In a move set to reshape the landscape of trading card collecting, PSA—the preeminent authority in card grading—has partnered with Burbank Sportscards to launch an unprecedented retail concept. On May 30, the doors will swing open to a 14,000-square-foot phenomenon nestled within Burbank Sportscards’ Southern California mecca. This collaboration signals a new dawn for collectors, merging unparalleled inventory access and top-notch in-person services with the prestige of professional grading—a feat never before seen in the retail world.
The PSA store, elegantly housed within this expansive emporium, is not merely an in-store counter but an entire experience. Employing a full roster of PSA staff, the location is poised to cater to the diverse needs of collectors, offering services that span the gamut from traditional card grading to appraisal of autographs, unopened packs, and even the more eclectic collectibles such as Funko Pops and ticket stubs. For those looking for convenience, PSA has integrated Vault storage and eBay consignment services, arresting a sense of seamlessness and integration from submission to sale.
PSA President Ryan Hoge encapsulates the ethos of this venture with a succinct vision: “This is about being closer to the customer.” His words resonate deeply with the essence of this collaboration. The challenges of remote operations and the impersonal nature of traditional grading submissions are replaced by a tangible space where collectors can engage directly with the experts. The store is poised to be a confluence for conversations, consultations, and connections, offering a unique space where the passion for collecting is both celebrated and cultivated daily.
Not one to be outdone, Rob Veres, the visionary founder of Burbank Sportscards, views this partnership as a transformative chord that revitalizes what a card shop can symbolize. Beyond merely a repository of collectibles, Veres envisages a hub electric with interaction, evocative of a live card show but anchored by the reliability and professionalism of a retail stalwart. “We wanted to create something immersive,” Veres notes, articulating his aspiration for an emporium that is as much about the joy of discovery as it is about the transactional elements.
At its essence, the store is tailored for inclusivity, providing access to an awe-inspiring selection of over 40 million cards. Imagine a digital catalog as vast as the Atlantic, each card a droplet in a sea of history, sport, and nostalgia, ready to be summoned at a collector’s whim. Within the premises, over a million cards are arranged on the floor, each waiting to be unearthed for a mere quarter—a silent testament to the potential for treasure hidden amidst humble valuation.
Burbank’s stance is unequivocal: be a sanctuary for collectors of every ilk and interest, a place where dreams of completing a childhood collection or stumbling across a coveted vintage card can become reality. The team’s commitment to this expansive inventory and accessibility underpins the store’s ethos of openness and opportunity.
The enabling of this venture stems, in part, from Burbank’s earlier strategic pivot—a bold declaration of independence from eBay in favor of an exclusive arrangement with Fanatics Collect marketplace—highlighting their dedication to a bespoke, collector-focused marketplace. This recalibration generated significant waves at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention and set the stage for this audacious new retail venture.
For PSA, while this pioneering retail adventure might be a singular sortie, it’s imbued with potential—from paving the way for future physical expansions to cementing alliances within the collector sphere. The market lauds such direct access to expertise, reflecting a burgeoning demand for not just service, but experienced counsel in the age of digital anonymity and online transactions.
Together, PSA and Burbank Sportscards are weaving a unique narrative of innovation and community. Their synergistic launch on May 30 is more than an unveiling—it’s a celebration and testament to the evolution of the hobby as a whole. This storefront embodies a cultural shift: a place where being a card collector transcends mere hobby to become an experiential pursuit, abounding in accessibility, interactivity, and a resonant sense of community. As the landscape of collecting continues to grow and diversify, so too does the opportunity for connection and exploration, crystallized in this remarkable retail revolution.
