I’ve an extended historical past with St. Louis. Rising up within the early 1970’s, my household took a street journey to St. Louis each summer time to go to Six Flags Amusement Park, a few five-hour drive from my boyhood dwelling in Northbrook, Illinois. We’d do the entire city, Grant’s Farm, the Zoo and extra. I at all times seemed ahead to these journeys which stopped when Nice America Amusement Park opened in close by Gurnee, Illinois.
I went to St. Louis as soon as within the 1980’s to go to a Cardinals sport. I additionally went as soon as within the 1990’s to perform a little research on Harry Caray for an article I used to be writing for the previous Barfly Newspaper. About 15 years in the past or so, I began to return usually to arrange at card reveals.
My good pal Tony Schaefer launched me to the reveals on the Two Hearts Banquet Corridor. I’d arrange subsequent to Tony who knew everybody there and would ship them over to me. I ended up having actually good reveals. I additionally loved the concession stand at Two Hearts which was wonderful. I obtained to know fairly just a few folks in St. Louis.
Sadly, Two Hearts closed and the present moved to the Orlando Gardens which is definitely a nicer venue however gross sales began to slip. I then tried the Machinists Corridor reveals. I had just a few first rate ones then just a few bombs and I ended organising in St. Louis.
I’m fairly positive that the final time I used to be arrange in St. Louis, the Rams had been nonetheless on the town. I keep in mind fairly just a few Rams jerseys on the reveals. Now everyone seems to be sporting Chiefs jerseys. I had been that means to get again to St. Louis however couldn’t discover a date that labored till this previous Saturday.
I hit the street Friday afternoon and was caught in visitors within the Chicago space for a very good two hours. Site visitors didn’t clear up till effectively previous Joliet. Man, that was an extended drive to St. Louis!
I discovered a lodge close to the Corridor and slept terribly. For some cause, I couldn’t keep asleep. Ugh! I obtained my groggy self collectively and hit a Bob Evans on my option to the Corridor. I arrived at Bob Evans round 7 a.m. and no person was there. Bizarre. I’ve eaten at Bob Evans all around the nation and there’s at all times a crowd in there. I used to be a little bit involved however the meal turned out simply high-quality.
At Machinists Corridor, I used to be greeted by promoter Ron Estes, one of many nicest guys you’ll ever meet and likewise a fantastic classic sports activities card vendor. Ron directed me to my tables, positioned in part of the room that was not open through the different reveals I did there again within the day. This a part of the room was additionally poorly lit, which was a bummer.
I used to be arrange by 8:30 a.m. and drained as hell. There was a pop machine out within the foyer and I began ingesting Eating regimen Mountain Dew to spice up me up. I used to be a little bit involved as a result of there was not an entire lot of individuals within the room early. I used to be too drained to stroll round and take a look at the opposite tables, which is what I normally do when issues are gradual. I figured I’d take a stroll later within the afternoon, after just a few Mountain Dews.
Not a lot occurring for me through the first hour. I began to assume I’d have one other bomb however then older guys with lists began to line my tables. I used to be then swamped with set builders till 3 p.m.! I by no means did get an opportunity to stroll round!!
Wow! My folks!! You are right here!!
Oddly, I didn’t know anybody within the room aside from Ron. All these characters I used to know in St. Louis weren’t round. Of their place was a gradual stream of set builders which was okay with me. I offered a ton of playing cards! Some guys spent hours at my tables pulling stacks of playing cards from the binders. Properly, that 1960 Topps baseball binder was full in the beginning of the present — not a lot after.
What a pleasant group of individuals! I loved speaking with all these set builders all day lengthy!! Earlier that morning, I used to be pondering that I will not be coming again to St. Louis in fairly a while. Properly, that has modified. I am coming again as quickly as I can!!
I had an incredible day!!
Nonetheless, I didn’t purchase something. A number of guys needed to commerce. As , I do not commerce.
I used to be drained when the present ended however in a fantastic temper. I had a a lot simpler drive dwelling.
St. Louis, I like you! I shall be again quickly!!!
Subsequent up for me is the at all times strong Madison present on Saturday, December 28. Then Sunday, I’m heading again to Joliet. Final time in Joliet, I introduced out show circumstances and had an incredible present however I’m bringing out binders this time and am not assured I’ll do as effectively.
The subsequent Oak Creek present is January 4, 2025. As common, tables are offered out. I’m manner overbooked and wish some guys to cancel! Appears to be like like I’m going to have to inform a number of the new sellers they can not arrange this month — I hate doing that!! Ugh!
Anyway, I’m engaged on 1973-74 Topps basketball and hope to have it able to go Saturday in Madison. See you then!
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