John Zabawa is the proprietor of one of the coolest stores in all of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Among the tourist traps, trinket shops, and souvenir stands, John’s store stands out as a MUST SEE for any wargamers, diorama enthusiasts, miniaturists, or Civil War toy soldier buffs. With plans to expand in the future, his store will get even better and better as the years progress!
Gettysburg Group Reservations recently vacated a part of the building adjacent to John’s toy soldier shop, offering potential for possible future expansion for Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers, which is located on the popular Steinwehr Avenue strip, at the intersection with Taneytown Road. This site in 1863 figured in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Let’s take a virtual tour of Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers – a mini-paradise for gamers and figure collectors!!!
Look at all those goodies!!! I could go broke rather easily at this small, but totally packed store!
John uses every available space, floor to ceiling, for his massive array of merchandise.
All periods, all wars, all types of figures are available. The store offers a selection from 54mm plastic toy soldiers to higher priced, but gorgeous high quality, limited edition collector pieces.
I loved toy soldiers when I was a kid, and still have all my Marx, Timmee, Lido, MPC, Ideal, etc. figures that I played with in a sandbox out in my Dad’s apple orchard. I remember buying some bags of Marx WWII Japanese, Russians, and Germans at the Jupiter discount store in Zanesville, Ohio. John sells a nice selection of modern toy soldier figures.
Here’s a portion of John’s miniature wargaming section, with a heavy focus on 15mm metal alloy figures. He has on occasion hosted miniature wargaming sessions outside of his shop in nice weather. At times, he has 15mm painted ACW figures for sale as well.
Conte, King and Country, St. Petersburg, Wm. Britains, Musket Miniatures – the list of John’s merchandise is diverse and impressive. If you are planning to visit Gettysburg this year, make sure to see the new Gettysburg Visitors Center ($7.50 admission), the Artillery Ridge HO scale Gettysburg diorama, and then Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers.
Oh yeah, there’s also a battlefield you could explore if you have any time left!
Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers
200 Steinwehr Ave
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 338-1800
For several photos of John’s in-store dioramas and vignettes, please click HERE and HERE.
March 1, 2009 at 11:53 am
I think I’ll have to stop there the next time I’m in town. It does look fantastically dangerous to the wallet.
March 1, 2009 at 9:21 pm
One of my favorite stores…more fun per square inch than a clown car.
Great coverage of a real asset to the toy soldier community.
Mannie
March 3, 2009 at 10:16 am
Hello, sorry i’m french so i don’t speak american very well.
My question is
do he has a web shop ?
because i live in france and i don’t go to america.
thanks
April 24, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Gettysburg miniatures is awsome! one of the best stores in the country hands down!! John and his son are always polite and knoledgeable, quite willing to answer questions and share history. I bring my family there and we realy enjoy the whole experience!! Thanks to john and his son “i think his name is john also” for the great atmospher and servise! good job guys!! keep it up!!!