I'm sitting down a bit later than I should be to offer up what's been hot at my shop over the past month (and ten days) after breaking a case of 2022 Panini Certified NFL (which took three hours from start to finish). The overwhelming amount of collectors in our breaks are regulars from the shop who I see each time they sign up and then pick up their singles. It means … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Honest Breaking and the Top 5 Sellers
What’s Hot: Darkness Doesn’t Dampen Denver Show; Top 5 Sellers
It's been a busy summer and while the shop has been hopping, the biggest highlight wrapped up late last month. The second edition of the All Cards Weekend in Denver drew collectors, dealers and curious folks to one of the region's biggest shows since--well, our last one. Last year, my partner (www.denvercardshows.com) and I put on a 190 table show right … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Darkness Doesn’t Dampen Denver Show; Top 5 Sellers
What’s Hot: Hoisting the Cup and the Cardboard
I apologize for my delay in my monthly piece and while I'd love to point to our hometown Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup and my spending the last 10 days hanging out with the team in a drunken stupor, I can only report a celebratory shot with friends and enjoying seeing the team parade the trophy around town, to bars and at the capitol building. When I'm not slinging … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Hoisting the Cup and the Cardboard
What’s Hot: Pearl Jam, a Visit to Upper Deck and the Top Selling Boxes
There's no such thing as a boring month in the hobby and this month was no exception. I had a friend who knew I liked Pearl Jam invite me to join him at their opening night of their tour in San Diego. I took him up on his offer since they are one of my favorite bands and in addition to enjoying 23 songs before the rest of the world did, I found myself with a day to … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Pearl Jam, a Visit to Upper Deck and the Top Selling Boxes
What’s Hot: Trip to The Mint; Top 5 Selling Boxes
It's been an interesting last few weeks (but aren't they all). I left the shop in capable hands last month and attended The Mint Collective in Las Vegas. Sure it was an excuse to visit my second favorite city, but it was also an opportunity to catch the vibe of the industry as it experiences some incredible changes. What I heard from many is that seemingly … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Trip to The Mint; Top 5 Selling Boxes
What’s Hot: Ahead of Topps Conference, Box Sales Roll On
First of all, I wanted to thank all the manufacturers for not canceling my accounts after the 2021 Mikey Awards. I don't really have such concerns, but one never knows how good of a sense of humor people have these days. Fortunately, my annual piece seems to have gone over well and I'm taking notes to be ready for the 2022 edition. In just a few days, I'll be … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Ahead of Topps Conference, Box Sales Roll On
2021 Mikey Awards: The Hobby’s Best, Worst, Strangest
I've been writing my favorite piece of the year for the past two nights/mornings and it has made me reflect on perhaps the most interesting year I've ever had in my 29 years of owning my shop, Mike's Stadium Sportscards. It was perhaps the best of times and now it's time to hope that it doesn't quickly turn into the worst of times. I can't really control the entire … [Read more...] about 2021 Mikey Awards: The Hobby’s Best, Worst, Strangest
What’s Hot: Wading Through the Waiting; Top 5 Selling Boxes
I hope you all enjoyed a tremendous Thanksgiving and that it helped you forget about the one you might not have fully enjoyed in 2020. I hosted my wife's family during the inevitable Lions loss and then went over to my brother's house for Thanksgiving part deux. Suffice to say, I wish typing burned more calories than it does. It has been an interesting time at … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Wading Through the Waiting; Top 5 Selling Boxes
What’s Hot: Appetite for Boxes, Hot Players Still Hearty
As always it is an interesting time to own a card shop. In between either answering questions from collectors who are wondering what will eventually happen when Fanatics becomes more involved with the sports card community OR being “told” what will happen, it is still pretty insane at my shop these days. Pretty much from when the door pops to when things shut down for … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Appetite for Boxes, Hot Players Still Hearty
What’s Hot: Everything Old is New Again
Before I get to my usual current event chatter, I wanted to share some thoughts about the unfortunate passing of hobby veterans Rich Altman and Ben Ecklar. Rich owned Hollywood Collectibles in my old stomping ground of South Florida. I only briefly met him at the 2019 Industry Summit. I had always been impressed with his exclusive autograph relationship with Bill … [Read more...] about What’s Hot: Everything Old is New Again