In a move that signals a revolutionary shift in the world of trading card collecting, PSA, the authority in card grading, has teamed up with industry staple Burbank Sportscards to roll out a groundbreaking venture: the first-ever retail store dedicated to grading, nested within a lavish, 14,000-square-foot space in Southern California. This illustrious collaboration is set to unroll its carpets on May 30th, inviting both veteran and novice collectors to step into a world where hands-on service and unparalleled access to top-tier grading meet under one gigantic roof.
Nestled inside the Burbank Sportscards megastore, PSA’s debut retail hub offers a unique blend of card-related services, and it’s not just about luxury; it’s about proximity. As PSA’s President, Ryan Hoge, keenly points out, “This is about being closer to the customer.” Collectors have long cherished the opportunity to interact with PSA team members at various events, but now, these face-to-face interactions can become daily rituals. The store doesn’t just stand as a landmark; it symbolizes a hybrid vision of a live card show entwined with the reliability of a structured retail environment.
The suite of services offered at this pioneering store is akin to a collector’s paradise. Visitors can submit an array of collectables for grading—from the omnipresent trading cards to signatures, unopened packs, quirky Funko Pops, and even cherished tickets. If you’re worried about your treasures languishing in a drawer, fear not! PSA offers Vault storage services, coupled with easeful eBay consignment options, directly from this epicenter of enthused collectors’ dreams.
Rob Veres, the formidable figure behind Burbank Sportscards, sees this venture not as a mere enhancement but as a complete reinvention of the traditional card shop experience. His conceptualization marries immersion with practicality, creating an ambiance that echoes the thrum of a bustling card show. Veres elaborates, “We wanted to create something immersive. 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.”
To achieve this vibrant immersion, the store will showcase access to a whopping 40 million cards through an intuitive kiosk system, bringing a vast, digital catalog to life. The interactive process allows collectors to cherry-pick desired items, while over a million cards, intentionally priced at an easy-breezy 25 cents each, are arrayed by sport and year. This setup turns treasure hunting into an affordable delight for everyone, from seasoned aficionados to those simply seeking to revisit the curations of their youth.
This opening of the PSA and Burbank Sportscards store also follows a strategic maneuver by Burbank that shook the foundations of the hobby earlier this year. By opting for an exclusive partnership with Fanatics Collect, disregarding traditional platforms like eBay, Burbank signaled its innovative approach at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention. This bold move caused ripples that haven’t settled—and now, with the collaborative storefront, those ripples have intensified into waves of fervent anticipation.
As PSA steps into this new territory, the burning question on every collector’s mind is: is this the genesis of a new retail empire for PSA, or perhaps a one-off synergy with a loyal industry partner like Burbank Sportscards? While these musings linger, one element remains crystal-clear—the demand for in-person expertise and interaction is burgeoning. This unique retail experience answers that call, catering to an audience eager for more personalized guidance and connection within the community.
Packed with an inviting atmosphere, a colossal selection of cards, and services that stretch beyond the mundane, the PSA and Burbank Sportscards enterprise tears down the conventional walls of card collecting. It assembles a space that’s not just about purchasing cards but about engaging with a hobby that’s evolving to be more inclusive, interactive, and community-centric. As collectors flock to this new retail haven, they’re not just stepping into a store—they’re embarking on a journey into the very heart of card collecting culture.
