Tri City Sports Baseball Cards: A Collector’s Paradise in Kennewick, Washington
Nestled in the Southridge area of Kennewick, Washington lies a collector’s haven known as Tri City Sports Baseball Cards. Owned and operated by Greg Stevens, the shop has been a staple in the Tri-Cities sports card scene since 1998, providing enthusiasts of all ages a place to peruse classics, chase modern parallels, and partake in the community of the hobby.
Stevens’ passion for the cardboard began in the late 1970s and early 80s. “I started collecting when I was a kid. The Junk Wax Era really hooked me in,” he said, referring to the boom in production spurred by Fleer, Donruss, and Topps in the latter half of the 1980s. He amassed a sizable collection over the years but after graduating high school, drifted away from the hobby to focus on his education and career.
It wasn’t until 1996 that Stevens rediscovered his first love, thanks to the rising popularity of vintage and rookie cards on the secondary market. Eager to reengage, he began searching for a local shop to satisfy his collecting jones – but found the Tri-Cities retail scene lacking. “I realized there really wasn’t an established sports card store in the area. The cards you’d find were mostly in drug stores and supermarkets back then,” Stevens recalled.
Two years later, with kids of his own and a budding entrepreneurial spirit, Stevens decided to fill the void himself. He opened the doors of Tri City Sports Baseball Cards in June of 1998, dedicated to being the premier destination for collectors near and far. Business soon boomed as Stevens offered an experience more in line with the hobby shop atmosphere taking root nationwide.
Today, over twenty years since first flipping the “Open” sign, Tri City Sports Baseball Cards spans 3,500 square feet of retail bliss. Floor-to-ceiling rows showcase the extensive inventory across multiple sports but, of course, baseball reigns supreme. Vintage relics from the 1950s share real estate with the latest prizm parallels and chromos from 2020 Topps Update. Whether valued at $5 or $5,000, each piece is displayed with care.
According to Stevens, his secret has been catering to customers of varying vintages and interests. “We try to have something for everyone – value packs, high-end, group breaks, you name it. It’s about community more than just cards,” he said. On any given day, lifelong collectors can be found chatting up younger newcomers exploring the cardboard kingdom.
Behind the counters and Cases, a small but mighty staff keeps Tri City Sports Baseball Cards humming. Among them, Brian Langdale serves as a veritable walking encyclopedia of the industry. “Brian’s been with me since day one and knows more about cards than anybody. He’s great to have around for whatever question pops up,” says Stevens. Other associates rotate through but share the common trait of exuding enthusiasm for the cardboard craft.
Tri City Sports Baseball Cards has also evolved to match an era of enhanced technology and card-grading services. In addition to old-fashioned rummaging, browsing their extensive collection is now possible online. A dedicated website features thousands of individual cards digital posted along with constantly updated Facebook and Instagram feeds. Group breaks of new sealed product are live-streamed for fans clubbed together across state lines. Consignment services and on-site grading further exemplify Stevens’ total package approach.
Of course, no collection is complete without the occasional addition of fresh cardboard crack. Thus, a wall chock full of unopened cases keeps the latest and greatest stocked. Curated assortments pull from Topps Flagship, Bowman Chrome, Panini Prizm, and all the premium independents in between. Anything emerging from the print house finds its way to Tri City Sports Baseball Cards with haste.
Greg Stevens and his merry band of baseball card aficionados have fostered a one-of-a-kind destination at Tri City Sports Baseball Cards. For two decades, their passion has brought collectors together and kept imaginations running wild. With no signs of slowing, the hobby haven tucked away in Kennewick’s Southridge will remain a cherished mainstay for many player, product, and popularity cycles to come. Step inside and become immersed in the welcoming world of cards they’ve lovingly crafted.
