Sunday, January 2, 2022, Woodfield Hyatt Hotel, Schaumburg, IL
Honestly, I was a little disappointed I could not operate my Oak Creek show on January 1st. I knew it would have been difficult to pull off a New Year's Day show and I was a little relieved when I learned the Sal would be closed on the first... but I still wanted to have the show.
I scanned the Beckett Show Calendar for another show on January 1st but could not find any nearby. At least I had the Schaumburg show on January 2nd.
As it turns out, a January 1st show would have been a disaster as we were hit with the first big snowstorm of the season. The roads were horrible Sunday morning on my drive to Schaumburg. I had a very scary drive. Upon arrival, promoter Joe said he was surprised to see me. Well, it takes a little more than some snow to keep me from a card show.
In addition to the horrible state of the roads, it was bitter cold outside. I was hoping to snag a hotel cart for load in but they were all being used. I used my cart to load in but it takes two trips on my smaller cart.
Doreen saved me from a headache and caught me as I was about to enter the elevator to head on down to the usual spot for the show in the basement. Instead of the basement, the show was in a back ballroom, which I did not know existed. I much prefer that back ballroom than taking the elevator down to the basement.
My tables were located in the middle of the room near the back, split between modern card dealer Steve and a younger modern card dealer. I like the brown velvety tablecloths that the hotel provides. The room looks good, classy.
Set up went smoothly. I brought out eight display cases thinking I had eight-foot tables but turns out they were six footers and could only fit seven cases. I filled the cases with baseball cards from 1909 through 1967.
I was amazed at the nice turn out with such awful roads covered in ice and snow. A few dealers braved the roads from Wisconsin like Josh Brothers and Randy and his kids. A lot of friendly faces at this show like Skip, Karl and Tom, who commented on my Orland blog and the dope who placed his cup of Coke on my table. Mike also commented on that guy as well.
I received several comments and compliments about my pop-up shops that I ran at my law office in Palatine early last year. I need to plan for another one soon.
While the room was filled with people all day, kind of slow for me. Junior was my first sale of the day. He purchased my Yaz rookie. I sort of think I originally purchased the card from him. I bought a McCovey rookie from him as part of the transaction. My only purchase of the day. As usual, Tom and I were the only vintage dealers.
This has always been a modern show with just one or two vintage dealers sprinkled in. My expectations are always low for this show because the vintage crowd just does not attend. Joe told me our old buddy Andy called and asked if I was setting up but Andy was a no show. Hope to see you this weekend in Orland Andy! Joe told me he went to grade school with Andy.
I was thankful I made that early sale to Junior because sales were slow all day. A new customer, who said he is just getting back into collecting vintage, purchased a few Ernie Banks cards. A few more guys purchased some cards. I can't remember what I sold. I do remember that my old friend Randy purchased some 1957s. I gotta remember to bring the '57 binder for Randy at the February show.
The other Randy, who was set up across from me with his kids, and who came down from Oak Creek, purchased a few cards. Thanks guys! While this is not my worst regular show it does have the most expensive dealer tables out of all of the shows I do so after table fee, I was disappointed with my sales. I must admit, my sales were better than the December show.
I am not sure what to bring out for February. I brought the binders in December and display cases in January. Maybe I'll bring out a mix of display cases and cheapy boxes and binders for the February show, which I think is on Super Bowl Sunday. If any vintage collectors are planning to attend the February show, let me know what you want me to bring out.
The temperature really warmed up after the show and the roads were much better for my drive home.
Up next is a double bill weekend with Rockford on Saturday and Orland on Sunday. I'm thinking display cases for Rockford since I've done binders the past two months. I like to change it up. I'm bringing binders to Orland where I have a lot of table space and need to figure out what else to bring. I'm thinking maybe one display case with basketball and hockey.
Then my Oak Creek show is scheduled for January 15, 2022, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in beautiful Oak Creek, WI. Dealer tables are sold out as usual. I'm hoping the Oak Creek show starts out with a bang!
See you next weekend!
Tony
Honestly, I was a little disappointed I could not operate my Oak Creek show on January 1st. I knew it would have been difficult to pull off a New Year's Day show and I was a little relieved when I learned the Sal would be closed on the first... but I still wanted to have the show.
I scanned the Beckett Show Calendar for another show on January 1st but could not find any nearby. At least I had the Schaumburg show on January 2nd.
As it turns out, a January 1st show would have been a disaster as we were hit with the first big snowstorm of the season. The roads were horrible Sunday morning on my drive to Schaumburg. I had a very scary drive. Upon arrival, promoter Joe said he was surprised to see me. Well, it takes a little more than some snow to keep me from a card show.
In addition to the horrible state of the roads, it was bitter cold outside. I was hoping to snag a hotel cart for load in but they were all being used. I used my cart to load in but it takes two trips on my smaller cart.
Doreen saved me from a headache and caught me as I was about to enter the elevator to head on down to the usual spot for the show in the basement. Instead of the basement, the show was in a back ballroom, which I did not know existed. I much prefer that back ballroom than taking the elevator down to the basement.
My tables were located in the middle of the room near the back, split between modern card dealer Steve and a younger modern card dealer. I like the brown velvety tablecloths that the hotel provides. The room looks good, classy.
Set up went smoothly. I brought out eight display cases thinking I had eight-foot tables but turns out they were six footers and could only fit seven cases. I filled the cases with baseball cards from 1909 through 1967.
I was amazed at the nice turn out with such awful roads covered in ice and snow. A few dealers braved the roads from Wisconsin like Josh Brothers and Randy and his kids. A lot of friendly faces at this show like Skip, Karl and Tom, who commented on my Orland blog and the dope who placed his cup of Coke on my table. Mike also commented on that guy as well.
I received several comments and compliments about my pop-up shops that I ran at my law office in Palatine early last year. I need to plan for another one soon.
While the room was filled with people all day, kind of slow for me. Junior was my first sale of the day. He purchased my Yaz rookie. I sort of think I originally purchased the card from him. I bought a McCovey rookie from him as part of the transaction. My only purchase of the day. As usual, Tom and I were the only vintage dealers.
This has always been a modern show with just one or two vintage dealers sprinkled in. My expectations are always low for this show because the vintage crowd just does not attend. Joe told me our old buddy Andy called and asked if I was setting up but Andy was a no show. Hope to see you this weekend in Orland Andy! Joe told me he went to grade school with Andy.
I was thankful I made that early sale to Junior because sales were slow all day. A new customer, who said he is just getting back into collecting vintage, purchased a few Ernie Banks cards. A few more guys purchased some cards. I can't remember what I sold. I do remember that my old friend Randy purchased some 1957s. I gotta remember to bring the '57 binder for Randy at the February show.
The other Randy, who was set up across from me with his kids, and who came down from Oak Creek, purchased a few cards. Thanks guys! While this is not my worst regular show it does have the most expensive dealer tables out of all of the shows I do so after table fee, I was disappointed with my sales. I must admit, my sales were better than the December show.
I am not sure what to bring out for February. I brought the binders in December and display cases in January. Maybe I'll bring out a mix of display cases and cheapy boxes and binders for the February show, which I think is on Super Bowl Sunday. If any vintage collectors are planning to attend the February show, let me know what you want me to bring out.
The temperature really warmed up after the show and the roads were much better for my drive home.
Up next is a double bill weekend with Rockford on Saturday and Orland on Sunday. I'm thinking display cases for Rockford since I've done binders the past two months. I like to change it up. I'm bringing binders to Orland where I have a lot of table space and need to figure out what else to bring. I'm thinking maybe one display case with basketball and hockey.
Then my Oak Creek show is scheduled for January 15, 2022, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in beautiful Oak Creek, WI. Dealer tables are sold out as usual. I'm hoping the Oak Creek show starts out with a bang!
See you next weekend!
Tony
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