National Pastime, Main Street, Cooperstown

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Posted By: Tom Russo

There have been several posts over the years about the National Pastime, a great shop in Cooperstown that was more like a memorabilia gallery with huge display space. It has always attracted passersby because of the figural trophies, baseball art and early bats in the front window. I learned from a realtor friend of mine in C'town that the National Pastime has closed and the building is for sale. A real shame. It was the nicest baseball shop in town for many years. A sign of the times.

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Posted By: MVSNYC

that is a shame. my dad & i have been going up to Cooperstown almost every year since the early '90's...that was one of our favorite shops. i actually bought this signed print there last visit...(signed by the artist Arthur Miller...NOT Joe!)

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Posted By: marty q

I too have been there many times, and bought a couple of items, maybe another economic sign of the times?? best shop in c'town.

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Posted By: Tom Russo

That is a beauty! Not sure but I heard they may still operate the online end of the business.

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Posted By: Marty Ogelvie

I haven't been to Cooperstown in about 10 years but I remember the National Pastime store. Sad to see it close.

marty

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Posted By: David McDonald

Of all the memorabilia joints in all the towns in all the world, they had to close National Pastime. The wife and I spent a magic week in Cooperstown in the Fall of '07. Even without the HOF it is a charming little town, a throwback to kinder, gentler days. One thing I would have changed though is to get rid of 3/4's of the memorabilia shops all selling the same ersatz shmata. National Pastime was in a whole 'nother category. As big as a small barn and crammed literally to the rafters with every sort of baseball artifact, kind of like if they held the National in the Shrunken City of Kandor. I spent a couple of hours craning my neck looking it over. Didn't buy a thing, was way too expensive, but I count it as one of my most pleasant experiences in C'town. Gotta wonder where all that stuff is going to wind up.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Great place-I think they sold consingments or rented out those disply cases but still awesome stuff everywhere. That is too bad, I always liked going in there.