Local Legend Shop and Owner
Plenty of hobby shops have come and gone in the Los Angeles area over the last four decades, but South Bay Baseball Cards has remained a fixture.
Unfortunately, after 38 years, South Bay Baseball Cards is going through a tough transition. Ian Allen unexpectedly passed away on January 6 at the age of 76.
Everyone in The Hobby who crossed paths with Allen over the years has expressed similar sentiments: He was a great guy who loved his family, his business, and his customers. Allen made everyone he came in contact with feel special.
“There’s been an outpouring of text messages and emails,” said Allen’s oldest son, Scott Allen. “There were over a couple hundred people at the service and ceremony. We had a lot of heartfelt cards, emails, and messages about just how much Dad meant to them and that he was a mentor. He was like the grandfather they never had.”
Building the Business
Ian Allen worked in the rare coin business from the 1960s until the early ’80s. When Scott got into trading cards, Allen segued into that hobby.
“It’s the greatest thing for a 10-year-old kid when your dad comes to you and says, ‘I’m thinking about opening up a card store. But I’m going to need a lot of your help,’” Scott Allen said.
The Allens opened South Bay Baseball Cards in October 1986. They’ve been at the same location—right off Pacific Coast Highway—all 38-plus years. It always has been a family-run establishment. Ian’s wife, Sharilyn, does the books for the shop.
“We enjoyed the industry together,” said Scott Allen about his dad. “There was a tremendous amount of camaraderie internally. He was a wheeler-and-dealer and just a fair trader. He believed in the people more than the sales and the profit. He built some amazing relationships with customers that became friends.”
One of those customers turned friend was Chris Duffy. He’s been a frequent South Bay Baseball Cards customer since the ’80s.
“When we got to know each other it was, ‘Duff, how you doing? Can I help you with anything?’” Duffy said. “Just congenial. A real gentleman about everything.”
Duffy would see similar interactions Allen would have with other customers. Whether they were longtime customers or stopped in for the first time, it didn’t matter.
“He was personable and would talk to you,” Duffy said. “I’ve been to thousands of shops, and some guys don’t even look up, and they just don’t have the time of day. Ian ran a very professional shop.”
Go-To Card Shop
South Bay Baseball Cards has always been Duffy’s go-to shop. A vintage baseball card collector, the store always has a great selection of raw cards from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s.
The shop is nearly 3,000 square feet and is known for its massive inventory of vintage and modern sports cards, collectibles, and autographed memorabilia.
“Their store is awesome. They have a great spot in Lomita,” longtime hobby authenticator Steve Grad said. “It’s just a cool hobby shop.”
South Bay Baseball Cards is as invested in the local community as it is in maintaining a great shop, which was important to Ian Allen.
“He supported all the Little Leagues, churches, and temples around by always donating autograph collectibles and cards for auctions and fundraisers. He was never short on reaching in his pocket for people,” said Scott Allen. “He was a real philanthropist.”
Adding On-Site Services
When Beckett Authentication launched its on-site services for shops in 2016, South Bay Baseball Cards was among the first nationwide to jump on board. That meant Grad headed to the shop multiple times per year. His interactions with Ian Allen were always first-class.
“He cared about collectors,” Grad said. “He was always good to everybody. He was fair and treated everybody with respect.”
Jeromy Murray got to know everyone at South Bay Baseball Cards about 15 years ago when he provided Raw Card Review services through Beckett.
“First time going to the shop, Scott and Ian were the most gracious hosts. They were just good shop owners,” said Murray, who is now the chief operating officer at Pristine Auction.
Despite the huge loss of Ian Allen, South Bay Baseball Cards isn’t going anywhere. It will continue to be a family-owned shop that caters to its customers.
Duffy was concerned about the shop when he recently spoke with Scott Allen.
“What’s the future of the shop? Are we in trouble?” Duffy said. “Scott said, ‘No, I’m going to have to go back in and get involved again.’ Scott said in dedication to his dad, they will keep the store going.”
