Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for collectors across the United States for over a century. In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the pastime of collecting and trading baseball cards remains popular today amongst both longtime enthusiasts and a new generation just discovering the joy of the hobby. Whether frequenting local card shops or connecting with other collectors online, Fayetteville has developed a vibrant baseball card community.
Some of the earliest baseball cards were produced in the late 1800s as promotional inserts included in packs of cigarettes. It was the advent of modern cardboard trading cards in the early 20th century that truly launched the collecting craze. Iconic sets from the 1930s and 1940s like Goudey and Play Ball featured the biggest stars of the era like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio. After World War II, production ramped up significantly. Topps gained dominance of the market and released highly collectible sets annually that chronicled the evolution of the game.
In Fayetteville during the 1950s and 60s, local drug stores and corner shops often stocked wax packs of the latest Topps series. Kids would pool their allowance money hoping to score rare rookie cards or complete full sets through swaps with friends and neighbors. The buzz of opening a fresh pack and viewing the gum-scented cards within never grew old. Regional card shows also started springing up, allowing collectors to peruse tables filled with boxes of cards for trade or sale. Star cards of Arkansas natives like Lou Brock, Jim Bunning, and Bill Dickey were especially prized by Natural State collectors.
Two shops in particular have served as hubs for the Fayetteville card scene for decades – Pop’s Sports Cards and Comics and Northwest Arkansas Cards & Collectibles. Pop’s first opened in 1973 and has occupied its College Avenue location since 1990. The store offers an immense selection of new and vintage cards that lines practically every inch of the shop. Proprietor Steve Poplawski and his knowledgeable staff are always eager to help customers with purchases or to answer questions about the history of specific players and sets. Northwest Arkansas Cards & Collectibles opened in 2008 and provides a welcoming atmosphere perfect for browsing, appraising collections, or participating in the shop’s regular trade nights. Both shops host signings with former MLB players and have developed loyal followings amongst Fayetteville’s card-carrying community.
While online sales boosted the popularity of cards in the 1990s, local shops remain crucial gathering spots. “There’s really nothing like being able to hold the cards in your hand and examine them up close before making a purchase,” says Fayetteville resident and 35-year collector John Wilson. “I also enjoy chatting with the other regulars and shop owners about the latest baseball news and our favorite players. It’s a social experience.” With the shops’ central locations, collectors of all ages routinely drop by after school or work to check for new inventory or find potential trades. Some lifelong friendships in Fayetteville can even be traced back to first meetings in card shop aisles.
Modern technology has also connected collectors in new ways. Facebook groups like “Fayetteville Baseball Card Enthusiasts” have well over 1,000 members who actively post photos of their collections seeking advice on card values, share information about upcoming card shows, or arrange meetups to trade duplicates. Popular online auction sites like eBay allow Fayetteville collectors to easily buy, sell, and trade with others worldwide. Some savvy locals have even turned their collecting into part-time businesses by scouring estate sales and flea markets for undervalued collections to resell online at higher prices.
While the current economic climate poses challenges, Fayetteville’s card shops have proven resilient by expanding merchandise like memorabilia, comics, and gaming supplies. The future also looks bright as a new generation shows interest sparked by increased baseball coverage and the popularity of online breakers who livestream group card pack openings. Local card events also continue to draw families with activities like kids card pack tournaments and autograph sessions with former Arkansas Travelers. With its rich baseball history and dedicated fanbase, Fayetteville’s vibrant card collecting community looks primed to thrive for many years to come.
