Something Special Brewing in Kildeer, IL

Then I discovered that desk charge was $75 for a six-footer and I shortly soured on the present. Different negatives I considered was that this was Costa’s first present and it was on the identical day because the close by Schaumburg present that could be very widespread and has been occurring in varied iterations for the reason that 1980’s. I additionally thought the $5 admission charge could be a deterrent.

But, Costa was persistent and I relented and booked only one desk as a result of I used to be involved whether or not I might promote $75 at this present.

When my alarm went off on Sunday morning, oh, I so desperately wished to hit snooze however knew I wanted to get my butt off the bed and go to the present. It was so good to drive a mere 20 minutes to a present — that hasn’t occurred in years. Upon approaching the venue, I noticed I knew the place and had pushed by it many occasions prior to now as I explored Route 12 for lunch spots, as it is extremely near my workplace.

I arrived round 8 a.m., parked in again, as instructed and loaded in by the kitchen. All of the tables had the seller’s names on them — thanks! So it was very simple discovering my desk.

Good room. In all probability extra suited to a marriage than a card present. 

I used to be pleasantly stunned that I used to be situated between two sports activities card sellers. I assumed I might be caught between two Pokémon sellers. Whereas I’ve nothing in opposition to Pokémon sellers, per se, I’ve had some dangerous experiences prior to now being caught in the midst of Poke-land and having their prospects stand in entrance of my tables all day, blocking it from view from potential classic sports activities card consumers.

None of my neighbor’s prospects stood in entrance of my desk blocking it from view from potential prospects immediately. Thanks! If something, my prospects blocked their tables. Sorry!

The seller on my left was previous pal Chicagoland Sports activities Card Store situated in close by Buffalo Grove. I’ve identified house owners Les and Mark for years. No Les immediately however Mark was there together with his children. I do not suppose Les has arrange at a present since Gonzaga shut down. Too dangerous. He would all the time deliver doughnuts to share when he would arrange at Gonzaga or Orland again within the day.

Mark didn’t have any doughnuts however he confirmed me some amazingly cool playing cards that walked into the store lately together with 4 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth playing cards, a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig, a 1934 Goudey Lou Gehrig and a 1933 Delong Lou Gehrig. So cool!

Mark was asking a little bit over $100K for the playing cards. Tony D. supplied $80K. Mark is agency at $100K. Want I had $100K to drop on the playing cards! Who desires to mortgage me some cash?

It was so good being arrange subsequent to Mark all day. Additionally, the younger man from the store who largely coated the tables was tremendous pleasant.

On the opposite facet was a seller from Huntley, Illinois, and he had two tables of recent sports activities. Good man, as effectively.

The present had two rooms. I feel round 150 tables or so in complete. A pair autograph company had been there as effectively. I do know Dennis McKinnon was one. Unsure who the opposite was. The autographs had been situated on the second flooring.

I introduced out simply three show circumstances and one low cost field. I’ve performed so many reveals that I do know solely three circumstances comfortably match on a six-foot desk with some room leftover for a shoe field.

I had simply two show circumstances out in Oak Creek on the day prior so I knew if a few of my Oak Creek prospects got here to the present they might see loads of new playing cards in my third case together with the low cost field which was new for this present.

My quickest arrange ever! I’ve performed reveals with only one six-foot desk prior to now. I used to get one six-footer in Strongsville and was in a position to jam 5 show circumstances on there by bringing a small desk to place behind the six-footer and inserting 4 circumstances on their facet, leaning off the desk. One small case would additionally match on the top. That previous Strongsville arrange was robust and I do not significantly prefer it, so I went with the better three-case arrange and one low cost field.

I completed establishing at 8:20 a.m. and sellers had been nonetheless arriving. I attempted to search out some espresso however the concession stand had not opened and I noticed that espresso was not even on the menu.

I recalled seeing a Starbucks on my earlier travels down Route 12. I locked up my circumstances, positioned the low cost field on my chair behind the desk and alerted the younger man from Chicagoland Sports activities that I might be gone for 15 or 20 minutes.

There was a Starbucks actual shut by on Lake Prepare dinner Highway. I received an extra-large iced espresso and returned to the present shortly.

Not a lot doing on the present early on, so I simply caffeinated for some time. Not too many individuals took benefit of the early VIP entry that value $10. The place began to refill at 10 a.m. By 11 a.m. there was fairly a crowd and I used to be impressed.

Steve from Jim and Steve’s Card Store in Waukegan was my first buyer. Steve bought my 1969 Topps autographed Billy Williams card together with a number of different issues to start out my day proper. Thanks Steve!!

Then I had a gentle stream of fellows for the subsequent few hours. Most of them I had by no means seen earlier than. I really like new prospects! I used to be stunned how busy I used to be at this present. My previous pal Chuck stopped by to see me and bought some playing cards. Thanks Chuck!

A younger man who lives close by in Vernon Hills who I first met him in Oak Creek stopped by. Younger Eric who lives in close by Libertyville and who helped me on the Nationwide final time it was in Chicago stopped by. A brand new buyer pulled out nearly all of my 1959 Topps from my low cost field and not less than half of the ’59s I had in my case. Woot! Derek got here out to see me and bought some playing cards. Thanks Derek!

I ended up having a very good day! I used to be shocked. Exhibits you what I do know. 

Together with good gross sales, glorious attendance, I actually preferred the truth that this present had waiters strolling round. I put one of many waiters to work bringing me food regimen Cokes all day. I additionally ordered a hamburger which was scrumptious.

On the shopping for entrance, nothing, nada, zilch. There was the requisite children providing me crappy trendy playing cards. One man confirmed me some classic playing cards, mid 1960’s stuff, plenty of stars however all of them had paste marks on the again. I instructed him I might be interested by buying the playing cards however I do not pay a lot once they have paste on the again of them. I feel he thought he had gold and declined to promote me the playing cards. Good luck with these!

Regardless, I actually need to arrange right here once more. Nevertheless, the subsequent present scheduled is a three-day present in the midst of December. Unsure I can do this one. Additionally, I do not actually need to arrange right here for 3 days however after having such present, I simply would possibly do it.

Up subsequent for me is the Peewaukee present on Saturday, July 26, and Orland on Sunday, July 27. I’ll have a close to set of 1962 Topps soccer obtainable subsequent weekend. I’m nonetheless engaged on reloading my 1961 Topps baseball and do not suppose I am going to have it performed by subsequent weekend.

Subsequent Oak Creek present is on August 9, the second Saturday of August because of the Nationwide being on the primary Saturday.

Come discover me and my pal Scott Ziegert on the Nationwide from July 30 to August 3 on the Stephens Middle in Rosemont, IL. We will likely be in cubicles 3816 and 3717. I’ve been pricing a ton of playing cards for the Nationwide and may have some actually neat stuff on the present.

Then on Saturday, August 23, 2025, I’m working an all-vintage present in Oak Creek. Classic cut-off is 1986 Fleer basketball. No sellers ought to have something newer on their tables. Tables are low-cost and could be reserved by contacting me at abrandongordon@hotmail.com.

The following MegaShow is September 20 on the Milwaukee Sports activities Advanced in Franklin, WI, and can characteristic 450 tables. Tables can be found and sellers can contact me on the above e mail.

I’ve another stuff within the works and can announce extra reveals quickly!

A giant thanks to Costa for working a superb present!! I additionally admire everybody who bought playing cards from me on the Kildeer present. Thanks!

​Hope to see you this weekend in Peewaukee and Orland!!