Baseball cards have been collected by kids and adults alike for over 100 years, allowing fans to connect with their favorite players even when games weren’t televised. While the hobby took off in the United States in the late 19th century, Canadians also grew to love collecting cards featuring baseball legends. The city of Kelowna, located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia, has long had its share of dedicated baseball card collectors.
Some of the earliest baseball cards collected in Kelowna date back to the 1930s and 1940s. Brands like Play Ball and Goudey Gum Company produced simple cardboard cards inserted in chewing gum packs. Local general stores like Rutland Pharmacy and City Centre Drug Mart stocked these early card packs, fueling the hobby for young collectors in the area. In the pre-war era, cards provided a glimpse into the major leagues for fans who didn’t have the chance to see games broadcast on the radio. Top stars of the day like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio were major draws for collectors in Kelowna.
The 1950s were the golden age of baseball cards in Kelowna, as the hobby truly took off across North America. Iconic card sets from Topps, Bowman, and Fleer flooded the market. Local shops like Capri Variety and Rexall Drugs became hotspots for kids to trade and purchase packs. The completion of cards sets featuring players on the Brooklyn and New York Giants was a popular pastime. Young collectors like 12-year-old Ron Johnson could often be found at his neighborhood drug store, hoping for a trade to finish off his 1954 Topps collection. “Baseball cards were an affordable way for kids in Kelowna to connect with the national pastime,” recalled Johnson.
Through the 1960s, the baseball card craze only intensified. Top local shops for cards included Mac’s Variety, Rexall, and M & M Drugs. Expos were the most coveted finds for Canadian kids, while stars like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Sandy Koufax were universally admired. Summer baseball leagues were also thriving in Kelowna during this time. Local heroes like John Smith and the Lakeview Cardinals gave young fans hometown players to root for. Smith remembers trading “dozens of cards every day with my friends between games.”
The early 1970s saw the rise of flashy, colorful cards produced by Topps, the dominant brand. Kelowna collectors pursued complete Rainbow sets showcasing the multi-colored borders. They also sought after rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Reggie Jackson. The city’s first card shop, Bob’s Baseball Cards, opened its doors in 1972 and was an instant hit. Owner Bob Wilson stocked all the latest releases and organized trade nights. “It was really the community center for collectors in those days,” recalls Wilson.
Through the 1980s, Kelowna saw the card craze reach its commercial peak. Major league players were now making millions and graced flashy cardboard that sold for high prices. Top local shops included Bob’s, The Collector’s Den, and Sports Card Trader. Star cards of Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Nolan Ryan were must-owns. The rise of expensive trading card shows also began, with collectors traveling from across the Okanagan to buy and sell. Kelowna native David Cho held one of the region’s first and largest annual card shows, drawing hundreds each year.
The early 1990s brought about changes to the industry, including the introduction of premium autograph and memorabilia cards. It was also a time when speculation took over and the market collapsed. Many local card shops in Kelowna couldn’t survive and were forced to close. Still, dedicated collectors carried on, focusing more on appreciation of the players and history versus investment potential. Shops like A&C Sports and Great Canadian Cards filled the void left by closures.
Today, the baseball card scene in Kelowna remains vibrant, even in an era of declining physical card sales. Local favorite shops are Great Canadian Cards and The Collector’s Cache, while the annual Okanagan Sports Card and Memorabilia Show brings collectors from across the Pacific Northwest. While the internet has impacted brick-and-mortar sales, it also allows today’s generation of Kelowna collectors to easily trade online. And programs like the annual Baseball Heritage Museum exhibit help to preserve the rich history of the hobby for future fans. Through its ups and downs over eight decades, the passion for baseball cards has stood the test of time in Kelowna.