Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for generations of fans across the country. From the early tobacco cards of the late 19th century to the modern era of inserts, parallels, and memorabilia cards, collecting baseball cards has remained a popular pastime. Those interested in building their baseball card collection in Nebraska have no shortage of options close to home.
One of the largest and most well-stocked card shops in the Omaha area is Sports Cards Etc, located just off of 144th Street in Papillion. Sports Cards Etc has over 10,000 square feet of inventory covering various sports but with a strong focus on baseball. In addition to carrying all of the latest releases from the major card companies like Topps, Panini, and Leaf, Sports Cards Etc also has a massive stock of vintage cards dating back to the earliest tobacco issues. Their vintage selection includes many key rookie cards and stars from the pre-war era all the way through the 1980s and 90s.
For those looking to add vintage gems to their collection, Sports Cards Etc is a can’t-miss destination. They also regularly host card shows and have an active buylist program to sell collections. Their massive store allows for easy browsing of new and vintage cardboard. Sports Cards Etc is open 7 days a week, making it convenient for Nebraska collectors.
Just south of Omaha in Bellevue, collectors have another local option at Sports Cards Galore. While a bit smaller than Sports Cards Etc, Sports Cards Galore still packs a mighty inventory into its storefront off of Highway 75. In addition to stocking all the latest releases, Sports Cards Galore has a solid selection of vintage to sift through as well as a case full of higher end vintage to admire.
They also carry supplies for collectors like sleeves, toploaders, binders and more. Sports Cards Galore is family owned and operated, providing a personalized shopping experience. Like Sports Cards Etc, they regularly host card shows and buy collections. Being just across the Missouri River from Omaha, Sports Cards Galore is easily accessible for collectors in the metro area and throughout eastern Nebraska.
No trip to Nebraska would be complete without stopping by Runza restaurants, the beloved fast food chain with roots in Grand Island. At the Runza location on 2nd Street in Grand Island, collectors will find a small but mighty selection of baseball cards available for purchase. While their stock is not as extensive as the larger card shops, Runza’s cards provide a convenient shopping option for those passing through central Nebraska.
They carry some of the most recent releases as well as a smattering of vintage to browse. Best of all, you can fuel up on the signature Runza sandwich before or after perusing cards. It’s a fun surprise for any collector driving through Grand Island. With over 100 Runza locations across Nebraska and portions of neighboring states, there are shopping opportunities at many stops along the way.
As Nebraska’s largest city, Omaha is home to additional baseball card stores beyond Sports Cards Etc. Card Shack has two locations – one in downtown Omaha and another in Elkhorn. At both shops, customers will find a wide range of new releases and some vintage on display. While their vintage selection isn’t on par with behemoths like Sports Cards Etc, Card Shack is still a solid local option.
They also regularly host card shows and buy collections. The downtown Omaha Card Shack, located near 13th and Harney, is within walking distance of Old Market for those combining a shopping trip with exploring the city. And for collectors in the western Omaha metro, the Elkhorn Card Shack provides an alternative to traveling downtown. Both shops are open daily except Sundays.
No article on Nebraska baseball card shops would be complete without mentioning Burbridge Comics in Lincoln. Situated downtown near 14th and P streets, Burbridge Comics has served the Cornhusker State’s comic book and collectibles fans for over 30 years. While their focus is on comics, they do carry a respectable stock of new baseball cards as well as some vintage mixed in.
Burbridge Comics is a fun destination for the whole family, whether browsing cards, comics, or other pop culture collectibles. They also host frequent in-store events like signings and release parties. Being the largest city between Omaha and Denver, Lincoln offers Burbridge Comics as a solid option for eastern Nebraska collectors passing through.
From the largest specialty shops to convenient stops along the way, Nebraska offers baseball card collectors no shortage of local businesses to explore. Between Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island and elsewhere, the Cornhusker State provides a variety of shopping options to fuel the hobby. The friendly staff and vast inventories at stores like Sports Cards Etc and Sports Cards Galore make Nebraska a baseball card browsing destination.
