

Harburn Hobbies was started just before WW2 and was at 122/4 Leith Walk with a 'boys' toyshop and a separate 'girls' toyshop. Harburns is a family business and in the same family since 1966. In 1978 Harburn's moved to 67 Elm Row at the top of the walk.

Harburn's evolved over the years to being a specialist model shop, mainly catering for men of a certain age, older men who were looking for an all engrossing hobby (like model railways) to keep them occupied during retirement. Harburn's now specialises in model railways both 'OO' Gauge like Hornby Railways and the much smaller 'N' Gauge which is half the size, so ideal for a limited space.

Now men and boys are still very interested in all things transport oriented and Harburn's sells model railways, plastic construction kits, die-cast cars, buses, planes and lorries. The ladies are not left out as we sell a great range of 1:12th scale dolls house furniture items. Gift ideas like jigsaw puzzles and some children's toys, such as the 'Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends' attracts passing trade!

What makes your business unique?

Our shop is somewhat unique and colourful, very different from other conventional shops. Many models are displayed in illuminated cases. There's a nostalgic element to it - what life was maybe like in our childhood.

You can model and create your own world to wile away the day, without the stress and strain of everyday worries. Modelling and creativeness have been proved to be very beneficial for mental wellbeing. Many of our customers have said it keeps them sane and perhaps they have a personal space to escape to, to indulge in their hobby!

Describe your typical working day.

Our work day starts with mail orders and processing all of them. This continues throughout the day. Then there are our many customers to serve and help out during the day. We get a great many clients who aren't able to make it in to Harburn's due to mobility issues or distance from where they live, so we receive a good many telephone calls for advice on modelling issues and orders to be sent out to them. We get so many overseas customers too from New Zealand, Australia, USA, South Africa, Canada, France, Germany, in fact from all over Europe and Scandinavia. Then our day ends with more mail order and admin. Never a dull moment at Harburn Hobbies!

Why Leith?

Harburn Hobbies has always been a Leith business since it was started during the 1930s. Being in Leith there was always that community spirit. Many of the lunchtime customers back then were from Henry Robbs the shipbuilders.

And now Harburn's has moved up the walk and is at 67 Elm Row where the shop has been since 1978 and in the ownership of the same family.

Name three fellow Leith businesses you love to visit.

Valvona & Crolla, Embos and Garlands.