In a watershed moment for hobbyists and collectors on the West Coast and beyond, PSA, the eminent authority in trading card grading, is partnering with Burbank Sportscards to launch its first-ever physical retail location dedicated to grading services. Set to open doors on May 30th within the sprawling confines of Burbank’s brand new megastore in Southern California, this collaboration promises to redefine how collectors interact with their favorite pastime, rendering the hobby not just more engaging, but also exceedingly personal.
PSA’s decision to house their retail outlet within the 14,000-square-foot expanse of Burbank Sportscards is a strategic maneuver designed to enhance in-person customer engagement and broaden collectors’ access to high-quality services. Fully manned by trained PSA personnel, the retail space aims to provide collectors a daily opportunity to interact directly with experts, thereby democratizing access to professional insight and streamlined grading submissions.
“The deeper connection with our customers is vital,” comments PSA President Ryan Hoge. “Collectors enjoy sharable moments and expertise at events; we’re bringing that energy into a permanent space where they can engage fully every single day.”
In this unprecedented setup, collectors aren’t merely handed a business card—they’re invited to dive deeper and explore the myriad facets that trading and grading cards entail. Patrons can submit items for grading that extend beyond the standard trading cards—they can bring in everything from autographs, unopened packs, and Funko Pops, to tickets. This expansive service menu reflects PSA’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of the modern collector.
Additionally, the store will facilitate innovative services like Vault storage and eBay consignment directly from the retail space, thus turning the store into a comprehensive haven for serious hobbyists.
For Rob Veres, the ever-visionary owner of Burbank Sportscards, this new location isn’t merely a shiny new upgrade but a complete reinvention of what a card shop can aspire to be. Instead of just envisioning a store full of shelves and display cases, he’s conjured up a lively hub reminiscent of a bustling live card show—but imbued with the reliability and structure expected of a top-notch retail environment.
“We were thinking immersive and inclusive,” Veres elaborates. “This store isn’t meant to be just another place to browse. It needs to be the nerve center of the hobby—a place where collectors connect, reminisce, and interact in meaningful ways with the community and the sport they love.”
To make his vision a reality, the store is armed with over 40 million cards accessible through a cutting-edge kiosk system, allowing collectors to browse an extensive digital catalog with ease. Meanwhile, over a million physical cards are available for just 25 cents each, organized by sport and year. This setup ensures collectors can delve for rare finds or missing pieces from their collections without splashing cash, making the experience as inclusive as it is comprehensive.
Veres’ ambition for the Burbank location is to create an environment that welcomes an exhaustive spectrum of collectors, whether they’re hunting for elusive vintage pieces or trying to recapture a piece of their youth by completing childhood sets.
This notable partnership arrives hot on the heels of another seismic shift by Burbank Sportscards, who earlier this year shook industry norms by relocating its stock from eBay to an exclusive arrangement with Fanatics Collect marketplace. That game-changing announcement rocked the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention, priming the community for this next bold chapter.
PSA’s foray into brick-and-mortar retail raises an intriguing question: is this a pilot for a series of future retail outlets globally, or a singular, innovative collaboration with a trusted ally in the space? Only time will tell. What remains indisputable is the increased market demand for personalized, in-person, high-level service—a demand this new location undoubtedly satisfies.
In fusing PSA’s grading prestige with Burbank’s collector-centric environment, the launch of this retail space not only marks the start of a new storefront. It signifies a pivotal shift in the hobby’s landscape: more accessible, interactive, and community-driven than ever before. Veres and Hoge have set a new benchmark and defined what the dynamic evolution of the collector’s experience can look like in today’s world. This isn’t merely retail; it’s revolution.
