A Different Kind Of Modeling On The Main Line

NARBERTH, PA — When you hear the word "model," you likely conjure up images of celebrities like the Hadid sisters, Cindy Crawford, or Kathy Ireland.

But in this article, we're not talking about fashion and runway models, we're talking about handmade scale models of local businesses.

Narberth's Phil Juska has been honing his modeling skills since about 2008, and he's used some Main Line businesses as his subjects.

Juska's most recent storefront model was of Danny's Guitar Shop in Narberth.

His Danny's model is the fifth Main Line business he's recreated in half-inch scale, which means half an inch is equal to one foot.

He chose Danny's because of the affinity he and his grandson developed for it.

Juska moved to Narberth to be closer to his daughter in Havertown, and he used to pick his grandson up from preschool and spend the afternoon in Narberth.

"We'd go to lunch and visit had our favorite places," he told Patch. "Some had dogs, toys, ice cream. But he was interested in music and liked to go to Danny’s."

His grandson, who was about 3 at the time, would strum guitars and was always treated well by owner Danny Gold.

Juska's models are all hand built, hand painted, and hand wired.

They take about four to six months to complete, depending on the scope and detail of the model.

He uses materials such as bass wood, which is denser and can hold stain and paint better than balsa wood but similar, and styrene plastic, in addition to spray paints, LED lighting, and more to construct these accurate models.

Other Main Line storefronts he's made models of include Sweet Mabel, Lucky Duck Toys, Character Development Books & Toys, and the now-closed Village Treats.

His modeling skills are all self-taught, but Juska has experience in the art world, having served as the Dean of the Art Institute of Philadelphia for about seven years after attending art school at night.

His modeling initally began with businesses, such as classic diners, and homes in Ocean City, New Jersey.

In fact, Patch has previously reported on his work being featured at an art center in New Jersey.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Juska was stuck at home and was unable to go visit clients, who he does commissioned models for.

The Main Lin models he's built were done largely with what he called "eyeball research."

"I typically spend a lot of time on site taking pictures and measuring," he said. "But I couldn't do that."

His Ocean City models feature fully built interiors, while the Main Line models are largely storefronts with minimal interiors.

So to pass time during the pandemic he would visit some of the businesses when they were closed and measure the exteriors.

Juska is still taking commission work on.

Anyone interested in Juska's models should email him at CAMST333@yahoo.com.