Here's what's in the box for Bar Mills Klinger's Pharmacy, my latest build.
A few more, including the bleed on the acetate windows.
Bar Mills Klinger's Pharmacy
This is one of the latest offerings from Bar Mills, and it made an instant impression with me. Loosely based on a building they saw from the movie "The Sting" it's a great period piece. Construction began with the bracing of the brick walls. I then colored the walls using a rattle can of Tamiya Red Brown, then stippled on some light coats of Americana Bright Orange, Heritage Brick, and Folkart Burnt Umber to give it some depth.
After coloring a few individual bricks with Americana Charcoal Grey I applied Robert's Brick Mortar to all the walls. I assembled the walls without the doors and windows added, there was purpose to this method, and it deals with the corner pieces supplied with the kit that represent stone, and here is the area where I had an issue. The corner pieces are supposed to fold in half and over the edges of the walls, hiding the seams of the brick walls. This is a great idea, but I had a problem, and I believe it came from two sources. The first, I had a rough dull surface to attach the self-stick corner pieces. The second, I believed when folded, the pieces wanted to straighten themselves out, thus pulling away from the walls.
A possible remedy/solution for issue number one, is to spray a gloss finish over the walls before applying the corner pieces, allowing them a better surface to adhere to, and the solution for issue number two, is quite simple, fold the pieces beyond a 90 degree angle so the sticky backs almost touch, this should help ensure they won't have the 'memory' to flatten out. I would call this 'breaking their backs'. I had a terrible time with the initial corner pieces coming unglued, and I had to use canopy and super glue repeatedly to get them to behave.
When ready to start adding the corner pieces, I suggest starting with the back walls, and working from the base to the top. This allows you to get used to the process, and to prepare for the installation of the shorter sections required on the store front corners. Leave a small amount of space between each piece as you go. I primed them with a grey primer to start, added the pieces, then used Folk Art Terra Cotta 7029 Fresh Granite as my finish coat. This is a textured paint and has some body to it. I built up the paint in the areas of the folds at each corner to fill the open area created when the pieces were folded. It took multiple coats, and I'm sure there are other methods for doing this, but in my case, I thought it came out pretty well. This type of paint has some body to it, and stipples nicely, leaving a good texture representing cut stone.
I next built up the store fronts. The supplied instructions are well defined in this area, and the adhesive used on the inner walls holds like iron. When I assembled the walls, I cut out an area for the "L" shaped piece and used it to support the walls and hold then to a ninety-degree angle. They recommend exposing only the areas needed for holding the windows and other items in place, otherwise, the adhesive will collect debris over time if left fully exposed. I thought I did the build correctly, but came up short on the outer three window wall. There was an exposed area at the end, so I had to place in a piece of wood to cover this issue. Not sure if I did anything wrong here, or they left the brick wall a little short.
The supplied window pieces include two that are colored, and there was some 'bleed' from the red color into unwanted areas as seen in the 'What's in the box photo's'. Not sure if there is a ready fix for this issue other than asking them for replacements, or cleaning the acetate with some cleaner that won't dull the finish. If someone had an answer for this, please let us know.
There were also a few parts included that had no place within the kit, or any mention in the instructions, at least none that I could find. They also included two cornices, which was a nice plus, one is 3D printed, which I used, and a second that can be built up. I saved it for another project, it was more ornate than the 3D version, but I thought the 3D version was perfect for this build.
I tried something I had never done before, and painted all the parts of the kit (outside of the chimney) windows, trim, store fronts, balconies and doors, flat black. I added the green coloring through dry brushing, using Folkart 923 Clover, and Americana Light Lime DA348 as a final highlight. It left behind some nice shadowing and was something I've seen 1/35th scale modelers use for both scenery and finishing models.
I should mention the gold and black store signs. They are awesome. The instructions referred to them as self-stick, but I couldn't figure that out, maybe I'm not seeing the obvious here, but for the life of me, I couldn't see where they were self-stick. I ended up securing them with canopy glue. The lettering is raised, and the pieces themselves are kind of rubbery, and they present very well. They supplied some pieces that would outline the gold and black signage, but I avoided using them since they would've covered the edges of the very signs I wanted to present. There are countless opportunities to color these storefronts as you wish, but I left mine in green with the shadowing of black, and highlighted with Lime Green.
The supplied 'blinds' for the store fronts did not appeal to me. I test fitted them, but found them severely lacking. I ended up using Fos Scale curtains, and added brass rod for curtain rods. I also blacked out all the areas underneath the curtain rods since I have no intention of lighting the interior, but for those of you who do, there are lots of opportunities for some pretty cool effects. I added the checkerboard black and white flooring included with the kit, and will be adding an interior, since the storefronts are so large that they cry out for something to be added. There is so much open space that it cried out for something to be added.
One of my laments, is that there is no sign for the short storefront wall. I ended up cutting out a portion of the remaining gold storefront, and placing it in that vacant space. The photos of their prototype included a 'Soda' sign, but that was not provided. Maybe they will add it to future offerings of this kit.
The large board supplied for the "Dad's" signage is actually oversized. I had to cut off the additional material, but it does offer you the option of using a different sign. They provided 5 main supports for that sign, that was overkill, so I used three, but it's always nice to have the extra supports for other projects.
I added the fire escape and support for the 'Rooms daily/weekly' sign from extra parts from my "Coopers Way" build.
I initially intended for the entire roof to be covered in tar, but eventually went the standard route, and I must add, that I've never handled a small kit so often in my entire experience of kit building. Probably due to the issues I had with corner stone additions. When I did add the corner stone parts to the areas above the store fronts, I started at the storefront roofline and worked upwards, luckily, the spacing came out just right, and yes, I ensured that I 'broke the backs' of those pieces, and they held over the dry rough surface with only one or two issues.
The window trim is made from 2x4's and 2x6's, the small top portion is included precut with the kit, but you have to cut and fit the rest. It takes time, but is completely worth it.
I also added some white paper to the back of the sign fronts to make them stand out. It was so dark, that it made it nearly impossible to read those signs, and I'm hoping that Bar Mills fixes the red bleed issues with those acetate signs, since it might inhibit being able to light the interior for those of you that intend to go all out.
This kit is no overnighter, it takes time, but is well worth the effort. I hope my build helps others who may include it in their plans. Hit me up with any questions, hopefully I can be of some help.
I haven't been supplying a build as you go approach lately. I figure enough of that stuff is out there already from the other posters here, and all the help offered by Jason Jensen Trains, Bar Mills, Fos Scale models, Sierra West Scale Models, and a host of other sources. Hope you enjoy the following photos. Please note, the sidewalk is included with the kit, and not attached, waiting for some interior items to arrive. Mark
A few more.
Last group.
Mark, wonderful work once again!
However a structure that good looking deserves to have a detailed & lighted interior added to it.
You know I think I like this brick version of this kit way better than the shingled version of it, that came with the Raglan Road kit many years ago.
Greg
Excellent work, Mark! That's a very impressive build. Thanks for sharing it with us.
WOW!
Excellent modeling!
Everything looks exactly as it should.
Beautiful modeling Mark. You have another winner.
Howdy Mark,
Wow, what a beautiful structure. Everything is perfect. Congratulations!
Have fun,
mike
Mark that is a beautiful build!!!
Jerry
Great build. Especially the brickwork and the corner pieces.
Jeff
Quote from: Ensign on August 10, 2025, 05:24:02 PMMark, wonderful work once again!
However a structure that good looking deserves to have a detailed & lighted interior added to it.
You know I think I like this brick version of this kit way better than the shingled version of it, that came with the Raglan Road kit many years ago.
Greg
Thanks Greg.
I wasn't aware that this building mirrored one from the Raglan Road kit. I never purchased that one. This was a fun, though challenging build. I know, the lighting thing. This kit does call out for it, but I made a decision long ago to forgo interior lighting, though I have exterior lighting on all my South River Model Works builds but one. I usually place lighting under the docks and covered areas.
Mark
Quote from: ReadingBob on August 10, 2025, 06:31:31 PMExcellent work, Mark! That's a very impressive build. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks Bob, this seems like a good fit for you to build and light this kit. You light most everything, this would be perfect for that. Mark
Quote from: Rick on August 10, 2025, 06:48:14 PMWOW!
Excellent modeling!
Everything looks exactly as it should.
Thanks Rick. Even though it's one structure, it took a lot of work. Mark
Quote from: PRR Modeler on August 11, 2025, 07:49:57 AMBeautiful modeling Mark. You have another winner.
Thanks so very much Curt. The interior should arrive this week. Once that's in, it will allow me to fix the sidewalk, and add a few exterior details. Mark
Quote from: friscomike on August 11, 2025, 07:56:48 AMHowdy Mark,
Wow, what a beautiful structure. Everything is perfect. Congratulations!
Have fun,
mike
Thanks Mike, still having fun. I'm on to Millet Creamery from South River Modelworks. Should be a great time. Mark
Quote from: Jerry on August 11, 2025, 03:47:44 PMMark that is a beautiful build!!!
Jerry
Thanks Jerry. I'll post some final pictures after I finish the interior, and attach the sidewalks and a few details.
Mark
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on August 11, 2025, 08:28:14 PMGreat build. Especially the brickwork and the corner pieces.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff. I'm moving on to SRMW's Millet Creamery. I'm in the mood for a bigger build. Mark
What a coincidence, Modeler's Workbench on YouTube, posted his build of this kit today. Didn't watch it all, but he did find this kit challenging, and it's not for a first timer. He had some of the same issues I did. He used the same paint that I used for the corner pieces. He also made some mistakes along the way, so it's very informative of what to avoid doing. I don't mean that in a bad way, we all make mistakes. Anyway, it's a nice reference if purchasing and building the kit. Mark
Hello Mark, you did a wonderful job with this kit and thanks for the narrative. If I get this kit your tips will help a lot.
Neat structure and great work, well done Mark..... 8)
Mark,
Beautiful model and the weathering in very realistic.
I also agree with Greg in that lighting will really bring it to the next level. Well, looks like it is at the top level now. ;D
Tom
Mark,
Excellent build, and another one I missed lately.
Rich
Once again, many thanks to Jeff, Greg, Tom and Rich. I know, I know, it should be lighted. Maybe I'll add some. I just received the interior pieces I intend to install. Have to prime and paint them. The structure is still loose from the flooring/sidewalk base and available for detailing inside and out.
I've moved on to South River Model Works Millet Creamery. I don't have the instructions, but after looking it over, I really don't need them. I have plenty of photo references, all the sheets/cards, and they carry enough info to get me through the build. The kit is made mostly of hydrocal castings, covering four buildings. Very few wood portions. I've built up the four buildings and have coated them with clear flat before staining them. I'll finish the main building first then work my way out. This will be my sixth SRMW kit build.
Thanks again gentlemen, and happy modeling. Mark