Sunday, June 6, 2021, Buenavista Banquets, Milwaukee WI
So after years of setting up at the Gonzaga Show, I was a little worried about my first foray to the new location. My initial worry was that I would not be able to find the place. I actually had kind of an idea where it was because I know Oklahoma Avenue from setting up at the old Serb Hall show. I thought about heading toward Serb Hall, getting on Oklahoma and heading west, figuring I would run into it but it is 2021 and we have this wonderful GPS technology. I just asked Siri and she took me safely there.
It was about an hour drive, not bad. Traffic was not too bad as well. The banquet hall is tucked away in a strip mall on the corner of Oklahoma and 76th Street. It was a really simple drive as Siri took me to the 76th Street exit from the highway then a mile north and I was there. I knew I was in the right place when I saw J.R. loading in.
It was great to see all the familiar faces. I haven't seen Keith since February of 2020. Keith placed me on three eight footers by the front door. I was very happy. Load in was a little tight but I have done shows in rooms very similar to this one and did not have any problems.
There is a really nice bar area with large flat screens leading into the hall. I took note of the bathrooms because my diabetes leads me to the urinal far more often than I like. I always have to know where the bathrooms are located.
Last night, after the Sal show, I drove home and switched out just about all of the stuff I took to that show for new items for the Buenavista show. I have not had 24-feet of space since the last Gonzaga show in February 2020. I brought out six display cases which take up 12 feet. I brought out all of my football, most of my basketball binders, I forgot one bin, and all of my hockey binders. I figured I still had three or four feet of space I needed to still fill up so I brought my oldest baseball binders. After setting everything up, I realized I could have either brought one more display case or a second bin of baseball binders. After this first run through, I'll be ready for the July show and fill the entire 24 feet.
I was warned prior to the show that space was tight behind the tables which was true. However, I knew the dealers behind me, Nelson and Dennis and we made it work. I also liked being next to Larry Larsen and Tom Jahn. This was the first time I had an opportunity to talk with Tom, who I learned is very entertaining. I was also across from Roger and his granddaughter. I am so impressed as to how knowledgeable Roger's granddaughter is about cards.
There was a nice steady flow of customers in the morning. My first customer of the day wanted to trade an old Milwaukee Braves program for some cards. We were able to work out a deal and he came back and bought some cards. The dealer across the way, next to Roger, who I have known for years and am having a senior moment and can't remember his name, ended up buying a few hockey cards. He told me he collects players from the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.
I observed that I was conveniently located across from the concession stand, which is a window into the bar. I thought about ordering a Bloody Mary but went with a cup of coffee instead.
When I walked back to my table, one of the friendliest guys you'll ever meet, Robert, was flipping through a binder, as he did yesterday at the Sal show. Robert found a bunch of football cards to purchase. Thanks Robert! Then Andy arrived and started out looking at my display cases. I was seated at the opposite end of the tables and had some obstacles getting over to the display cases. Andy and I exchanged some hand signals and he was able to help himself to the display cases. I don't mind allowing guys I know well and trust to have free access to the display cases. Andy was able to find some cards for his sets. I'll next see Andy at the National. Have a safe trip home Andy!
I then saw another long-time customer who, like many others, I have not seen since February 2020. I was having a brain-fart and could not remember his name. He found some cards for his sets and told me about an interesting book he was reading about the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
Yesterday Jim told me he lived right near Buenavista Banquets and would be at the show. It is always great to see Jim and he purchased a Joe Adcock Exhibit Card. Another favorite, Eric, stopped in and purchased some cards, including a 1960 Topps Willie McCovey All Star. Thanks Eric!
I sold a bunch of star cards, including a 1960 Topps Sandy Koufax and a 1961 Topps Carl Yastrzemski, to Herb. I know I have sold a few cards to Herb in the past. I really appreciated the purchases and good conversation.
Herb was very patient with me as I was stuffing my face with steak tacos while helping him. Man, those tacos were good! I ate five of them and probably could have eaten five more!! There is nothing like tacos in a fresh corn tortilla, warm and fluffy. Delicious!
Scott was the big winner today with the most purchases. Thank you Scott! Scott is working on a bunch of sets and found stacks of cards at my tables today including 1954 Bowman baseball and 1965 Topps football.
I was pretty happy with my sales today but unhappy with a lack of things to buy. Nobody brought me anything. I came prepared with cash to buy but nothing, nada, zip. I will be setting up at all of the WSCA/Buenavista shows in the future -- sell me some stuff!! While selling cards is great, I enjoy buying cards so much more. It is really a two-part job as a sports card dealers, both selling and buying. Oh well.
I was pleased that my location was away from the auction. I could not even hear the auction at my tables. Seemed like the auction was real quick today. Guys started packing up and going home before noon -- much too soon! If you are going to take the time to set up at a show, might as well stick it out until the end. My largest sale came at the end.
Just like old times, I was the last dealer to leave. I brought out a lot of stuff and it took a while to pack it all up and load it out into my car. I had an easy drive home and took a long nap once home. I am looking forward to the next show at Buenavista on July 11.
My next scheduled show is Orland on June 27. I had so much fun this weekend at the Sal and Buenavista that I am looking for some other shows to set up at prior to June 27. I'll let you know if I end up anywhere.
I had a great weekend! It was the first time I set up at two shows in one weekend in quite a long time. A big thank you to everyone who bought cards from me this weekend. Let's do it again soon!!
So after years of setting up at the Gonzaga Show, I was a little worried about my first foray to the new location. My initial worry was that I would not be able to find the place. I actually had kind of an idea where it was because I know Oklahoma Avenue from setting up at the old Serb Hall show. I thought about heading toward Serb Hall, getting on Oklahoma and heading west, figuring I would run into it but it is 2021 and we have this wonderful GPS technology. I just asked Siri and she took me safely there.
It was about an hour drive, not bad. Traffic was not too bad as well. The banquet hall is tucked away in a strip mall on the corner of Oklahoma and 76th Street. It was a really simple drive as Siri took me to the 76th Street exit from the highway then a mile north and I was there. I knew I was in the right place when I saw J.R. loading in.
It was great to see all the familiar faces. I haven't seen Keith since February of 2020. Keith placed me on three eight footers by the front door. I was very happy. Load in was a little tight but I have done shows in rooms very similar to this one and did not have any problems.
There is a really nice bar area with large flat screens leading into the hall. I took note of the bathrooms because my diabetes leads me to the urinal far more often than I like. I always have to know where the bathrooms are located.
Last night, after the Sal show, I drove home and switched out just about all of the stuff I took to that show for new items for the Buenavista show. I have not had 24-feet of space since the last Gonzaga show in February 2020. I brought out six display cases which take up 12 feet. I brought out all of my football, most of my basketball binders, I forgot one bin, and all of my hockey binders. I figured I still had three or four feet of space I needed to still fill up so I brought my oldest baseball binders. After setting everything up, I realized I could have either brought one more display case or a second bin of baseball binders. After this first run through, I'll be ready for the July show and fill the entire 24 feet.
I was warned prior to the show that space was tight behind the tables which was true. However, I knew the dealers behind me, Nelson and Dennis and we made it work. I also liked being next to Larry Larsen and Tom Jahn. This was the first time I had an opportunity to talk with Tom, who I learned is very entertaining. I was also across from Roger and his granddaughter. I am so impressed as to how knowledgeable Roger's granddaughter is about cards.
There was a nice steady flow of customers in the morning. My first customer of the day wanted to trade an old Milwaukee Braves program for some cards. We were able to work out a deal and he came back and bought some cards. The dealer across the way, next to Roger, who I have known for years and am having a senior moment and can't remember his name, ended up buying a few hockey cards. He told me he collects players from the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.
I observed that I was conveniently located across from the concession stand, which is a window into the bar. I thought about ordering a Bloody Mary but went with a cup of coffee instead.
When I walked back to my table, one of the friendliest guys you'll ever meet, Robert, was flipping through a binder, as he did yesterday at the Sal show. Robert found a bunch of football cards to purchase. Thanks Robert! Then Andy arrived and started out looking at my display cases. I was seated at the opposite end of the tables and had some obstacles getting over to the display cases. Andy and I exchanged some hand signals and he was able to help himself to the display cases. I don't mind allowing guys I know well and trust to have free access to the display cases. Andy was able to find some cards for his sets. I'll next see Andy at the National. Have a safe trip home Andy!
I then saw another long-time customer who, like many others, I have not seen since February 2020. I was having a brain-fart and could not remember his name. He found some cards for his sets and told me about an interesting book he was reading about the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
Yesterday Jim told me he lived right near Buenavista Banquets and would be at the show. It is always great to see Jim and he purchased a Joe Adcock Exhibit Card. Another favorite, Eric, stopped in and purchased some cards, including a 1960 Topps Willie McCovey All Star. Thanks Eric!
I sold a bunch of star cards, including a 1960 Topps Sandy Koufax and a 1961 Topps Carl Yastrzemski, to Herb. I know I have sold a few cards to Herb in the past. I really appreciated the purchases and good conversation.
Herb was very patient with me as I was stuffing my face with steak tacos while helping him. Man, those tacos were good! I ate five of them and probably could have eaten five more!! There is nothing like tacos in a fresh corn tortilla, warm and fluffy. Delicious!
Scott was the big winner today with the most purchases. Thank you Scott! Scott is working on a bunch of sets and found stacks of cards at my tables today including 1954 Bowman baseball and 1965 Topps football.
I was pretty happy with my sales today but unhappy with a lack of things to buy. Nobody brought me anything. I came prepared with cash to buy but nothing, nada, zip. I will be setting up at all of the WSCA/Buenavista shows in the future -- sell me some stuff!! While selling cards is great, I enjoy buying cards so much more. It is really a two-part job as a sports card dealers, both selling and buying. Oh well.
I was pleased that my location was away from the auction. I could not even hear the auction at my tables. Seemed like the auction was real quick today. Guys started packing up and going home before noon -- much too soon! If you are going to take the time to set up at a show, might as well stick it out until the end. My largest sale came at the end.
Just like old times, I was the last dealer to leave. I brought out a lot of stuff and it took a while to pack it all up and load it out into my car. I had an easy drive home and took a long nap once home. I am looking forward to the next show at Buenavista on July 11.
My next scheduled show is Orland on June 27. I had so much fun this weekend at the Sal and Buenavista that I am looking for some other shows to set up at prior to June 27. I'll let you know if I end up anywhere.
I had a great weekend! It was the first time I set up at two shows in one weekend in quite a long time. A big thank you to everyone who bought cards from me this weekend. Let's do it again soon!!
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