For many decades now, baseball cards have been a cherished collector’s item for sports fans across the world. From the late 19th century up until the modern day, baseball cards have proliferated and evolved right alongside America’s pastime. Today, the hobby of collecting baseball cards remains vibrant, with shops staying in business catering to diehard collectors looking to build or maintain prestigious collections. One such shop is Got Baseball Cards, located right in Loganville, Georgia.
Loganville is a small city nestled in the metro Atlanta area, situated about 30 miles northeast of downtown. With a population of just under 10,000, Loganville maintains a tight-knit community feel while still being conveniently located near the abundant opportunities of one of the largest cities in the Southeast. It’s the kind of place where multi-generational families have lived for decades and local small businesses are treasured institutions. Got Baseball Cards fits firmly into that latter category, having called Loganville home for over 25 years now.
Owner Mike Larson first opened the store in 1995, fulfilling a lifelong dream of sharing his passion for baseball cards with others. From the very beginning, Mike aimed to cultivate not just a store but a gathering place for all those interested in the hobby. “I wanted a space where people could come browse collections, trade and sell with each other, and really learn about the rich history captured in baseball cards,” Mike recalls. Over the subsequent decades, Got Baseball Cards has attained just that – a reputation as the premiere sports card destination in not only Loganville, but the entire region.
Stepping inside Got Baseball Cards today, it’s evident how Mike has nurtured a warm, welcoming community atmosphere. Nearly every square inch of the store is devoted to product – from new sealed boxes and packs to beautifully organized personal collections available for viewing. Regulars can often be found perusing the stock, interacting with Mike and each other. After-school is a particularly busy time on weekdays as local youth swarm the store to trade, show off their new cards purchased with lawn-mowing money, and get advice from Mike.
It’s also clear upon visiting that Mike strives to cater to collectors of all ages and interests. In addition to current licensed MLB products, you’ll find vintage cardboard representing every era dating back to the original T206 set. Mike takes pride in housing one of the most extensive back-catalog stocks in the region. Whether you’re seeking rare early 20th century tobacco inserts or the latest 2021 Topps series, Got Baseball Cards undoubtedly has you covered.
This wide array of inventory is supplemented by Mike’s personal expertise, gained through dedicated study since his own childhood collecting days in the 1960s. “My goal is to help people find the pieces that excite them, fill holes in collections, or better understand the rich history of the game,” Mike elaborates. He’s happy to pull cards from storage for comparisons, provide facts on obscure players, or look up recently sold comps to aid in buying and selling decisions. It’s common to see Mike deep in discussion with familiar browsers, exchanging baseball and cardboard stories for hours if time allows.
Beyond the welcoming retail environment and encyclopedic product selection, Got Baseball Cards has also earned a stellar reputation through its facilitation of the trading card show circuit. For over 15 years, Mike has hosted prominent monthly trade nights at the store on Saturdays, drawing crowds upwards of 200 collectors. Tables are set up throughout the spacious storefront, allowing attendees to spread out dozens of boxes to rummage through. The energy and deals made at these shows rival events held in much larger metro areas across the country. Mike’s dedication to growing and supporting the hobby community through events like these epitomizes what keeps Got Baseball Cards as Loganville’s premiere card shop after 25+ years.
Looking ahead, Mike has no plans to slow down. At 63 years old, his passion for the hobby burns just as strongly now as it did decades ago. Got Baseball Cards will continue preserving baseball’s history online card by card, while also cultivating new generations of collectors. As Mike finishes, “I have no intentions of retiring. As long as people are still loving this hobby, I’ll be here doing everything I can to spread that passion further. This store and community we’ve built over 25 years means everything to me.” For area collectors young and old, that’s incredibly welcome news. Loganville’s beloved card shop appears poised to entertain and amaze patrons for many years to come.
