South Bay Baseball Cards Inc was a hobby shop located in Lomita, California that was a staple of the Southern California sports card scene during the late 1980s through the early 2000s. Owned and operated by Jeff and Karen Shames, South Bay Baseball Cards opened its doors in 1987 and attracted collectors from all over the Greater Los Angeles area with its vast inventory of new and vintage cards, supplies, and friendly customer service. While the shop has since closed, its legacy lives on through the memories of thousands of collectors who frequented the store in its heyday.
Located just off Hawthorne Boulevard in a small strip mall, South Bay Baseball Cards did not have the flashy exterior signage or large square footage of card superstores that later came to dominate the industry. What it lacked in storefront flash, it more than made up for with the warmth and passion of owners Jeff and Karen, who treated every customer like family. Walking through the doors was like entering a baseball card utopia, where you could spend hours browsing dozens of long white boxes filled to the brim with the latest releases, wax packs, and team/player sets from the 1980s and early 90s.
The Shames meticulously organized and maintained their inventory, with sections dedicated to new wax packs and boxes, graded vintage stars, common vintage players, and team/league lots. Everything was alphabetized and in protective plastic sleeves to preserve condition. This allowed customers of all skill levels and budgets to find something of interest, whether it was the latest Griffey Jr. rookie card, a complete 1989 Topps set, or a handful of 1986 Fleer commons to build their PC. It also fostered a sense of discovery among collectors as they pored through the boxes, often finding unexpected gems.
Beyond the extensive inventory, South Bay Baseball Cards became a destination for its robust consignment program and the hobby supplies it stocked. The shop served as a hub where collectors could trade, sell, and appraise their duplicates and collections. Jeff and Karen worked diligently to provide fair payouts to consignors based on the ever-fluctuating card market. They also carried all the toploaders, magnetic holders, binders, and accessories needed to properly store and showcase collections. Whether someone was just getting into the hobby or a long-time accumulater, they could find everything under one roof.
Part of what made South Bay Baseball Cards so special was how it became a gathering place for the local card community. The shop hosted frequent group breaks of hot new products, where attendees could join in the thrill of the chase without having to purchase a full box. For many collectors, some of their fondest memories occurred during these Friday and Saturday evening events, watching chase cards like Jordan and Griffey get pulled. It was also where lifelong friendships were forged over a shared passion for the hobby.
The shop took community involvement very seriously. Jeff and Karen sponsored and coordinated youth and adult baseball, softball, and bowling leagues across the South Bay. They donated cards and memorabilia to local schools and charities for fundraisers. South Bay Baseball Cards also served as the flagship sponsor for the South Bay Sports Card Show, a popular monthly convention that brought in dealers from across Southern California and beyond. Through these efforts, they created goodwill with collectors of all ages.
In the photos below are some scenes from the glory days of South Bay Baseball Cards:
(photo of shop interior with wall of long boxes and cases of supplies)
This interior shot from the early 1990s gives a glimpse of the shop’s organized layout and extensive inventory that was a collector’s dream. Floor-to-ceiling boxes held wax packs, complete sets, and thousands of singles.
(photo of display case)
One of the shop’s glass display cases showcases a diverse offering that was meticulously arranged, from high-end graded vintage to value team sets and misc. lots. Everything was well-protected and easy to browse.
(photo of group break)
A Friday night group break from 1998 sees over 30 eager participants anxiously awaiting to see what hot rookies might be pulled from the cases of SP Authentic and Finest basketball on the tables. These events were highly social.
(photo of youth baseball team)
Proud owners Jeff and Karen proudly sponsor the “South Bay Baseball Cards Phillies” youth baseball team in the early 2000s. Giving back to local sports was a hallmark of their community involvement.
In 2002, Jeff and Karen made the difficult decision to close South Bay Baseball Cards as the rise of large superstores, online competition, and softening card values signaled the end of an era for small hobby shops. Their impact stretched far beyond their footprint in the South Bay. Collectors from all over LA still speak fondly of their patronage in the 1980s and 90s, the joy they took in building relationships, and the sense of family and community the store fostered. Though the physical location is gone, the legacy of South Bay Baseball Cards lives on in the memories and collections of the thousands whose lives it touched.
