St. Louis has announced that they are closing down operations. I'm sad to see them go; Greg is one of the very good guys in this market.

"Attention Collectors!

After nearly 19 years of 6-7 day, 70-hour weeks, I'm ready to live like a REAL person! (In fact, today, just for practice, I took my first "around town" weekday off that wasn't controlled by doctor, family, wife, travel, in over 10 years! ..All by myself!! And Jerry carried on just fine in my absence!!)

Just for background on the closing, as I've explained to 100's of folks already, the decision to close down the store was actually made 2 years ago. The fast pace and stress, both mental and physical, has gotten all the more intense over the past few years since the economy went to heck. So many folks out of work or stretched to the max financially, especially here in St Louis. With no relief in site, it makes little sense continue. We fought the fight far longer than many shops long closed. ...Go ahead, call me stubborn and persistent!

For most of these past 19 years, especially in recent years, we've had the largest variety of quality die cast model cars in the Midwest, with a real bricks and mortar store where collectors for 100's of miles around could come see and touch nearly 3,000 models, and appreciate what they were paying for. Time required in the store before, during, and after hours however has virtually killed off DIM's internet sales as a percent to total, as the time needed for proper announcements, Newsletters, Treasure Chest updates, and follow up has been non-existent.

Additionally, both of our grown daughters and young families have moved to the Northeast in the past year and a half, so "Step 3" is for Mom and Dad to join them up there 3-4 years from now after my wife Debb retires. ...In short, the time is right!

The DIM website will continue indefinitely after Sept 6, but only to liquidate remaining inventories. I will no doubt do a few Midwest shows in the next 6 months also.

It's been lots of fun over these 19 years, but most of all, it's been the 100's of friendships that have kept me going over those years. It's also knowing that in some small way, I have helped guide so many through the various maze of brands and cars to make their collecting experience that much more enjoyable.

But at the end of the day, it's those friendships that I treasure the most."