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