PHOTO PROVIDED Caloosa Trains and Hobbies in Cape Coral expects to be hosting race day competitions soon.

Local collectors and hobbyists will soon have their little slice of heaven in Cape Coral as a new shop is set to open this weekend.  

Caloosa Trains and Hobbies, which will be one of Southwest Florida’s only shops of its kind, is set to hold a grand opening weekend March 12,13 and 14. The nearly 5,000-square-foot facility on Pine Island Road will offer something for every hobbyist, from model trains, to cars, to boats and beyond.  

“We wanted to bring something to the area that isn’t here, and hasn’t been here in a long time,” said Jay LaGace, co-owner, along with Vincent Stephen.  

The shop will feature everything under the sun including full trains, RC cars, slot cars, planes, models, racetracks, “pretty much everything your old-time hobby shop used to have — all the stuff from yesteryear, and then some,” LaGace said.  

Soon enough, there will be race day competitions at the shop where local enthusiasts can take their toys and settle some scores with some friendly competition.  

Residents can also find all of their parts and paint needs at the shop, and a full-time repairman will be on staff. LaGace said they are more than willing to help find any part or item a customer is searching for. They’ve even constructed an old train depot in the shop that will work into their racetracks.  

The three-day opening celebration runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The free event features food trucks, a bounce house, prizes and more.  

LaGace and Stephen hope to be in it for the long haul and to fill the void in an area without many shops for a niche, yet popular pastime. 

“It’s going to be your neighborhood hobby shop,” LaGace said. “We want to be ‘the people’s hobby shop,’ so if you need something, we’ll get it for you.” 

The shop will be open seven days a week, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Caloosa Train and Hobbies is at 1490 Pine Island Road, Building 3, Unit E.  

For additional information and inventory, visit www.caloosatrainsandhobbies.com. 

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj