Baseball Cards Thrive in Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver, Washington has developed a strong baseball card collecting community over the past few decades. Located just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, Vancouver is home to several dedicated card shops that cater to collectors of all ages and interests. Whether someone is looking for vintage cards, the latest releases, or supplies to organize a collection, Vancouver offers plenty of options to satisfy baseball card enthusiasts.
One of the most well-established card shops in Vancouver is Dan’s Cards, which has been in business for over 30 years. Owner Dan Johnson got his start buying and selling cards out of his home in the 1980s before opening a storefront on Mill Plain Blvd in 1990. Over three decades later, Dan’s Cards remains a popular destination for locals. Walking into the 1500 square foot store, visitors are immediately overwhelmed by the vast inventory spanning all eras of the hobby. Dan works hard to stock a wide selection of new releases while also maintaining an impressive supply of vintage cardboard.
In addition to individual packs, boxes, and complete sets both new and old, Dan’s Cards is also known for its extensive supply of supplies such as toploaders, magnetic holders, binders, and plastic sheets. Whether someone needs something to safely store a prized rookie card or wants to start organizing a collection, Dan has just about anything a collector could need. Beyond products, Dan and his knowledgeable staff are also a major asset, providing advice and guidance to help further educate customers. Their expertise and passion for the hobby have helped foster Vancouver’s baseball card community.
While Dan’s Cards may be the longest running establishment, in recent years other shops have emerged to satisfy the growing local demand. In 2010, Pacific Baseball Cards opened its doors a few miles away on Mill Plain Blvd. Owners Jeff and Mike were motivated to start their own shop after years of collecting themselves and seeing the need for more options in Vancouver. Like Dan’s Cards, Pacific Baseball Cards focuses on carrying new releases as well as maintaining deep stocks of vintage cardboard going back decades.
What sets Pacific Baseball Cards apart though is its event space in the back of the store. On weekends, the shop transforms into a bustling hotspot as two dozen or more collectors gather to trade, talk shop, and participate in group breaks. These social events have become hugely popular, bringing both casual and serious collectors together on a regular basis. The camaraderie and sense of community fostered at Pacific Baseball Cards’ Saturday trade nights and group breaks have done a lot to energize Vancouver’s card scene.
A newer addition to Vancouver’s baseball card shops is Topps Cards, which opened in 2017 in the Salmon Creek area. Owners Jeff and Sarah were motivated to open after seeing the hobby really take off in popularity again during the 2010s. Topps Cards has a clean, modern storefront and focuses primarily on carrying the latest releases from Topps, Panini, Leaf, and other major manufacturers. With an emphasis on being a one-stop-shop for all the newest products, Topps Cards has found its niche serving collectors looking to stay on top of the most current releases.
Beyond the shops, Vancouver’s baseball card community is also sustained by events organized by local collectors. One of the biggest annual gatherings is Cards for a Cause, a large card show and fundraising event held each spring. Originally started in 2008 by collector Chris LaBelle, Cards for a Cause has grown exponentially, now taking place over two days and filling an entire convention center hall with dozens of vendors. Proceeds from vendor table sales and raffle ticket drawings go to support local charities. In its 14 year history, Cards for a Cause has raised over $250,000 for organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and local food banks.
The thriving baseball card scene in Vancouver is a testament to the passion of collectors in the area. With dedicated shops catering to varying interests as well as events that bring the community together, baseball cards remain a vibrant hobby for collectors of all ages in Clark County. Vancouver’s shops work hard to foster connections between collectors while preserving the traditions of this timeless pastime. For anyone with even a passing interest in baseball cards, Vancouver offers a welcoming community and top-notch local resources to feed any card collecting craving.
