Get to Know this Washington Institution
Established in April 1988, DJ’s Sportscards has been a beacon for card collectors for over three decades. The founder’s early fascination with collecting, sparked by exciting local sports teams in Seattle, has grown into a thriving business. As DJ’s prepares for this Topps Hobby Rip Night, we got to hear from DJ himself!
When did DJ’s Sportscards open?
We opened 36 years ago! April of 1988.
Why did you want to open a card shop?
It was a dream I never thought would happen. I worked at a grocery store and was planning on doing that my whole life when a local card and comic store offered to sell out the sportscard portion of his store to me when I was still 16 years old. A year later I quit the grocery store and have been doing this full time ever since.
How did you get into The Hobby?
I grew up collecting comics and cards. Around 1985 my local teams in Seattle started getting exciting players and it made me want to hunt down their cards. The card market was just starting to heat up and it was a fun time to collect. 1985 was when the card collecting bug really bit me.
What makes you the most excited about The Hobby?
The sheer number of people who collect now. We are not nerds anymore, we are the cool people! Many times co workers or neighbors will bump into each other at my store and realize that neither one of them knew that the other person was a card collector too. It adds a new dimension to their friendship.
What are your plans for Topps Hobby Rip Night?
Free drinks, ice cream, big card prizes, promo packs, and lots of customers having a great time hanging out together and ripping packs!
