Posted By:
Tony GordonI LOVE shows!! I set up at shows most every weekend. There are some really nice small shows in Chicago's suburbs, Milwaukee and Madison. Those heading to Chicago early for the National should check out the Orland Park show on July 27. I purchase 90 percent of my merchandise at shows (well below eBay prices) from customers stuffing shoe boxes in my face or other dealers looking to move cards quickly.
The small shows in Chicago have a dedicated following and aren't going away anytime soon. I've gotten to know the promoters, dealers and regular customers real well and look forward to seeing them each week and shooting the breeze on cards and Chicago sports.
I buy and sell a great deal of cards and customers find new items on my table every week. Same goes for many of the other dealers. I rarely see dealers with the same table each week.
This Saturday (June 14, 2008) I will set up at Orland Park. Next Sunday (June 22, 2008) I'm heading out to Bloomingdale. There are also weekly mall shows in the Chicago suburbs but after working a 50-hour week, I'm not interested in a 12-hour day at a mall show. The show at Gonzaga Hall in Milwaukee is tremendous with a live auction where items go for pennies on the dollar.
I don't know what the lousy turnout at Sportsfest means for the future of card shows. I think we'll have a better idea after the National but I'm confident that the small shows in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin will continue on because they serve a need by providing cheap table fees for dealers, low cost commons for set builders and comaraderie for card addicts.