Baseball cards and collectibles have been popular items to collect for decades. Whether you’re looking to build your own collection from scratch or add to an existing collection, there are likely several local shops near you that specialize in buying, selling, trading and appraising baseball and sports memorabilia. Here are some tips for finding baseball cards and collectibles near your location.
Start your search online. Most collectibles shops today have an online presence where you can view their inventory, hours, address and contact information. Search terms like “baseball cards near me” or “[your city] sports collectibles” will surface local hobby shop websites. You can also check online marketplaces like eBay to get a sense of what types of cards and memorabilia are popular in your area currently and at what price points they tend to sell.
Check with your local card shop. Chances are there is at least one dedicated card and collectibles shop within a 30 minute drive of where you live. These local “brick and mortar” hobby shops are treasure troves of inventory both new and vintage. Stop in to browse, discuss your collection interests with the owner and see what consignment items they may have in stock that align with your focuses. Ask about the best times for Friday night magic drafts or weekend trading events too.
Inquire at comic book and game stores. Beyond dedicated card shops, many local comic book stores and tabletop gaming shops also carry a supply of sports and non-sports trading cards, memorabilia and collectibles as supplemental inventory. Check in at these types of multi-genre retailers, introduce yourself and find out what baseball and other sports products they keep on hand. Some may even host periodic trading card tournaments you can participate in.
Scope out card shows and expos. Larger collectibles expos, card shows and memorabilia conventions take place regularly throughout the year, often in major cities within a few hours drive. These multi-day events are a fun way to browse thousands of items under one roof from many different vendors at once. Admission usually ranges from free to $10-20. Check event calendars from January through December for local and regional collectibles extravaganzas.
Visit local card shops on Facebook. Even if a store doesn’t have its own website, many collectibles retailers today maintain a Facebook business page to share new arrivals, sale announcements and event promotions. Search “baseball cards” combined with your city or zip code in Facebook to find area shops with an online social media presence. Don’t hesitate to message them directly with any questions too.
Check local auction houses and estate sale companies. Beyond dedicated collectibles shops, local auction houses and estate sale firms periodically liquidate entire sports memorabilia and card collections they have been hired to sell. Sign up for their email lists to receive notifications of upcoming auctions and estate sales that might include boxes of unsorted baseball cards or signed memorabilia lots you can bid on.
Ask fellow collectors for referrals. If you’ve begun building your own baseball card collection and connect with other collectors locally through trading events or online community forums, don’t hesitate to ask them where they like to shop and what stores tend to have the best selection and prices. Word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to find hidden gem collectibles shops off the beaten path.
Search local buy/sell/trade Facebook groups. Many cities and regions have Facebook groups dedicated just to trading and selling sports cards and memorabilia within the local community. Search terms like “[Your City] Trading Cards” will help you locate these hyper-local marketplaces where you can both sell duplicates from your collection and browse constantly-updating listings from other collectors nearby.
Check pawn shops and thrift stores. You never know what unexpected baseball card or collectibles treasures you might discover at local pawn shops, thrift stores, antique malls and garage sales. Stop by these types of eclectic used goods retailers regularly to sift through any boxes of unsorted cards, jerseys or balls that people are trying to declutter. You could find an amazing vintage find for a fraction of its true worth.
Once you have a list of local card shops, auction houses, Facebook groups and other potential sources compiled, it’s time to start exploring in person. Ask questions, browse slowly, and don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with knowledgeable shop owners, employees and other collectors. You never know where your search for baseball cards and collectibles near you might lead! With some dedicated searching, you’re sure to build an impressive collection of memorabilia from players and teams based right in your own region.
