In a groundbreaking move that is poised to capture the hearts and minds of trading card enthusiasts everywhere, two titans of the industry—PSA and Burbank Sportscards—have announced a thrilling new venture: opening the hobby’s first-ever grading retail store. This bold new concept throws open the doors to a reimagined collector experience located right in the bustling heart of Southern California, at the sprawling new Burbank Sportscards megastore. Mark your calendars for May 30, a date destined to become a red-letter day for both companies and collectors alike.
For those not yet familiar, PSA stands as the unchallenged gold standard in card grading, while Burbank Sportscards has long been a revered destination within the collector community. By coming together, these titans are setting the stage for something truly extraordinary—a seamless blend of massive inventory, in-person service, and direct access to the hobby’s premier grading experts under one roof.
But prepare to be intrigued, dear reader, for this is not a standalone PSA shop. Rather, it is nestled within Burbank’s immense 14,000-square-foot location, staffed by PSA’s own trained employees, primed and ready to offer hands-on support and facilitate direct submissions like never before.
Ryan Hoge, the visionary President of PSA, eloquently summed it up: “This is about being closer to the customer.” For collectors who cherish personal interaction, this means access to expert advice and the opportunity to speak with PSA’s team face-to-face—not just at occasional events, but every single day. It’s a collector’s dream come true: a place where one can submit items for grading that range from trading cards to autographs, unopened packs, those delightful Funko Pops, and even tickets. To top it off, PSA will also debut Vault storage alongside eBay consignment services directly from this avant-garde card emporium.
Rob Veres, the dynamic owner of Burbank Sportscards, sees this new endeavor not merely as an expansion but as a complete reimagining of what a card shop can offer. His goal: blending the excitement of a live card show with the dependable structure of a top-tier retail environment. “We wanted to create something immersive,” Veres declared. “Collectors should feel directly placed within the pulsing heart of the hobby.”
In line with this vision, the store will feature access to an eye-popping 40 million cards via an awe-inspiring kiosk system. Employees stand ready to retrieve requested items from this digital treasure trove, while over a million cards will be readily available on the floor, each priced at a modest 25 cents. The cards are meticulously sorted by sport and year, offering collectors the unprecedented opportunity to search for hidden treasures without breaking the bank.
Veres is uncompromising in his ambition for Burbank Sportscards to become the kind of welcoming place that embraces every collector’s journey. Whether they’re in the pursuit of elusive vintage editions or seeking to complete a nostalgic childhood set, the goal is the same: a resounding “yes” to every enthusiast’s quest.
This innovative partnership follows the seismic shift earlier this year when Burbank decided to exclusively partner with the Fanatics Collect marketplace, parting ways with eBay. Making waves at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention, the decision was a firm testament to their commitment to steering the industry’s future. And now, with this latest retail evolution, the buzz surrounding what comes next continues to accelerate.
As for PSA, aficionados are left to speculate if this marks the beginning of a new trend of physical stores or simply a standout collaboration with a long-standing ally in the trading card world. What remains unequivocally clear is the increased thirst for in-person, expert-level services—a growing demand that this new venture directly addresses.
Through the confluence of PSA’s cutting-edge services and Burbank’s immense collector-friendly atmosphere, this partnership is far more than just an unveiling of a new store. It’s a vivid manifestation of the hobby’s evolution—a pastime becoming more accessible, more interactive, and more community-driven than ever before. With an eye to the future, collectors, novices, and veterans alike will not want to miss out on this thrilling chapter in card collecting history.
