Sunday, August 3, 2025, National Sports Collectors Convention, Rosemont, IL
Man, was I tired Sunday morning. See photo below. I did not hire any help because Sunday is usually dead at the National. I only had a few sales on Sunday last year in Cleveland. A few years ago in Atlantic City, I did not have a single sale until late in the afternoon. I was not expecting much today.
First order of business was to devise an exit plan. The show went until 4 p.m. and the folks who run the National would not allow dealers to drive their cars into the building until 5 p.m. My plan was to stay set up all day and slowly pack up at four, then drive my car to the booth at 5.
Not as many empty holes in my display cases on Sunday morning as Saturday sales were the slowest of the week so far. I wondered if I should even bother filling the holes since Sundays are usually so horrible. I just didn't like the look of the empty spots in my display cases so I ended up filling them the best I could, as back stock was now non-existent.
I had Scott watch my stuff while I went to the lobby for some crappy coffee and more avocado toast. Once I downed the coffee and had eaten the toast, I went back to the lobby for some better coffee at Starbucks where the line was the shortest it had been all week.
Good thing I was heavily caffeinated because I was busy! Totally unexpected. I was busy all day long and needed help! Wow! Probably my best Sunday ever at the National.
Because I was so busy, the day went by fast. Before I knew it, it was 4 p.m. I was selling cards right up to the final bell. Crazy. What a crazy week!
It took me a long time to pull all the cards from my display cases and take down the four tables I brought along. All my cards fit into one bin which I brought with me as I made that long walk to the parking garage.
I pulled up to the garage by the autograph pavilion and had to wait awhile before I was let in. Scott was already gone.
I was able to park near my booth. It took a while to cart everything to the car and fill it up. I had the car filled floor to ceiling. Then I slowly exited the building. Another National in the books!
Once home, I decided to treat Lisa and Tabitha to a nice dinner at Benihana Japanese Steak House in Wheeling, Illinois. Benihana is one of those places where the chef cooks on the table and puts on a show. A fitting way to end a great week!
Before dinner, I pulled my cards out of the car but kept the display cases and tables in there for days before I had enough energy to empty it out.
A huge thank you to everyone who visited me at the National. Special thank you to my friend Larry who brought me an amazing pastrami sandwich on Saturday from Al & Joe's in nearby Franklin Park, IL. I also appreciate everyone who purchased cards and sold me cards. What a great week!
So, I did not get a chance to walk the show because I was so busy. I have been enjoying all the YouTube videos. None have shown my booth but I did get interviewed on camera by some guys. I just can't find the video. Oh, well. From my booth, the show was amazing. Looking at all those videos, the show looked amazing except for the area upstairs where the dealers were jammed in. So many people complained about it all week. I was happy the air conditioning worked.
Looking forward to next year. Come find me in the same spot near the autograph pavilion.
Man, was I tired Sunday morning. See photo below. I did not hire any help because Sunday is usually dead at the National. I only had a few sales on Sunday last year in Cleveland. A few years ago in Atlantic City, I did not have a single sale until late in the afternoon. I was not expecting much today.
First order of business was to devise an exit plan. The show went until 4 p.m. and the folks who run the National would not allow dealers to drive their cars into the building until 5 p.m. My plan was to stay set up all day and slowly pack up at four, then drive my car to the booth at 5.
Not as many empty holes in my display cases on Sunday morning as Saturday sales were the slowest of the week so far. I wondered if I should even bother filling the holes since Sundays are usually so horrible. I just didn't like the look of the empty spots in my display cases so I ended up filling them the best I could, as back stock was now non-existent.
I had Scott watch my stuff while I went to the lobby for some crappy coffee and more avocado toast. Once I downed the coffee and had eaten the toast, I went back to the lobby for some better coffee at Starbucks where the line was the shortest it had been all week.
Good thing I was heavily caffeinated because I was busy! Totally unexpected. I was busy all day long and needed help! Wow! Probably my best Sunday ever at the National.
Because I was so busy, the day went by fast. Before I knew it, it was 4 p.m. I was selling cards right up to the final bell. Crazy. What a crazy week!
It took me a long time to pull all the cards from my display cases and take down the four tables I brought along. All my cards fit into one bin which I brought with me as I made that long walk to the parking garage.
I pulled up to the garage by the autograph pavilion and had to wait awhile before I was let in. Scott was already gone.
I was able to park near my booth. It took a while to cart everything to the car and fill it up. I had the car filled floor to ceiling. Then I slowly exited the building. Another National in the books!
Once home, I decided to treat Lisa and Tabitha to a nice dinner at Benihana Japanese Steak House in Wheeling, Illinois. Benihana is one of those places where the chef cooks on the table and puts on a show. A fitting way to end a great week!
Before dinner, I pulled my cards out of the car but kept the display cases and tables in there for days before I had enough energy to empty it out.
A huge thank you to everyone who visited me at the National. Special thank you to my friend Larry who brought me an amazing pastrami sandwich on Saturday from Al & Joe's in nearby Franklin Park, IL. I also appreciate everyone who purchased cards and sold me cards. What a great week!
So, I did not get a chance to walk the show because I was so busy. I have been enjoying all the YouTube videos. None have shown my booth but I did get interviewed on camera by some guys. I just can't find the video. Oh, well. From my booth, the show was amazing. Looking at all those videos, the show looked amazing except for the area upstairs where the dealers were jammed in. So many people complained about it all week. I was happy the air conditioning worked.
Looking forward to next year. Come find me in the same spot near the autograph pavilion.
Sunday morning selfie. I was tired!
Now for my purchases. All this stuff walked up to my booth during the National.
Now for my purchases. All this stuff walked up to my booth during the National.
I still owe some blogs. Hope to get them done soon!
It is now September and I have a crazy busy month. The monthly Oak Creek show is Saturday, September 6. Then I have my Oak Creek Vintage Show on September 13. Then there is my 450-table MegaShow on September 20. The Milwaukee area is the place to be in September!!!
It is now September and I have a crazy busy month. The monthly Oak Creek show is Saturday, September 6. Then I have my Oak Creek Vintage Show on September 13. Then there is my 450-table MegaShow on September 20. The Milwaukee area is the place to be in September!!!
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