Steve Lipary opened LC Galleries in the San Francisco Bay area back in 1980. He's seen a lot since then, but nothing quite like what happened to his store last Friday. In the early morning darkness of New Year's Day, someone rode up to the front of his sports and celebrity memorabilia shop on a small motorcycle, planted an explosive device to the front window and lit the … [Read more...]
Notes: Nebraska Shop Featured; MJ Rookie Nets $200K; Forbes on Sports Immortals Collection; UD Hockey Sets
In 30 years, Wes Johnson has seen the ups and downs of the sports card hobby. He launched his Nebraska shop during a major boom period in 1990. Now, some of the kinds who used to frequent his store in Lincoln are adults and buying more than ever before. Watch the story from News Channel Nebraska below. The latest PSA 10 Michael Jordan rookie card to … [Read more...]
Notes: 1st Uncle Jimmy Item to Crack $100k; Card Shop Turns 43; More
One of the six autographed 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards from the "Uncle Jimmy Collection" at Wheatland Auctions sold Sunday night for $153,400. There are five more still to be sold. Several other vintage sets, single cards, lots, old Yankees programs and other memorabilia from the late collector’s New Jersey home also found new homes. The next auction featuring … [Read more...]
Big Pull at Michigan Card Shop Will Head to Market
After being shut down until late May, Legends Sports & Games in Grand Rapids, MI made quite a splash. A Jumbo box of 2020 Bowman sold by the shop surrendered one of the product's top cards: the 1/1 Bobby Witt Jr. autographed SuperFractor. Witt, the number two overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals, is a potential future big … [Read more...]
Cheers: Maryland Shop’s Card Bar Now a 36-Foot Haven After Outgrowing Old Digs
During this summer's National Sports Collectors Convention, Rick Limpert visited with collector/dealer Mel Lundgren, who brings a mini version of his hobby shop's "card bar" to the show. It's a place to sit, open packs, go through cards and talk about sports, the hobby or anything else. The concept is actually the signature feature of the Maryland store he opened in August of … [Read more...]
Bel Air Cards Brings Sports Bar Concept to National Convention
Bel Air Sports Cards in Bel Air, Md. has successfully combined the sports bar and card shop concept at home in Maryland, so they thought they would take it on the road. That's why when you come by booths 257 and 259 on the floor of the National Sports Collectors Convention, the first thing you will see is a nicely constructed wood bar with colorful bar stools. It's the … [Read more...]
Notes: 30 Years for MN Shop; Gehrig Contract; BoSox Bats Featured; Hugs for Homers
It’s one of the longest continuously operating sports card stores in the country. The Ballpark, a fixture in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area since 1988, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Owner Calvin Havercamp moved his shop once, but that was 17 years ago and he remains entrenched in Apple Valley, MN. The Ballpark is popular with old school collectors … [Read more...]
Notes: New Milwaukee Shop; Cup Sticker Craze; The “Walking Superstar”; Puck Collector
A new sports card and memorabilia shop recently opened in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis. Owner Brian Boyer brought in a couple of former Brewers for his grand opening over the weekend--during a snowstorm, no less. Boyer calls the business "E-5 Sports"--a jab at his Little League experience as a defensively challenged first baseman. He talked … [Read more...]
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...]
Q&A: Fond Memories Spur New Florida Hobby Shop
Collectors on the east coast of Florida have a new hangout. Long-time collector Ron Gustafson has opened a new shop in Sebastian, between Vero Beach and Melbourne. Originally from Brooklyn, Gustafson opened MVP Sports Cards and Collectibles this fall. In the latest of our ongoing series of Q&A sessions with sports card store owners, he discussed his … [Read more...]