When two titans of the trading card universe decide to shake hands, the hobby community knows to pay attention. The latest groundbreaking fusion comes as PSA, synonymous with the pinnacle of card grading, and Burbank Sportscards, famed for its unparalleled inventory, team up to create a retail wonderland for card collectors. This isn’t just another run-of-the-mill shop opening; it’s a revolutionary leap into a new realm of collecting — where the tangible allure of trading cards meets the precision of expert grading.
Set to open its doors on May 30th, this venture isn’t housed in some corner Facebook-marketplace-style backroom but rather embedded right into the heart and expanse of Burbank Sportscards’ colossal 14,000-square-foot megastore in Southern California. A physical presence like this for PSA is indeed their maiden voyage, one that promises to redefine collector experiences by anchoring the company’s unparalleled grading service in a retail environment.
For Ryan Hoge, the President of PSA, the focus is crystal clear: it’s about proximity to the collector. “Collectors love being able to talk to our team at events. Now we’re giving them a place to do that every day,” Hoge enthuses. This sentiment echoes with collectors who often find solace in the tactile world of cards amidst an increasingly digital age. The new store won’t just be a grading station but a full-fledged hub where enthusiasts can submit everything from rare trading cards and autographs to tickets and sealed packs for grading. For the Funko Pop fans and memorabilia aficionados, PSA is rolling out the plush velvet carpet, inviting you into the fold with space for these too.
Rob Veres, the inventive mind behind Burbank Sportscards, sees this not as an evolution but a revolution of what a traditional card shop can embody. “We wanted to create something immersive,” Veres asserts, highlighting the store’s function as a vibrant nexus comparable to the lively chaos of a card show, yet marked by the order and reliability of a premium retail outlet. At the core of the retail strategy is accessibility: over 40 million cards will be reachable via a state-of-the-art kiosk system letting customers order from a staggering digital catalog. Additionally, more than a million physical cards will beckon from the store floor, priced attractively at a mere 25 cents each, and neatly sorted by sport and year.
For the dedicated or the dreamy-eyed reminiscing about unfinished childhood card collections, this collector’s haven is a place that just keeps saying “yes.” Whether you’re on the hunt for that rare timeworn gem or just aiming to complete a beloved childhood set, Burbank Sportscards, in tandem with PSA, embody a commitment to inclusivity within the hobby.
This bold partnership arrives on the heels of Burbank’s strategic pivot from eBay towards an exclusive collaboration with the Fanatics Collect marketplace earlier this year, a decisive move revealed at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention that rattled through the hobby world like an unexpected changeup. Now, with this first-of-its-kind retail venture with PSA, they’re adding yet another electric spark to the collecting circuit.
Meanwhile, curiosity hums quietly about whether PSA intends to make this a template for future expansions or keep it as a unique handshake with a cherished partner. What emerges undeniable amidst this whirl of questions is the heightened demand for personable, in-the-flesh interactions in grading and collecting — an edge this new venture powerfully delivers.
Ultimately, this collaboration signals far more than the mere unveiling of a new card store. It marks a vibrant step towards a more inclusive, sensory-rich, and communal approach to the hobby. As these two giants bring their respective strengths under one expansive roof, the phrase “talk to a professional” will no longer imply waiting on the phone or typing endless character-count glassy-eyed amidst digital queues. Instead, it’s a tactile and immediate reality, a dialogue about the love of cards nestled amid the camraderie of physical proximity.
What may begin as a single store aligning the formidable capabilities of PSA and Burbank is fittingly positioned to set the stage for an expansive transformation throughout the hobby world — one that’s accessible, interactive, and continually gravitating towards its vastly passionate community. As the store doors swing open, eager collectors and enthusiasts, one can only imagine, will be hurrying to what promises to be a veritable Mecca for anyone with a passion for paper and passion for the stories contained within.
