Friday - Saturday, May 12-13, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park, IL
This had all the makings of a tremendous show. Promoters John and Mike did a helluva job organizing this 200-table show. As you know, I love the vintage and this show had some of the best vintage dealers around. Man, oh, man! There were Cobbs, Ruths, Gehrigs, about a dozen or so Rose rookies, Ryan rookies, Mantles, Jackie and more. I was blown away.
For whatever reason, attendance was down. Where was everybody? You guys missed out!! Look at that photo above! This was something special!!
I brought out most of my binders. I only put out a few football binders since the majority of them are empty. I've got to find some time to work on the football binders! New for the show was 1979 Topps baseball -- I did not sell one!! Also new for the show was 1964 Topps Coins. I sold four or five coins. Terry H. purchased a few. Thanks Terry!
When attendance is light, I need all my regulars to make purchases and I need some new customers. Only some of my regulars showed up this weekend and only some of them made purchases. I also only had a handful of new customers.
I am absolutely amazed that I could sell a ton of cards in a blizzard in Rockford but on a nice spring weekend, I could not sell much at all. Very strange.
My weekend was saved by being in a "pod" with some great folks including Gary G., Dennis B., Reed P. and Kerry (sp), and Chris. I really enjoyed hanging out with these guys. Gary, Dennis, Chris and I went out after the show Friday to nearby Italian restaurant Sam's which was awesome. I enjoyed a Chicken Portabella entree caked in olive oil and garlic that was oh, so good, while the guys shared a pizza. I accompanied my meal with a beer called a "Pig Minds Vanilla Bitch Slap." I honestly was hesitant to order this beer based on its name but Gary recommended it. Glad I ordered the Bitch Slap because it was damn good.
My hotel in Rockford was practically under the highway and featured a bunch of folks partying all night. It was tough to sleep. I was tired on Saturday but got by on a lot of caffein.
I appreciate the few folks that purchased cards from me. Thank you! On the buying front, I took a pass. I know I should buy when things are slow but I am just not in the mood when my pockets are empty.
I don't play the blame game. When a show promoter puts in the effort to get the word out, like John and Mike did, I will not place blame on them like some nutters did at the end of the show. I know first hand, as a promoter, all you can do is put the word out. You have no control over who does or who does not show up.
I have set up at quite a few of John and Mike's shows and they almost always are well attended. We all produce a dud every so often, myself included. You just gotta dust yourself off and get back in the box, like John and Mike will do on June 4 when they host a show in Janesville. Normally, I would attend that show but it is scheduled the day after Oak Creek when these old bones are tired as hell. I'll be sleeping in that day. However, I recommend everyone attend the Janesville show which is always a good time!
John and Mike are working on their schedule for the rest of the year. When I learn their dates, I will be sure to place some of their shows in my schedule.
In the meantime, I am getting back in the box next weekend with the Woodstock North High School show on Saturday, May 20, 2023; and Orland on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
I have not decided yet what I am going to bring out next weekend. Any suggestions? I did start work on my 1977-78 Topps hockey binder. I should have it ready to go by the weekend.
The next Oak Creek show is coming up fast. A lot of my regular dealers have other stuff going on that day, so I will be pulling guys off the wait list. If you are on the wait list, you should hear from me shortly.
A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the moms who follow my blog. I took my mommy and the mommy of my kids to Lamb's Farm in Libertyville, Illinois, for Mother's Day. We had a real nice time!
Have a great week everybody!
Here are a couple more photos from the Premier Card Show.
This had all the makings of a tremendous show. Promoters John and Mike did a helluva job organizing this 200-table show. As you know, I love the vintage and this show had some of the best vintage dealers around. Man, oh, man! There were Cobbs, Ruths, Gehrigs, about a dozen or so Rose rookies, Ryan rookies, Mantles, Jackie and more. I was blown away.
For whatever reason, attendance was down. Where was everybody? You guys missed out!! Look at that photo above! This was something special!!
I brought out most of my binders. I only put out a few football binders since the majority of them are empty. I've got to find some time to work on the football binders! New for the show was 1979 Topps baseball -- I did not sell one!! Also new for the show was 1964 Topps Coins. I sold four or five coins. Terry H. purchased a few. Thanks Terry!
When attendance is light, I need all my regulars to make purchases and I need some new customers. Only some of my regulars showed up this weekend and only some of them made purchases. I also only had a handful of new customers.
I am absolutely amazed that I could sell a ton of cards in a blizzard in Rockford but on a nice spring weekend, I could not sell much at all. Very strange.
My weekend was saved by being in a "pod" with some great folks including Gary G., Dennis B., Reed P. and Kerry (sp), and Chris. I really enjoyed hanging out with these guys. Gary, Dennis, Chris and I went out after the show Friday to nearby Italian restaurant Sam's which was awesome. I enjoyed a Chicken Portabella entree caked in olive oil and garlic that was oh, so good, while the guys shared a pizza. I accompanied my meal with a beer called a "Pig Minds Vanilla Bitch Slap." I honestly was hesitant to order this beer based on its name but Gary recommended it. Glad I ordered the Bitch Slap because it was damn good.
My hotel in Rockford was practically under the highway and featured a bunch of folks partying all night. It was tough to sleep. I was tired on Saturday but got by on a lot of caffein.
I appreciate the few folks that purchased cards from me. Thank you! On the buying front, I took a pass. I know I should buy when things are slow but I am just not in the mood when my pockets are empty.
I don't play the blame game. When a show promoter puts in the effort to get the word out, like John and Mike did, I will not place blame on them like some nutters did at the end of the show. I know first hand, as a promoter, all you can do is put the word out. You have no control over who does or who does not show up.
I have set up at quite a few of John and Mike's shows and they almost always are well attended. We all produce a dud every so often, myself included. You just gotta dust yourself off and get back in the box, like John and Mike will do on June 4 when they host a show in Janesville. Normally, I would attend that show but it is scheduled the day after Oak Creek when these old bones are tired as hell. I'll be sleeping in that day. However, I recommend everyone attend the Janesville show which is always a good time!
John and Mike are working on their schedule for the rest of the year. When I learn their dates, I will be sure to place some of their shows in my schedule.
In the meantime, I am getting back in the box next weekend with the Woodstock North High School show on Saturday, May 20, 2023; and Orland on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
I have not decided yet what I am going to bring out next weekend. Any suggestions? I did start work on my 1977-78 Topps hockey binder. I should have it ready to go by the weekend.
The next Oak Creek show is coming up fast. A lot of my regular dealers have other stuff going on that day, so I will be pulling guys off the wait list. If you are on the wait list, you should hear from me shortly.
A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the moms who follow my blog. I took my mommy and the mommy of my kids to Lamb's Farm in Libertyville, Illinois, for Mother's Day. We had a real nice time!
Have a great week everybody!
Here are a couple more photos from the Premier Card Show.
Oh, and I made a new friend at Lamb's Farm on Mother's Day.
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