Friday - Saturday, June 7 -8, 2024, Midwest Monster, Fishers, IN
There are just no ifs, ands or buts about it -- I am just disappointed. I've been disappointed ever since the Sports Spectacular folks announced several months ago that they were not doing a show in Rosemont this summer. Instead, they moved the show to Detroit. Now, I had been planning to set up at their summer show in Rosemont ever since their last one in the summer of 2022. WTF? Why skip Rosemont for Detroit?
I was not about to set up at a new show in Detroit. Instead, I opted for the more established Midwest Monster in Indianapolis. I used to set up in Indy regularly back in the day. I have set up at many of Jeff Meyrose's monthly shows at the VFW in Fishers. Jeff has been doing the Midwest Monster, a 400-table show, for three years now. His VFW show is only about 50 tables. When I called him to reserve some space for the Monster a few months ago, he told me to bring extra cards because many dealers ran out of cards at the last Midwest Monster. Thanks for artificially increasing my expectations Jeff!
I was soo disappointed at the Midwest Monster because I laid an egg, even though it was well attended. Nobody wanted my cards. Poor me. Wah, wah!
There was a nice number of vintage dealers set up at the Monster, just not near me. I was on an isolated island in a sea of shiny stuff. Most everyone walked past my table, not even giving me a courtesy glance. The few that stopped were snotty and arrogant. It was a strange two days.
Just about all of them commented on my Bill Walton rookie. Yes, I know he died. No, I did not raise the price on it just because he kicked the bucket. Just buy the damn card! Nobody bought the card.
A couple of the vintage dealers I talked to said they did well. Not me. I did not do well. Probably my worst show of the year, so far.
It would have been a complete waste of time if I didn't head down there Thursday to hang out with my childhood friend Shelby G., who has been living in Indy for the past 34 years. Love that guy! We met at age 12 when we were on the same Pony League team. He caught my no-hitter, though, he has no recollection of it. He only remembers the fight he got into with Bryan Sakolsky.
Even though he can't remember the highlight of my youth sports career, it was still great to catch up and also hang out with his two boys, who both collect cards.
Shelby took me to the Chatham Tap in Fishers. We sat out in the beer garden and ordered some Bell's Amber Ale. Bell's is out of Kalamazoo and is my favorite brewery.
Before heading down to Indy, I told my pal Stan A., an Indy native who now lives in the Milwaukee area, that I was setting up at the Midwest Monster. He advised that I order a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, the specialty dish of Indianapolis. Stan sent me several photos.
Both Shelby and I went with the breaded pork tenderloin. Man, it was good. We also ordered some Buffalo Wings because the super cool waiter recommended them. The wings were awesome. The Chatham Tap is awesome.
Another highlight from my weekend in Indy was having dinner Friday night with Mark and Greg. Love those guys too! Greg has not lost his touch and picked another excellent restaurant, the Ale Emporium. I started with a Hefeweizen, which was full bodied and tasty. I also ordered a burger which was delicious. Mark and Greg went with a pan pizza.
Okay, so it wasn't all bad. I also enjoyed chatting with a ton of people I knew at the Monster like Noah V., Tommy Larson, Shong, Eddie, J.D., Walt, Jose R., Tommy and Frank Cascio, Jason G., Josh B., Juan, Perry, who was set up with his son; and Ash, the man with the cards!
Regardless, part of me never wants to go back to Indianapolis ever again. Another part of me wants to give the Monster another shot, just with different inventory. Binders, maybe. There was a big crowd. For the life of me, I can't understand why nobody wanted my stuff? I'll probably give it another try. It is worth it just to hang out with everybody.
Biggest drawback of the Midwest Monster is the concession stand. The food at the show was downright vulgar. How can a concession stand serve such crappy food? I made sure I stopped at Starbucks on the way in Saturday for some real coffee and some snacks. Of course I spilled my coffee on my crotch and walked around with a brown stain all day. It looked like I pooped my pants. Then the pretty girl set up next to me, who I am sure saw the poo stain, alerted me to the tag I neglected to remove from my new shorts... that I ruined with that poo/coffee stain. I was killing it!!!
So happy to be home!!!
Now for some photos from the Midwest Monster:
There are just no ifs, ands or buts about it -- I am just disappointed. I've been disappointed ever since the Sports Spectacular folks announced several months ago that they were not doing a show in Rosemont this summer. Instead, they moved the show to Detroit. Now, I had been planning to set up at their summer show in Rosemont ever since their last one in the summer of 2022. WTF? Why skip Rosemont for Detroit?
I was not about to set up at a new show in Detroit. Instead, I opted for the more established Midwest Monster in Indianapolis. I used to set up in Indy regularly back in the day. I have set up at many of Jeff Meyrose's monthly shows at the VFW in Fishers. Jeff has been doing the Midwest Monster, a 400-table show, for three years now. His VFW show is only about 50 tables. When I called him to reserve some space for the Monster a few months ago, he told me to bring extra cards because many dealers ran out of cards at the last Midwest Monster. Thanks for artificially increasing my expectations Jeff!
I was soo disappointed at the Midwest Monster because I laid an egg, even though it was well attended. Nobody wanted my cards. Poor me. Wah, wah!
There was a nice number of vintage dealers set up at the Monster, just not near me. I was on an isolated island in a sea of shiny stuff. Most everyone walked past my table, not even giving me a courtesy glance. The few that stopped were snotty and arrogant. It was a strange two days.
Just about all of them commented on my Bill Walton rookie. Yes, I know he died. No, I did not raise the price on it just because he kicked the bucket. Just buy the damn card! Nobody bought the card.
A couple of the vintage dealers I talked to said they did well. Not me. I did not do well. Probably my worst show of the year, so far.
It would have been a complete waste of time if I didn't head down there Thursday to hang out with my childhood friend Shelby G., who has been living in Indy for the past 34 years. Love that guy! We met at age 12 when we were on the same Pony League team. He caught my no-hitter, though, he has no recollection of it. He only remembers the fight he got into with Bryan Sakolsky.
Even though he can't remember the highlight of my youth sports career, it was still great to catch up and also hang out with his two boys, who both collect cards.
Shelby took me to the Chatham Tap in Fishers. We sat out in the beer garden and ordered some Bell's Amber Ale. Bell's is out of Kalamazoo and is my favorite brewery.
Before heading down to Indy, I told my pal Stan A., an Indy native who now lives in the Milwaukee area, that I was setting up at the Midwest Monster. He advised that I order a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, the specialty dish of Indianapolis. Stan sent me several photos.
Both Shelby and I went with the breaded pork tenderloin. Man, it was good. We also ordered some Buffalo Wings because the super cool waiter recommended them. The wings were awesome. The Chatham Tap is awesome.
Another highlight from my weekend in Indy was having dinner Friday night with Mark and Greg. Love those guys too! Greg has not lost his touch and picked another excellent restaurant, the Ale Emporium. I started with a Hefeweizen, which was full bodied and tasty. I also ordered a burger which was delicious. Mark and Greg went with a pan pizza.
Okay, so it wasn't all bad. I also enjoyed chatting with a ton of people I knew at the Monster like Noah V., Tommy Larson, Shong, Eddie, J.D., Walt, Jose R., Tommy and Frank Cascio, Jason G., Josh B., Juan, Perry, who was set up with his son; and Ash, the man with the cards!
Regardless, part of me never wants to go back to Indianapolis ever again. Another part of me wants to give the Monster another shot, just with different inventory. Binders, maybe. There was a big crowd. For the life of me, I can't understand why nobody wanted my stuff? I'll probably give it another try. It is worth it just to hang out with everybody.
Biggest drawback of the Midwest Monster is the concession stand. The food at the show was downright vulgar. How can a concession stand serve such crappy food? I made sure I stopped at Starbucks on the way in Saturday for some real coffee and some snacks. Of course I spilled my coffee on my crotch and walked around with a brown stain all day. It looked like I pooped my pants. Then the pretty girl set up next to me, who I am sure saw the poo stain, alerted me to the tag I neglected to remove from my new shorts... that I ruined with that poo/coffee stain. I was killing it!!!
So happy to be home!!!
Now for some photos from the Midwest Monster:
Some final thoughts on the Midwest Monster...
I observed that the most popular athletes in Indy, based on the number of jerseys worn at the show, are Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts.
I also observed quite a few manbuns at the show and a handful of mullets. Tons of tattoos.
Traffic in Indy is horrible. All the roads are under construction. Driving around Indy just plain sucks!!
Anyway, I was back in familiar territory on Sunday for the Janesville show. Janesville blog coming soon.
I am taking next week off from shows to spend some time with my family. Next Oak Creek show is July 6. As usual, tables are sold out and I am way behind in responding to the endless messages. Will get to them soon!
Happy Father's Day!
See you soon!!!
I observed that the most popular athletes in Indy, based on the number of jerseys worn at the show, are Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts.
I also observed quite a few manbuns at the show and a handful of mullets. Tons of tattoos.
Traffic in Indy is horrible. All the roads are under construction. Driving around Indy just plain sucks!!
Anyway, I was back in familiar territory on Sunday for the Janesville show. Janesville blog coming soon.
I am taking next week off from shows to spend some time with my family. Next Oak Creek show is July 6. As usual, tables are sold out and I am way behind in responding to the endless messages. Will get to them soon!
Happy Father's Day!
See you soon!!!
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