Moving to Meriden, CT...any good card shops?

Phishmon23 · Aug 18, 2011

Moving to Meriden, CT for a new job. Anyone know of any good card shops in the area!

Thanks.
-J

jumbojohnny · Aug 18, 2011

Welcom to the Dirty Den.

I live in the town nextdoor - Wallingford. The nearest shop is First Base in the center of Wallingford. The owner isnt the nicest of people, but the shop is nice and he carries a good selection of new and older wax. He also has a lot to offer for singles, but typically asks book pricing on them. This is my favorite of the few around. I have been shopping here for years and I have become friends with the owner...took years to happen though.

The next closest is DJ's Comics in North Haven (other side of Wallingford). The store is strongly built around comics and comic related stuff, the sports selection is garabage and I have seen people pack searching the stuff when the owner (Dave) isnt in the store.

Moving further down to the shoreline there is Cardsmiths in East Haven (next to New Haven). Nice store, just recently changed ownership, they carry a good selection of wax, good people working there too.

Phishmon23 · Aug 18, 2011

Thanks for the info!

I'll be living on the Meriden/Wallingford line, so we'll be neighbors!

-J

Ct Sox Fan · Aug 18, 2011

There are two others I would recommend.

There is Ken's Cards in Berlin CT. He is just down the street from the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins AA team) in New Britain CT. Has some singles, tons of boxes (on the higher side when compared to eBay or online retailers), and supplies. I like to go in to get a few packs of the new products when they come out.

There is also Omni Cards & Comics in Wethersfield and Bristol. Bigger store. Lots of boxes/packs, supplies and he sells team items (clothes, trinkets, etc.). And Comic books of course! They sometimes have signings at the shops. Lower end players such as Marc Edwards after the Patriots won a Super Bowl. Better prices then Ken's too.

Welcome to the Nutmeg State! I am in Southington, which is next to Meriden on the other side.

jumbojohnny · Aug 18, 2011

Can we get a North Haven resident, Cheshire resident, Middletown resident, and Waterbury...just to fully cover the area.lol

How many Nutmegers do we have roaming the boards I wonder?

Phishmon23 · Aug 18, 2011

Thanks for the great info!

Where do you recommend for supplies, or do you buy online?

FinestRCcollector · Aug 18, 2011

I'm from Plainfield Ct.Right near Mohegan and Foxwoods casinos.

Ct Sox Fan · Aug 18, 2011

Phishmon23 said:
Thanks for the great info!

Where do you recommend for supplies, or do you buy online?

I usually get them at Omni. They have boxes, pennysleeves, toploaders, etc... Prices are what you would expect to pay in a retail store. Can you get them cheaper online, yes. But I like to grab a variety of packs when visiting in addition to the supplies.

elmalo · Aug 18, 2011

I live in North Haven. What has already been mentioned is pretty accurate. There is also a flea market called the Redwood on the north haven wallingford border, its open on saturdays and sundays. I used to buy cards there when I was a kid. Havent really looked at the cards there in a while so I dont know if it is still good. I do most of my buying online.

DaleMurphyCollector · Aug 18, 2011

I'm from MIDDLETOWN, CT! Represent!!!
Back in my day, there was an AWESOME shop in Meriden called Card Castle. Loved that place!

TopOffLikeWALLACE · Aug 18, 2011

DO NOT go to First Base in Wallingford. Owner absolutely ruined my trip there. Avoid at all costs.

jumbojohnny · Aug 18, 2011

elmalo said:
I live in North Haven. What has already been mentioned is pretty accurate. There is also a flea market called the Redwood on the north haven wallingford border, its open on saturdays and sundays. I used to buy cards there when I was a kid. Havent really looked at the cards there in a while so I dont know if it is still good. I do most of my buying online.

This is an ok spot if one or two particular vendors is there. I picked up three 2004 Playoff Contenders RC Auto Roethlisberger autos, many 90's inserts including Crusades, and some cheaper singles. Stay clear of some of the vendors because they expect mint prices on poor condition vintage.

I think I am going to be charitable with some of my neighbors...I am leaving the hobby very soon and when I do I am going to give away large boxes of commons, inserts, and prospects from various years and sports. Nothing too exciting, but its gonna be free as long as somebody comes and gets them. (my new hobby is far more addicting)

jumbojohnny · Aug 18, 2011

afrobandit said:
DO NOT go to First Base in Wallingford. Owner absolutely ruined my trip there. Avoid at all costs.

As I stated previously, Jack isnt the nicest of people (his wife is Lilian is really nice). Not since he was robbed and beat up. If you are patient with him, he softens up enough to keep going there. Honestly, regardless of his customer service (or lack thereof) you wont find a better store in the area. I have travelled the entire state and I think I have been to every one of the card stores, the ones I can find anyway, and nothing compares. Honestly with the exception of the former and current owner of Cardsmith I can complain about all of the other I have met. In the end, as long as you have what I am looking for at a price I am comfortable with I will shop in your store and not be friends.

jumbojohnny · Aug 18, 2011

We should all get together and have a case break or something. Our state is small enough that its possible, nobody should be more than an hour away from each other. Plainville is a good spot, we can all then hit the casinos.

Phishmon23 · Aug 18, 2011

Haha! Good plan! I'm in...

-J

P.S. What's the new hobby if you don't mind my asking?

jumbojohnny said:
We should all get together and have a case break or something. Our state is small enough that its possible, nobody should be more than an hour away from each other. Plainville is a good spot, we can all then hit the casinos.

jumbojohnny · Aug 18, 2011

Phishmon23 said:
Haha! Good plan! I'm in...

-J

P.S. What's the new hobby if you don't mind my asking?

jumbojohnny said:

We should all get together and have a case break or something. Our state is small enough that its possible, nobody should be more than an hour away from each other. Plainville is a good spot, we can all then hit the casinos.

Click to expand...

Restoring straight razors. I have gotten in deep. I have some really nice ones that are 150+ years old. When I finish a restoration the blades look brand new. I even make and customize the scales (handles). I just needed something to keep busy with. Cards are nice to have, but they arent a hands on type of hobby. After I case a card, what do I do with it other than look at it or sell it? At least with the razors I can shave with them or restore another.

Ct Sox Fan · Aug 18, 2011

We should only hit the casino's if we hit a really nice card in the case. Got to ride the hot streaks!

As for your offer of the base cards, etc... I am part of a Team Collectors group. If you are serious about freeing yourself of the cards, I would be interested. I would then pass them on to the collectors of those teams. A meet and greet with the local collectors would be fun!

One of the Meriden High Schools (Platt I think), has a monthly card show. Not the greatest card show, but might be a good spot to meet up one of these days.

Wayne

Phishmon23 · Aug 18, 2011

Wow. How did you get into straight razor restoration?! Sounds like a fun way to stay busy!

jumbojohnny said:
Phishmon23 said:

Haha! Good plan! I'm in...

-J

P.S. What's the new hobby if you don't mind my asking?

jumbojohnny said:

We should all get together and have a case break or something. Our state is small enough that its possible, nobody should be more than an hour away from each other. Plainville is a good spot, we can all then hit the casinos.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Restoring straight razors. I have gotten in deep. I have some really nice ones that are 150+ years old. When I finish a restoration the blades look brand new. I even make and customizae the scales (handles). I just needed something to keep busy with. Cards are nice to have, but they arent a hands on type of hobby. After I case a card, what do I do with it other than look at it or sell it? At least with the razors I can shave with them or restore another.

jumbojohnny · Aug 18, 2011

I got into razors a long time ago...kinda. I got my only professional straight razor shave in my second year of college. Best shave in my life. I always like the razors for some reason. Beginning of this spring I got one at a flea market and I was hooked. I have restored about a dozen so far and I think I have a knack for it. I will eventually get some of my pics in my bucket. I am too busy making handles for all of my blades.

Another perk of this hobby:

Flea Market Razor - $5.00
Sand Paper and polish - $25
Time - nothing
Nice mirror finish on a 150 year old razor - Sweet!

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