In Ann Arbor’s own Toy Story, the toys have saved the day.

When Rider’s Hobby Shop sales were not keeping up with the increasing rent on Carpenter Road, owner Brent Martin thought he’d be closing the store forever. It was quite a blow, because Rider’s has been all Martin has known for his entire adult working life. Founded in Ann Arbor in 1946, Rider’s at one point had sixteen corporately owned and franchised stores in six states. Martin’s father-in-law, Jack Busch, bought the company in 1972, and Martin started working there in 1988. But by the time Martin bought Rider’s in 2006, the orginal Ann Arbor store downtown on Liberty had been consolidated into the Carpenter Road spot. The rest of the chain is now down to two franchises–in Flint and Grand Rapids.

Still, Martin says business on Carpenter was good–until Michigan’s economy collapsed. As customers lost disposable income, they stopped buying non-necessities–and most people consider hobbies that cost money non-necessities. He started telling people he’d have to close the shop.

When the word got out, a customer told Martin, “I’m really sorry to hear you guys are closing. I know exactly what it’s like–I own a toy store. It’s been tough on us, too, what with the economy and losing sales to the Internet.”

The customer was Hans Masing, who, in addition to sharing Martin’s passion for radio-controlled airplanes, owns Tree Town Toys in Traver Village with his wife, Tricia. They, too, had a big store and a rental payment that was a stretch to meet.

At first, Martin says, they were simply commiserating. “Then we just looked at each other, and we said, ‘What if we put [our stores] together?’ It was like a light went on for both of us.”

“Just the opportunity to help keep the Rider’s name alive in Ann Arbor–it’s an institution here–was something I at least wanted to try and explore,” Masing recalls–adding that he’d like to see Tree Town Toys become an institution in the same mold.

The combined stores in Traver Village offer something for all ages. Tree Town caters to kids fifteen and under; Rider’s demographic starts at about age ten and goes up from there to retirees.

Each business still has its own staff, and they’re keeping the inventory, payroll, and sales separate, but they’re cross-training employees so everyone working there knows all the stock. “Our goal is to make it as seamless a shopping experience as possible,” Martin says.

And both men couldn’t be happier with their creative solution. “Think of it,” says Martin. “A toy store and a hobby store. We have fun for everyone!”

Rider’s Hobby Shop/Tree Town Toys, 2611 Plymouth Road. 971-6116, 929-6545. Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m-5 p.m. www.riders.com, www.brain-station.com