The sun has melted most of the snow on the main roads and getting a bit stir crazy, Caroline went out and ran some errands. What do you know? Trying to find some Topps 2014 was on that list.
Wal-Mart was first on the list. They had cereal boxes and jumbo rack packs, but not the single retail packs I was hoping for. We went on farther down the road to a NASCAR/Autograph store. It was closed and from the looks of things they won't be reopening.
Deeper into Pigeon Forge we went. At traffic light #6 (yes, we use traffic light numbers as points of reference) I turned in and found The Dugout. I knew it was there, I just hadn't been to it in a number of years.
The store was empty of customers but full of cards. And signed memorabilia. And figurines. And graded cards. And supplies. And gnomes. And... Well, you get the idea.
All major sports. Baseball, football, basketball, hockey, racing. I didn't ask about curling.
The owner, Rick Rollar, was very eager to talk, and was very helpful. We exchanged a bit of pleasantries. I asked about 2014 Topps and he was sold out. He got six boxes in and now they're gone. He didn't open any for himself.
After going through my main list of collections he pulled out some interesting items from a box behind the counter. Some press proof sheets for the 1984 Fun Foods pins that several players had signed, including Orel Hershiser.
And then he pulled out these beauts.
1914 B18 Blankets. One Wheat and two Sweeneys. These are in great shape. I've never actually seen them before. A bit smaller than I had imagined. They are 5-1/4" square, but I thought they'd be bigger. I don't know why. He offered me a very good price for the three of them, but I don't need all three. He offered me the Wheat for a very good price as a single piece. I almost bought it but thought I'd take a breath before pulling the trigger. I'm trying to stay away from impulse buying, even if it is a good deal on a good product.
So, if you want a knowledgeable dealer with a well lit and well stocked store, visit Rick at The Dugout in Pigeon Forge. 22 years of going strong. Traffic Light #6.
That store looks beautifully organized, Clean, well lit, lots of space. Certainly not something that's been around 22 years. Wish I was closer!
ReplyDeleteOAC, I don't think that he's been at this location for 22 years, but it is amazingly clean and organized.
DeleteI was at a card show one time and while shopping at a table a guy walked up with a binder of B18s. He had 3 or 4 Cobbs and a couple Walter Johnsons too. The guy at the table asked what he wanted for a Cobb and Johnson but the guy said he would only sell them as a collection. me I just though it was cool to see them all.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are counting lights in Pigeon Forge which direction are you counting from? My wife's grandmother lives behind the tourist center and that is about as far as I have ever went down the strip, (coming in from Knoxville) because the traffic always sucks.
AdamE, you count the lights as if coming from Knoxville headed towards Gatlinburg. Traffic is horrendous during high tourist seasons, but I think them all for visiting and helping to keep my property taxes low. C'mon down.
DeleteI'm usually there at either Thanksgiving or Christmas every year. So high tourist time it is.
DeleteThat store looks a lot more organized than any store I have here in NYC. Very cool B18 Blankets. I have wanted to start collecting vintage Highlander/Yankee cards at some point. I haven't yet as I want to get some more information on them before I start collecting them.
ReplyDeleteMike, I'm learning that one should always do their homework before delving into some older cards. A few bucks, yeah, not a problem, but for me, when dropping more than $10 on something I want to make sure I know what I'm doing.
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