Careers are measured in many ways: some folks count beans, others build skyscrapers or travel light years into space.

Few, however can say they supplied the building blocks for so many careers.

But Philip Klopp and his wife, Linda, owners of the Hobby Hangout & Craft Center, 3701 William Penn Highway in Palmer Township, have helped cultivate such dreams for decades. Many have taken the form of scouting or science projects. You have your solar systems, your stylized Pinewood Derby cars, the stamp and coin collection and, of course, the model trains.

Alas, the couple plans to close the store in mid-May and have sold the building to the owner of Party Warehouse, currently down the street at 3136 William Penn Highway.

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