Baseball cards have been a popular collectible for over a century, and Virginia Beach is home to a thriving baseball card community. From local shops to large card shows, there is no shortage of opportunities to buy, sell, and trade cards along the coast.

One of the largest and oldest card shops in the area is Ace Card Traders in Virginia Beach. Opened in the 1980s, Ace Card Traders has been a staple in the local card scene for decades. Owner Mark Johnson has seen the hobby rise and fall over the years but says interest is as strong as ever, especially from younger collectors. The shop hosts weekly Friday night trading sessions that draw collectors from all over Hampton Roads. Regulars enjoy searching through boxes of newly arrived cards and trading with their baseball card friends. Ace Card Traders also runs one of the largest and longest-running card shows on the East Coast each spring and fall.

Another popular local shop is All Star Cards and Collectibles in Virginia Beach. While smaller than Ace, All Star Cards sees a steady stream of customers daily. Owner Dan Wilson prides himself on having a wide selection of reasonably priced vintage and modern cards. He also offers supplies for collectors like toploaders, binders, and penny sleeves. All Star Cards hosts a biweekly trading session on Wednesday nights that is popular with families. Dan says the social aspect of the hobby is just as important to many collectors as assembling complete sets.

For the biggest selection and events, many Virginia Beach collectors make the drive down to Showcase Cards in Chesapeake. As one of the largest card shops in the region, Showcase Cards stocks an immense inventory covering all major sports. They also have a large supply of unopened wax boxes and packs for those chasing the latest hits. Showcase Cards hosts a major card show each month that attracts dealers from across the East Coast. The monthly Mega Show sees thousands of collectors peruse tables packed with cards for sale and trade. Showcase Cards is also home to one of the largest PSA and BGS submission centers on the East Coast, making it a one-stop-shop for Virginia collectors.

While brick-and-mortar card shops serve as hubs, collectors in Virginia Beach also connect through social media groups. One of the most active is Virginia Beach Baseball Card Enthusiasts on Facebook. With over 1,000 members, the group serves as a marketplace and helps plan local meets. Admin Matt Johnson says connecting collectors online and in-person helps foster friendships and keeps the hobby thriving in Hampton Roads. Members use the page to buy and sell team sets, share recent pulls, and organize the popular monthly Saturday morning breakfast meets at local diners.

Virginia Beach is also home to many talented sports card artists. One of the most well-known is Mike Sholars, owner and artist at MVP Sports Card Design. Based locally, Mike takes commissions to create one-of-a-kind works of art on cards. He’s produced pieces featuring hometown heroes like Bryce Harper as well as commemorative sets honoring events like the Washington Nationals’ 2019 World Series title. Mike’s hyper-realistic drawings incorporating stats on the front and stories on the back bring new life and appreciation to players and moments. His works have been featured at national conventions and collected by fans worldwide.

While the MLB season remains on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local card shops and collectors have found creative ways to stay connected. Ace Card Traders and All Star Cards have shifted to online sales and curbside pickup to serve customers safely. Showcase Cards and other shops stream weekly “break” videos, randomly opening boxes of new releases for viewers to enjoy from home. Virginia Beach Baseball Card Enthusiasts has organized virtual trading sessions on Facebook Live. The strong sense of community has helped the hobby not just survive but thrive during uncertain times. When baseball does return, local card fans will be more eager than ever to reconnect in-person and celebrate America’s pastime however they can through its enduring collectible cards.