Baseball Cards and More: A Huntington Institution
Located in the heart of downtown Huntington, West Virginia sits Baseball Cards and More, a fixture in the local collectibles scene for over 30 years. What started as a small baseball card shop catering to local card collectors has grown into a diverse hobby store and community gathering place.
Baseball Cards and More was founded in 1988 by lifelong baseball fan Jim Wilson. As a kid growing up in Huntington in the 1960s and 70s, Jim spent countless hours collecting and trading baseball cards with his friends. He dreamed of one day opening his own card shop. After years working in manufacturing, Jim decided to take the plunge and turn his passion into a business.
Jim started small, renting a small storefront on 4th Avenue in Huntington. His selection consisted mainly of newly released baseball card packs and boxes, as well as binders of individual cards for sale. Word spread quickly among the city’s card collectors, and Baseball Cards and More was an instant hit. Within a few years, Jim had expanded his inventory to include other sports like basketball and football. He also added back issues of sportscard magazines and unopened wax packs and boxes from years past for collectors seeking to fill out their sets.
By the mid-1990s, the collectibles industry was booming. Baseball Cards and More rode the wave of popularity for items like non-sports trading cards (Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, etc.), comic books, and other pop culture collectibles. Jim added these new categories to his store to keep up with demand. He also branched out from just cards by stocking unopened trading card and comic book boxes, action figures, die-cast cars, and other toys.
This expansion allowed Baseball Cards and More to not only survive but thrive as the sports card craze of the late 80s/early 90s faded. Today under second generation ownership, the store continues to grow its selection while staying true to its roots. Walk into Baseball Cards and More today and you’ll find over 10,000 square feet of merchandise across two floors. In addition to a massive trading card selection spanning all major sports leagues, the store also features shelves of comic books (both back issues and new releases), vinyl records, toys and figures, and more.
While the merchandise has grown exponentially, the heart of Baseball Cards and More remains its tight-knit community of loyal customers. Generations of local families have come through the store’s doors, from kids just starting their collections to grandparents reminiscing about the cards of their youth. Regular tournaments and events keep the store bustling, whether it’s Friday Night Magic for fans of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game or Comic Book Trivia on Saturdays.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Baseball Cards and More took on an even greater community role by offering curbside pickup and shipping to keep customers safe. With many locals stuck at home, the store livestreamed unboxing videos on Facebook to lift spirits. This outpouring of community support helped Baseball Cards and More weather an uncertain time.
Now in its third decade, Baseball Cards and More shows no signs of slowing down. Under the leadership of Jim’s son Andrew, new initiatives like expanding their game room and hosting local artist markets have kept the store evolving. Baseball Cards and More also gives back through charitable drives and donations to local schools and organizations. For Andrew and the staff, ensuring Baseball Cards and More remains a fun, welcoming place for all remains their top priority.
Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just browsing, Baseball Cards and More invites everyone to come check out its massive selection and feel like part of the family. In a digital age where local businesses struggle, this Huntington institution has stood the test of time through community support and an unwavering passion for connecting people through their favorite pop culture passions. Baseball Cards and More’s impact extends far beyond just cards – it’s brought the joy of collecting to generations of Tri-State residents and cemented its place as a staple of the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.
