Thanks everyone. I was chuckling the whole time I created this scene. Cid, I'm more familiar with the St. Paul side but do know of Hub Hobby Center just north of Penn Ave and 66th. Exit off of I-35 in the Bloomington/Richfield area south of downtown.
Closer to my side of town I most recommend Scale Model Supplies at 458 Lexington Ave (go north on Lexington Ave exit from I-94). Its not much to look at from the outside but they have a lot of stock.
Continue North on Lexington Ave to Energy Park Drive. Take a left and you'll soon encounter Bandana Square, a specialty mall made from former railroad car shops. On the second floor you'll find the home of the Twin Cities Model Railroad Club, an excellent O scale model railroad that was featured in MR once. On the first floor below the club is Como shops hobby store. Its small on model supplies but has a large selection of RR photo books and good selection of RR timetables, schedules, and other collectables.
Have a good trip!
Ralph