the last hours of Ideal Models, an institution specializing in models since 1970
It was a well-known sign for model-making and model-making enthusiasts. Ideal Models, in Toulouse, has definitely lowered the curtain, Saturday, October 30, 2021. The reason? A retirement precipitated by the upcoming demolition of the building that houses it.
A little material for the models. And a few collectibles, like a small 404, that customers have booked and will be coming before tonight. This is all that remains of 51 years of activity at Idéal Models.
Created in 1970 by the father of the current owner, Idéal Models has delighted, during all these years, model and model enthusiasts. As well as architecture students.
The store, located on Boulevard Carnot in Toulouse, is on the ground floor of a building slated for demolition. Or, Claude Carrière is 61 years old. It is therefore the hour of retirement, a little forced.
“I have been working here since 1986“, he explains, a few hours to go out of business.”In addition, it was a very exciting job. We only see pleasant customers, because the people who came to buy here, it was for their leisure, for their passion and therefore, they were always very smiling. It has always been a pleasure, and that’s what I regret a little bit. And especially the fact that it was a family business“.
A store like that won’t come back. Unless someone else shows up but … the Internet will take over. It is so specialized, with specific articles that there is little chance that we will find it identically.
“All generations have come to see me and above all, they have come to see me over time. We see children and adolescents arriving and we have seen them become parents themselves“, confides Claude Carrière.”Many have become friends, there was a club spirit here that linked us, since we had the same passion“.
In Toulouse, there remains a brand specializing in radio-controlled cars, but Idéal Models brought together the whole range of activities, from the construction of wooden boats to cars, including drones.
The phone rings in the almost empty shop. Claude Carrière wins: “Ideal Models, hello“. At the other end of the line, a regular at the places that the patron recognizes.”I only have chopsticks left“, he replies. Before proposing to put aside some parts. Until the end, Idéal Models will have served the faithful enthusiasts.