Baseball cards have been a beloved part of American culture for decades, chronicling the sport’s history one player at a time in affordable packages that both kids and collectors could enjoy. In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, baseball cards have held a special place for generations of fans, providing memories and connections to the national pastime even in the non-baseball playing months.
Some of the earliest memories local residents have tying them to baseball involve buying packs of cards at drug stores, grocery stores, or other shops around town. In the 1950s and 60s, the main brands were Topps and Bowman, and kids would eagerly await the arrival of the new season’s series each spring. Stores like Gibson’s Drug, located downtown on Phillips Avenue, would get shipments of the new packs that would fly off the shelves.
As the hobby grew in the late 60s and 70s, the first dedicated baseball card shops started to open in Sioux Falls. Bob’s Sportscards, located in the Western Mall, was an early pioneer and really helped grow the local collector scene. Owner Bob Johnson would host card shows and events to bring together collectors from across South Dakota and beyond. His extensive inventory and expertise made his shop the premier destination for anyone seeking to buy, sell or trade cards in the region.
During the peak popularity years of the 1980s, an estimated dozen or more card shops could be found in Sioux Falls. Major national retailers like Walmart also got into the baseball card business, making the hobby more accessible than ever. Kids spent sunny summer afternoons rummaging through boxes at shops like The Sports Exchange, Sports Fanatic and Dan’s Sportscards looking for stars or chasing complete sets. Tons of now-valuable rookie cards from the era quietly changed hands in Sioux Falls basements and backyards during this golden age of card collecting.
As the baseball card market began to cool in the 1990s, the number of dedicated shops dwindled. A few mainstay businesses have survived and thrived by adapting to the evolving industry. Sportscards Plus, opened in 1991 and currently located in southern Sioux Falls, is one of the nation’s largest and most respected card shops. Owner Brian Walters has meticulously built up an inventory that is the envy of collectors worldwide through strong relationships with suppliers and meticulous sourcing of collections. His massive store, which also sells memorabilia and equipment, is a must-visit destination for any fan traveling through the area.
In addition to Sportscards Plus, Sioux Falls is still home to a handful of local shops specializing in various aspects of the hobby. Dakota Sports Cards focuses more on the values and rare vintage end of the market. The Card Shack is a family-owned destination that still caters to kids and more casual collectors in addition to high-end items. Meanwhile, online retailers like SiouxFallsSportsCards.com have emerged to reach customers beyond the local area. Card shows also still take place periodically, like the long-running annual SiouxperCon pop culture convention each fall.
While the market has evolved, baseball cards remain a constant thread connecting Sioux Falls to the national pastime. Local residents continue passing down collections, reliving memories at card shops and fueling new young collectors just as previous generations did before them. Whether chasing RCs, building sets or hunting key vintage pieces, Sioux Falls will likely always have a place for the cardboard wonders that have entertained and documented the game for over 100 years. The city’s card shops and dedicated collectors ensure the tradition lives on.
