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06/14/2018 12:01 AMI would take my son to Branford Hobbies back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Our church held a pine car derby each year and we would wander in to see any new products that promised to make our car as fast as lightning as it coasted down the track or to make it look as sharp as a tack with stick-on decals. Branford Hobbies still sits on the top of Branford Hills (its location since moving in 1956) opposite Brothers Harley-Davidson.
Founder Frank Castiglione, after serving in the military and working at the famous A.C. Gilbert Company in New Haven, opened his store in the center of town in 1954. Since then, Saturday mornings are typically prime time for all hobbyists to gather and talk shop, trading stories of their latest endeavors and quizzing current owner Mark Castiglione, Frank’s son, about the latest and greatest. Mark started in the business in the early 1980s, working side by side with his dad until taking over the daily operations in 1993 when Frank passed away. Although he has a few part-timers, it is mostly just Mark who runs the show.
Over the years, trends have changed. Today there is less interest in model trains, which were once the staple of hobby shops. These days, more folks enjoy radio-controlled devices like cars, planes, and boats. Model rockets and plastic kits are still stocked on the shelves, but for the latest craze, you just have to watch the news or look on the Internet to know. Drones are the popular item these days. In spite of the changes, Mark maintains a loyal clientele for the most part and Christmas time is still the busiest time of the year at the shop. At least some traditions stay the same.
So what is Mark’s favorite part of the business?
“I enjoy the RC aircraft, the old Aurora slot cars, and the military models,” he reports.
As for me, I always wanted to be a train guy, but never quite got there. Maybe if I ever retire, I’ll take another trip up to Branford Hobbies.
Mike Russo is a lifelong Branford resident and proud parent of two.