Who Are the People On Here With the Vintage Shop in McLean, VA?

[BCauley]

I know that there are a couple of people from this board I believe, or at least frequent it, that have a shop in McLean, VA with a good amount of vintage. I met one of the guys at a small show a few weeks ago and picked up a flyer for their shop but it got thrown out. I'm only looking for the name/address. Wife/son are out of town this weekend and I finally get to make it up there!

[mikedenero]

His name is Ken Cohen. He posts fairly regularly. If he doesn't respond to the thread, send me an email at MDsportscards@gmail.com and I will forward it to Ken, who is a friend if mine.

[ValKehl]

The card shop is located at 6819 Elm Street, McLean VA 22101. It is not a store front - rather it is inside a small office/commercial building. The phone # is 703-PLA-BALL (or 703-752-2255). The shop is operated by Ken Cohen (a board member) and Ron Barrett (I don't think Ron is a board member) - both are great guys. I believe the shop is open from noon 'til 7 p.m., Tuesday thru Saturday.

[BCauley]

Thanks for the info guys! I've been looking forward to getting to this place for a couple of months now but there is always SOMETHING that comes up on the weekend. I think I've had about 4 total flyers about this place and never know what I do with them.

[Jewish-collector]

I'm confused. Is this store the same location of AJ's card shop, where the late Jim Beck used to own ? :confused:

[ValKehl]

AJ's is located in Vienna, VA. The last I heard, AJ's was still in operation and owned by Beck's widow, but I haven't been by there in many months.
Val

[t213]

They are too separate stores. AJs remains where it's always been in the trailer in the Marco Polo parking lot. Last year Jim's widow sold it to Gary who now runs it.

Ron and Ken's store is a couple miles north of AJs on Elm St in McLean just off 123 a couple blocks. I was at the store today and they had lots of vintage cards, some pennants, a few jerseys and other assorted stuff.

Andy

[BCauley]

Once again, thanks guys. I did make it there today and I love the place. I'm usually lucky to go into a shop and see maybe 10 vintage cards. I ended up picking up a few post war vintage for some player card runs and will definitely be going back. Great people at that place and I couldn't be happier.

[Danny Smith]

I was there for the first time today. Great store . Picked up an e96 Tinker and had a good chat with the gang. Definitely worth a visit if you are local or just passing through.

[kcohen]

Bill, it was nice meeting you yesterday and Danny, sorry I missed you. Thank you both for your business and I'm so glad that you enjoyed the shop. We're slowly trying to get our name out there. It's a labor of love for those of us involved and, first and foremost, we want it to be a nice place for vintage card hobbyists to hang out and pick up a card or two. To reiterate the thread I started on the shop some months ago, we have a nice selection of pre- and postwar baseball, vintage football and basketball, and some memorabilia. I believe we have a great deal more vintage than any other shop in the area.

We also stock some wax for those of you who like to bust open a pack now and then, and so your kids will have something of interest if you bring them, which we hope you will. I think you'll find that our wax prices are the lowest around.

At this point, it's not clear whether we will be able to remain viable. As we all know, there are prevailing headwinds against brick and mortar operations in the current state of the hobby. We are hopeful that the nice spring weather will get more folks out and about and into the store. Time will tell. So please get the word out. By the way, we are always looking to buy collections.

We rotate duty hours, but if anyone wants to come in I'll be happy to meet you there if I possibly can. It's always nice to meet or get together with a fellow Net54er. Just shoot me a PM or an email at kcohen6351@gmail.com and let me know when. At this time we are closed on Sundays but if a Sunday would be more convenient, especially for those of you in from out of town, I could meet you at the shop and open it up for you.

Thanks again,

Ken

PS - Mike, Val, and Andy - Thanks for posting.

[barrysloate]

Ken- I think we are all curious to see if a vintage baseball card shop can survive in this climate. You know the hobby really well, and I'm sure you make an extra effort to make customers feel at home. As long as you can keep fresh material in the store, you have a chance. But no question it will take some hard work and a little luck to survive.

I wish you the best in this endeavor.