Over the weekend I made a trip down to Toledo, Ohio and on the way home I needed to pass through the Ann Arbor area, where I just happened to know of a new card shop, well new to me at least, thanks to the wonderful world of the internet.
As far as I've know for the last few years, where I live, there is not a single card shop within a reasonable driving distance. There is one that's about 50 miles west of me and there's one that's about 40 miles east of me. This means any time I need to pick up supplies and stuff I find myself driving at least 45 minutes.
Well, it looks like I won't be making that long of a trek anymore. The new shop I found is Stadium Cards & Comics out of Ypsilanti, MI and it's about 20 miles from my place. Much better than 40 or 50, think of the money I would save on gas.
This time I was just looking to pick up some top loaders for some recent additions to my PC projects as well as a few one-touch holders. Other than that I just wanted to check out the store and get an idea of how much hockey stuff they carried.
There was a decent amount, more than I expected actually. They had a lot of late 2000's sets for sale, lots of early 90's boxes for sale, a decent selection of singles, and of course the new stuff from Panini and Upper Deck. Pretty much all I could ask for.
If there's one thing I really like about this shop, its the fact that they are connected through social media with a Facebook page as well as a website. I think that's great, it gives customers a way to stay in touch with what's going on, something that pretty much every card shop I've gone to in the past is lacking.
One last thing, I'm curious, what kind of drives do you guys have to your LCS? I'm sure all of you north of the border have an easier time finding them, especially one's with plenty of hockey stuff, but correct me if I'm wrong.
I always love popping into a new store. My LCS is about 15 minutes from me and I've been going there for many, many years. So many, in fact, that I've just about purchased all of his good vintage hockey stock. I mainly go there to talk hockey and maybe buy a few packs.
ReplyDeleteUsed to have a couple around that were about a 25-30 min drive, but they just weren't worth the trip. About a year and a half ago though a new one opened up that's much better, and only about a 15-min ride from home. It's the only one I go to now. About 99% of my card budget goes to either this shop or eBay.
ReplyDeleteI think 15-20 minutes is probably the perfect distance. Now that I can get to this one in around that much time, I might actually become a regular at a shop again.
ReplyDeletemy local card shop here in Calgary is a 50-65 minute drive away depending on traffic.
ReplyDeleteMy LCS is about 10-15 minutes from me, and there's another shop that specializes in vintage that's about 30 minutes away.
ReplyDeleteBut of course, eBay is the closest shop to me.
My favorite LCS is only a 5-minute walk away. Maybe 8 minutes of there is snow on the ground.
ReplyDeleteThe other card shop I frequent is about a 20-25 minute drive, but happens to be near a used bookstore my girlfriend likes, as well as by a movie theater and restaurant we both like, so when we go that way it is to stop at a lot of places (and not just a trip for me).
Looks like there's a nice range here, I don't feel all that bad about 20 minutes now.
ReplyDeleteGreg, you said it best, ebay is the closest to me as well.
My nearest card shop is a 3 day ride on horseback... don't laugh, I'm half serious :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm home, 20 minutes to nearest LCS (approx 15 miles). When I'm at work..about 15 mins to LCS (8 miles from where I work). I miss where I lived in Toronto, I could walk across the street and hit my LCS.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious, what does a 3 day horseback ride translate to in miles or minutes? ;)
ReplyDeleteMy nearest sportscards shop is a $700 plane ticket away, and then another $700 to get back home. Or if you wanted to save on airfare, it's a 2 day drive, after a $200 plane ride.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's insane ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't really have an LCS anymore. The closest thing to it are some shops that really focus on Magic and comics and might have the odd hockey box if I'm lucky.
ReplyDeleteAs a vintage collector, though, there are really only two Toronto shops left of any significance. One is right downtown and the other is in the north end. Between the two of them, I might go five to six times a year. Did find one place with old OPC baseball, but I've sort of maxed him out already.
There are three shops I visit. One is right around the corner from where I live; another is a fifteen minute drive, and the third is about fifteen minutes, too. I frequent the closest shop most often because it's closest, but I think the second shop is probably the best one.
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