Spells of nostalgia followed by depression

[GregC]

I can relate 100% to the original post. Growing up as a kid in the 80s was pretty amazing. We had some of the best toys (transformers, GI Joe), some amazing games (RBI Baseball, still playing it to this day) and while most of our cards are worthless now, there is still no better looking card in my opinion than a 1984 Topps Traded Gooden!

Growing up in Brooklyn, it felt like there was a card shop on every corner.

[MattyC]

I have one stinging regret from my childhood.

On Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn in the 80's, there was a store adjacent to the Fortway Five Theater called ALPINE ARMS.

This was a gun store. It sold guns. Racks and racks of guns, rifles, etc.

Bear with me. This gets to cards very quickly.

It also sold cards. Yes, in the front glass case once you entered and turned right: baseball cards. And crammed all along a corner of shelves: traded sets, boxes, etc.

Only in Brooklyn.

I must have been in that store for days' worth of hours-- and I cannot recall one image of a gun. I never looked at them. Only the cards.

I bought many cards there. My late grandfather, a notorious cheapskate, lol, purchased a $20 Strawberry 84D for me there, in about 1988. I still have it in a screwdown. My father bought us a box of 1988 Fleer wax.

Now, the regret.

I realize I would have loved to walk into that gun store wearing Terminator shades, and tell the guy at the counter, in a Schwarzenegger accent, that I'd like...

"The Uzi nine millimeeda, a phased plasma rifle, and a 1988 Donruss Gregg Jefferies."

[ALR-bishop]

Good one Matt

[MBMiller25]

"The Uzi nine millimeeda, a phased plasma rifle, and a 1988 Donruss Gregg Jefferies."

That made my laugh my ass off!

[GregC]

A+. Would that phased plasma rifle be of the 40 watt range variety?

That store was amazing though. I still remember ripping that 88 fleer box. What a bargain at $30!

Nothing beats the hobby memory of going into Sports World on 5th ave and finding 84 wax packs in 87, running back outside while mom was double parked and begging for a few more bucks.

Think about it, we had C+C, Pee Wees, Frank and Alberts, Sports World and alpine all a few blocks away. And let's not forget Renata Galasso and Capital Cards. Such an awesome time to be a kid collecting. I feel for kids now, brick and mortar card shops are a dying breed.

Mix in Nintendo and transformers. 80s were and amazing time to be a kid.

[MyGuyTy]

Originally Posted by GregC

Mix in Nintendo and transformers. 80s were and amazing time to be a kid.

You can say that again, god do I miss that decade! Kids today have no focus on hobbies or any real interest, if it's not the latest tech gizmo or social media related, they could care less. It would take away valuable time from practicing their "pouty face" Facebook poses. My 10 year old step son is permanently attached to his Ipad. I told him why not go outside and play or find a hobby......he looked at me like I had a dick growing out of my forehead.......

[MBMiller25]

my 10 year old step son is permanently attached to his ipad. I told him why not go outside and play or find a hobby......he looked at me like i had a dick growing out of my forehead.......

lmao!

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by MyGuyTy

My 10 year old step son is permanently attached to his Ipad. I told him why not go outside and play or find a hobby......he looked at me like I had a dick growing out of my forehead.......

My little brother is ten years younger than me. He is 17. His childhood was totally different from mine. When i was a kid my dad made me go outside all day. You could come home to get some water or koolaid and lunch. Other than that you spent the whole day playing and getting into (minor) trouble. However with my brother my dad wouldn't let him go outside if nobody was home because "things aren't as safe as they used to be." Keep in mind I grew up in the 90s when the crime rate was higher. Suffice to say I think some of the change is due to parenting.