The trading card realm just got a facelift with a daring collaboration between PSA, the undisputed heavyweight champ in card grading, and Burbank Sportscards, a name synonymous with vast card inventories. Together, they are poised to redefine the traditional collector’s experience by unveiling a cutting-edge retail store that does more than just sell cards — it promises an immersive service journey inside the new Burbank Sportscards megastore planted firmly in Southern California. Mark your calendars for May 30, when this groundbreaking space officially swings open its doors, paving the way for a novel chapter in the collecting community.
Think of PSA and Burbank as the buddy cop duo you never knew you needed in the card world. PSA, who reigns supreme in the realm of card grading, is usually a behind-the-scenes superstar, grading legions of cards sent through envelopes worldwide. But now, they’re taking center stage within Burbank’s colossal 14,000-square-foot emporium. Their space doesn’t just sprinkle stardust on your cherished collectibles; it’s a fully staffed mecca of PSA employees ready to serve, greet, and assist collectors who crave that human touch and want to submit their treasured items directly into the capable hands of the best in the business.
Ryan Hoge, with the enthusiasm of an orchestra conductor announcing a new symphony, suggests that this venture is all about embracing collectors like family. “Collectors love being able to talk to our team at events. Now we’re giving them a place to do that every day,” says Hoge, exuding passion for creating an orbit where collectors can finally converge without the cacophony of a convention hall.
This new endeavor offers a smorgasbord of grading possibilities: from your standard trading cards shivering with anticipation to autographs, unopened packs itching to see the daylight, Funko Pops ready to show off, and even tickets looking to relive their glory days. Adding another feather to their cap, PSA’s offerings include Vault storage, a treasure trove for your collectibles, and eBay consignment services that can turn grandma’s attic finds into golden opportunities, right then and there.
Meanwhile, Rob Veres, the visionary behind Burbank Sportscards, is no less enthusiastic. For Veres, this retail oasis isn’t just an enhancement — it’s akin to hitting a video game reset button and unlocking a level that had only been whispered about in collector myths. His dream is a hybrid habitat that combines the thrill of a live card show with the assured continuity of an elite retail experience.
“We wanted to create something immersive,” Veres elaborates, poring over blueprints for the ultimate collector’s haven. “Collectors should be able to walk in and feel like they’re in the heart of the hobby — not just flipping through cards but fully engaged.” It’s a space where vitrines filled with past treasures coexist with gleaming digital kiosks, providing access to over 40 million cards. A simple tap on the screen unlocks a cascade of historical moments captured in cardboard, delivered with the celerity of a digital genie fulfilling collecting wishes.
The icing on this collectible cake is a staggering million cards, neatly arrayed and ready to go for a mere 25 cents each, categorized precisely so even the most pernickety of budget collectors can indulge their need to rummage and discover hidden gems.
Veres aspires for Burbank to echo a siren’s call to collectors far and wide, a beacon where every card connoisseur — whether prowling for rare, golden-age relics or piecing together an incomplete childhood set that whispers sweet nostalgia — can feel welcomed and find affirmation in their zealotry.
Noteworthy is Burbank’s tumultuous yet exhilarating breakup with eBay, which saw them walk arm-in-arm with the Fanatics Collect marketplace earlier this year, a seismic shift announced with much aplomb at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention, shaking the collecting community to its core. This romance with PSA spurs further speculation about the trajectory of in-store grading services and if this Southern Californian venue is the herald of a broader movement or simply a thrilling one-off.
PSA now stands at a crossroads, and though there’s cautious uncertainty regarding whether other such physical locations could follow, the commitment to meeting collectors’ needs where they are is indisputable. This joint venture isn’t merely a new portal for purchasing cards—it encapsulates a spirited evolution within collecting culture: poised to be more inclusive, engaging, and driven by the heartbeat of community interaction like never before.
