Baseball Cards in Summerville, South Carolina
Summerville, South Carolina has a rich history with baseball cards that goes back decades. Located just outside of Charleston, Summerville was once home to many thriving baseball card shops and remains a hotbed for collectors in the Lowcountry region. Whether you’re looking to build your collection, trade with other collectors, or learn more about the history of the hobby in the area, Summerville continues to be a great place for baseball card enthusiasts.
Some of the most prominent baseball card shops in Summerville throughout the 1980s and 1990s were Bob’s Baseball Cards and Coins as well as The Sports Card Shop. Bob’s Baseball Cards and Coins was opened in 1984 by local resident and lifelong collector Bob Wilson. Located on North Main Street, Bob’s quickly became the premier destination for collectors around Charleston to buy, sell, and trade cards. Bob prided himself on having a massive inventory of vintage and modern cards to serve collectors of all eras. He was also known for his extensive knowledge of the hobby and for taking the time to help guide newcomers. Bob’s shop remained open until 2007, when Bob decided to retire after over 20 years in business.
The Sports Card Shop opened in 1988 and was owned and operated by the Allen family. Located on Central Avenue, The Sports Card Shop specialized in the latest releases from the big 3 sports card companies – Topps, Fleer, and Donruss. They also had a strong used card selection and were big proponents of the trading aspect of the hobby. Weekly trading nights at The Sports Card Shop were hugely popular amongst the Summerville collecting community. The shop remained open until 2005, when high rents forced the Allens to close up shop after 17 successful years.
While those iconic shops have since closed, the baseball card hobby remains alive and well in Summerville. Local collector and shop owner Kevin Wilson has carried on the tradition with his shop Summerville Sports Cards, which opened in 2010. Located downtown on Main Street, Summerville Sports Cards has become the new premier destination for collectors in the area. Kevin prides himself on having a massive inventory of new releases, singles, and complete vintage and modern sets available. He also facilitates a very active online and in-person trading community. Weekly events like trading nights and group breaks keep the hobby social and fun.
In addition to the brick and mortar shop, Kevin has helped grow the local hobby with his Summerville Sports Cards Facebook group, which has over 1,000 members. The group serves as a digital meeting place for collectors to share information, show off new pickups, and facilitate trades and sales 24/7. It’s not uncommon to see some very high-end vintage cards and complete sets change hands within the group. Kevin and the other dedicated admins work hard to keep scamming out and make it a safe, fun place for collectors.
Beyond the local shops, the Summerville area is home to many passionate collectors. Some notable collections in the area include Jim Wilson’s impressive complete run of Topps flagship sets from 1952 to present, valued at over $100,000. Tom Allen’s Hall of Fame autograph collection is also renowned, containing signed pieces from over 200 members of Cooperstown. Summerville native and former MLB pitcher Boomer Wells is also an avid collector, with a strong focus on collecting his own rookie cards.
The Summerville area has hosted many baseball card shows over the years as well. Some of the biggest and best were the annual Summerville Sports Card Show & Convention in the late 80s and 90s. Held each spring and fall at the local rec center, these shows would attract hundreds of dealers and thousands of collectors from around the region. Many key vintage cards changed hands at Summerville shows in those glory days.
While the pandemic has slowed in-person events, the Summerville Sports Card Show returned in Spring 2022 for the first time in over a decade. Held at the Summerville Aquatic Center, the show saw over 50 tables of dealers and a strong collector turnout. Show organizers have committed to keeping the show an annual tradition going forward. Local collectors are also starting to organize smaller card show style events on a quarterly basis to keep the community connected.
With its rich history and continued support from passionate local collectors and shops, the future remains bright for the hobby in Summerville. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just starting out, Summerville is sure to have something to offer baseball card fans for years to come. The small town Southern charm and sense of community amongst collectors is part of what has kept the hobby thriving in this Lowcountry gem for over 30 years running.
