Sunday, June 26, 2022, WSCA Show, Roma Lodge, Racine, WI

The Wisconsin Sports Collectors Association (WSCA) hit a rough patch last year when their long-time venue, Gonzaga Hall, was sold by the Milwaukee Archdiocese. I was a regular dealer at Gonzaga Hall for 20 years and was absolutely in love with everything about that show. It was the best! 

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. WSCA president Keith Kilps worked his tail off searching for a new venue. He wanted to keep the show near Gonzaga in West Allis, WI. The only place he was able to find nearby was the Buenavista Banquet Hall and he started operating shows there last year.

I was probably the only person who liked Buenavista. I thought it was easy to get to. I really liked their steak tacos. Most importantly, my sales were excellent. 

Others complained that it was too small and the aisles were too tight. I did notice a significant drop in the amount of customers from Gonzaga to Buenavista. Then Keith had all sorts of problems with the owners of Buenavista and shut down the show after the November 2021 show.

Having searched for Milwaukee locations to hold a card show in the past, I can empathize with Keith's struggle to find a new location. Most locations want too much money for the space. A card show promoter can't pay $10K for a room and charge dealers $300 to $500 to set up for a few hours and be successful.

After that November show, I really missed the WSCA shows. Not only because I really like Keith and the crew but my sales and purchases were always excellent at the WSCA shows. I have not been able to find a suitable replacement for the WSCA shows.

So when the news came out that a new venue was found, I was overjoyed. WSCA member Paul Costanzo contacted me and said the show is moving to the Roma Lodge in Racine, WI. Paul and WSCA member John Gehring both belong to the Roma Lodge, an Italian-American club. John's been talking about this place for years.

Paul sent me the WSCA show schedule for 2022. They planned to hold shows every other month with the first one in April. Unfortunately, that April show ran up against the Orland Park show which is now one of my best shows. So I had to miss the WSCA's April show, which I heard was excellent.

The next WSCA show was set for June 26 -- my schedule was clear! Paul told me the Lodge was going to have a concession stand with meatball sandwiches and Italian sausage bombers. Oh my! Two of my favorite things in the world to eat!!

As a result, I did not care that there was a card show on June 26. I was just going to stuff my face with meatball sandwiches and Italian sausage bombers.

My wife's car was still loaded up from the Madison show on Saturday. I added four display cases Sunday morning and few boxes of cards. It was nice to be able to sleep in a little bit because I live just 40 minutes south of Racine, as opposed to the two-hour drive to Madison.

I plugged the address of the Roma Lodge into my GPS and was there in no time, around 8 a.m. I saw Dave Kania loading in and parked near Dave. I saw Keith as I entered into the large, beautiful room. The Roma Lodge is swanky. Keith pointed to four tables near the front. These tables looked larger than the ones I had at both Buenavista and Gonzaga. I did not bring enough stuff! I need to bring more inventory next time!!

I placed out all of my binders and the four display cases that I filled up with oddball cards like Exhibits and Red Man's along with my doubles, as I am saving my regular display case inventory for the National. One of the nice things about this show is that Keith does not allow customers into the room before 9 a.m. so dealers can set up unaccosted.

Although, this was my first time at the Roma Lodge, I felt like I was at home, seeing Keith, his family, all the auction guys, John, and the group of dealers I have known for decades. It sure was nice.

While I was setting up, old friend Dan Salemme came over! What a sight for sore eyes! I can't remember the last time I saw Dan. I was just talking about Dan with our mutual friend Lou a few months ago at the Woodstock show where Lou told me he grew up with Dan and has known him since they were kids.

I met Dan years ago at the Fred Copp card shows in the Chicago suburbs. A nice guy. A great sports fan who is extremely knowledgeable. He always has a tremendous selection of publications at really good prices. His son was helping him out at the Roma Lodge and they had some real neat stuff on their tables. Our mutual pal, Donny, was having a field day over there. Donny also bought some ABA cards from me. Thanks Don! 

I also saw a pre-War collector, who I have not seen since Gonzaga. Of course, I can't remember his name. He reminded me that he purchased many T201's from me at Gonzaga. Unfortunately, I did not bring any T201's to the Roma Lodge.

I saw a bunch of my regular customers. One purchased my Red Man Nellie Fox. I saw David Ramsey, who I see everywhere, from Strongsville to Rosemont. David purchased my 1933 Goudey Lefty O'Doul.

I saw Steve, from Jim and Steve's Card Shop in Waukegan, IL, my favorite card shop. Steve really liked the new venue and wide aisles. I appreciated the distance from my tables to the auction, which was not a problem at Buenavista but I was awfully close to the auction at Gonzaga.

Admittedly, I was not a fan of the auction at Gonzaga but I was actually really happy to see it happen again. I realize now that the WSCA auction is one of those things that makes me feel at home after setting up next to them, month after month, year after year, then all of the sudden no show, no auction. It was good to be back!! 

My old pal Bill from Antioch was there and we made a cash and trade deal where I ended up with some Batman pins from 1966. Cool stuff!

Early on, I saw Dobi Maxwell, who was set up near me, walk out of the bar with a meatball sandwich. I bolted for the bar and met Guy, the bartender, who made me a sandwich loaded with meatballs, sauce, on a fresh Italian roll. Oh my! That thing was just as advertised! Delicious!! The perfect breakfast!! Later, I went back for an Italian sausage bomber that was equally as delicious. I have to admit, that the best Italian bombers were made by my little Italian mother-in-law, Rosie Gulotta, who left this world 20 years ago. She was so sweet and the best Italian cook I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

While I was munching on that last sandwich, a guy ran out of the bar and told me he is a huge fan of this blog! Thank you so much!! I receive so many kind words about this blog, I am so appreciative. I probably would have stopped doing it years ago if you guys weren't so supportive! Thank you!!

Now, I would like to see some more support for this new show at the Roma Lodge. I see great things for this show! We just need to increase attendance. There were dozens of dealers with excellent inventory. One thing that is unique about the WSCA shows is that there are more dealers with publications and memorabilia than at any other show I attend. This one was no exception. Lots of neat stuff in the room.

The next WSCA show at the Roma Lodge is scheduled for August 21. Unfortunately, I cannot make that one as it goes up against Orland Park again. Though, I highly recommend attending the WSCA show on August 21. I will be set up at the following WSCA show on October 23.

A big thank you to Keith and all the WSCA volunteers for putting on an excellent show. I hope to grow with you guys at this new space!

In the meantime, my show in Oak Creek is growing like a weed! Eighty-four dealers lined up for Saturday, July 2nd. This is going to be a phenomenal show!!

Then on Sunday, July 3, I am setting up at the Holiday Inn in Janesville, which is another excellent show.

Come on out next weekend!!!

Below is a photo of a guy wearing an awesome St. Louis Browns Satchel Paige jersey, Sunday at the Roma Lodge show.

Saturday, June 25, 2022. Sheraton Hotel, Madison, WI

Man, it sure was nice having Dave pick me up and drive me to the show last month. Dave said he might set up again in Madison in the fall. I was back to driving my wife's car. I would like to start visiting some local car dealerships and purchase a car but I just can't find the free time right now. I continue to be without a car.

So, there I was, on the road to Madison at 6 a.m. The drive was difficult because I was battling a cold. My son brought home a cold from summer school this past week for me and my family. At least it wasn't COVID, but I was not feeling very well.

I arrived at the hotel at 8 a.m. Load in was tough because it was raining. There is an overhang by the front doors of the hotel but only a few cars can fit in there. I parked just outside the overhang and enjoyed a second shower while loading in.

After moving my car, I stopped at the hotel's faux Starbucks for some coffee and a little breakfast which included bacon and sausages. I munched on the food while I was setting up.

I brought out all of the binders after doing display cases last month. I observed that attendance was much better than last month. I had a nice number of guys digging through the binders early on.

One customer started going through my binders while I was setting up. The show does not open until 9 a.m. but some customers like to arrive early. This guy arrived the same time I did at 8 a.m. I would think he would want to get to the show when all of the dealers are set up instead of walking around while they are trying to set up. Customers who arrive early are really a nuisance to the dealers. I, for one, would like to finish setting up before customers start going through the binders. I know other dealers feel the same way.

When customers start going through the binders or ask to see cards in my display cases before I finish setting up it causes a huge delay in set up and I feel like I lose sales because all of my cards are not out yet. Sometimes I tell customers that I am not open yet and they should come back when I finish setting up.

I have tried in the past arriving at shows extra early so I can set up before the early birds arrive but I have found that there are early, early birds who seemingly spend the night in the show room because they spring out of nowhere and start going through my stuff no matter what time I arrive at the show.

I have even resorted to leaving some stuff at home that I know the early birds like so I can avoid them and freely set up without distraction.

Back to my Madison early bird. I have known this guy for years and he was actually my first customer ever in Madison back in the day and I appreciate that he continues to buy from me, so I let him go.

He is a talker! He has lots of stories, lots of memories to share. It is hard for me to engage while I am setting up, so I was not all that talkative. He did end up buying a bunch of cards, which I did appreciate. He now comes with his son, who bought some cards as well.

A guy wearing a Jay Cutler Bears Jersey pulled out quite a few football cards. His buddy was wearing a USFL hat and, like his buddy, he pulled out a bunch of football cards. One of my regular customers pulled a stack of 1975 Topps baseball.

I was glad to see that I sold some hockey and basketball cards. I was not sure if I have ever brought out those binders to this show. So, the morning was pretty steady with guys pulling cards from the binders. By noon, things started to slow which gave me time to walk around. 

Nice amount of dealers in both the room on the first floor and the room on the second floor, where my tables were located. I saw a nice amount of vintage spread out between both floors. I was surprised at the amount of pre-War cards. Much of it was not priced. I usually take a pass when I don't see a price.

The day went by quick. As I was starting to think about packing up, Tom Smith sat down and went through a number of binders. Tom has bought from me before at this show but this was the first time we had an opportunity to chat. I learned that he raised his family in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. I told Tom that I was real familiar with Glen Ellyn having covered it as a reporter for the Daily Herald Newspaper. Turns out Tom worked for the Daily Herald as well, just a few years before me.

Tom is retired now and moved to Madison to be near his kids and grandkids. He is a regular at the Madison card show and is working on a number of vintage baseball sets. He purchased some 1968's, 1971's and two large piles of 1972's. Thanks Tom!

Also, the dealer set up behind me, Mark, was kind enough to purchase more cards from me. Mark is upgrading some sets and found a few cards in my binders.

Overall, sales were down, even though attendance was up. I think the problem is many of my binders are bare. I just can't keep up with the demand! I was hoping to have my 1979 Topps Football binder reloaded but this head cold slowed me down. I should have it ready to go for Oak Creek and Janesville this upcoming weekend.

I am probably going to start reloading my 1961 Topps baseball binder next. I am not sure when I will have that one done. Hopefully soon!

On the buying front, I was offered a box of 1957 Topps and 1962 Topps baseball. The '57's had a handful of stars and some of the tough semi-high series. The 1962's had some high numbers. The seller wanted $500. I would have been a buyer at $300. The seller said he would bring the box back to the next Madison show and add some more cards to try and entice me. I just may do it next month.