In a thrilling announcement for trading card enthusiasts everywhere, two titans of the industry have paired up to revolutionize the collector experience. PSA, widely recognized as the gold standard in trading card grading, and Burbank Sportscards, a veritable haven for collectors, have joined forces to unveil a novel retail concept that melds comprehensive inventory with expert grading services. This dynamic collaboration promises to elevate the hobby to unprecedented heights, offering aficionados the chance to indulge in their passion with unparalleled access and support.
This endeavor sees PSA establishing its first-ever physical retail presence within the expansive confines of the new Burbank Sportscards megastore, located in the vibrant, sunny locale of Southern California. Scheduled to open its doors on May 30, this venture marks a monumental step forward not just for the two companies involved, but for the entire community of collectors. It’s a bold move towards redefining what it means to be a collector in a rapidly evolving hobby.
Nestled within Burbank’s sprawling 14,000-square-foot retail paradise, the PSA store will operate as an embedded entity, fully staffed by PSA experts. It promises to offer collectors a personalized, immersive experience with the opportunity for hands-on support and direct submission options. The idea is simple yet game-changing: elevate face-to-face customer interaction from sporadic occurrences at events to an everyday possibility. “This is about being closer to the customer,” PSA President Ryan Hoge explained, emphasizing the importance of personal interaction in cultivating and maintaining collector passion. With this new setup, hobbyists can engage with PSA’s adept team daily, thereby enriching their collector journey.
The offerings at this groundbreaking location are extensive. Visitors are empowered to submit their cherished items for grading, be it standard trading cards, autographs, or even the more eclectic Funko Pops and tickets. In addition, PSA will provide Vault storage and eBay consignment services, streamlining processes that were once relegated to separate arenas into a single, convenient hub.
Rob Veres, the mastermind behind Burbank Sportscards, envisions the new location as a transformative reimagining of what a card shop can be. “We wanted to create something immersive,” he noted, underscoring the goal of making the store feel like the pulsating heart of the hobby. More than just a place to browse, it’s designed to be a vibrant ecosystem where collectors actively engage with their interests. This innovative setup positions the store as a hybrid space that merges the dynamic, bustling atmosphere of a live card show with the solid reliability of a top-tier retail environment.
To facilitate this revolutionary experience, the store features access to a staggering 40 million cards through an advanced kiosk system. This technological marvel allows collectors to request items from a deep digital catalog, while employees promptly retrieve the desired treasures. Simultaneously, an impressive array of over 1 million cards will grace the store’s floor, each priced enticingly at just 25 cents. Organized meticulously by sport and year, this selection offers collectors the joy of discovery, all while staying friendly to those on a budget—truly democratizing the collector’s quest for hidden gems.
Veres has declared his intent to make Burbank a store that warmly embraces a wide range of collecting tastes. Whether patrons are in pursuit of rare, vintage pieces or merely seeking to complete the nostalgic sets of their childhood, the aim is to provide a resounding “yes” to every requirement.
This exciting retail partnership emerges hot on the heels of another bold decision by Burbank earlier this year: its strategic move to withdraw all inventory from eBay, instead opting for an exclusive partnership with the Fanatics Collect marketplace. The announcement, made with much fanfare at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention, made waves through the hobbyist community. Now, the unveiling of this new retail chapter in partnership with PSA is generating its own vibrant buzz, promising to be a significant milestone in the evolution of the trading card hobby.
For PSA, while it remains uncertain whether this venture represents the start of a widespread physical presence or a special collaboration with a cherished ally, what cannot be disputed is the growing demand for in-person, expert-level service. This exciting development answers the call from collectors for more accessible and interactive experiences.
Together, the combined forces of PSA’s superior in-store services and Burbank’s colossal, collector-friendly setup constitute more than just a new retail outlet. They embody the changing face of the hobby: increasingly accessible, interactively engaging, and community-driven. This launch heralds a fresh chapter for collectors, promising not only innovation but an enriched and connected future for the hobby.
