It was back to work and back to reality last week after a memorable five days at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City, It was somewhat nice to be back in the typical routine but at the same time I was still going back to last week and sharing my experiences from The National with so many people who came into the shop. I'm already looking forward … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Return to Work, Prizm Madness, Pack Feelers
Hobby Shop Talk
Shop Talk: National Treasures Comes…and Goes; Autograph Collector Dislikes Players; Annoying ‘Rock Bottom’ Requests
It was a big, expensive card release week at the shop. The much anticipated 2022 Panini National Treasures Football product went live mid-week. We received one sealed case and sold it online as such in a matter of minutes. Later in the week, we got our allotment of 2022 Optic Football hobby boxes. We only received six boxes, one of which we opened for packs. You … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: National Treasures Comes…and Goes; Autograph Collector Dislikes Players; Annoying ‘Rock Bottom’ Requests
Shop Talk: Vintage Cards, New Releases and New Minty Fresh Repacks
Tony Reid offers his weekly dose of happenings inside Sports Zone, the Central Pennsylvania shop where he works. —– This week at the shop was one right up my alley in that it centered around cards. We had (hopefully) a great find of vintage cards unexpectedly waltz in, new releases in all major sports and we are preparing our newest repack card product. Early in the week we … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Vintage Cards, New Releases and New Minty Fresh Repacks
Shop Talk: Vintage Appreciation, Troubling New Releases, Full Circle Interviews
This past week at the shop started off on a very refreshing note.Our fair city, Sunbury, PA, had the semiquincentennial (that means 250 years. I had no idea either.) city celebration this week that featured a street fair right smack dab on the main street in town right in front of our store. The streets were shut down, so some of our regular traffic and customers didn't make it … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Vintage Appreciation, Troubling New Releases, Full Circle Interviews
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
Shop Talk: Playing in Pittsburgh
Tony Reid offers his weekly dose of happenings inside Sports Zone, the Central Pennsylvania shop where he works. —– It was a solid but not spectacular sports card new release week. Collectors saw the arrival of 2021-22 SP Authentic Hockey, 2022 UFC Select, the new 2021-22 Wild Card Alumination Basketball product that features rookies from last year and the new 2022 Chronicles … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Playing in Pittsburgh
Shop Talk: When You’re Not Just a “Card” Shop
Tony Reid offers his weekly dose of happenings inside Sports Zone, the Central Pennsylvania shop where he works. —– The owner was away this week at his beach house in the Carolinas, so that once again left me in charge. As I've mentioned before, we're a true "hobby" shop that carries not just cards and sports memorabilia, but things remote control cars and other things … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: When You’re Not Just a “Card” Shop
Shop Talk: Finals Finality, Father’s Day Packs, Break Room Basketball
It's always great to see history and the finality as professional sports seasons come to an end when a new champion (and champions) are crowned. Whether it's the team as a whole or star individual players who are now even further up the all-time hierarchy, I enjoyed watching the Golden State Warriors put it all back together and win the title. Our owner Jason is actually a … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Finals Finality, Father’s Day Packs, Break Room Basketball
Shop Talk: Times Are Tough and It’s All For Sale
It seems like we have more and more people each and every day calling, inquiring and stopping in the store in person to ask about us purchasing their items. Once in a while it's cards, memorabilia and other items we actually sell but more often than not, it's stamps, trains, planes, NASCAR diecasts, McDonald's paraphernalia and just about everything else under the sun. It's … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Times Are Tough and It’s All For Sale
Shop Talk: Passing Out, Prizm Football and Price Decreases
My time at the shop was a little on the light side last week. Apparently I have a new Memorial Day weekend tradition of passing out at some point during the festivities. For anyone that follows the Shop Talk series (if you don't, why the heck not?) you might remember my mishap last year where I passed out face down on my bathroom floor. As much fun as that was, I decided to … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Passing Out, Prizm Football and Price Decreases