An emotional day for me - My LCS is closing

the27guy · 02-15-2017, 05:15 PM

Apologies in advance for the LONG read.... Likely, most of you won't read the whole thing.... that's okay. But for me, this is a very sentimental moment and this is a therapeutic post that I'm sure some of you can relate to.

Today, I got a notification via Facebook that my LCS changed it's hours. I looked at the page and the hours had been changed to "closed permanently".

I texted the owner (Jeff for those of you who know him) to make sure that what I was reading was accurate. This Saturday will be the final "bid-board" and the shop will be closing February 28th. I called him and we spent the next hour reminiscing about old times, how the hobby has changed, and the people we've met through the years. But bottom line is this, after 30 years,

House of Cards in Salt Lake City, is closing.

Many of you know that HoC is where I got my start in cards. I first went to HoC in 1990 during their in-store auction (called the "bid-board"). Over the next 27 years, it has been MY LCS.

I started working there part time in 1999 and worked until I went on my LDS mission in 2002. When I came back in 2004, I picked up where I left off and worked for another 3+ years. It was my first job and lasted close to 7 years with a two year mission in between.

I could tell you literally hundreds of stories. Hundreds. A lot of my childhood was spent in that store, with those people. So many friends. So much history. Finishing my 86-87 fleer set. Breaking up fights between customers. A customer pulling a MJ Auto Jersey card and selling in for $7k before that sort of thing happened. People stealing stuff. People first learning about "searching packs". First experiencing flipping cards. Saving for my mission and college and later paying rent as a newly married man...So many people. So many stories. So much of my history.

I could just go on and on and on....

And today, it's official. "The shop", as I've called it for nearly all my life, is closing.

I'm filled with a lot of emotions, but most overwhelming is the gratitude. My Boss Jeff, Mitch, Barry, Jay, Bob, Colin, Steve, Gale, Matt, Steve, Steve, Steve, Steve, Earl, Bill, Johnny, Chad, Chad, Ryan, Jubal, and the other hundred people that made the shop great.... thank you for making House of Cards a huge piece of my childhood and history. Thank you for everything.

Adam

OddityCards · 02-15-2017, 05:18 PM

WHAT???!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!
What day??

I thought they were just going to move it again to Jeff's store location...

BOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the27guy · 02-16-2017, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddityCards

WHAT???!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!
What day??

I thought they were just going to move it again to Jeff's store location...

BOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feb 28th, but this Saturday will be the final bid board. I'll be there. I'm bringing my wife and kids. Should be fun to say goodbye to SO man people.

bjho852 · 02-15-2017, 05:19 PM

Miss the good old LCS days.
When I first started collecting back in Hong Kong, one of the stores there was still in its infancy years. I traveled back to Hong Kong last year and the store, fortunately, is still there. 20+ years and hopefully counting.

hkcardcollector · 02-16-2017, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjho852

Miss the good old LCS days.
When I first started collecting back in Hong Kong, one of the stores there was still in its infancy years. I traveled back to Hong Kong last year and the store, fortunately, is still there. 20+ years and hopefully counting.

Card Express in Prince Edward?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bjho852 · 02-16-2017, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkcardcollector

Card Express in Prince Edward?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, you got it.
Back in the 90's, there were at least 2 more shops along with Card Express at Allied Plaza, plus 1 more at Sino Centre and another one in Tsuen Wan area if I am not mistaken.

scqg · 02-17-2017, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjho852

Miss the good old LCS days.
When I first started collecting back in Hong Kong, one of the stores there was still in its infancy years. I traveled back to Hong Kong last year and the store, fortunately, is still there. 20+ years and hopefully counting.

may i know which shop in hk and address please? thanks

kukocitb · 02-15-2017, 05:21 PM

Bummer man! It really sucks for people who grew up with shops around. I do not think I ever got as great of a connection as you but there were some shops I really enjoyed. It really is a TOUGH TOUGH market to be in when you have a store.

TBarn291 · 02-15-2017, 05:37 PM

Sorry to hear that man! There must be a lot of Steves' at that shop lol.

briancecilrn · 02-16-2017, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBarn291

Sorry to hear that man! There must be a lot of Steves' at that shop lol.

I also read the whole post, that is a boat load of Steves, LOL.

Adam, is the shop closing because it can no longer compete with eBay/Blowout/other online places? Or is it just "that time"?

the27guy · 02-16-2017, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briancecilrn

I also read the whole post, that is a boat load of Steves, LOL.

Adam, is the shop closing because it can no longer compete with eBay/Blowout/other online places? Or is it just "that time"?

Can't compete sadly.

jazz1232dc · 02-15-2017, 05:45 PM

WOW!! This literally breaks my heart. So much history there for me as well, even though I live up in Logan. Every time I made a trip to SLC I stopped in no matter what I was doing. Saturdays at HOC was INSANE, especially around the time the bid board ended. It's been a while since I used the bid board, but I'm pretty sure my number is 363. Long live 363.

Saspursfan78 · 02-15-2017, 05:50 PM

Man that sucks! There's literally like one shop here (that I'm aware of here where I live.

Couldn't imagine if that one was gone.

Jin · 02-15-2017, 05:50 PM

Sad day man. At least you had a good run.

smalltown · 02-15-2017, 05:52 PM

Sucks to hear it. Never fun when a piece of your past vanishes.

CubKings · 02-15-2017, 05:59 PM

Hmm, I actually didn't know of that store. The one me and my brother go to is Mr. E's in Orem.

the27guy · 02-15-2017, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CubKings

Hmm, I actually didn't know of that store. The one me and my brother go to is Mr. E's in Orem.

It moved several times. When I started working, it was right across the street from Granite HS. Then a little further West on 3300 S, then to the Ivy Place Shopping center to where it is now. That's about 30 years of history, so although they've moved several times, when you think that they've been in 5 locations, that's 6 years in each location.

goehring9 · 02-15-2017, 06:00 PM

That's rough to hear on many levels- many of us totally understand why it's so emotional for you. Mine closed some years ago and when it did, I stopped collecting. It just didn't seem as enjoyable without the gang at the shop and all that went with it. I'm glad I got back into it, but still miss the shop for sure. Hopefully you can just continue to be thankful for the good times.

bdrr · 02-15-2017, 06:01 PM

My LCS and bid board closed last year too. Panini is killing the hobby, especially in basketball towns

MGoBlue · 02-15-2017, 06:15 PM

That is a sad day for sure, Adam! I still have so many good memories of the card shop I had as a kid, and that was only for about 4 years. I can't imagine being in a town that had one for 30 years.

teamterrellowen · 02-15-2017, 07:12 PM

That sucks! Glad you have great memories and some memorable moments from there. Still nice that you have and a lcs stay around this long. Haven't had one near me for over 15 years.

asujbl · 02-15-2017, 07:15 PM

I work in real estate, including property management, and it's simply impossible (a tad of hyperbole) for an LCS to stay in business. As a CPA the numbers literally just don't work compared to virtual.

It's sad

My local closed about 2 years ago

gslayton · 02-15-2017, 07:35 PM

Let's hear some stories. Best pull you witnessed?

the27guy · 02-16-2017, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gslayton

Let's hear some stories. Best pull you witnessed?

Thanks everybody for all the kind words. It really is a sad day. But this is life. Sometimes, you lose things that you expect to be there forever.

I've thought several times through the years about asking the owner if I could take control of the shop at some point. I thought about it for a split second today. I do think I could make it profitable. But to what degree? Close to what I'm making now? Unlikely. And that's the hard part. Making a living running a card shop is TOUGH.

Gslayton, you have inspired me. Unless anyone objects, I'm going to share one random story a day until I feel like quitting. I have so many. I'll start tomorrow.

Sorry for all the bumps. So many people to respond to. Thanks again guys.

WaiverWire · 02-15-2017, 07:45 PM

Sorry about your LCS but it's a good post. I suspect it's got to be tough to stay in business as a brick and mortar LCS in the current day and age.

I don't think I've stepped foot in an LCS in about 10 years. As someone who only buys singles, I find eBay is way more efficient than an LCS. My collecting habits are about an inch wide but a mile deep. Most LCS's are somewhat scattershot in terms of single cards inventory.

02-15-2017, 05:15 PM	#1
the27guy Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 14,673 the27guy the27guy	An emotional day for me - My LCS is closing - Stories of House of Cards Apologies in advance for the LONG read.... Likely, most of you won't read the whole thing.... that's okay. But for me, this is a very sentimental moment and this is a therapeutic post that I'm sure some of you can relate to. Today, I got a notification via Facebook that my LCS changed it's hours. I looked at the page and the hours had been changed to "closed permanently". I texted the owner (Jeff for those of you who know him) to make sure that what I was reading was accurate. This Saturday will be the final "bid-board" and the shop will be closing February 28th. I called him and we spent the next hour reminiscing about old times, how the hobby has changed, and the people we've met through the years. But bottom line is this, after 30 years, House of Cards in Salt Lake City, is closing. Many of you know that HoC is where I got my start in cards. I first went to HoC in 1990 during their in-store auction (called the "bid-board"). Over the next 27 years, it has been MY LCS. I started working there part time in 1999 and worked until I went on my LDS mission in 2002. When I came back in 2004, I picked up where I left off and worked for another 3+ years. It was my first job and lasted close to 7 years with a two year mission in between. I could tell you literally hundreds of stories. Hundreds. A lot of my childhood was spent in that store, with those people. So many friends. So much history. Finishing my 86-87 fleer set. Breaking up fights between customers. A customer pulling a MJ Auto Jersey card and selling in for $7k before that sort of thing happened. People stealing stuff. People first learning about "searching packs". First experiencing flipping cards. Saving for my mission and college and later paying rent as a newly married man...So many people. So many stories. So much of my history. I could just go on and on and on.... And today, it's official. "The shop", as I've called it for nearly all my life, is closing. I'm filled with a lot of emotions, but most overwhelming is the gratitude. My Boss Jeff, Mitch, Barry, Jay, Bob, Colin, Steve, Gale, Matt, Steve, Steve, Steve, Steve, Earl, Bill, Johnny, Chad, Chad, Ryan, Jubal, and the other hundred people that made the shop great.... thank you for making House of Cards a huge piece of my childhood and history. Thank you for everything. Adam __________________ @thereal27guy Founder of Basketball Card Fanatic Magazine Last edited by the27guy; 02-23-2017 at 12:55 PM.

02-15-2017, 05:18 PM	#2
OddityCards Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 481 Geonut	WHAT???!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!! What day?? I thought they were just going to move it again to Jeff's store location... BOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Collects Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Jeff Hornacek, Mark Eaton, Jerry Sloan, Kresimir Cosic, and Int'l Oddballs! Player collectors, search your players here! 210,000+ Items! https://www.ebay.com/sch/geonut/m.html?_trksid=p3692 (every other month listings) Last edited by OddityCards; 02-15-2017 at 05:20 PM.

02-15-2017, 05:19 PM	#4
bjho852 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,144	Miss the good old LCS days. When I first started collecting back in Hong Kong, one of the stores there was still in its infancy years. I traveled back to Hong Kong last year and the store, fortunately, is still there. 20+ years and hopefully counting. Last edited by bjho852; 02-15-2017 at 05:42 PM.

02-15-2017, 05:21 PM	#8
kukocitb Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,678 Kukocitb515 Kukocitb	Bummer man! It really sucks for people who grew up with shops around. I do not think I ever got as great of a connection as you but there were some shops I really enjoyed. It really is a TOUGH TOUGH market to be in when you have a store. __________________ "You're THE Kukoc guy" Abra Calabro "Kukocitb is the GOAT??? I knew that..." Dajuan Wagner Kukoc COUNTER: 1467 different!!!!! Robin Lopez Counter 719 different!

02-15-2017, 05:50 PM	#14
Jin Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: University of Illinois Posts: 4,777 JinsUnited	Sad day man. At least you had a good run. __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/jinscollection/albums - collecting HOF patches and inscriptions -

02-15-2017, 05:37 PM	#9
TBarn291 Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,538 TBarn2911	Sorry to hear that man! There must be a lot of Steves' at that shop lol.

02-15-2017, 05:45 PM	#12
jazz1232dc Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 1,580	WOW!! This literally breaks my heart. So much history there for me as well, even though I live up in Logan. Every time I made a trip to SLC I stopped in no matter what I was doing. Saturdays at HOC was INSANE, especially around the time the bid board ended. It's been a while since I used the bid board, but I'm pretty sure my number is 363. Long live 363.

02-15-2017, 05:50 PM	#13
Saspursfan78 Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: USA Posts: 392	Man that sucks! There's literally like one shop here (that I'm aware of here where I live. Couldn't imagine if that one was gone.

02-15-2017, 05:52 PM	#15
smalltown Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 17,243 ifeature	Sucks to hear it. Never fun when a piece of your past vanishes. __________________ Collecting: Raptors, Canadian Basketball Players, Vintage & More. PC: https://www.instagram.com/smalltown.cards/

02-15-2017, 05:59 PM	#16
CubKings Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Earth Posts: 6,518	Hmm, I actually didn't know of that store. The one me and my brother go to is Mr. E's in Orem. __________________ NBA: Marbury, Jordan, Kobe, Westbrook, KD, AI, Jazz MLB: Chicago Cubs, Stanton, Aramis Ramirez, Sosa NFL: Minnesota Vikings, Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson https://sportscardalbum.com/u/cublife

02-15-2017, 06:00 PM	#18
goehring9 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Oak Park, Ca Posts: 1,741 goehring9	That's rough to hear on many levels- many of us totally understand why it's so emotional for you. Mine closed some years ago and when it did, I stopped collecting. It just didn't seem as enjoyable without the gang at the shop and all that went with it. I'm glad I got back into it, but still miss the shop for sure. Hopefully you can just continue to be thankful for the good times. __________________ https://goehring9.weebly.com IG: lakersforumgold Collecting Wilt and Jerry West

02-15-2017, 06:01 PM	#19
bdrr Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Washington, DC but Los Angeles at heart. Posts: 13,315	My LCS and bid board closed last year too. Panini is killing the hobby, especially in basketball towns __________________ ~~I am the Lauri Markkanen hype machine.~~ ~~Haha. Kill me.~~ WHAT NOW, B*****S, LAURI 4EVA

02-15-2017, 06:15 PM	#20
MGoBlue Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,256	That is a sad day for sure, Adam! I still have so many good memories of the card shop I had as a kid, and that was only for about 4 years. I can't imagine being in a town that had one for 30 years. __________________ Matt Nik Stauskas collector https://www.flickr.com/photos/157570176@N07/albums

02-15-2017, 07:12 PM	#21
teamterrellowen Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1,031 rileymib81_8	That sucks! Glad you have great memories and some memorable moments from there. Still nice that you have and a lcs stay around this long. Haven't had one near me for over 15 years. __________________ My Terrell Owens PC https://teamterrellowens.smugmug.com/

02-15-2017, 07:15 PM	#22
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 62,791 ohiosundevils	I work in real estate, including property management, and it's simply impossible (a tad of hyperbole) for an LCS to stay in business. As a CPA the numbers literally just don't work compared to virtual. It's sad My local closed about 2 years ago __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”

02-15-2017, 07:35 PM	#23
gslayton Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wisconsin Dells Posts: 1,874	Let's hear some stories. Best pull you witnessed?

02-15-2017, 07:45 PM	#25
WaiverWire Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 2,935	Sorry about your LCS but it's a good post. I suspect it's got to be tough to stay in business as a brick and mortar LCS in the current day and age. I don't think I've stepped foot in an LCS in about 10 years. As someone who only buys singles, I find eBay is way more efficient than an LCS. My collecting habits are about an inch wide but a mile deep. Most LCS's are somewhat scattershot in terms of single cards inventory.