Photo by Daniel Rodriguez / SOC Images.
Packs were ripped, deals were made and rare cards were showcased at Bodega Cards first ever Collector’s Showcase last Saturday. The sun was shining and the door stayed open as collectors flooded the shop on Monroe Street in Hoboken.
Damon LoSchiavo, a local collector from Hoboken and his 12-year-old son, Judah, set up their showcase in the back of the shop. By the end of the show, nearly all of the inventory they brought in had sold.
Damon and Judah drew much attention with their showcase; it included rare single football, basketball, baseball cards and more. They also brought in mystery hit packs and a Lebron James authentic high school jersey, which they brought for attendees to win in a raffle.
Damon told Slice of Culture he got into collecting because of his son and how conveniently close Bodega Cards is. He and many attendees praised the Bodega Cards team for how they were able to gather the local collecting community.
“Bodega’s done amazing things for the community in Hoboken,” he said. “It’s become a family thing here at Hoboken, we love it.”
Their first Collector’s Showcase drew over 100 attendees. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the shop was overflowing.
Being a known collector who has previously gone viral in the local collecting community, Judah was also all over the action chasing high value cards and sharing good moments with the rest of the community.
Besides collecting being a hobby that brings Damon and his son closer, he also views it as a great alternative to keeping kids busy these days.
“We got into the hobby just because it brought us together,” he added. “It got the kids off the iPads and the iPhones gave us something that we could talk about and have fun with.”
For Pete Keeling, the owner of Bodega Cards, community is what it’s all about.
“The mission with the shop is to be the hub of the collecting community. We want to be this corner store in the same way that a traditional bodega is that heart of the community,” said Keeling.
“Oftentimes, especially card collecting, can be very isolating. You do a lot of it on the internet by yourself and I don’t like that. I want people to come together and celebrate their cards.”
Baseball, football and basketball cards were the biggest hits as collectors brought in case loads for attendees to go through and look for single cards that caught their eyes. PSA 10s and other graded slabs were also in the mix. A handful of collectors also brought Pokemon cards. There was a little bit of everything for all kinds of collectors.
Jason Rayna, a local collector from Hoboken brought his two sons, Jason and Rodrigo, to the showcase. His sons said that everyone was nice and welcoming, making the card buying experience even cooler than it already was.
“What I love about them [Bodega Cards] is that they treat the kids so well. They’re a great meeting place for the entire community,” Rayna said.
“It’s fun to come here and just let kids be kids, but also walk around and check out fun cards, check out fun things to do and meet new people. It’s really a great thing that they do and they put it together here.”
Rayna added.
To add a sweet treat into the mix Bodega Cards brought in Medina Soft Ice Cream, which provided free ice cream for all attendees. Every customer who purchased something also received a free Upper Deck Hockey Card pack.
The Bodega Cards team said they are ready to run it back again soon. You can follow Bodega Cards on Instagram to check out upcoming events and live breaks, or pack openings.
