Caloosa Trains and Hobbies is Southwest Florida’s Exclusive TRAXXAS dealer. PHOTO PROVIDED

A popular Cape Coral hobby shop is expanding and will open a location in Fort Myers.

Caloosa Trains and Hobbies, Southwest Florida’s Hobby Central, (Future Hobbies, Inc.) this past week announced the opening of a second location at the Shoppes at Pelican Preserve at 10580 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.

Caloosa Trains and Hobbies of Fort Myers, Southwest Florida’s Exclusive TRAXXAS dealer, officially opens the doors on its new 1,500-square-foot Fort Myers store, Saturday, April 15, featuring an expansive selection of R/C vehicles, parts, planes, boats, model kits, including repair and a healthy selection of all gauges of model trains.

“I’m very excited, as this new Caloosa Trains and Hobbies of Fort Myers location is a chance to serve customers in Fort Myers and Lehigh and surrounding areas that have been patronizing the Cape Coral store,” said CEO/President of Future Hobbies Inc. Vincent Stephen. “We’re going to make it a little easier for them.”

Stephen added Caloosa Trains and Hobbies already serves a large number of Lee and Collier county customers, whom they hope will enjoy the convenience of this second full-service store. Customers will have access to well-seasoned brand names like Lionel, TRAXXAS, Hobby Recreation Products, Red Cat, Amain Hobbies and many others.

“It’s perfect complement to our 5,000-square-foot Cape Coral store and our 10,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor racing R/C center,” Stephen said.

To celebrate its newest location and customers, Caloosa Trains and Hobbies of Fort Myers will enjoy a “We Cover the Sales Tax Week,” April 15 through April 22. Grand opening week also features a live broadcast Monday, April 17, from 6-9 a.m., with 92.5 Fox News’ Drew Steele. During his show the store will be open with special savings and customers can register to win either a TRAXXAS Sledge, an Area 51 LIONEL Train set or a Tamiya motorized tank.

Stephen said a lot of people in the hobby world enjoy a hands-on experience, one that Caloosa Trains and Hobbies can provide in spades.

“In our particular industry, people like the feel and touch — the here and now,” Stephen said. “They want to see what they’re buying as opposed to going online.”

Future Hobbies, Inc owns and operates Caloosa Trains and Hobbies of Cape Coral, which includes the full-service hobby store and a 10,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor R/C racing track, located at 1490 N.E. Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.

“The RC Park is located close to the shop and we hold events and races all the time so our customers have a place to go to try out their cars,” Stephen said.

For additional information, please visit caloosatrainsandhobbies.com.