Saturday, December 16, 2023, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL
This was the second edition of the St. Charles show. The first one was back in September and I brought out binders to that one. There was a nice crowd in September but the binders did not sell well. This time I brought out all display cases.
Tough load in and load out today because of a steady stream of rain all day long. My pals John and Mike placed me next to the famous Dave McDonald on one side and Jason Swanson on the other. Behind me was Jose Roman. Gary George was in our row as well. Jonathan, pictured above, was set up across from me.
I did not get a chance to walk the show but most customers said that me, Dave and Gary were about it for vintage -- which seems to be the case for most shows. Outside of the big shows along with the monthly's in Oak Creek and Orland, I just don't see much vintage... which is an ongoing problem for me as a vintage vendor. There are a ton of shows but I only set up at a select few because the others just don't bring out the vintage collectors. I continually see new shows popping up but I won't set up because I have no confidence these shows have any vintage, especially when the promoters are modern dealers.
Sales were up. I had a lot of new customers and a handful of regulars. I purchased some nice groupings of 1963 Topps baseball and 1975 Topps Minis baseball that walked up to my tables. A random customer offered up some 1970 Topps Posters. These things are undervalued and don't sell for much. Thus, I don't pay much for them. Unique to this seller is that he created his own version of 1970 Topps baseball cards with the images of the posters. See picture below. He placed each of his cards in a penny sleave then placed the actual poster, folded up, behind the card in the penny sleave. While I thought this was very creative and neat, I still did not buy them, thinking they would be a tough sell.
I enjoyed some coffee and tea from the stand located in the lobby. They had some good-looking doughnuts but my blood glucose has been too high lately and I could not do it. There was also a taco truck parked in front of the building. I ended up eating a ham sandwich that Dave brought me.
Really nice crowd. This is an excellent show with excellent promoters. The next Kane County show is slated for March 10, 2024. I can't make that one as it conflicts with Orland. Though, I do recommend attending the March 10 Kane County show, along with Orland.
Next up for me is the Rockford show this Saturday, January 13, 2024. The weatherman predicts a terrible snow storm but, if I have learned anything over the years, I have learned that it is impossible to predict the weather. So I am not counting out the Rockford show just yet. Also, I attended one last year in a snow storm and it had a great crowd and my sales were awesome.
I have skipped a few shows over the years due to weather. On the morning of a potential snowy day, I always try to head to the shows and get a feel for the roads. If I find my car sliding then I turn back and go home and call it a day. As of now, I am planning to load my car Saturday morning and attempt to drive to the Rockford show. I sure hope the weatherman is wrong! I really want to go to the Rockford show!!
Next Oak Creek show is coming up on February 3, 2024. The show last weekend on January 6 was lights out. As a result, I have been inundated with messages for tables. I am very slow in responding and hope to get back to everyone soon!
Sorry for the delay in the blogs. I am still feeling lousy. I am going to keep trying different doctors to see if somone can fix me up.
I appreciate your support!
This was the second edition of the St. Charles show. The first one was back in September and I brought out binders to that one. There was a nice crowd in September but the binders did not sell well. This time I brought out all display cases.
Tough load in and load out today because of a steady stream of rain all day long. My pals John and Mike placed me next to the famous Dave McDonald on one side and Jason Swanson on the other. Behind me was Jose Roman. Gary George was in our row as well. Jonathan, pictured above, was set up across from me.
I did not get a chance to walk the show but most customers said that me, Dave and Gary were about it for vintage -- which seems to be the case for most shows. Outside of the big shows along with the monthly's in Oak Creek and Orland, I just don't see much vintage... which is an ongoing problem for me as a vintage vendor. There are a ton of shows but I only set up at a select few because the others just don't bring out the vintage collectors. I continually see new shows popping up but I won't set up because I have no confidence these shows have any vintage, especially when the promoters are modern dealers.
Sales were up. I had a lot of new customers and a handful of regulars. I purchased some nice groupings of 1963 Topps baseball and 1975 Topps Minis baseball that walked up to my tables. A random customer offered up some 1970 Topps Posters. These things are undervalued and don't sell for much. Thus, I don't pay much for them. Unique to this seller is that he created his own version of 1970 Topps baseball cards with the images of the posters. See picture below. He placed each of his cards in a penny sleave then placed the actual poster, folded up, behind the card in the penny sleave. While I thought this was very creative and neat, I still did not buy them, thinking they would be a tough sell.
I enjoyed some coffee and tea from the stand located in the lobby. They had some good-looking doughnuts but my blood glucose has been too high lately and I could not do it. There was also a taco truck parked in front of the building. I ended up eating a ham sandwich that Dave brought me.
Really nice crowd. This is an excellent show with excellent promoters. The next Kane County show is slated for March 10, 2024. I can't make that one as it conflicts with Orland. Though, I do recommend attending the March 10 Kane County show, along with Orland.
Next up for me is the Rockford show this Saturday, January 13, 2024. The weatherman predicts a terrible snow storm but, if I have learned anything over the years, I have learned that it is impossible to predict the weather. So I am not counting out the Rockford show just yet. Also, I attended one last year in a snow storm and it had a great crowd and my sales were awesome.
I have skipped a few shows over the years due to weather. On the morning of a potential snowy day, I always try to head to the shows and get a feel for the roads. If I find my car sliding then I turn back and go home and call it a day. As of now, I am planning to load my car Saturday morning and attempt to drive to the Rockford show. I sure hope the weatherman is wrong! I really want to go to the Rockford show!!
Next Oak Creek show is coming up on February 3, 2024. The show last weekend on January 6 was lights out. As a result, I have been inundated with messages for tables. I am very slow in responding and hope to get back to everyone soon!
Sorry for the delay in the blogs. I am still feeling lousy. I am going to keep trying different doctors to see if somone can fix me up.
I appreciate your support!
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