I don't know if it just started happening recently or if I just started noticing it recently but I've had a number of guys my age come into the shop looking to get back into collecting sports cards and memorabilia. Yes, you are reading this post pandemic and post pandemic sports card mania. Reengaged and new collectors are still popping out of the woodwork. I've even had … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: For the Love of the Game
Hobby Shop Talk
Shop Talk: Much Needed Help, New Customers, Big Hits and Another Busy Week
The owner was out of the shop last week as he headed down south in order to get a beach house he owns ready for the crazy summer season ahead. This fact left me manning the shop for the week. Over the past few years when he was out of town I was basically on my own with a few hours of much appreciated help here and there but beyond that the shop was a one man show.To be … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Much Needed Help, New Customers, Big Hits and Another Busy Week
Shop Talk: When Do We Cut Ties with Our Teams?
I recently shared a meme I found on social media that got some traction.The person that posted it basically asked why as men (and women) do we choose a favorite sports team during our childhood and let it ruin the rest of our lives? Of course, it was posted in jest but, as with any good joke, there lies some truth within.I think that's a fair point, so I took it to the shop and … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: When Do We Cut Ties with Our Teams?
Shop Talk: Heritage Auctions Visit, Prizm WWE Release, Walk-In Collection
This week was a fun, somewhat unique and interesting one at the shop. We had one of the major players in the auction game in town to see little old us.Around midweek we had a representative from Heritage Auctions fly in to meet with a local man (and friend of the store) who had, and was ready to sell, a once in a lifetime collection of non-sports related collectibles. I really … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Heritage Auctions Visit, Prizm WWE Release, Walk-In Collection
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
Shop Talk: Scooping Up Low Cost Gems of Rising Stars and Comeback Candidates
For this week's Shop Talk, I wanted to switch it up a bit and do something a little different by focusing on specific players and specific items in each sport that are (or have) become exceptionally popular and also make mention of those on the other end of the spectrum that have dropped off the radar in recent weeks and months. Whether it be cards, action figures, autographs, … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Scooping Up Low Cost Gems of Rising Stars and Comeback Candidates
Shop Talk: Playbook Heat, Gem Mint Demand, Weekend Float
Tony Reid offers his weekly dose of happenings inside Sports Zone, the Central Pennsylvania shop where he works. —— Last week was a fun one at the shop because we got a bunch of new, highly anticipated sports card products. That's it. It doesn't take much to keep me happy. We saw Topps Series 1 Baseball blasters, hangers and individual hanger packs for the first time. … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Playbook Heat, Gem Mint Demand, Weekend Float
Shop Talk: Snow Days, Sun Days, Manic Mondays
This week was another busy one for us here in Central Pennsylvania.We saw a decent sized snow storm last Saturday, so we took the rare step of closing the shop for the day. The owner beat the bad weather and left for the Carolinas early Friday afternoon. I spent the day with my wife and daughter and even took my new company (remote control) car for a spin in the falling … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Snow Days, Sun Days, Manic Mondays
Shop Talk: Hiring Hassles, Baseball Blunders, Podcast Fun
Tony Reid offers his weekly dose of happenings inside Sports Zone, the Central Pennsylvania shop where he works. ------ As I've probably made it pretty clear in my time doing this weekly Shop Talk piece, we are a pretty busy store, especially having only two full-time employees: Jason, who owns the store, and me. A local young man who had been coming in from time to time to … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Hiring Hassles, Baseball Blunders, Podcast Fun
Shop Talk: Shady Returns, “Missing” Packages, Gem Mint Box Rollout
Tony Reid offers his weekly dose of happenings inside Sports Zone, the Central Pennsylvania shop where he works. ----- Not only do we like to keep it upbeat, fun and light at the shop as much as we can but that's just my personality in general. We work very had but also make sure to find the time to laugh, goof around and just generally enjoy our day. If you can't find joy in … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Shady Returns, “Missing” Packages, Gem Mint Box Rollout