The Future of the Local Card Shop with Burbank Sports Cards

Burbank Sports Cards owner Rob Veres joins Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden live from The National to discuss nearly four decades of building one of the hobby’s most recognizable card shops and how the collector experience continues to evolve.

Rob explains why affordable singles remain at the heart of Burbank’s business, how the store can see as many as 1,700 customers in a single day, and how technology, social media and an inventory of roughly 2.4 million different cards have transformed the way collectors shop.

The conversation also explores the explosive growth of Pokémon and TCG, changing demographics within the hobby, Burbank’s approach to AI and retail technology, building a multigenerational family business and why Rob believes the future of collecting still comes down to creating an experience people want to be part of.

Topics Covered

• The history and growth of Burbank Sports Cards
• Affordable cards and the collector experience
• 1,700 customers in a single day
• 2.4 million different cards in inventory
• Pokémon and TCG growth
• Sports cards vs. TCG
• Technology and AI in card shops
• Digital pricing and in-store kiosks
• Social media’s impact on retail
• New demographics entering the hobby
• Building a family business
• The future of local card shops
• Why Burbank will remain one destination

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode

Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation

Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation

Burbank Sports Cards
Website: https://burbankcards.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burbankcards

Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford

Brian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp

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