Collectors and hobbyists throughout San Antonio are bracing for a change in the price of their beloved pastime. Boomtown Sports Cards and Pokéshop, a cherished cornerstone in the local hobby scene, has been thrust into an economic conundrum that’s led to a necessary price adjustment. The shop’s owner, Vic Nava, delivered the bittersweet news via Facebook on a Thursday afternoon, sending ripples through the community with the heads-up that any orders placed starting Friday, April 18, will come with a heftier price tag.
Nava’s announcement didn’t just roll in mechanically like a dry economic report—rather, it kicked off with a heartfelt note of gratitude directed at the shop’s unwaveringly supportive clientele. “First and foremost, thank you all for being a part of the shop’s growth and success. We are still trucking along thanks to you,” Nava penned sincerely, hoping his initial candor would serve as a cushion for the more somber details that followed.
He continued to outline the unwelcome news with a side of gallows humor, conceding that while Boomtown has tried to insulate itself from global issues, sometimes reality barges in with all its unavoidable implications. “We choose to keep our heads in the hobby and keep the world’s problems away,” he lamented. “Sadly, the real world and all its BS has begun to affect our hobby.”
What had burst the bubble of this hobby haven was not one, but two ominous emails that landed unceremoniously in Nava’s inbox. They bore the grim tidings that his essential plastic supplies were subject to a jaw-dropping 100% increase. “Yeah…100%…we are pissed too,” he shared bluntly, aligning his own irritation with what customers would soon feel once prices were recalibrated. The steep rise wasn’t a decision made lightly; Nava stressed that to hesitate or opt against upping prices meant hobbling the business financially, a risk that could severely undermine Boomtown’s future.
Faced with the formidable task of cushioning the community from this economic blow, Nava called upon his audience for understanding. This call wasn’t met with despair but with a rally of support, proving that the shop’s community ties were as strong as the collector’s dedication to their items of devotion. One supporter, JD Nash, left a supportive message, eloquently stating, “Do what you gotta do, brotha. We’ll still support no matter what. Always a pleasure coming into the shop.”
This endorsement wasn’t singular; Rey Jimenez, another loyal patron, lent his voice to the chorus, narrating the personal impact Boomtown has had on his family: “Because of you guys, my two little boys love collecting. Every time we go into San Antonio, that’s our first stop. Keep the hobby alive, brother!”
It isn’t just about price tags and profit margins; it’s about the pulse that Boomtown maintains in the heartbeat of San Antonio. The shop’s transparent communication and Nava’s earnest appeal have spotlighted the trickle-down effects of international policies and tariffs on local businesses. These increases are not just an abstract numerical shift—they ripple across the lives of everyday collectors who see their treasured pastime threatened by economic shifts far removed from their control.
Even as Nava navigates this daunting landscape, the shop’s story highlights a dual force—one of resilience and adaptation, met with community solidarity and loyalty. As prices adjust, the animation and enthusiasm for the hobby may be tested, but support for Boomtown might prove equivalent to the passion rivers that run through card collectors and hobbyists alike.
Boomtown’s saga is a testament to the timeless truth: businesses, especially small ones, are shaped as much by the global market as they are by the local communities that sustain them. With orders now reflecting this shift, customers are choosing to embrace this moment of evolving tides as an opportunity to express what they’ve known all along—that Boomtown is more than just a shop; it’s a shared treasure in the colorful mosaic of their lives.
