In the ever-evolving world of trading cards, where nostalgia meets serious collecting, two industry titans have announced a game-changer. PSA, synonymous with the zenith of card grading, and Burbank Sportscards, a behemoth in card inventory and sales, have confidently asserted that they’re not your run-of-the-mill card shop duo. Instead, they are embarking on a groundbreaking joint venture set to fundamentally change how collectors interact with their passion. The opening of PSA’s first-ever physical retail location inside Burbank Sportscards’ expansive new megastore in Southern California is not just about selling cards; it’s about setting a new cultural standard within the hobby. The calendar is marked for May 30, a date collectors will soon associate with the onset of a retail revolution that promises immediacy and connection.
Imagine stepping into a place that captures the very essence of an electrifying card show while maintaining the methodical precision and reliability of a premier retail experience. That’s the ambitious vision PSA and Burbank Sportscards have brought to life with their new hybrid space, nestled within a cavernous 14,000-square-foot location. At its heart, this establishment is designed to foster hands-on interaction with the hobby’s aficionados and neophytes alike. This is card collecting elevated, with PSA employees fully stationed within the venue, ready to provide guidance and direct submission avenues that cater to the longtime collector and the curious newcomer with equal enthusiasm.
“This is about being closer to the customer,” remarked PSA President Ryan Hoge, summarizing the collective ethos driving this initiative. “Collectors cherish the opportunity to engage directly with our team at events, and now we offer them a daily opportunity to do exactly that.” The sentiment at the core of Hoge’s statement underscores a notable shift within the hobby: an increasing demand for face-to-face, expert-level assistance.
Visitors will find more than just trading cards to admire and assess. They can submit items for grading that span a delightful breadth of categories, from the traditional trading cards to autographs, unopened packs, Funko Pops, and even tickets. Significantly, PSA boosts its customer offering by providing Vault storage and eBay consignment services right on the floor of the store.
For Rob Veres, the innovative brain behind Burbank Sportscards, this undertaking transcends anything labeled as a mere shop enhancement. It represents a total reinvention of the card shop milieu. Visitors will experience an immersion into the culture itself, a journey that is not just transactional.
“We wanted to create something immersive,” Veres shared. “The aim was to have collectors walk in and feel immersed in the heart of the hobby — to not just shuffle through stacks of cards, but to become fully engaged participants.” This vision materializes through the store’s innovative features, such as access to more than 40 million cards via a cutting-edge kiosk system that expertly navigates their vast digital archive. Additionally, over 1 million cards will be available for browsing at a tantalizing price point of just 25 cents each, meticulously organized by sport and year to cater to the treasure hunter within.
Veres emphasizes inclusivity, aiming for Burbank to be a place that caters to the widest breadth of collectors imaginable, whether they seek the history-rich aura of vintage cards or are looking to assemble a beloved set from their childhood.
The partnership’s announcement follows closely on the heels of another tectonic shift by Burbank, namely their bold decision to withdraw inventory from eBay in favor of an exclusive alliance with the Fanatics Collect marketplace. Announced at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention, this move resonated throughout the hobby, and now, this newest endeavor continues to bring everything into sharper focus, creating a buzz that’s impossible to silence.
For PSA, entering this arena signifies an exciting direction. Whether this will be the first of several stores is not yet disclosed, yet what is undeniable is the warming appreciation and need for personal, expert service in the collecting sphere.
Overall, the collaboration between PSA and Burbank Sportscards is an emblem of the hobby’s transformation: becoming more approachable, more engaging, and more rooted in community than ever before. The launch of their retail store is more than a business expansion; it’s a testament to the evolving nature of collecting, drawing seasoned hobbyists and casual fans into a rich tapestry of connection and discovery. In an era rich with digital interactions, the physical presence of a trusted gateway into the hobby’s depths promises to build relationships and offer experiences that go beyond the cards themselves.
