In a groundbreaking move that is sure to send ripples of excitement through the trading card community, PSA, the premier name in card grading, has teamed up with Burbank Sportscards to redefine what a card shop can be. This dynamic duo is throwing open the doors to the world’s first retail store dedicated to card grading. Nestled inside Burbank’s vast new megastore in Southern California, the store opens on May 30, and it’s poised to serve as a new epicenter for collectors.
Picture this: a sprawling 14,000-square-foot space buzzing with card enthusiasts, where every corner offers something exciting to discover. Within this treasure trove of cardboard memories, PSA, often regarded as the gold standard in card grading, will install its first-ever physical checkout counter. This isn’t just an annex to Burbank’s renowned establishment; it’s a fully staffed PSA outpost designed to offer collectors an intimate and interactive touchpoint with top-tier grading services.
PSA President Ryan Hoge shares that the inspiration driving this venture is about proximity and personability. “Collectors love being able to talk to our team at events. Now we’re giving them a place to do that every day,” he enthusiastically remarked. For collectors who thrive on face-to-face interactions, this new development is an answer to their hobby prayers.
Functionality is at the heart of this new space. Enthusiasts can cut the oft-complicated submission process by directly handing their prized collectibles over the counter for grading. Be it cherished trading cards or autographs, unopened packs, quirky Funko Pops, or even old ticket stubs, if it’s collectible, it’s gradeable within these walls. But the services don’t merely stop at grading. PSA plans to extend its offerings to include Vault storage and even eBay consignment, right from this new location, thereby providing a plethora of services under one roof.
But this collaborative endeavor is not only a feather in PSA’s cap. For Rob Veres, the brain behind Burbank Sportscards, this leap is both an evolution and a revolution of what it means to walk into a sports card shop. “We wanted to create something immersive,” Veres articulated, eyes gleaming with ambition. He imagines a kind of hybridized paradise where collectors can feel the pulse of the hobby like never before. It’s not just a matter of flicking through stacks of cards; it’s about engaging with the history and culture embedded within them.
With over 40 million cards accessible via an intuitive kiosk system, the experience in Burbank’s megastore is anything but ordinary. Employees become navigators in an expedition, plucking prized pieces from a deep, digital catalog like seasoned treasure hunters. The allure of discovery doesn’t stop there — over one million cards are available to peruse on-site, a veritable sea of potential gems priced at just 25 cents each, meticulously sorted by sport and year for maximum convenience.
Veres has a vision for Burbank: a store that doesn’t turn collectors away but instead opens its arms wide to all walks of card chasers, from the nostalgic searching for that elusive childhood set to seasoned collectors on the hunt for scarce vintage treasures. Every visit is an invitation to say “yes” to the kaleidoscope of passions that trading cards can represent.
This innovative collaboration comes in the wake of another bold decision by Burbank earlier this year. The store made headlines by pulling its entire inventory from eBay and opting for an exclusive partnership with Fanatics Collect. Announced during the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention, this move was a game-changer in the industry and paved the way for this even more ambitious retail chapter.
For PSA, the retail venture could signal the beginning of a larger trend or perhaps remains a standout collaboration with a trusted partner. Regardless, what’s clear is that this strategic brick-and-mortar move taps into the rising demand for interactive, expert-level, in-person services in an increasingly digital age.
The launch of this novel storefront represents a significant stride toward evolving the hobby, making it more accessible, more experiential, and deeply woven into a community feel. By intertwining PSA’s coveted grading services with Burbank Sportscards’ expansive and welcoming backdrop, the venture reflects how two industry leaders are boldly stepping into the future of collecting — one that encourages enthusiasts to not just collect but to connect in an environment crafted with them firmly at its center.