Many sports card shops across North America have either been forced to close by local or state government or have made the decision on their own because of the Coronavirus. It's a challenging moment for many who rely on customers to sell boxes, singles, memorabilia, supplies and other items through their physical locations. We're hoping to help out by providing a … [Read more...] about Directory of Sports Card Shops Offering Online Selling, Breaking During COVID-19
baseball card shops
Notes: Small Town Shop Thrives; Charity Shows Draw Collectors; RR Auction TV Segment
Card shops don't have to be in big cities to succeed. If you can diversify and if you're in an area with a lot of families to can't get enough sports--and baseball in particular--success is possible. Hoopeston is a town of a little over 5,000 in east central Illinois that not only sells cards and memorabilia, but manages to bring in some autograph guests … [Read more...] about Notes: Small Town Shop Thrives; Charity Shows Draw Collectors; RR Auction TV Segment
Indianapolis Shop Inspired by Young Cancer Victim’s Story
Conrad Brunner, who spent decades covering Indiana sports for the Indianapolis Star and hosted a radio sports talk show in the city, has a new job. He’s the owner of a new vintage-oriented sports card and memorabilia shop in suburban Noblesville. A long-time collector, Brunner had been setting up at shows in the area but has now expanded into a brick-and-mortar business … [Read more...] about Indianapolis Shop Inspired by Young Cancer Victim’s Story
‘Sweet Old Lady’s’ Card Shop Kept Alive By Her Children
She was known as the sweet old lady who ran the baseball card shop in a small West Virginia town that hugs the Ohio River. But Shirley Ann DeQuasie did more than sell cards and supplies for 29 years in Ravenswood. Her store, S&S Baseball Cards & Collectibles, was a gathering place for friends. Shirley would bring homemade “dessert things” to her shop, … [Read more...] about ‘Sweet Old Lady’s’ Card Shop Kept Alive By Her Children
10 Tips for Running a Good Sports Card Shop
Sports card shops have come and they've gone. Boy did they go during the mid and late-1990s. Those stores that have survived the ups and downs of the hobby and lived beyond the "boom" haven't done it on luck alone. The survivors have been willing to diversify and run their stores like any other business. They make smart decisions, yes, but they also have the … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Running a Good Sports Card Shop
Notes: Correa an Autograph Hit; Willie and Me… and More
Carlos Correa already has an exclusive autograph and memorabilia deal with Topps and over the weekend, he made a lot of new friends—including some famous ones—during his appearance at TriStar’s Houston show. The company sold 500 autograph tickets for Correa and that didn’t come close to meeting the demand. The Houston Chronicle chatted with Correa, former quarterback Joe … [Read more...] about Notes: Correa an Autograph Hit; Willie and Me… and More
Retirement Vision Becomes Reality for Twin Cities Sports Cards
There are a lot of shop owners out there with interesting stories to tell. I have been trading email with Rob Hunegs of Minnesota who recently opened up a store as a retirement venture. Twin Cities Sports Cards is located in the suburb of Golden Valley. He gladly consented to answer some questions and we're always happy to have a Q&A with store owners and show dealers … [Read more...] about Retirement Vision Becomes Reality for Twin Cities Sports Cards
Ramblings: Shop Owner Prefers to Concentrate on Brick-and-Mortar Business
Last week, I answered a reader’s question about what it would take to open a sports card shop in the current climate. I detailed some of the points we went through way back in 1990, which are still appropriate today. Some suggested our interested reader bag the idea and sell online only. Mike Bergmann, who owns Lower Level Sports Cards and Collectibles in Winnipeg, Manitoba … [Read more...] about Ramblings: Shop Owner Prefers to Concentrate on Brick-and-Mortar Business
Chicago Area Shop Owner Expands
Some sports card shops are struggling. Some will close by the end of the year. Then, there’s Brian Jadzak. The Chicago area man has opened four of his Baseball Card King locations in just four years including his latest in the suburb of Downers Grove just last month. It all started with a small mall storefront. Business was good enough that he expanded into another space … [Read more...] about Chicago Area Shop Owner Expands
Be a Buyer: Shop Owner Urges Tenacity, Marketing
In the early 1990s, all you had to do was open that big yellow phone book (before the internet, remember?) and no matter where you were, there was at least one sports card shop within a short drive. If you were in a larger metropolitan area, you probably had your choice of several. Many of the cards from that era are still sitting in those shops more than two decades later—if … [Read more...] about Be a Buyer: Shop Owner Urges Tenacity, Marketing