In a bold and unprecedented move within the world of trading card fandom, two giants of the industry are joining their might to launch an experience like never before—a collector’s utopia bringing together mountains of inventory, in-person interaction, and the precision of the top card graders on the planet. This fascinating alliance involves Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the authoritative figure in grading mint-condition dream cards, and Burbank Sportscards, the sprawling behemoth of card retail and the go-to destination for hobbyists from all walks of life.
May 30 marks the date when this vision becomes a reality, as PSA rolls out its inaugural physical retail location nestled inside the colossal 14,000-square-foot space of the new Burbank Sportscards megastore in sunny Southern California. This collaborative endeavor is poised not just to stamping a flag in the ground for both powerhouses but also redefining the modern collector’s journey by crafting an unparalleled environment for trading card enthusiasts.
Instead of standing alone as a monolith in card grading, PSA’s new venture positions its space as an integral part of Burbank’s cavernous megastore, buzzing with a full squad of PSA personnel ready to offer hands-on guidance and streamlined submission possibilities. “This is about being closer to the customer,” remarked Ryan Hoge, President of PSA, with the enthusiasm of a collector who’s found a rare gem. “Collectors relish those face-to-face conversations with our team at events. Now, we’re offering them a chance to enjoy that experience every day.”
Collectors walking through these freshly inaugurated doors will find a veritable smorgasbord of submission options for grading—everything from classic trading cards to more adventurous items like autographs, yet-to-be-cracked open packs, Funko Pops, and even precious tickets representing slices of sporting history. PSA’s storefront doesn’t stop there; it elevates its service with Vault storage solutions and eBay consignment, extending an olive branch of convenience directly to the avid collector on a quest for security and quality.
Rob Veres, the visionary mind behind Burbank Sportscards, perceives this new location as not just an evolution but a radical reinvention of what a card shop can aspire to become. “We wanted to create something immersive,” Veres passionately insists. The aspiration is for visitors to step inside and feel the vibrant, rhythmic pulse of the hobby, experiencing not just cards flipping through fingers but a full-fledged embrace of what it means to be part of this community.
Embarking on this mission, the store promises unfettered entry to over 40 million cards facilitated through an innovative kiosk system, where team members conjure requested treasures from the depths of a meticulously curated digital catalog. To satiate those hunting for hidden gems on a shoestring budget, over a million cards will lie in wait, neatly organized by sport and year, for the princely sum of a quarter each—an invitation for spirited digging and discovery.
Veres envisions Burbank as the shop that’s eternally accommodating, saying “yes” as much as possible to the dreams of every collector, regardless of whether they’re in pursuit of a golden-era treasure or piecing together fond memories of a childhood set.
The announcement of this collaboration is a potent ripple following another electrifying move by Burbank earlier this year: decisively withdrawing its vast inventory from eBay in favor of hitching its wagon to the Fanatics Collect marketplace’s rising star. This bold declaration at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention echoed through the hobby with the intensity of a collector pulling a one-of-a-kind card, and this latest retail chapter only serves to crank up the buzz.
For PSA, it remains to be seen whether this storefront is merely the opening act in a series of future physical locations or an isolated, special partnership with a long-standing ally and stalwart of the hobby. What’s undeniably clear from this venture is that the thirst for in-person, expert-driven service is swelling, and this endeavor seizes that swelling demand with both hands.
As this new establishment readies itself to welcome its inaugural guests, the collective efforts of PSA’s in-house services and Burbank’s expansive, collector-centric setting reveal more than just another storefront—it’s the unfolding of a narrative depicting the evolution of collecting itself. A landscape becoming ever more accessible, ever more engaging, and, vitally so, ever more community-centered, inviting both veteran aficionados and greenhorn enthusiasts into an inclusive embrace of shared passion and cherished memories.
