Antique Shops

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Posted By: Mark Macrae

Jay,The fact that you "LIVED" in Berkeley during the 80's partially explains why you forgot about Dennis King's store in Berkeley... Dennis opened the Bay Area's first Baseball card ONLY store in Berkeley back in '76. It was in a converted broom / janitor's closet located in a small business courtyard near the campus (literally less than 100 square feet) with a dutch door. There was only room for one person (Him) inside it. Customers could sort through boxes of cards outside in the courtyard of the business court...It was a very heavy student foot traffic area of Berkeley. A few years later he moved to bigger digs (maybe 200 square feet) across the courtyard...In the 80's he moved to Center Street. His location was mid-way between Berkeley Bart & the campus . The current location doesn't get as many people walking by & isn't open too often (I still go to Berkeley once a week).. Like most other places, it has been pretty well 'picked' over the years for sports, but THE place for Fillmore / Avalon memorabilia....... Back on topic...Antique shows, stores, garage & estate sales are still worth hitting as there are numerous items out there. Everyone these days has access to price guides & most have access to computers & think they know what an item is worth... Sharp buyers can still do very well...