1. EachPod

What No One Tells You About Running a Local Card Shop

Author
Alex Llansó ([email protected])
Published
Thu 11 Sep 2025
Episode Link
https://play.cdnstream1.com/s/radicalcompany/the-hobby-handbook/what-no-one-tells-you-ab-9f22f5

Clever Cuban Cards is joined by John Lontoc, owner of Pretty Cool Cards in Nolensville, TN to talk about the realities of owning a local card shop. John tells us about what a day in his life is like, what cards have been flying off the shelf one week into the NFL season, what’s bigger: pokemon or sports cards? And so much more.


 


We also get a lightning round of hobby questions with John, his thoughts on market consolidation, and learn how much up-front capital it takes to open a card shop.


 


Plus, Alex answers your mailbag questions on which cards you should actually submit for grading, where to find information on new releases and at what point are there TOO many parallels.


 


If you're in Tennessee, be sure to check out Pretty Cool Cards and their October 19th Anniversary Party and rip night, which John tells us all about on today's episode.


 

Share to: