The 1994 baseball strike proved a blessing for Nathan Avery. It gave the lifelong fan the opportunity to purchase a business that lets him indulge in his childhood hobby.
'I've collected cards ever since I was about 4 years old.' said the 27-year-old owner and sole employee of Bleacher Burns Sports Cards and Memorabilia, Willow Street. Avery said he gut into the business after student teaching in college revealed he 'didn't have the temperament' to teach.
After following a friend to trade shows, he became interested in the baseball-card business. When the opportunity arose, he jumped at the chance to buy is own store. 'Right in the middle of the strike, the guy who I bought the business from decided he wanted to sell, because business had just died. So, we were able to come in and get it at a fairly low price.'
Avery opened Bleacher Bums three and a half years ago at its present location, 2908-A Willow Street Pike, in Willow Street. Most of his inventory is baseball and other sports cards. His current stock includes a $700 Ted Williams card, although most of his items sell for much less.
'I get a lot of kids in here, so we sell a lot of quarter cards,' he noted. Adult collectors, who pay more in the $20 range for cards, comprise his other major customer base. Avery also said he encourages customers to bring in items they're looking to exchange. He will also make every effort to fill special orders.
In addition to cards, Bleacher Bums carries a variety of other merchandise, including sports memorabilia, Magic: The Gathering cards and a current trendy item: Beanie Babies. 'Beanie Babies are huge right now,' Avery remarked. 'Over this past weekend, I moved a Beanie Baby for $1,500.'
Bleacher Bums has also recently started drumming up customers on the Internet. Avery said he is in the process of creating his own web site.
Avery attributes the success of his business to several factors. 'I'm on the lower scale for prices, from what I hear from my customers.' He also prides himself on providing a high level of customer service.
The sports-card business is enjoying steady growth at the moment, said Ross Gilbert, owner and sole employee of Gilbert's Sports Cards, Gifts and Collectibles in Lancaster. Like Avery, he opened his business about the time of the baseball strike.
Sales of sports cards account for about 75 percent of Gilbert's business. His inventory includes cards priced from 5 cents to upwards of $1,000, he said.
