If you’re looking for a hobby that feels personal, creative, and genuinely enjoyable, Dee and Mee Hobbies can be a fun place to start. I know how easy it is to get stuck doing the same things every day, especially when you want a hobby that matches your personality and interests.
You may be searching for simple activities to enjoy alone, creative projects to share with someone, or new ideas that help you make better use of your free time. In this guide, I’ll explore what Dee and Mee Hobbies means, the types of hobbies you can discover, and how you can find ideas that make your free time more enjoyable.
What Are Dee and Mee Hobbies?
Dee & Mee Hobbies is a local hobby and model shop serving hobbyists in Topeka and the surrounding area. Its selection goes well beyond traditional model kits, with products and interests ranging from RC cars and airplanes to boats, trains, rockets, slot cars, and plastic models.
The store has been part of the Topeka hobby community for decades. A 2024 episode of PBS’s Working Capital described the business as having been around for more than 40 years and featured owner Rich Zeller discussing its history and expansion.
The shop’s long history is one reason it can appeal to both experienced hobbyists and people who are discovering model and RC hobbies for the first time.
Where Are Dee & Mee Hobbies Located?
Dee & Mee Hobbies is located at:
5331 SW 22nd Place
Topeka, KS 66614
The location is in the Fairlawn Plaza area of Topeka. Travel Kansas and Visit Topeka both list the same Topeka address and phone number, providing useful confirmation of the store’s location.
Phone: (785) 228-9601
Because store hours can change, it is sensible to verify the current schedule before making a special trip. Horizon Hobby’s current retailer listing provides the following hours: Monday through Wednesday, 10 AM–6 PM; Thursday and Friday, 10 AM–7 PM; Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM; and Sunday, 11 AM–4 PM.
What Can You Find at Dee and Mee Hobbies?
One of the store’s biggest attractions is the variety of hobby categories available under one roof.
According to current retailer and tourism listings, the selection includes:
- RC cars
- RC airplanes
- RC boats
- Drones and related equipment
- Plastic model kits
- Model rockets
- Model trains
- Train accessories
- Slot cars
- Parts and replacement components
- Hobby accessories and supplies
Travel Kansas specifically describes the store as carrying RC cars, RC planes, RC boats, plastic models, model rockets, trains, and more.
The range is useful because hobbyists often need more than the initial vehicle or model. Parts, batteries, tools, accessories, replacement components, and technical advice can become important as a project develops.
RC Cars at Dee & Mee Hobbies
RC cars are one of the major areas associated with Dee & Mee Hobbies.
The store carries products from recognized RC brands, and Horizon Hobby currently lists Dee & Mee Hobbies as a retailer for brands including ARRMA, Axial, Losi, Spektrum, and others.
For beginners, an important advantage of shopping at a dedicated hobby store is being able to ask questions before choosing equipment.
An RC vehicle is not simply a matter of choosing the fastest or most expensive model. A better starting point depends on factors such as:
- Where you plan to drive it
- Your experience level
- Whether you want on-road or off-road driving
- Battery and charger requirements
- Availability of replacement parts
- How much assembly you want to do
- Your budget
- Whether you expect to upgrade the vehicle later
A dedicated hobby shop can help a beginner understand those differences before making a purchase.
RC Airplanes and Flying Hobbies
Dee & Mee Hobbies also serves people interested in RC aircraft.
RC airplanes can range from relatively accessible beginner aircraft to more sophisticated models requiring greater flying skill and equipment knowledge. The store’s current Horizon Hobby listing includes brands such as E-flite, Hangar 9, HobbyZone, and Spektrum.
For someone new to RC flying, the most important consideration is usually not simply how impressive an aircraft looks. A beginner should consider whether the model is designed to be manageable for a new pilot and whether appropriate instruction or support is available.
That makes local hobby-shop guidance particularly useful when choosing an aircraft, transmitter, battery, charger, and other necessary equipment.
RC Boats and Other Remote Controlled Hobbies
If cars and airplanes are not appealing, Dee & Mee Hobbies also offers other forms of RC recreation.
RC boats provide a different experience because the environment affects how the vehicle operates. Water conditions, battery requirements, maintenance, and where you can legally or practically operate the boat all matter.
The store also has a history of carrying other unusual RC products. A 2024 PBS feature on the business discussed RC cars, airplanes, boats, and even newer categories such as RC motorcycles.
This variety makes the store relevant to hobbyists who want to explore different types of remote-controlled vehicles rather than committing to only one category.
Model Trains and Railroading
Model railroading is another major category connected with Dee & Mee Hobbies.
Model trains can appeal to people who enjoy:
- Building miniature environments
- Mechanical systems
- Collecting
- Painting and detailing
- Electrical work
- Historical railroads
- Long-term layout projects
Unlike an RC car that can be ready to drive relatively quickly, a model railroad can become an ongoing project. You can start with a small setup and expand it over time as your interests and skills develop.
That makes model railroading suitable for hobbyists who enjoy projects that evolve gradually rather than being completed in a single session.
Plastic Models and Model Building
Plastic model kits offer a different type of hobby experience from RC vehicles.
The emphasis is generally on assembly, detailing, painting, and finishing rather than operating a vehicle. Depending on the kit, the project can involve numerous small components and require patience and careful work.
For beginners, starting with a simpler kit can be more practical than immediately choosing a highly detailed, complicated model.
Useful questions to consider include:
- How many parts does the kit contain?
- Does it require painting?
- What tools are needed?
- Is adhesive required?
- How much experience does the kit assume?
- How much space do you have for building?
- Are you interested in display models or functional hobbies?
These questions can help narrow down the right project.
Model Rockets
Model rocketry adds another option for hobbyists who enjoy building and launching physical models.
A model rocket project can involve several stages:
- Selecting an appropriate rocket kit.
- Building the model.
- Preparing it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Learning the basic launch procedures.
- Using an appropriate launch location.
- Inspecting and maintaining the model between launches.
Safety is especially important with rocketry. Beginners should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the applicable launch-site rules rather than improvising with propulsion systems or launch procedures.
The store’s product range is not limited to RC equipment; current tourism information specifically lists model rockets among its offerings.
Why Shop at a Dedicated Hobby Store?
Online shopping can make it easy to compare products, but hobby equipment often has details that are difficult to understand from a product listing alone.
A local hobby store can provide several practical advantages.
You can ask questions before buying
A beginner may not know which battery, charger, transmitter, replacement part, or accessory is compatible with a particular model.
Speaking with someone familiar with the hobby can make those decisions easier.
You can see products in person
A physical store allows customers to examine the size, construction, controls, and details of hobby products before buying them.
This can be especially helpful when choosing between products that look similar online but differ substantially in size or complexity.
Replacement parts matter
Hobby vehicles can require maintenance and replacement components. Choosing a model with accessible parts can be more practical than buying a vehicle that becomes difficult to maintain after something breaks.
You can build a hobby rather than simply buy a product
The biggest difference between a hobby shop and a general toy retailer is often the ecosystem around the product.
A hobby can involve learning, building, repairing, modifying, collecting, and participating in a local community.
Does Dee & Mee Hobbies Offer Repairs and Setup Help?
Yes. Horizon Hobby’s current retailer listing identifies setup and repair service as one of Dee & Mee Hobbies’ services. It also lists an on-road track onsite.
This can be particularly useful for beginners.
For example, someone purchasing an RC vehicle may encounter problems involving setup, electronics, batteries, controls, or mechanical components. Getting assistance from a hobby specialist can be more useful than simply replacing the entire product.
Repairability is also an important consideration when choosing an RC hobby. A vehicle that can be repaired and upgraded can provide a longer-lasting hobby experience than a disposable toy designed primarily for short-term use.
Are Dee & Mee Hobbies Good for Beginners?
Dee & Mee Hobbies can be a useful starting point for beginners because the store covers multiple hobby categories rather than requiring customers to arrive with advanced knowledge.
The best approach is to explain what you actually want to do.
Instead of simply asking for the “best RC car,” tell the staff:
- Your approximate budget
- Your age or the intended user’s age
- Where you plan to use it
- Whether you have owned an RC vehicle before
- Whether you prefer speed, durability, scale realism, or off-road driving
- Whether you want something ready to run or something you can build
- Whether you are interested in repairs and upgrades
Those details can make a recommendation much more useful.
Which Hobby Should You Start With?
The right choice depends on what kind of activity you enjoy.
| Hobby | Best for | Main appeal | Beginner consideration |
| RC Cars | Active hands-on play | Driving, racing, upgrades | Consider where you will drive |
| RC Airplanes | Outdoor enthusiasts | Flying and learning | Start with an appropriate beginner model |
| RC Boats | Water-based recreation | Operating and tuning | Consider suitable launch locations |
| Model Trains | Builders and collectors | Layouts, detail, collecting | Projects can expand over time |
| Plastic Models | Patient builders | Assembly and detailing | Start with a manageable kit |
| Model Rockets | Builders who enjoy launches | Construction and launching | Follow safety and launch rules |
| Slot Cars | Racing enthusiasts | Track-based competition | Easy to understand, but layouts can expand |
| Drones | Tech-oriented hobbyists | Flight and control | Learn the equipment and operating rules |
The key is to choose based on the experience you want rather than simply choosing the most expensive or technically advanced option.
What Makes Dee & Mee Hobbies Different From a General Toy Store?
A general toy store typically focuses on products designed primarily for immediate play.
A hobby shop serves a different purpose.
Hobby products can be:
- Built
- Modified
- Repaired
- Tuned
- Painted
- Collected
- Upgraded
- Raced
- Flown
- Displayed
That distinction is important for someone deciding whether to buy a basic toy or begin a long-term hobby.
For example, an inexpensive RC vehicle may be entertaining immediately, but a hobby-grade RC car can provide a much broader experience because the owner can maintain it, replace components, change setups, and continue learning.
Dee & Mee Hobbies’ long-standing focus on RC products, models, trains, and related supplies places it firmly in that hobby-oriented category. A 2021 profile described the store as carrying RC cars, airplanes, drones, trains, slot cars, plastic models, and a substantial inventory of hobby products.
A Short History of Dee & Mee Hobbies
Dee & Mee Hobbies has roots going back to the 1980s.
According to the PBS Working Capital feature, the original owner, Dwayne Eberhart, started the business in the mid-1980s on Kansas Avenue. The shop later moved to White Lakes Mall and eventually spent many years at Fairlawn Plaza before expanding into its current standalone location.
Rich Zeller, the store’s third owner, also described having discovered the shop as a 12-year-old customer before eventually becoming involved in the business.
This history helps explain why Dee & Mee is more than a conventional retail store. It has developed alongside the hobby community in Topeka and has continued expanding the types of hobbies it serves.
What Should You Ask Before Buying Your First Hobby Product?
If you are new to the hobby world, a few questions can prevent an expensive mistake.
What comes in the box?
Some products include nearly everything needed to begin, while others require batteries, chargers, transmitters, tools, paint, glue, or other accessories.
What will I need later?
Ask about replacement parts, maintenance items, batteries, and other recurring requirements.
Is this appropriate for a beginner?
A technically impressive product is not necessarily a good first product.
Can I repair or upgrade it?
Repairability can make a hobby more sustainable over the long term.
Where can I use it?
An RC car, airplane, boat, or rocket may require an appropriate environment for safe and practical use.
What is the realistic total cost?
The purchase price is only part of the budget for some hobbies. Accessories, consumables, replacement parts, tools, and upgrades can add to the overall cost.
Dee and Mee Hobbies: Quick Facts
- Business name: Dee & Mee Hobbies
- Location: Topeka, Kansas
- Address: 5331 SW 22nd Place, Topeka, KS 66614
- Phone: (785) 228-9601
- Main categories: RC vehicles, models, trains, rockets, boats, and hobby accessories
- Services listed: Setup and repair service
- RC facility: On-road track listed by Horizon Hobby
- Established: The business traces its history to the 1980s
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Dee and Mee Hobbies?
Dee and Mee Hobbies, officially styled Dee & Mee Hobbies, is a hobby and model shop in Topeka, Kansas. It specializes in RC vehicles, model kits, trains, rockets, boats, accessories, parts, and related hobby products.
Where is Dee & Mee Hobbies located?
The store is located at 5331 SW 22nd Place, Topeka, Kansas 66614, in the Fairlawn Plaza area.
What do Dee & Mee Hobbies sell?
Its selection includes RC cars, RC airplanes, RC boats, plastic models, model rockets, trains, and other hobby products and accessories.
Does Dee & Mee Hobbies repair RC vehicles?
Horizon Hobby currently lists setup and repair service among Dee & Mee Hobbies’ store services.
Is Dee & Mee Hobbies suitable for beginners?
Yes. Beginners can use a dedicated hobby shop to get help choosing equipment based on their budget, experience, intended use, and desired type of hobby. Starting with an appropriate beginner-level product is generally more useful than automatically choosing the most advanced option.
Does Dee & Mee Hobbies have an RC track?
Horizon Hobby currently lists an on-road track onsite for the store.
What phone number can I use to contact Dee & Mee Hobbies?
The listed phone number is (785) 228-9601.
Conclusion
Dee and Mee Hobbies is a long-established Topeka hobby shop focused on hands-on hobbies rather than ordinary, disposable toys. Its range includes RC cars, airplanes, boats, trains, plastic models, model rockets, and related parts and accessories.
For beginners, the biggest value of a specialized hobby store is not simply the product selection. It is the opportunity to choose equipment that matches your experience, understand what you need to get started, and find support when a project needs adjustment or repair.
If you are in the Topeka area and are deciding between an RC vehicle, model kit, train set, rocket, or another hands on hobby, Dee & Mee Hobbies is a relevant local destination to explore.
I’m Ethan Mitchell, a curious writer who enjoys turning complex ideas into simple, useful information. At Cognivoora, I focus on creating clear and engaging content that readers can understand and apply in everyday life. I believe good writing should educate, answer real questions, and leave readers with something valuable to remember.
Books:
- The Everyday Mind
- Simple Ideas, Better Thinking