Sunday, April 18, 2021, Orland Park Civic Center, Orland Park, IL

Man, it was strange waking up early Sunday morning for the Orland show. The show has been shuttered for more than a year due to COVID. But there I was, the sun barely out, bins of cards being loaded into the car. 

Not much traffic this Sunday morning which was nice. One thing has not changed, road construction on the I294 Tollway. Seems like I drove on the shoulder, a makeshift lane, the whole way down.

I observed that the former Hackney's restaurant in Palos, one of my favorite places, is being reconstructed into a Japanese restaurant -- that made me a little sad. I'm sure the Japanese restaurant will be great but I have been eating at Hackney's my whole life and there are just a couple left when there used to be six or seven of them. I hope the two remaining restaurants stick around!

Anyway, not as many cars as usual in the Civic Center parking lot when I got there around 8 a.m. I was able to nab the coveted green cart so I could bring in my stuff in one trip.

Rich did not recognize me in my mask. I was happy to learn that I had my usual spot. I observed the dealer tables were wayyyy spread out. Set up was easy. Customers were let in at 9 a.m. and they seemed to run into the room. My sales were slow early on. A few $2 and $4 sales. I had cancelled my Pop-up Shop to set up in Orland and began to wonder if I made a mistake.

After an hour of tumbleweeds in front of my tables, things started to happen around 10 a.m. I had brought out all of my binders and was able to put most of them out. I also brought out just one display case and thought it would be cool to fill it with 1933 Goudey commons. Eddie bought all the Goudeys. Show went from bad to good in a matter of minutes.

I was then mobbed for the next couple of hours. I had brought enough cards to replace the Goudeys. I placed 1934-36 Diamond Stars, 1939 Play Ball, 1948 Leaf and 1948 Bowman baseball in the case. Terry bought them all! I have never sold an entire case of cards before let alone two! My, oh my!

Then there is this superstar buyer who started coming to my Pop-up Shop. His girlfriend called last week to see if I was having another Pop-up Shop. I told her I would be in Orland. Well, Superstar came out and spent all day at my tables. Needless to say, my baseball binders from 1957 through 1962 are about empty. My, oh my!

Then I had all sorts of guys buy cards, like Will, Scott, Milan and many others. I have a lot of reloading to do. What a day!!! My best ever in Orland!!

I have been setting up in Orland for more than 20 years and find it amazing that I could have such a tremendous day. The card biz is having its biggest boom I have ever seen. I have never sold so many cards! 

I need to add more shows to ride out this wave. I am thinking of setting up at the Wilmot Flea Market next Sunday. 

Back to Orland. I bought a large number of cards as well including a 1950 Bowman Pee Wee Reese, a bunch of Aarons from the 1960s, several Nellie Fox cards, and some 1971-72 basketball.

I capped a great day by having lunch with my pals Will, Joe and Charlie. See photo below. I didn't even mind the crappy drive home on the crappy 294.

Next up is my Salvation Army show on May 1st. Get ready for this one! I've added another room, the Game Room, located at the end of the hallway. There will be 24 tables in the game room bringing a total of 100 tables of cards in the whole building. I'll be set up in the Game Room along with 15 new dealers. Make sure to check it out!

A huge thank you to everyone who bought cards from me in Orland. It was so great to see everybody. I am looking forward to the next Orland show on May 23rd!

Saturday, April 3, 2021, Salvation Army, Oak Creek, WI

This was a tough one for me. Work has been crazy busy and I had to work late Friday before the show when I usually drive up and set up the room. Mark and his great volunteers set up the room for me and they did a tremendous job. I showed up very early on Saturday and only had to rearrange a few tables. I was able to get the nameplates out right as the first early-bird dealers arrived.

I think I got there at 6:30 a.m. Dealers, don't get used to it, I don't plan on getting there that early in May. Official set up time is 8 a.m. for dealers and I would appreciate it if everyone arrived closer to 8 a.m.

Speaking of arrivals, man, quite a few dealers arrived late, some well past 9 a.m. At first I thought I had five or six no shows but thankfully most everybody arrived. Derrick's cat had kittens the night before and he emailed me early in the morning to let me know. I think that was an excused absence. Bill Brown texted early and said the guy he thought was going to take his tables did not show up. Dealers, you do not need to find a replacement for your tables if you can't make it. Just let me know and I can pluck someone from the waiting list, which is what I prefer.

So many people called, texted, emailed before the show asking for tables. Sorry! Once again, I could not respond to everybody. Also, again, there was nothing I could do. I was mobbed at the show by people wanting tables. I am feeling a lot of pressure from all these folks that want dealer tables. My waiting list is up to 57 people!! Mark and I talked after the show and we decided to open up a fourth room for the May show. Only issue is that we do not have additional tables for that room so dealers are going to have to bring in their own tables. I am going to start contacting folks on the waiting list. I hope to get 12 to 15 new dealers into the game room next month. I did not realize how large that room is. That May show is going to be quite a spectacle with probably more than 100 tables. Anyone at the June 2015 show when I only had 12 dealer tables? Man, things have changed... for the better!

A ton of people called, texted and emailed about Pokemon cards. What's the deal? I cannot believe how popular those things are. I observed more Pokemon cards on dealer tables than ever before. One Facebook message questioned me about calling it a Sports Card Show, he thought it was a Pokemon show.

I also observed that more dealers are selling wax than ever before. I did buy one box of 2021 Topps Heritage baseball with the 1972 design. I love the Heritage. I pulled a Gleyber Torres red ink autograph variation!

As far as my tables go, I brought out one display case for my graded cards and all of my baseball binders. Unfortunately, we were short a table and I did not have enough space to put out all the binders. I think I'll bring a card table next month to make sure I have enough space. Next month I plan on bringing out all of my football, basketball and hockey binders. I may do a display case of Exhibits.

So I started setting up my tables around 8 a.m. and already had customers there which made set up difficult. Customers! I would appreciate it if you arrived at the show at 9 a.m. to give us time to set up our tables. It is really difficult to set up with customers already at the table digging through cards.

One of the things I don't like when I bring out the binders is that they get moved around. I like to keep them in order by year but they were a mess as soon as I put them out at this show. I kept thinking I would have some down time and could rearrange the binders but I was busy the whole show and never got to them. By the end of the show, I think all of the binders were in three or four stacks.

Early on I tried to sneak away here in there to see if all the dealers had arrived. I observed that we had a late-arriving crowd this month. Usually the place is mobbed by 9 a.m. but on this day, the mobs didn't show up until 10 a.m. I was a little worried at the beginning but it ended up being pretty crowded for most of the day. We had to ask some guys to leave who were lingering around well past closing time of 3 p.m.

Mark told me that he walked around the parking lot and saw license plates from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan. I think it is pretty cool folks are coming in from all over. In the past, I've had calls from guys coming in from Pennsylvania and Colorado, just for the show! At this show in particular, I recognized a lot of folks from the Orland Park, Illinois show. One customer, who is an Illinois State Trooper, told me he made up from the Orland Park area in about an hour and fifteen minutes! 

                                                              Monthly Rant
I don't mind other show promoters leaving a stack of flyers at my show but I have to admit that I don't like when they walk around my show and harass customers and dealers about their show. I've never done that. If I set up at another show, I'll place some of my flyers out on my tables but I won't walk around and harass people. Also, I am kind of bothered because I spend a lot of time and money to get this crowd into my show. At the very least these other promoters could ask my permission and take some of my flyers and leave them at their show. Am I wrong? It just leaves as bad taste in my mouth.

Another problem, especially at this past show, is the mass amount of sellers who don't have tables but walk around selling cards. It is okay to offer cards to the dealers but stopping folks while they are at dealer tables and offering to sell them cards is a no, no. One dealer reported that a guy actually placed his cards on the dealer's table and started selling them to customers! The dealers pay for the right to sell at the show and use those tables. It is bad form to come into the show and essentially take money out of the dealer's hands. I might have to start policing this and kick some people out of the show. Dealers! You have every right to tell these people to get out of the building! If you want to sell at the show, get on my waiting list for dealer tables!

Thankfully, I had no reports of thefts which had been an issue the past several months. I even put a note on all the dealer tables to urge them to be on the look out for thieves. One dealer told me that at the February show he was set up when a father-and-son theft outfit approached his table and the sketchy son distracted him while the father took some cards and took off. The dealer told me his own son saw what happened and ran after the thief and got the cards back. Man, alive! Everyone please continue to be vigilant and keep an eye out for thieves. I really want to prosecute these folks and give them some jail time and a criminal record.

Then I have this annoying guy who is militant anti-mask. I also get some anti-mask postings on my Facebook page. WTF? What is the big deal? I don't like wearing a mask either but the Salvation Army requires that everyone wear a mask or there is no show. I would much rather wear a mask then not have the show. 

So this one numbnut approaches my table with no mask and declares masks are not required because the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the governor's mask mandate. I attempted to explain to him that the Salvation Army has a mask mandate for their building and they have every right to do so. We argued for a while. He thinks those that attend the show may file a lawsuit against the Salvation Army for making people wear a mask when there is not statewide law requiring masks.

I tried to explain to him that I am a lawyer and know from Law School 101 that a private business has a Constitutional right to require all who enter to wear a mask, wear clothes, not use foul language and so on and so forth. I further explained that under the law, you cannot sue the Salvation Army for their mask mandate. Your legal remedy is to stay home and not attend the show. No one is forcing you to attend the show. I wish this guy would stay home and not attend the show! End of Rant!

Numbnuts aside, it was another great show. I, once again, had record-breaking sales. I sold almost all of the graded cards in my display case and a TON of cards out of the binders. My helpers for this show were Jason and Rachel who were great! Thanks guys! Their help allowed me to be away from my table for a few hours and manage the show.

I was toying with the idea of not setting up because I was tired, I knew I had to be away from my tables, and there were not enough tables for me to get two. There are a lot of dealers complaining about this or that but you know, I am the lone dealer that really suffers at this show, you guys need to can it! I take the tables furthest away from the front door. If there are not enough tables to go around, I take away my own tables. When, I do have tables, I make sure I have the smallest ones. A ton of guys were asking for 8-foot tables before the show. There are only a handful of them and I allow Mark and his crew to place them wherever, except for my spot. I don't think it is fair for me to knowingly give one dealer an 8-foot and another a 6-foot. I think the fairest way is the luck of the draw. Plus, I really don't have the time or energy to rework the tables to give certain guys 8-footers. So, please, do me a favor, and don't ask for 8-footers! Oops, sorry, I snuck in another rant.

Non-rant: I have to thank Doreen again for getting me a Sloppy Joe sandwich. I would not have been able to eat if she didn't get that sandwich for me. I don't know if I would have made it very long without food! Thanks Doreen!

On the buying front, I purchased a ton of stuff. Normally, I have a pile of cash on me but some guys have been regularly stopping in my office to sell me cards and my pockets were bare Saturday. I thought about bringing my check book but for some reason that I don't remember, I left it at home.

Anyway, guys were offering me cards early on. I made three substantial purchases and asked the guys to wait until I made some money before I paid them. I also turned some stuff down because I did not have any funds. Luckily, sales were fast and furious after, say, 10 a.m. and I was able to pay everybody and take a substantial sum home as well. It was awesome!

Unfortunately, my binders are now bare. The one binder I reloaded for the show, my 1969 binder, I forgot at home! So I guess I have one binder filled with cards. I have plenty of cards to use to refill the binders but I just don't have the time to focus on it. I have been slowly reloading my 1974 Topps football binder and should have that one ready to go for the May 1st show. Some of the football binders and hockey binders are well stocked. Once again, I just cannot keep up with the demand.

All in all, a pretty great day. I had a lot of fun. It was nice to see some more folks attending the show who I have not seen in a while like Mark S., who, like many others, now feels more comfortable attending the show after getting vaccinated. It was great to see Larry Larsen who will be setting up at my expanded May show. Larry, who for years has been one of my top dealers, has not been able to set up for more than a year due to health issues. I am thankful he is on the mend!

So the May show should have 60 dealers and 100 tables -- my largest show to date! In the meantime, I cancelled my April 18th Pop-Up Shop because I got word the Orland show is back and running on that day. I opted to set up at Orland instead of running another Pop-Up shop. The Pop-Up Shop has been great but it is tough to convert my office into a card shop then back into an office every month. I may do it again somewhere down the road. The main benefit for me in doing the Pop-Up Shop is that it is the only way I can present my entire inventory. I am just so limited for space at the card shows and it is really difficult to decide what to bring out for just two tables when I have 20 tables of stuff!

Anyway, I huge thank you to everyone who came out to the show and to all the dealers. I am just one person and I learned early on that I cannot have such a successful large scale show without everyone who participates. You guys are amazing! I love hearing all the comments on this blog. I probably would not write it if everyone wasn't telling me how much they enjoy it. Thanks so much!!!

​See you guys in Orland on April 18th!! 

Photo, above, of Yours Truly before the mad rush hit on Saturday. Photo by Mark Lewis.

Pictured above is one of my favorite dealers Roger and his granddaughter, the best helper at the show! Roger has been with me since I started the show in 2014. He's the best!

Pictured here is some of the wax available for purchase at Roger's table. This is where I bought my box and pulled the Gleyber Torres auto.

Sunday, March 14, 2021, Pop-Up Shop, Palatine, IL

I am falling into a routine with the Pop-Up Shop after having completed four of them. During the week leading up, I normally try to organize my office and put everything out of view and pull out all the tables and display cases. I am up to 19 display cases. I could probably fill up one more.

I have one card table by the entrance that I rotate every month. This month I placed my quarter box on there along with some junk wax boxes and a 1997 Donruss rack pack. I sold the rack pack but did not sell any of the boxes. The quarter box saw a lot of action. I'll probably bring out some dollar boxes next month and some programs.

I had a real busy week of work leading up to the Pop-Up Shop and was only able to clean the place and organize my files. I had big plans for Saturday and was hoping to set up quickly and get back home and finish pricing my 1969 baseball binder. Well, I had a client come in along with some early birds for the Pop-Up Shop and was only able to set up all the binders and put out all the display cases. Which was fine because I really didn't want to leave 19 display cases filled with cards unprotected over night. So I woke crazy early on Sunday and made it to the office by 6 a.m. and spent two hours filling up the display cases.

At 8 a.m. I went out to place some signs in the parking lot and saw my first customer of the day, Scott, who purchased a ton of stuff including my 1954 Topps Ted Williams. Thanks Scott! Craig and Doreen arrived around 8:30 a.m. and purchased a ton of stuff as well. Thank you!

Big Tim arrived shortly after and purchased some nice stuff including my Gordie Howe autograph. Thanks Tim! Bill from Antioch was an early entry as well we did a cash and trade deal for my 1973 Mike Schmidt rookie. Several other regulars arrived and made some purchases, like Angel, who bought some 1960 Topps.

I had several new customers attend and make purchases. One couple drove in from Janesville to work on their sets. J.R. came down from Milwaukee and purchased a bunch of stuff. Thank you everyone! I had two guys named Larry at the show and they both purchased some cards. Thanks guys!

I was really happy to see T.J., who have not seen in a few years. T.J. purchased some cards and I learned he grew up on the South Side of Chicago. I always thought he was from the Northwest Suburbs. It was a weekend of southsiders at the my office. A group came in Saturday, including Will, who purchased a stack of 1970 Topps baseball. Then there was T.J. and Paul at the Pop-Up Shop along with my brother who is the track and cross country coach at Marist High School down south.

I had four new guys attend but oddly, they did not purchase anything, which is a first for the Pop-Up Shop. I don't see how you can walk out without purchasing anything. I've got so much stuff!! A couple of new guys came after I closed up. I let them dig through some cards and they purchased my 1957 Luis Aparicio and my 1952 White Sox program. There were quite a few other new customers that made purchases. Thanks everybody! 

Another new aspect was guys bringing in stuff to sell to me, which I really appreciate. My main man Junior stopped by Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday! Thanks Junior! Paul P. brought me several football sets. Thanks Paul!

I seemed to have the right amount of people at the Pop-Up. It never felt crowded. I think I had many more people at the February Pop-Up. As a result, sales were down but not bad.

Next Pop-Up Shop is slated for April 18. There is a rumor that the Orland show is coming back on that day but I do not have it confirmed. If Orland does resume on April 18, I will not be able to attend because of the Pop-Up Shop and will shoot to set up at the May show... if there is one.

In the meantime, my next card show at the Salvation Army, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI, is scheduled for April 3. I plan on bringing out all of my baseball binders. Dealer tables are sold out! See you April 3rd!

Saturday, March 6, 2021, Salvation Army, Oak Creek, WI

Two days after the show and I am still wiped out. I slept all day Sunday. Man, another great show!! Huge turn out! Wow!

Once again, I could not answer all the phone calls and respond to all the emails and texts. Sorry! I just don't have the time to respond to everybody. It is best to get in touch with me well before the week of the show. 

Dealer tables are sold out indefinitely. My wait list now has 50 people. I wish folks would stop contacting me for tables. I don't know how long the wait will be.

Speaking of dealers and my wait list, a few issues have come up. At least four dealers chose to set up at another show held in Indiana and arranged for others to hold their space. Only one of the four bothered to let me know what he was doing. I do not know if I like this. I don't care if you choose to set up at another show but by arranging for someone else to set up at your tables, you are circumventing my waitlist which now has 50 people! Is it fair to those 50 people that you do not show up and they do not get to set up? I have to mull this over but I am really thinking of installing a rule that if you reserve a table, you have to be there.... or at the very least, let me know! 

I was pleased that all the dealers complied with the Sal's rule to keep the space between dealer tables clear. As I reported last month, I had to ask many dealers to remove card tables from the space between dealer tables. The Sal requires that space to be left clear.

Mark from the Sal installed cones and tape to keep the crowd from walking between dealer tables which really seemed to help. In February, we were unable to control the flow of the crowd and it was a bit chaotic. Seemed to work much better this month.

We also added another row of dealer tables in the gym which seemed to also work out well. I hope to keep that extra row in for now on. I am also happy to report that the concession stand had a much larger food supply this month and did not run out. Superstar Doreen saved me from passing out by grabbing me a Sloppy Joe sandwich. Thank you Doreen! I was also able to circle back late in the show and grab a brat.

I am also happy to report that the food drive was a success and our crowd filled up five barrels with food donations. Thank you everyone!!

Last month, I had thought we were in trouble with the Sal because of the size of the crowd. I misspoke and was informed that all is well. I am so appreciative of the Salvation Army after years of trouble with the Marriot Corp. at our old location. The Salvation Army's assistance is one of the many reasons this show has exploded.

Once again, I drove up on Friday afternoon to set up the show. I had my brother Jon to help this month. It was so nice having him drive and assist me throughout. We worked most of the day at our regular jobs than hit the road around 3 p.m. We made it to the hotel around 4 p.m. A lot of folks in the Milwaukee area have offered me a place to stay instead of the hotel. I appreciate this kindness so much but prefer the hotel because it is like a mini-vacation for me and I don't mind spending the money to have a luxurious room for a night. It is so nice to be five minutes away from the show and roll out of bed and be at the show. Though, I could do without Jon's snoring.

Also, a bunch of folks offered to help set up the show. I might take you up on that offer!!

So we were at the Sal for a few hours Friday night. Mark and several of his young volunteers set up the rooms while I rearranged them to conform with my dealer list and placed name plates on each table and signs on the walls. We had a few problems with the tables. Last month, we had 74 tables. This month there were only 70 tables available. I had sold 74 tables prior to the show. One of the tables broke. Jon and I found three more tables being used in the sanctuary. I hope no one minded that we took them and set them up in the hallway. We had tried to buy tables at Target but they were out and it was too late to hit up another store. 

I ended up with enough tables for all the dealers but me. I placed four smaller tables at the end of the hallway for my use which worked out just fine. It was nerve-wrecking for a while, I did not want to have dealers show up in the morning with no tables!

Seems like a number of dealers have forgotten that we are limiting dealer tables to two per dealer during the pandemic. Dealers keep asking me if they can reserve more tables. Sorry guys, two is the limit.

A few dealers were wondering where I was at 7 a.m. The show officially opens up for set up at 8 a.m. I was just waking up at 7 a.m. Dealers, please arrive at the building at 8 a.m. Customers please arrive at 9 a.m.

As far as the ongoing issue of folks not wearing masks, I only saw two numbskulls with their masks around their necks and not covering their mouth and nose. What is the big deal? Please cover your mouth and nose with your mask.

Another ongoing issue is theft. I had two more reports of thefts at this show. Man, that drives me nuts. I really want to catch the thieves. I ask everyone, dealers and customers, to keep an eye out for thieves. Let's catch these A-Holes! I had a discussion with one of the dealers who had items stolen. He does not want to prosecute them but if they are young, he wants to contact their parents. I, on the other hand, want to prosecute them. There has to be consequences for your actions. I don't believe they will see the error of their ways until they are taken away in handcuffs and brought before a judge. I hate thieves!

Here is my one rant of the day: seems like new shows are popping up everywhere which I think is great and I think there is a need. I am exploring locations for a second show. I have one issue with some of the new promoters -- they seem to expect me to promote their show. First of all, I am just way too busy. Also, I have worked my tail off and spent thousands of dollars to get my show to where it is now. There are no shortcuts. Don't expect me to promote YOUR show, that is YOUR job, not mine. If you want to leave flyers at my show, great, but you should take some of my flyers and place them out at your show -- it is the right thing to do. If you want to talk to all my dealers, great. Just don't expect me to make an effort to promote your show, I have limited time and that time is spent on promoting MY show, not yours. My Facebook page is for MY show, not yours. Create your own Facebook page. I have spent thousands of dollars advertising on Facebook, don't post about your show on my Facebook ad! Some numbnut actually posted about his show on my ad last month! Purchase your own Facebook ad! My website is for my show. Create your own website. My show does not benefit from these new shows. I am not setting up at these new shows. I do not have the time. Create your own thing, stop trying to feed off my hard work. Put in the work yourself! Rant over.

So Jon had an interesting experience at this show. He is a devout Cubs fan and has been buying up Cubs rookie cards as far as I can remember. I am pretty sure he still has hundreds of Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith rookie cards rotting away in his storage unit. I have been trying to steer him away from focusing on Cubs rookies but have not had much success. Anyway, he purchased a dozen or so Nico Hoerner rookies at the show. Ugh! I don't think they will be worth the paper they are printed on in another month. The weird thing about it, is that someone approached him as he was walking around and said to him, "I hear you are looking for Nico Hoerner rookies." How did the guy know? It reminded me of when I was younger and hung out on Maxwell Street in Chicago and there was always a guy straight out of the movies who would hit me up and show me a dozen or so watches on his wrists and gold chains hanging inside his coat. 

Jon ended up buying a slabbed Hoerner from the guy but it just left me wondering. Is there some sort of underground network going around the room, headsets maybe, where guys are undercover and targeting unsuspecting customers once the word is out on their buying habits? Weird!

Weird undercover spies and sketchy show promoters aside, I had an excellent day buying cards. Brett sold me three nice stacks of vintage cards from the 1950s through 1970s. Brent, who I have not seen in years, says he is back in the game and sold me a bunch of football cards from the 1950s and 1960s. Terry sold me a pile of 1953 Topps baseball and some 1971 high numbers. I bought a really nice Chicago Blackhawks postcard set from Lloyd. Thanks guys!!

On the selling front, it is hard to give a report from this show since I can't really be at my tables. Jon and young Jason manned the tables for me and did an excellent job. I am not sure if sales were down from last month or I just spent more money on cards this month. I brought out my football star cards for my display cases. Next month I am bringing out baseball binders. Sales were still pretty good but not quite like the February show. Most dealers reported good sales. One buyer claimed he spent $65K in the room, can anyone confirm?

The day moved quickly and seemed to go much smoother than last month. Before I knew it, the show was over. At about 3:30 p.m. when I was almost done packing up, a guy walked in wondering where everyone was. The show ends at 3 p.m. He thought it ended at 5 p.m.

I know I complain but I really love the show. To me, it is like having my childhood birthday party every month as a fat 54 year-old man. It is just great. I really did not want it to end. However, as we all know, all good things must come to an end. Jon and I were on the road home around 4 p.m.

Coming up next is my Pop-Up Shop at my office on Sunday, March 14, at 201 E. Dundee Road, Suite 2, Palatine, IL. I have priced a bunch of new items for my 17 display cases. I also loaded up 1970-71 Topps hockey. I am working on 1969 baseball and hope to have the binder ready to go by Sunday. Is there anything else I should bring out? Let me know!

A big thank you to all the dealers at the show Saturday. All the tables were filled. I did not have one no-show which is rare! Another big thank you to all the customers. I was awestruck with the massive crowd by 9:30 a.m. Next show at the Salvation Army, 8853 S. Howell, Oak Creek, WI, is on Saturday, April 3. Dealer tables are sold out!!! 

Sunday, February 21, 2021, Pop-Up Shop, Palatine, IL

Another successful Pop-Up Shop is in the books. Like my card show in Milwaukee, a lot of planning and set-up time goes into the Pop-Up Shop. Prior to, I priced hundreds of cards for my display cases and loaded up my 1973 Topps Football and my 1968 Topps baseball binders.

If you have been to the Pop-Up Shop, the back room, where I keep all of the binders, is usually where I appear via Zoom in court most every day. I sat in that room Wednesday morning, prior to the Pop-Up Shop, and appeared via Zoom on a court case at the Skokie, Illinois, courthouse. I had hoped to start converting the room into binder mania after court but my case was complex and required another day, so the judge set it for Friday. As a result, I could not get a head start on binder mania.

All I could really do to prep during the week was clean and vacuum. Saturday became set up day. I also had two appointments to purchase some cards on Saturday. I ended up buying a few thousand cards, mostly commons, but good stuff from 1952 through 1976. I really appreciate when folks come to my office to sell me cards. 

Set up for the Pop-Up Shop began around 2 or 3 p.m. It took about five hours. 

Man, this thing is awesome! I was up early Sunday in anticipation of the day's event. I made it to my office around 7:30 a.m. I worked on making a sign for the parking lot. My office can be difficult to find because the building is set off from the road and my space in the building is in the back, along Dundee Road.

Scott was the first to arrive around 8:15 a.m. Scott is working on vintage baseball and football sets. As usual, he found quite a few cards at the Pop-Up Shop. Happy Birthday Scott and thank you for your purchases! Next in was Craig and Noreen who are working on vintage sets from all four major sports. They found a huge pile of cards at the Pop-Up Shop. Thank you!

Scott, Craig and Noreen all live in Illinois and regularly come up to Wisconsin for my card show in Oak Creek. I am so appreciative of the support. Of course, they also follow the blog. Thanks guys!

Next in was Don, who telephoned the night before to ask if he could arrive early. I do not mind early arrivals but I was glad he called because I might not have gotten there myself until 8:30 a.m. Big Tim was another early arrival. Tim purchased a large pile of cards. Thanks Tim!

Once the clock stuck 9 a.m., the place filled up. There was Bill, who has attended all three Pop-Up Shops. Bill found a pile of cards, including some non-sports. It was nice to see long-time customer Andy, who I have not seen in a while. Andy says he has been busy with his grandkids. Years ago I sold him a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig which he still has. Andy bought a ton of stuff including my 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson and 1933 Goudey Tris Speaker.

Mike was another early arrival. I met Mike last month at the Pop-Up Shop and was glad to see him again. This time around he brought a buddy. Mike purchased a TON of stuff from piles of 1959 and 1962 Topps baseball commons to all sorts of stars, including some graded Pre-War. Thanks Mike!

I think I had just the right amount of folks at the Pop-Up Shop. I am afraid to purchase any advertising because I don't want too many people. I appreciate everyone who came, like Phil, who was at the first one and this one. Phil purchased a 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle and a 1965 Topps Embossed Mickey Mantle. Thanks Phil!

Milan, who I know from the Orland show, had emailed me earlier in the week. His buddy told  him about the Pop-Up Shop. Milan's buddy has been to all three. On this day he purchased a bunch of Willie Mays cards. Milan found a bunch of stuff for his vintage sets. Thanks guys!

George and Christy made the drive from Wisconsin and purchased some 1962 Topps. Thank you! Also coming down from Wisconsin was J.R. who purchased a pile of stuff. Thanks J.R.! A bunch of other regulars purchased cards for their sets. Some new customers found some vintage cards for their sets. Paul F. made his first appearance at the Pop-Up Shop and brought me some much-needed brand new Top Loaders. Thanks Paul!

Angel has now become a regular customer of the Pop-Up Shop. This month he purchased a large pile of 1960 Topps baseball. Thanks Angel! Mark appeared at the Pop-Up Shop for the first time. He purchased a nice pile of cards and entertained my brother John and I with some childhood collecting stories. The one I enjoyed the most was about the summer of 1969 when Cubs mania had swept over the Chicago area. Mark and his friends were big card collectors and purchased as many packs as they could. He said whenever they received a Cubs card they were overjoyed.

However, one Cub proved difficult to pull that summer -- Ernie Banks. He was a low number card that year, so you could only get him in the spring when the first series hit the stores. Mark said he did not know then that the cards were issued in different series and kept buying cards all summer in an attempt to snag a Banks.

Only one of his friends was able to pull a Banks card. As a result, that friend took on legendary status that summer. All of their other friends wanted to see the Banks card often because no one else could get one. So the owner of the Banks card carried the card in his front pocket all summer long to show it off. Needless to say, the card suffered greatly from being crammed into a kid's front pocket all summer.

A few years later, Mark continued to collect cards while his friends moved on to other things. So Mark approached his buddy and asked if he still had the Banks. He did. The buddy offered to trade it to Mark for a Mike Schmidt. The trade was made and Mark became the owner of the legendary 1969 Ernie Banks card.

Eventually, Mark was able to get a 1969 Banks in better condition and sold it to another buddy from the summer of '69. As time went on, the beat-up and worn out Banks was owned by the whole group from 1969. Years later, one of the owner's of the card brought it to Ernie Banks at an event to have him sign it. Well, Ernie looked at the tattered and worn card and asked if he should really sign such a card. The owner told him how important it was that he sign that very card. Ernie signed the card.

Well into adulthood, the owner of the card gave it to Mark, who was the last of the group to collect cards and told him he should be the keeper of the card. Today, Mark has the tattered and worn and signed Ernie Banks card. Not much value to that card in today's market with the condition issues. However, the value of the great childhood memories amongst this aging group of guys is priceless.

Thanks for the stories Mark! All in all just a tremendous day. My only complaint is that I only purchased one card, a PSA vintage hockey card. I would really like more folks to bring cards in to sell to me! I am always buying vintage cards!!

Next up is my show at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI, on March 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. As usual, dealer tables are sold out. I am expecting another large crowd. Concession stand should be open again. Get to the concession stand early because they sold out of food last month.

The Salvation Army is holding a food drive during the show and are asking for donations of non-perishable items. They will also have some kettles out for donations. Please donate to the Salvation Army as they are our partner in the card show and do many wonderful things for the community.

Next Pop-Up Shop is Sunday March 14, 2021, at the Law Office of Anthony B. Gordon, 201 E. Dundee Road, Suite 2, Palatine, IL. A big thank  you to everyone who came out to the last Pop-Up Shop. Hope to see you again soon!


​ 

Saturday, February 6, 2021, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI

Too bad nobody attended the show.......

I did not think the below-zero wind chill would stop anybody from attending the show and I was right. Easily the largest turn out to date. It is unbelievable that more folks are attending the show during the pandemic than pre-pandemic! Where did all these people come from? You know, I have been running this show since 2014, where have you all been?

I think I might need a bigger venue... the only problem with a bigger venue is increased costs. I am not sure the dealers would be willing to pay more in table fee. Also, I am probably going to have to start charging admission -- not to line my own pockets but to donate fully to the Salvation Army. The powers-that-be don't seem to like the huge crowd. Especially the knuckleheads who can't seem to cover their nose with their mask. I figure I could soften the blow if I charge admission and donate it ALL to the Salvation Army. You guys wouldn't mind paying a buck to get into the show, right? Especially if the entire admission fee collected goes straight to the charitable Salvation Army.

This thing has become a BEAST! I really never anticipated that it would grow into such a monster! When I started at the Clarion Hotel, I had hoped one day it could fill the ballroom at the hotel. Their loss! They should have never kicked me out. I can fill the ballroom and then some now!!!

I also never anticipated I would have to work so hard to pull this thing off. As I sit here and type up this blog, I'm getting one email after another requesting tables. I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE TABLES!! STOP ASKING FOR TABLES!!

The Sal offered a fourth room but there are some drawbacks. My costs would double plus they literally do not have any more tables. Dealers would have to bring in their own tables. I don't see how I could work it that way without knowing the size of the tables and having the room laid out prior to the show. Also, what do I charge a dealer who just brings in a small card table? I am just going to pass on this option and look for a large venue to hold a second show. I want to keep this one at the Sal and quite possibly run a second larger show, maybe quarterly. I need a big-ass venue which will probably bring a big-ass cost. Would dealers be willing to pay $50 per table for a larger show? Right now my $25 table fee is quite a bargain. I've seen the money that is changing hands. Wow!

The folks at the Sal have seen the money as well. Being a charitable organization that needs funding for great programs that help out the less fortunate, something is probably going to happen. They will probably raise up the room fee shortly. I'm getting those vibes. It is a shame that I just can't seem to run a show without interference from the venue. I need my own convention center!! I'll keep you posted but I think that admission fee is happening sooner rather than later. Remember that dollar admission fee will go straight to the Salvation Army and will help someone get a hot meal or a warm coat.

So, while the view from the outside looks like a huge success, the view from the inside shows one headache after another. I drove up to the Sal on Friday afternoon. I took a room at the Marriott up the street and took a nap. I had a long day of work. 

I awoke around 6 p.m. and went to the Target across from the Sal to purchase a table to donate to the Sal. I arrived near the end of the Sal's adult volleyball league. A nice crowd was playing volleyball in the gym. It looked like fun. I sat around for a while. When the last game ended, several of the players helped set up the show -- which was awesome. Setting up 73 tables by myself is too physically demanding for these old bones.

I lost some space in the gym this month because the Sal reopened their concession stand which is not a bad thing. I figured some dealers would be pissed that I had to move them back into the meeting room. For once, nobody in the meeting room or the hallway complained about their location. Thank you!

Now the guys in the gym are another story. One dealer texted me at 3 a.m. Saturday morning asking for a certain location in the gym. Come on now! Don't text me at 3 a.m. before the show! I was ready to kick that dealer out!!

Attention Dealers!! Stop asking me for a certain location!! I can't do it. I have a huge waiting list of potential dealers willing to take any space in the building. I am going to have to start getting rid of some guys. I really am tired of this!! It takes a herculean effort to put this thing on. I need dealers that are low maintenance. I can't hold your hand. Don't text me at 3 a.m. the night before the show! Stop obsessing about it. Get some sleep! Your location in the building means nothing! I prove this at every show by taking the tables furthest from the front door and closest to the exit. I had a monster show! My best ever at the Sal!! Stop whining that you don't like your location or you don't have enough space!! Seize the moment! If you can't make money at this show, no matter where you are located, then selling cards is not for you. They are hiring cashiers across the street at Target! Go there and leave me alone!!

I was talking with superstar Jason Galleske prior to the show. Jason was telling me how he loves this blog (thanks Jason!). His main comment: "You don't hold back!" No, I don't. This blog has always been a tool where I could vent. I am under more pressure putting on this show than ever before, I am getting it from the venue, 43 dealers, another 35 in waiting, and thousands of customers. I really need dealers to just come in, set up, sell some cards, then head home and not be a problem.

I really regret any time I bitched at a show promoter about anything. It is a tough job running a show, especially when you don't have ANY help. It is just me.

I spent three hours Friday night setting up the show. I got back to my hotel room around 10 p.m. I ate some McDonald's, watched some TV, then passed out. The best part of getting a hotel room near the show is that I get an extra hour of sleep! I can't tell you how I treasure that extra time.

So there were problems right away when I got to the Sal around 8 a.m. A bunch of dealers filled the "social distancing space" between dealer tables with their own card tables. I don't know how many times I have had to ask, it gets tiring. But I had to go around and ask everybody to move their tables from the social distancing area. These card tables are not allowed by the Salvation Army. When you guys place those card tables there, I get in trouble. We're on thin ice. The Salvation Army can cancel the show at any time. Do you want to be the reason the show is cancelled? 

My guy at the Sal pointed out another problem with the social distancing area. Card tables aside, no one was social distancing. That space between the dealer tables had runway traffic. The Salvation Army wants one-way traffic throughout the whole building, not scattered runway traffic everywhere. Well, our huge crowd had spilled everywhere. I am thinking the only solution is to place some duct tape in the social distancing area to block folks from filling the social distancing area. 

One more problem to point out... the huge crowds have brought out the thieves. Cards were stolen from tables both at the January and February shows. I HATE thieves. We all need to work together to stem the thefts. Dealers need to be vigilant. Keep an eye on your stuff during the WHOLE show. Don't let your guard down! Lock up cards in display cases. 

I recommend that dealers bring in their own mobile security cameras. Also, if you catch someone stealing, don't pummel them! I know that is your natural reaction, but as  your attorney I regret to inform you that you have no legal right to pummel a thief.. unless you are threatened with physical harm. 

Let's start catching and prosecuting these thieves. Believe me, when these idiots are taken out in handcuffs and hauled into jail with blood thirsty gangbangers, they will be crying for their mommies and regret snatching that Luka Doncic rookie. 

If you catch someone in the act, hold them there, call 911 and text me at 773-616-3705. I'll make sure the thieves are prosecuted and get jail time. There is no place at the show for thieves!!

While there are many problems at a show this large, there were also many, many bright spots including mass sales at my tables. I generally do my best to maintain a cheery demeanor and I was generally in a good mood Saturday. There is nothing like customers flush with Benjamins and spending those things at your tables. Man, that was fun.

So I was extremely busy all morning and raked in the dough. Then my relief came in the form of Jason and Andy, who for a small fee watched my tables from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. so I could manage the show. The Benjamins kept flowing to Jason and Andy. Thanks guys!!

I did not take any tables in January, partly because it is just too hard to manage both dealer tables and the show. I also have this huge waiting list of dealers hanging over my head and I wanted to give someone else an opportunity to set up. But with that large crowd in January, there was no way I was skipping out at the February show. I had just six display cases of stuff and sales were awesome! I think I am going to do six display cases again in March but instead of baseball, I'll fill them with football cards. I've got Jason lined up to help but I don't think I'll have Andy. I'm working on my brother Jon and my kids to help out. I need at least two people.

At the end of the day, I was pretty happy, though I could tell that the folks from the Sal were not happy. I have a lot of issues to deal with before the March show but man, this thing is really amazing. Most dealers were raking it in. Dealer Gary George commented, "I'm making more money than I did at any of the Nationals!" It has become a frenzy. It reminds me of the way shows were when I first starting going in the late 1970s. Those shows were frenzied. You couldn't even get to most dealer tables. As a customer, I rushed to purchase as much as I could until they kicked me out. Seems like that was the attitude of most of the customers on Saturday.

The best part of being a dealer is that you don't have to leave your table to purchase cards. I had four guys bring me boxes and boxes of cards. I made a huge haul! I still haven't even looked at everything I purchased. Thanks guys. It is so fun to buy cards!! I also met a guy who inherited a huge collection. I am hopeful that I am able to work out a deal to buy that collection. There is some really good stuff there!!

Let's keep the ball rolling! I need the dealers to be an asset and not a liability. I can't place you where you want to be!! I can't turn up the heat in the gym if you are the only one that is cold. Be an asset, not a liability. This show only thrives if we are all assets and nobody is a liability! 

I do not know what is in store for the March 6th show but if my sales repeat like February, man, I will be happy!!

Thank you everyone! It is you that has made this thing a booming success. I appreciate you... just don't text me at 3 a.m.

Reminder, I am converting my law office into a vintage card pop-up shop on Sunday, February 21, 2021, from 9 a.m. top 2 p.m. at 201 E. Dundee Road, Suite 2, Palatine, IL. The pop-up shop gives me an opportunity to put out most of my inventory. We're talking 15 display cases of vintage cards and hundreds of binders, all sports, from 1949 to 1981. Hope you can check it out!

Below is a photo of the back hallway at Saturday's show. All three rooms were crowded all day long! What a show!!

Wow, just wow! The Pop-up Shop has become my most successful sports card venture to date -- and that's saying something since I began selling cards in the late 1970's. I never imagined the Pop-up Shop would do so well. I was just looking to fill the void from the cancelled Schaumburg and Orland Park shows. Now I am just going to ride this wave and keep it going indefinitely.

I appreciate everybody who came out and bought cards. I sold a TON of stuff. I don't even remember what I sold. It was a frenzy. Big Tim was the first one to arrive. Tim bought a pile of stuff, and for the life of me, I can't remember what cards he purchased but thank you! Next was Scott, who needed a wheel barrel to cart out all the stuff he purchased. Thanks Scott!

Then there is the Mantle guy I know from Orland. If he reads the blog, please tell me your name next time. You have probably told me it in the past but I am so bad at remembering names. Well, the Mantle guy purchased my 1958 Mantle base card and the all-star along with a 1965 Topps Mantle. Thank you!

Then there is another collector I know from both Orland and Schaumburg whose name I forgot as well. He is always finding cards in my binders and cheapy boxes for his sets. Thank you! Then there is that nice couple from Des Plaines, who I know read this blog. Please let me know your names. I really appreciate you guys and thank you for following me for so long!! Of course, thank you for your purchases!!

Big Bill from Antioch purchased my 1959 Bob Gibson rookie, which is an absolute beauty. Thanks Bill! Then there was Will and Joe, who made my day. I have met so many great people over the decades of setting up at card shows. Will and Joe have become family. Love those guys! I have not seen them since I last set up in Orland back in February. Will purchased a huge pile of 1969 Topps including stars and commons. Joe purchased my graded 1968 Roger Maris and 1970 Rod Carew. Thanks guys! We're all hoping our pal Paul reads this and comes out to the February 21 Pop-up Shop.

Then I had some new customers. One guy purchased a bunch of 1962 Topps baseball, including Yogi Berra, a Babe Ruth commemorative card, and a bunch of league leaders. I did not get his name but I really appreciate the purchases.

Another new customer, Rich, came with his young son. Rich completed his 1976 Topps baseball set and made some headway on his 1970 Topps baseball set. Thanks Rich!

There was another new customer, who told me his name and of course, I forgot it already. He bought a pile of cards which I really appreciate! Then there was long-time customer Angel who purchased a large pile of 1958 and 1959 Topps baseball. Thank you Angel!

A couple of other good pals made some long drives like Jim from Wisconsin. The roads were really slushy in the morning and I really appreciate the effort and purchases! Thanks Jim! Gary came in from Rockford. It was good to see Gary out and about and recovered from his recent surgery. Thanks for coming Gary and thanks for the purchases! 

Ricky, who I met a few years ago in Orland, is working on the T206 set, among others. I did not obtain any new T206's this time around but Ricky found a bunch of 1954 Topps including my Jackie Robinson.

I might have forgot some others, sorry, I have no short-term memory. I really appreciate everyone who came out on Sunday. It is a bit of work converting my law office into a sports card shop for a day but well worth it. I spent all day today converting the Pop-up Shop back into a law office. It is kind of sad in a way, I much prefer to be surrounded by vintage sports cards than legal files.

Anyway, my next Pop-Up Shop will be on Sunday, February 21, 2021. I should have my 1973 Topps Football binder reloaded by then and possibly a few other binders. I plan to have a bunch of new stuff for my display cases as well. I was able to bring out a bunch of different items from the December to January Pop-up Shops and hope to have a great deal of new items for February. Hope to see some new faces at the February 21st Pop-up Shop. In the meantime, my Sports Card Show at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI, is scheduled for February 6, 2021. I have 43 dealers and 73 tables slated for the show -- should be my largest one to date. My waiting list is getting crazy. I am still taking names but it will probably be a few months before I get those people into the show. Hope to see everybody in a few weeks at the Sal!

Vintage Sports Card Pop-Up Shop slated for Sunday, January 17, 2021, at the Law Office of Anthony B. Gordon, 201 E. Dundee Road, Suite 2, Palatine, IL.

The December event went so well that I decided to run it monthly until the Gonzaga and the Orland Park card shows return. 

New for January, I plan to have hundreds more football cards for my display cases. I am also going to bring out my pre-War sports card binder, quarter box, some media guides from the 1970s, and some other goodies. The layout will be the same as December with 16 display cases in the main room and all of my binders will be in the back room.

This should be fun. I will be set up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hope to see you there. 

January 2, 2021, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI

Several weeks ago, my guy Mark, who is in charge of events at the Salvation Army, sent me an email to confirm the January 2nd show. He asked if I wanted to move it to a different date because the Salvation Army would be closed on January 1 and there was no one to set up the show.

I blindly volunteered to come in on January 1 and set up the show myself. Mark said that was okay but asked me to think about it knowing what a beast it is to set up 67 tables, 100 chairs, and place wall signs all in three rooms.

Well, I had already been promoting the January 2nd date for months and felt I did not have a choice.

I was not up too late on New Year's Eve but it was tough to fall asleep due to all the knuckleheads in my neighborhood lighting off fireworks into the wee hours of the morning. I ended up getting a much later start than I wanted. I threw some clothes into a backpack, in case I wanted to spend the night in Milwaukee. I did not bring any of my cards because:

   (1) I was not sure if there were any tables available for me, due to the massive influx dealers.

   (2) it would have been a real hassle to deal with the cards if I was to spend the night. I am never comfortable leaving cards in my car over night. I am always worried about thieves. So if I brought the cards, I would have had to unload them into the hotel room.

   (3) Lastly, it has become too difficult to manage both my tables and the show.

As a result, I hit the road for Milwaukee at about 11:45 a.m. on New Year's Day with no cards in my car. I had heard reports about snow. Thankfully, the roads were clear when I started out. However, I was greeted by snow and blustery winds when I hit the Wisconsin border.

Around Kenosha, I took a peak in my rearview mirror just in time to watch an SUV spin out and slam into the center median. Boy was I spooked. I thought about pulling over but the roads were so messy, I was afraid I would spin out at the exit. So I stayed in the slow lane.

It wasn't long before I had to move to the left lane to avoid another spin out that I could see in my lane up ahead. Luckily, I did not spin out when I switched lanes. I was also able to get back into the slow lane once I passed the carnage. Man, was I nervous. Then I observed an accident in the southbound lanes involving two trucks and some cars. Southbound traffic was at a standstill for miles.

I was on pins and needles. The roads were bad. It was tough to even see the road and I was never sure that I was actually in a lane. Then you get the morons who haul ass or the morons who tailgate. I had to deal with both of those types. I just held my breath until I hit Ryan Road.

Thankfully the Ryan Road exit had been plowed and I was able to get away from some numbnut practically on my bumper. Didn't he see all the spin outs?

So the exit was plowed but Ryan Road itself was a mess. I kind of slid into the far left lane and slowly drove east toward Howell. A few MadMax types blew by me but I was not speeding up because I was not getting much traction. I almost slid into the intersection at Howell. 

Somehow I made it to the Salvation Army in one piece. Mark left me a key and I was able to get into the building. It was kind of spooky being in that place all by myself. I found the light switch in the gym and just stared at the vast space not really sure how to begin setting it up for the show.

I walked into the Fellowship Hall, the smaller room next to the gym, turned on the lights, then walked into the Hallway by the Chapel, turned on the lights and observed five or six carts filled with tables. I grabbed the nearest cart and tried to roll it into the gym. My back went out. Ugh!

I had to walk it off then was able to roll the carts of tables into the gym. Unfortunately, the gym was blocked by netting used for batting cages. I sent Mark a text asking for instructions to take down the netting. The instructions never came so I figured it out. I found a large ladder and forced my shaky diabetic legs up the rings, near the top, and reached for one of three hooks holding the netting to the wall, about 14 feet up. Back went out again. I climbed down and walked it off again.

Somehow I was able to get the three hooks unlocked and was able to get the netting and myself, safely to the ground. Then Mr. Shaky Diabetic Legs and Achy Back was able to roll the carts of tables into the gym.

My first inclination in the gym was to ditch the carts and shoot some baskets but I figured that would kill all of my arm strength and I would not have anything left to set up the tables.  I was really feeling old and out of shape.

I set to the task of pulling the tables off the carts, pulling out the legs and flipping them over and placing them in rows. I wanted to set up the room the same way Mark usually does it. I know that distancing the tables six-feet from one another was required. I also remembered that Mark places these large plastic dividers, I think of them as hockey boards. I remember when I was a kid in the 1970's, we used them to outline our floor hockey games at the local YMCA.

I did not know they were so heavy! They were stacked up in the hallway between the gym and the Fellowship Hall. It was tough to unstack them then drag them into the gym. They also fit together like puzzle pieces -- very heavy puzzle pieces. It took me a while to put them together but I felt sweet victory when the task was completed.

I then slowly built the rows of tables in the gym. I then had to figure out how I wanted to seat each dealer in the room then place name-plates on each table. Making sure each table was spaced out from each other by six feet. It took a long while to get all the tables in the gym set just right. Then I went about the huge task of placing a chair behind all the tables.

I was delirious and in much pain when the gym set up was completed. Somehow Mr. Shaky Diabetic Legs and Achy Back found some reserves and pushed the remaining carts of tables into the Fellowship Hall.

I had some old photos of the gym set up to use as a guide but had nothing to guide me for the Fellowship Hall. I also observed that there was a divider in the room that had not been there last month. Behind the divider was the remnants of the Salvation Army's Christmas gift distribution. 

I knew that Mark wanted the room to have one-way traffic, so I figured I would need four aisle to make the one-way traffic work. As I went about setting up the tables, I realized there was only space for three aisles. I spent a lot of time rearranging the tables but every way I went only gave three aisles. So I set up three rows of tables and three aisles. I was actually pleased with how it looked in the end. The room was much tighter than the gym due to space limitations. Social distancing would, and turned out to be, very difficult in the Fellowship Hall. Thankfully, nobody complained.

Up went all the chairs in the Fellowship Hall then Mr. Shaky Diabetic Legs and Achy Back was able to finish setting up the back hallway with the remaining tables. I actually felt pretty good at this point. I was sort of charged up and had a second wind which was spent placing signs all over the building, directing people for one-way traffic and from the gym to the Fellowship Hall and into the back hallway.

All in all I was able to blow through set up, it only took me five hours. I was in desperate need of a couch but none was to be had. I shut off all the lights, locked up then removed all the snow that covered my car. I really wanted to go home and get my cards but the roads were horrible. I slid out of the Salvation Army parking lot, slid onto Centennial Drive, then slid onto Howell and back to Ryan. It was a scary drive. I thought there was a hotel on Ryan by the highway but could not find one. I would like to thank the guy tailgaiting me on Ryan while my car slid from lane to lane. Thanks buddy! You're a credit to humanity!!

I turned around at the highway and headed back to Howell. I approached Howell very slowly to avoid sliding into the intersection and getting killed. I asked Siri for directions to the nearest hotel and she directed me to a Marriott on Drexel, just down the road. The hotel had a vacancy and I got a room with a king bed for a hundred bucks.

The Marriott parking lot was a mess and I had trouble getting into a parking space. I sort of figured I would not be able to pull out of the space in the morning but was too tired to put much thought into it.

My room was swanky! It had a full kitchen! The cabinets were stocked with pots and pans. If I would have known, I would have bought some groceries instead of settling for a sandwich at Panera. I had my choice between two different TV trays to use while I sat on the couch, ate and watched TV. I opted to use both trays. I then watched the Bucks beat up the Bulls.

Morning came with a thud. I thought about sleeping in, figuring the card show was set up and name plates were on all the tables. Did I really even need to go? That king-size bed was so comfortable and it was a rare opportunity for me to sleep without fighting my golden retriever for space. I think I hit the snooze three times before I pulled myself out of that comfy bed.

It was pitch black out when I left the hotel around 6:45 a.m. My car was covered in ice and it took awhile the scrape it off. The parking lot was still a mess but I was able to get my car out. I was pleasantly surprised when I got back onto Howell and it was well plowed. I hit Mickey D's then the Sal and was greeted by early bird dealers Roger and Steve. They both sell wax. Are all wax dealers early birds?

So normally I am running around rearranging tables and placing name plates while dealers are breathing down my neck. It was so nice to not have to do anything but eat my egg mcmuffin.

Without tables of my own and cards to sell, I did not really know what to do with myself. A bunch of dealers needed extra chairs and found myself fetching chairs early on. Then there are the guys who were not happy with their location and wanted to switch out. So I had three guys move from the Fellowship Hall and into the back hallway.

I received a bunch of texts from guys informing that they were arriving late. Understandable with the weather. I found myself monitoring set up, making sure all the dealers showed up. I ended up with just one no-show -- Ryan Dragoon. No call, no text. Nothing. Ryan, you are welcome to attend the show in the future but I will not be giving you a table ever again.

In the weeks leading up to the show I was overrun with guys wanting to set up. My dealer waiting list has 30 or so guys now. The largest it has ever been. I felt bad that I could not get more of them into the show. Next month, I'll take someone off the waiting list and give them Ryan's tables.

A bunch of dealers were late but everybody showed up except for Ryan. I had three no-shows last month, it was nice to be down to just one. 

When the doors officially opened to the public, the gym was filled with people at 9 a.m. By 10 a.m. the place was packed and it stayed that way all day! Huge turn out!! 

I enjoyed walking around, shopping, chatting. I received more names for my waiting list. Oh my!

I think this was the first show I ever ran that ALL the dealers reported excellent sales. I think this was my first January show as well. I normally go on vacation in January. I think January vacations are out now and I will run the show each year. It was a phenomenal show!

There were a couple of minor hiccups. A few guys got angry at me before the show because I could not get them tables. What can I do? I have limited space and limited tables. Don't get angry at me! You are welcome to set up in the parking lot at no charge with your own tables.

Speaking of the parking lot, we had a few numbnuts block the driveway to the senior housing that is located behind the gym. WTF? Why would anyone do that? It is clearly a driveway. We could have had a real problem if a medical emergency arose at the senior housing and ambulances were not able to go up the driveway. Please don't block the driveway to the senior housing. I can't believe I even have to say that! Overflow parking is available at Target across the street. Please park in the Target lot if the Sal lot is full.

Then we had a theft at one of the dealer tables. Someone stole some 2020 Prizm basketball rookies which totally sucked.

We had a really big crowd and I guess with big crowds comes trouble. Some guys were getting chippy. This is a card show. It is supposed to be fun. Chill out! If I ever catch any thieves, I will make sure they are prosecuted. These guys will be calling for their mommies once I have them locked up. I have to go to jail to visit clients. It is a nasty place!

Then there were the handful of guys who wore their masks around their necks and gave me serious attitude when I asked them to cover their faces with their masks. Hey! We have a great thing going at the Salvation Army. The whole thing ends if people don't wear their masks. I really need some help with this. If you see anyone at the show with their mask down, please ask them to cover up.

Also, I want to mention that someone left an 11x14 autograph photo on a dealer's table. I have the photo. You can come pick it up at my office in Palatine or I can bring it to the Feb. 6 show. Shoot me an email at abrandongordon@hotmail.com.

​Also, dealers, please do not place card tables or your carts in the aisles. Thank you!

Minor hiccups aside, it was a pretty great day. There was some money exchanged! Several dealers reported sales well into the thousands. Wow!

No sales for me. My cards were snugly at home with the golden retriever. But I did buy a bunch of stuff! See the pictures of my purchases below.

Thankfully, I did not have to take down the rooms. Mark and two helpers had it down in a tenth of the time it took me to put it up. Next month, I am going to come up the Friday before the show again. I won't have to set it up by myself but I will help out. It was nice to have it set up exactly how I want it. I will probably spend the night again but this time I am bringing some cards. I will have some tables. A bunch of guys were disappointed that I wasn't set up.  I'll have cards next month for sure! Though, I think I will take some months off again from selling. It is so much easier on me to just manage the show and not worry about selling cards.

This show has really morphed into something I never imagined but I am adaptable and am just going with it. The next show is February 6. Dealer tables are sold out. You can send me an email at abrandongordon@hotmail.com to be added to the very lengthy waiting list.

In the meantime, I am setting up again at my office in Palatine, Illinois, on January 17. My pop-up shop is really my best opportunity to sell cards these days. The Sal show is just too big now for me to sell. I really need to be a manager there now. I don't know when Gonzaga and Orland are coming back but until they do, I will sell cards monthly at my office.

Thank you to everybody who came out to the Salvation Army today. You folks are my motivation to bust my tail to put this thing on. I know I regularly complain but I do really enjoy it. I hope to see you next month!

Pop-up Vintage Card Shop, Sunday, December 27, 2020, Palatine, IL

So, as most of you know, I work as an attorney in real life while selling sports cards is my hobby. When I moved my law firm into a new office in September, I had in mind that I would use part of the office as a show room for sports cards. Around the same time, I put the word out to see if there was any interest in coming to my office to purchase cards. The response was poor so I shelved the idea for a few months until the Schaumburg, Illinois, show was cancelled, leaving me with just my Salvation Army show as my only outlet to sell cards.

Well, actually, the Sal show has not been much of an outlet for me as I have given up my tables because I am overrun with dealers. Tables for the January 2nd show were pretty much sold out after the December show. I still had a waiting list of dealers left over from December and am now up to 30 or so guys that I have no room for at the show. It is crazy! So, I will bring some stuff Saturday in case there is a no-show but most likely won't be able to set up. 

Essentially, I have no place to set up my wares -- not even at my own show! So back to the show-room idea. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to turn my office into a pop-up vintage sports card shop for one day on December 27th. I posted my plan here and on Facebook. I spent weeks organizing the office and stuffing files away in a closet. My office desks became tables for cards.

I brought in eight card tables from home that I have left over from my flea market days. Then I went out and purchased three 6-footers.

My office consists of two rooms with the front room slightly larger than the back. I had 11 tables in the front room and five tables in the back room. I placed publications and cheapy boxes on my co-workers desk. I brought out some complete sets including 1969 Topps Football, 1975-76 Topps Basketball, and baseball sets from 1975, 1977, 1978 and a dozen or so boxes of lots from various years and sports, and placed all that stuff next to the cheapy boxes. 

I then brought in 15 display cases, three of which are new. So this was the first time I have ever put out 15 display cases. I then proceeded to fill the cases, worried that I would not be able to fill them all. Well, I have purchased a ton of new inventory in 2020 and have priced much of it. Needless to say, I worried for naught because I could have filled up another three or four cases of stuff.

I had a case and a half of graded cards. It has probably been a year or so since I last brought out graded. I think it was at Orland and I sold most of it. However, I have since restocked and had a whole bunch of good stuff. In the other half of the graded case, I placed basketball and hockey cards.  

I filled two cases with pre-war then 10 cases with post-war baseball, lots of stars, high numbers and some odd-ball stuff. I was only able to do one case with football, mostly 1948 Bowmans. I have a ton of other football that I just was not able to get out. I also was not able to put out my Exhibits which I have a ton of right now as well. I have a ton of everything right now! My inventory is the strongest it has ever been!! So now I realize I need to purchase more display cases!!

In the back room, I placed out all my binders. The entire room was filled with binders. It was quite a sight to see. In fact, the whole deal was quite a site to see. I did not realize that I have so much stuff! Maybe I need to stop buying cards... not!!

I spent all day Saturday setting this crazy thing up. My pal Willie came by for an early-bird perusal. It was nice to have the company and great to see Willie who I have not seen since March. Thanks for the purchases Willie!

The office looked pretty cool once I finished setting every thing up. I was like a little kid and could not sleep Saturday night. I arrived at my office around 7 a.m. Doors opened at 9 a.m. I worked on drawing up some signs for the parking lot. My office is in a weird spot at the end of the building and can be tough to find. 

I had some time to kill so I went to Mickey D's and Walgreens. I cleaned the bathroom and thought about taking a nap but there was no place to lie down. After some caffeine, I worked on cleaning the glass on my display cases. I started to get nervous that no one would show up because there are usually a lot of early arrivals at a card show but not at my pop-up shop. I decided to take video of the cards in the display cases. I got through five or six cases when I heard the door and shut off the camera phone. It was my brother, who volunteered to help out and display some stuff on a table. I had no idea what he was bringing out. The last time we set up together was in 1989 and he was hawking Jerome Walton rookies. I was surprised to see a bunch of graded T206s and T205s. He also had four or five graded Johnny Unitas cards along with six or so Christian McCaffery rookies.

It was about 8:45 a.m. when my brother began to set up. At about 9 a.m., customers began to trickle in. Thankfully, everybody was good about wearing their masks. Big Tim was the first to arrive and he purchased a whole bunch of stuff, including my 1969 Topps football set. Thanks Tim!

Bill showed up bearing gifts, including three boxes of publications and a box of 1973 Topps baseball high numbers which were exchanged in a cash and trade deal. Thanks Bill. Then Bill's buddy Phil showed up and just about cleaned me out of Mantles. Thanks Phil!

Ricky, who I know from Orland, came by and purchased a bunch of T206s and T205s. Thanks Rickey! My main man Angel came by and purchased a stack of 1958 Topps baseball. New customer Ed, who said he lives down the street, purchased a whole bunch of stuff, including several Sandy Koufax cards and a 1950 Bowman George Connor football card. Donny came by and purchased publication. Thanks Don!

I have known the rest of the guys, who attended the pop-up shop, for years but I am so bad with names. You guys gotta come back and let me know your names and I will do my best to finally memorize them. The name disease has been a life-long affliction.

Anyway, these guys purchased a ton of stuff, quite a bit of cards out of the cheapy boxes, binders and display cases. Once again, I just about sold out of my graded cards. Man, what a great day! Actually, one of my best days ever selling cards!! I can't thank you guys enough!!

My final customer left around 1:30 p.m. My brother raced out and grabbed us some Taco Bell. I spent a few hours putting all the cards away. I was dead tired when I got home. I have a lot of work to do now pricing more cards and getting ready for my next pop-up shop on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at my office, 201 E. Dundee Road, Suite 2, Palatine, IL. 

The next one should be easier to do because I left all the tables and most of my display cases at the office. I am going to change some things up so I can have a large number of new items out. I have a ton of cards to price for the display cases. I probably won't bring out any graded cards this time. Instead, I would like to get out all of my football cards but will need some additional display cases. I probably won't bring out the publications, cheapy boxes and sets. I am going to bring out some new binders that I have been working on that include vintage post cards, wrappers, autographs, and team-issued photos.

On Monday morning, after my pop-up shop, I met a long-time collector at my office who is selling out. I spent several thousand dollars with him and picked up some great stuff for the next pop-up shop like 1952 Topps high numbers, some 1948 Leafs, 1955 Bowman baseball, 1952 Bowman Large Football and some 1955 Topps All-Americans. I should also have several of my regular binders reloaded by Jan. 17. Hopefully the weather cooperates and the next pop-up shop is as successful as the first one.

In the meantime, my Salvation Army Show, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI, is coming up this Saturday, January 2, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once again, I will have 40 dealers on 65 sold-out tables. I am overwhelmed with calls for tables. Sorry guys, I just don't have any more space.

Hope everyone had a great Hanukkah and Christmas. Have a healthy and safe New Year and see you January 2nd at the Salvation Army and January 17 at my pop-up shop!!

​Pictured above and below are a sampling of some of the cards I had for sale at the pop-up shop.