Tim Verdick is a lucky man.
Not only is he celebrating the grand opening of his business Remote Control Hobbies, but day in and day out he gets to work on, talk about, test drive and sell his favorite hobby: remote control cars, trucks, airplanes, helicopters and boats.
"I’ve been flying airplanes since I was big enough to hold one," Verdick said. "I spent 25 years as a small engine mechanic and then ran a bus tour company since 2001. But with the economy what it is and fuel costs going up, we thought we would try something closer to home for a while."
Remote Control Hobbies opened the week of March 23 and celebrated its grand opening the week of March 30. The business is part of a national franchise specializing in remote control vehicles, parts and upgrades.
"Our prices are as good as anything you can find online or at another store," Verdick guaranteed. "We buy at the high end and offer low prices."
"Other stores have limited inventory (when it comes to remote control hobbies)," he continued, "but that’s our specialty and we are gradually increasing our stock as we find out what is needed."
Verdick, a Sequim resident since 1979, is president of the Sequim RC Aeronauts, a group of remote control airplane enthusiasts who practice flying in a field off Towne Road. Meetings are at 6:45 p.m. the second Thursday of every month in the basement of Sequim Bible Church.
New members are welcome to use the "trainer plane" and get flying lessons from experienced members.
In addition to planes, Remote Control Hobbies offers cars, trucks, helicopters and boats.
"We have cars you can race in your living room or cars that go 70 miles per hour," Verdick said. "We have cars for the pavement, cars for the dirt and cars that crawl over rocks."
Repairs are made at the store. "I can fix everything," Verdick said. "It’s just a matter of getting to know the products."
Verdick’s wife, Leslie, encourages families to take up the hobby. "It’s an exciting, clean, family thing to do," she said. "Before we even had the doors open people were outside trying to buy parts."
Leslie Verdick said that she and her husband introduced their son to remote control hobbies as a teenager and now he is teaching his daughter to fly remote control airplanes using the store’s flight simulator.
Remote control hobbies are for all ages, not just children, according to Verdick. In fact, they are most popular with adults, he said.
A hobby for all ages
Remote Control Hobbies opened in the Riverbend Retail Center, 1254 W. Washington St., at the end of March. Business hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-
7 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. The store sells a full line of remote control cars, trucks, airplanes, helicopters and boats, replacement parts and upgrades. Repairs are done in-house. Layaway and consignment plans are available. For more information, call 683-4490.
