Hobbies come in all shapes and sizes and range from a variety of topics including, arts and crafts, carpentry, sports, reading, video games and many others.

A unique hobby shop recently opened in Picayune that will fulfill a racing enthusiast’s need for speed.

Darrell Dean and wife Erica opened Items for Less Hobby and Gifts in July and specialize in remote control cars.

Dean was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn. and said he grew up fixing things and loves all remote control novelties.

He served in the United States Navy from 1997 to 2000 and worked as an aircraft mechanic, primarily working on helicopters.

Dean and his wife along with their three children moved to Picayune in 2009.

Dean said he was looking around town for some family fun options when the idea came to him to open a shop with remote control vehicles.

“One of our neighbors said he enjoys racing cars,” Erica said. “He told us he had to drive at least two hours to acquire the parts. So we decided to take a chance and open our business.”

Erica said that Dean lives for all all things mechanical and racing cars.

For his birthday, Erica said, all Dean wanted was to browse around Home Depot.

“He told me his idea of a good date is a night at the races with myself and the children,” Erica said.

Dean said the store carries everything a beginner or experienced racer needs.

There are three levels of remote control vehicles Dean sells in the store.

There is the ready-to-run. This car comes with the batteries installed.

The second level is a nitro. This car comes pre-assembled and runs off of nitro gasoline.

The third option is to purchase a build-it-yourself kit.

Dean said that customers also have the option of buying the shell and special ordering an engine and battery.

“There are higher quality remote control cars we sell here,” Erica said. “The difference between department store cars and our cars is that every part is replaceable.”

The cars are operated by remote control using a 2.4 ghz radio frequency, Dean said.

The price of the remote control cars ranges from about $49 to $600, Dean said. An entry level car can travel up to 35 miles per hour, mid level car can reach speeds of about 45 to 50 miles per hour and the larger scale cars can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.

The primary brand Dean carries is Redcat, but he said he special orders Traxxas, HPI and Team Associated cars.

If one is looking to purchase a different kind of remote control vehicle, Dean said he will special order airplanes, boats, helicopters and quadcopters.

“We also special order trains by Kato and Bachmann,” Erica said.

Dean also performs repairs on iPhone screens and tablets as well as all items sold in the store.

“Most repairs, depending on parts availability, can be accomplished in about two hours,” Dean said. “The cost is $40 an hour for labor and that is broken down into 15 minute increments, so if the labor only takes 45 minutes, then the customer is only charged for time spent.”

Dean will offer a layaway plan for the holidays. The minimum price to place an item on lawaway is $300 with 20 percent down, he said.

The shop is also stocked with nitro fuel, oil, kites and gliders.

“I didn’t want to just cater to experienced racers,” Dean said. “I wanted to also cater to beginners and teenagers.”

Dean said he named his store Items for Less because he wanted folks to know that every one can have a hobby for a decent price.

Items for Less is located at 605 W. Canal St.

The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information visit the shop’s website at www.shop.itemsforlesshobby.com and through Facebook at Items for Less Hobby and Gift LLC or by phone at 601-798-6809.