I am personally guilty of taking many things in my life for granted. From family, to friends, to the little things that make us happy, it is easy for us to get carried away in our day-to-day lives and forget to show appreciation to those people/places/things that bring joy to our lives.
Thanksgiving is a perfect time for us to reflect on our lives and give thanks for these things.
For those of us who collect cards, we have to appreciate the fact that we are even able to participate in such a cool hobby.
- We must give thanks for the parents and siblings who taught us about cards.
- We must give thanks for the friends who traded cardboard with us as kids.
- We must give thanks for the great collecting-community online, with whom we share our hits.
- And we must give thanks for the local card shop owners who struggle to make it in this crazy industry just because they love the hobby so much.
I grew up going to local card shops as a kid in California. Many years later, there aren’t many things I enjoy more than spending an afternoon with Charlie and Jeff at my favorite LCS in San Antonio, Sports Cards Plus. We chat about our favorite sports teams, rip on players we don’t like, debate about the latest draft picks, trade cards, bust packs, and shout with joy when a fellow collector pulls a monster. The camaraderie I find there is something special and unique to our hobby. I used to get the same feeling hanging out with Kendall at Orlando Sports Cards.
In an industry with ever evolving methods of distribution and a greater reliance on the internet for price-shopping, fewer collectors are spending their hard-earned money at their local card shops. I realize that some card shops are suffering because their business practices are antiquated or because they have lost their focus on their customers. Or because they just suck. But I make it a goal to stop by a local card shop in every city I visit and I can tell you with confidence that the majority of card shops are run by great people with a passion for our hobby. To me, the local card shop remains the heart and soul of our great hobby.
So this weekend, after you’ve stuffed your face with Turkey and done some holiday shopping, please remember to do a little something for yourself, and for our hobby. Stop by your local card shop and buy something for yourself (a box?) and something extra for a friend (a couple packs?) You’ll be supporting small businesses in your community while also spreading the love for our hobby. Then tell us all about it below…
CONTEST: Post a review of your favorite card shop in the comments below. Tell us what you like about the card shop, what they could do better, or what you think card shops (in general) can do to help engage collectors better. Why do you love this card shop? What’s your best pull from the shop? Tell us whatever comes to mind. If you don’t have a local card shop nearby, tell us which card shop you wish you lived nearby. Is there a particular shop you’ve heard about that you would like to frequent? What makes them special? Each person may enter once…you can earn a second entry if you email/tweet/instagram us a picture of you AT YOUR LCS this weekend. Or, for those of you without an LCS nearby, send us some photos of the local card shops you wish you lived nearby (google search.) If you are sending pics via social media, please be sure to tag us with @sportscardalbum or post directly to our wall on facebook.
GIVEAWAYS: Two winners: 1) Hobby box of “2014 Hot Rookies” & 2) Hobby box of “2014 Playbook Football”.
TIMELINE: Wednesday, November 26, through Sunday, November 30th, 2014
BONUS: Don’t forget to participate in the Panini POD promotion while you are at your local card shop! Panini is supplying the prizes for this giveaway, so give them a “thanks” on social media if you have a chance. Also, we will be contacting some of the card shops (that you mention in the comments below) and sharing your feedback with them.
Help us spread the word by re-tweeting our tweets and sharing our FB & Instagram posts!
Michael E
I live in Austin Texas and have had the pleasure of stopping by Sports Cards Plus in San Antonio a few times and definitely know why it’s your favorite. While I have the choice of a few different shops here in Austin and they all have some things I like about them, the one I try to frequent more is Kenny’s Collectibles of Austin. Kenny’s Collectibles of Austin is a very large shop with a great variety of sports cards, signed sports memorabilia, jerseys, non sports signed memorabilia, McFarlane figures and an unbelievable amount of Hot Wheels cars. I really enjoy this shop as everyone there is very friendly and it’s very inviting with a few tables to hang out and watch and talk about sports while opening packs, searching through their individual boxes or trading. As far as what I feel they could do better it would have to be location as the shop is tucked in to a warehouse area and I belive this takes away from any walk in business that they could be gaining. However, I understand that this isn’t something that can easily be addressed based on the size of the shop and the amount of inventory that is contained in the shop. So far my best pull at this shop I would have to say has been a Discipline patch auto /25 of Drew Brees from 2014 Topps Valor. Hopefully this coming weekend I will top that!
On a side note, my best pull from Sports Cards Plus has been a New Guard Autographs Jose Abreu auto /399 out of 2014 Topps Tier One. Also, with Thanksgiving upon us, I am thankful for what you have done and continue to contribute to this great hobby that we share. I love Sports Card Album and really think it’s awesome that you continue to make it better and better.
Matt Gilman
My story is a bit complicated. I dont have an LCS but I do go to one once a year on vacation. I have gotten to know the shop owners really well.
Not having a shop in 20 plus years or having a card show just as long, I look forwArd to my vacations where I can not only relax, but go to an awesome card shop.
Every year i visit OOB Sport Card and baseball card shop. The owners are very friendly. They also are great with kids handing out freebies left and right and interacting with them. They have always treated me good. The only teeny problem I have is there card prices. I do buy from there but I could get it half that price at dacardworld. It makes it tough to swallow but I still buy it to support them and I am hoping my support will help keep going so I can continue to see them yearly.
As for my biggest pull, that was actually this year. I participated in the Panini Fathers Day promo and landed myself a Jose Abreu auto. I was super stoked!
Roland Wake
Great idea for a giveaway. Sadly I don’t have a LCS worthy of my business. The Owner caters to Comics which is fine. I love Comics too. But when you don’t give the random collector your time of day if they arent there to spend a $100, you don’t get my business. And can barely engage in conversation because you don’t know as much as him, you don’t get my business.
A card shop should be open And inviting to anyone. When I was a kid “The” Card Store was HobNob Sports and Comics. Jerry was the owners name. And he would strike up a convo with anyone and everyone. He helped you, he cared. I miss HobNob and they would definitely have my business on Saturday.
There is a shop in Denver I hear is fantasic. I need to find time to make it there. Mikes Stadium Sports. Constantly doing trade nights and deals. I just haven’t had the chance to make it there. Hopefully soon.
Thanks for the chance.
Roland
Jeremy
When I am home, I like going to Sports Cards Plus. It is a unique shop that keeps the wife busy while bust open packs. They usually have hot deals on their products also. This shop is worth the drive from anywhere in Texas.
Xavier Colon
I live in San Antonio, Texas and my favorite Sports Card Shop is Sports Cards Plus. I have been going there for many years. I buy packs, I buy boxes. I buy autograph cards, and I buy memorabilia cards. I always look forward to the weekends when the shop hosts Beckett Raw Grade Reviews. I have been able to bring my biggest hits over the years in and get them graded the next day.
Charlie takes pictures of people who get huge monster hits in his shop, and I have always wanted to pull a card worthy of a picture. I have gotten two “ill sick” hits from this shop, the second finally earning me a picture. The first was from 2003-04 UD Glass Basketball and I pulled a Michael Jordan Wizards Clear Cut Jersey /100. A couple of weekends ago I bought some product and opened a pack of 2014 Panini Father’s Day promotion pack. I pulled a 1 of 1 Russell Wilson Lava Flow Autographed card. Collecting Sports Cards has been a great hobby and I am glad that Sports Cards Plus has been around for me to enjoy this hobby to the fullest.
Anthony C Gomez
Sports Cards Plus in San Antonio, Tx is a home away from home where a person gets to hang out with great and friendly collectors. The owner Charlie & his son Jeff are the best. Customer service comes first and these two gentlemen take it even further by being your friend and source of trading card info. I have no suggestions on how they could do anything better because they are genuine great people. It took me a little while to understand the here and now hobby and with extreme patience and kindness I was taught by the best! I’ve had many great hits pulled from my purchases at Sports Cards Plus. I’ve pulled so many hits it’s hard to pick one or even a few but one day did stand out above the many. I won an autographed RGIII jersey for having pulled the best card of the month. On that same day I won a drawing and it was a box of my choice. If that’s not enough, I choose my box and pulled an Andrew Luck autographed card! It’s been so much fun getting back into the hobby and mostly in part to Sports Card Plus (Charlie & Jeff) and the great new friends I’ve made there. I’ve also got my sons into the hobby and have helped them start their own collections. Trading and sharing with my sons is priceless. Need I say more? I could but it could take days! I’ve yet to pull a 1/1 but I consider all the great memories a 1/1!
Samuel Breniman (@SamB82)
My favorite LCS is Sports Card Mania in Sacramento, California, and it’s not even a close race. He keeps prices fair, always keeps me appraised of new products, and the owner (Jim) is an extremely nice guy. Very friendly, and always up for a chat about football and cards. And he always seems genuinely happy when a big hit happens.
I’ve pulled some monster cards from there over the years, too! A 1/1 Jim Thorpe cut auto from 2008 Donruss Classics, and an Andrew Luck Playoff Ticket auto #/99 from 2012 Contenders.
Ben Chairnoff
My local card shop is Goldy’s Sports in Freehold, NJ. I love it there, mostly because of the personal experience I get when I’m there. I visit frequently, and since my first visit there three years ago I’ve become good friends with the owner. Whenever I walk in, he says “hi” to me and asks how I’m doing, etc. He knows exactly what I collect and what kind of packs I like, and tells me what new cards or products he gets in that I would like. That personal experience is really rare. I usually end up busting a few packs or on occasion a box each time I’m in there and we talk about what I pulled and it’s a lot more fun that going and busting alone at home. It’s honestly one of my favorite places to go. Even when I don’t pull something good, I still had a ton of fun and that’s what the hobby is really about. I’ve pulled many of my best hits there, some nice star autos, 2 1/1s. It’s truly one of my favorite places to go and whenever I get the opportunity I go and have a ton of fun. The shop is a true embodiment of what the hobby should be about, fun.
Jim Pineda
I do not have a LCS nearby to enjoy with my boys, when I was younger and collected often I had a LCS on 39th & Pershing in Chicago,IL I would buy Topps Finest Basketball in hopes of pulling a Shaquille O’Neil RC, I pulled many. The best pull I ever had was an Randy Moss die-cut SP Authentic #’d to 400..I ended up selling it a few years back. The one LCS I would love to visit with my boys is Sports Card Plus in San Antonio TX, I have never seen so many big pulls anywhere else. Happy Thanksgiving weekend and good luck to all, and thanks for all you guys do to bring back the excitement of card collecting.
Barry
I don’t buy cards from local card shops. i buy from online sport card websites and i look for clearance specials i found a 2012 Panini Gridiron Football 8 pack box on sale $ 5.95
Johnny G
My favorite shop is Sportsnut Cards in Belmar, NJ. My best pull was a blue refractor jersey/auto of Bryce Harper from Bowman Draft a couple years back. It’s a great shop as his prices are reasonable, good selection of memorabilia, singles, wax, and supplies. The only draw back would be maybe his hours could be better, but still isn’t horrible by any means. They do monthly raffles for good wax boxes. You get a raffle ticket for each $10 you spend. Always a desirable box being given away.
Mike B
Michael B
Comics Plus in Macon, Ga!
They have a great selection of comics, toys and games… wish their playing card selection was bigger!
Chris Rosario
I am from Illinois and I enjoy going to Triple Crown in Naperville. Tom is a very passionate and knowledgable shop owner when it comes to sports collectibles. At Triple Crown you always feel welcomed and there’s always something for everybody but the highlight is trade day every Saturday morning from 10 to 3… where we get together and trade while ripping boxes and just admiring others collections. The only thing Tom can do better make longer hours… Lol
Hardy Bryant
I’m lucky enough to have 2 shops nearby, one about 20 away, the other only a couple miles down the road. Boscos in Anchorage, Alaska is my favorite shop. Boscos is close by, and they order a case of almost every product from every sport.
The shop always gets new product on release day, and the prices are close or cheaper than what you can find online with the first batch.
There’s a monthly contest for customers who buy products, where you get tickets for every box/pack you buy. The first Wednesday of the month is Trade Night, where one pack (or box) of every product released since last month is raffled off. There are normally promo packs and cards from manufacturers included as well. If the winning ticket isn’t redeemed, the items roll over to next month. Plus there’s free pizza and soda.
The only thing I would really change about the shop is a bigger spot for sports and more girls working the counter!
Thanks,
GONZO
Mark Loftus
Thanks for the chance at this.Well I would have liked to have gone to a somewhat local shop (It is about an hour away), (I do have one I kind of like , The Card Exchange, In Seattle , WA ) the wife said no to this weekend as I recently have made a few trips to the ER and even had a lovely overnight stay in the hospital due to passing out and severe chest pains. The shop itself is small and dark but has everything you can think of from football to magic the gathering.The owner is extremely knowledgeable, but I admit could use a class or two on customer service. I think that even though I never have a ton of money to spend I do enjoy going, but customer service is what keeps me going back.The best pull I ever got there was from a 2004 Fleer Ben Rothlesberger auto.
Again.Thanks for doing this.Hope it helps.And thanks for the contest.
Jessica
My local card shop that I go to at least 3 to 4 times a month is a bit of a drive but I would rather go there than any of the other ones around here. The name is Dean’s Dugout in Naperville, IL. My husband and I have a 5 year old son who we raised as a card collector and at Dean’s he is all about the kids. I love that we can walk into the store very welcomed and they are always willing to help you find what you need. He has a great variety of cards and its very clean and organized. One of the hits we have pulled from his store was a Seth Jones Auto. As we all know there aren’t very many woman who collect cards but I enjoy it as much as my husband and son. In March of 2015 we will be welcoming our 1st daughter in the world and we can’t wait to get a collection started for her. We actually announced our pregnancy at Dean’s Dugout during an Adam Eaton signing. Dean and his wife posted the picture on there store Facebook! I would definitely recommend there store to anyone that asks! Thank You so much for doing these giveaways and I can’t wait to see the many things you will do in the future!
Harrison Epstein
I live in Las Vegas and my LCS is Legacy Sports Cards. I’ve only been going for a few months now but I love it everytime I go. My favorite thing has to be their trade night. To get to talk with and trade with other collectors is a great experience. Especially when the shop busts boxes and sells them by the pack. My best hit at a card night is either a Peyton Manning certified Pro Bowl insert /25 or a Bishop Sankey chrome auto /99. It wouldn’t be as great of a place if it wasn’t for their incredible staff. Whether you walk in and they’re full or empty, everyone makes you feel at home.
Erik Lokken
Triple cards in Plano, Texas. Owner’s name is Al. He always greets me with a smile and asks how the family is doing. I have been a loyal customer there for 15+ years now. I can go in after a stressful day and unwind with good conversation and a box or 2 of cards. Best hit this year so far was the Miguel Cabrera Topps Series 1 Platinum parallel 1/1. Triple Cards is what a shop should be. A place where you are greeted as an old friend and you leave feeling better than when you went in.
john s
its all about feeling comfortable.
I go to wests sportcard
http://www.westssportscards.com
A great place that has been around in my city longer than I have.
What I like best about the place is that they (Mo and Jim) treat everybody so darn good. They remember everyones name, from the guys who buy a case at a time to the people that come in and buy the new beckett, a couple packs and talk about some local sports teams and who should be fired or traded.
Sure I love big hits and sick pulls but just going there and enjoying conversation about sports and cards is , well it’s awesome. I look forward to going there Everytime I get a chance. Plus they are always helpful when it comes to completing sets (base sets) it can be tricky to do but with their help it is always easy they usually have some of the current years and even last years singles in the shop and if not they always accept lists. It’s a great place to go and I am lucky I live within 20minutes.
Thank you for reading my post and thank you for the promos. I have been using your app on the iPhone for a while now.
Thank you
John S
Erik
When I was younger I got into sports card collecting because my dad was so into it, after my parents split I’d visit my dad every other weekend and he would always take me to frank and sons into southern California in was always so fun to go row after row of ppl selling everything from sports cards to Beenie baby’s my dad would get him a few boxes and would buy me a lil box of action packed football or some random packs every time I pulled a miami dolphin even if it was base I’d be so excited… now it live in Las Vegas and when I’m lucky to have a few bucks laying around you can catch me at legacy sports cards buying up a few packs and trying to get my son into collecting which he’s starting to enjoy. Good luck to everyone great contest
danieladubay
Valley Sports Cards…They treat the little guy great, unlike other hobby shops that I have been to who laugh me out of the door when I tell them my budget. Family run and I love the atmosphere. I have never walked out with a big hit, but I have nothing to complain about as I get my moneys worth every time that I am there.