There’s a palpable tension in the air among collectors and hobbyists in the sun-drenched city of San Antonio. Boomtown Sports Cards and Pokéshop, a beloved local haunt nestled in the heart of the Alamo City, finds itself on the precipice of a price hike. With the shadow of a global trade skirmish extending into their cozy corner of the world, change is afoot for those who frequent this shrine to trading cards and collectibles.
On a rather ordinary Thursday, April 17, with no cosmic events to forewarn what was to come, shop owner Vic Nava armed himself with social media to communicate a seismic shift to his clientele. Via a heartfelt post on Facebook, Nava relayed the uncomfortable news that any order placed from Friday, April 18, onward would carry a heavier price tag.
The post wasn’t just a perfunctory price adjustment notification; rather, it read more like an open letter to a trusted circle of friends. Navastarted his communique with gratitude, extending a warm, digital embrace to the gathering of loyal patrons who have supported the shop’s journey. “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,” expressed Nava, establishing the sentimental backdrop to his announcement.
But the Facebook message soon turned somber as Nava provided a candid insight: global trade policies, once a mere background noise to the world of collectibles, had become an unwelcome guest in the aisles of his shop. “We choose to keep our heads in the hobby and keep the world’s problems away,” he lamented, channeling the frustration of many whose personal passions have been disrupted by macroeconomic forces. “Sadly the real world and all its BS has begun to affect our hobby.”
The catalyst of this sea change came through not one, but two ominous emails from distributors that threatened the shop’s operational viability. The unwelcome missives declared a potential rise as steep as 100% in the costs of essential plastic supplies. With understandable exasperation, Nava commented on this shocking upward spiral: “Yeah…100%….we are pissed too.”
Faced with the brutal reality of a doubling of supply costs, Nava was left with the unenviable decision of hiking up product prices to safeguard the financial health of Boomtown. It was a dilemma writ large: keep prices the same and risk the shop’s ruin, or push costs to the community—a community that holds the shop close to its heart. “I don’t agree with it and I don’t want to do it. If I keep prices the same, this could really hurt our business,” he shared, demonstrating his reluctance.
Amidst this doom-laden announcement, something remarkable unfolded online—a chorus of support. Loyal customer JD Nash encapsulated the prevailing sentiment with his encouraging missive: “Do what you gotta do, brotha. We’ll still support no matter what. Always a pleasure coming into the shop.” An unyielding tide of goodwill that spoke volumes about the community Boomtown Sports Cards and Pokéshop had nurtured over the years.
Another voice among the throng, Rey Jimenez, chimed in with praise that tugged at the heartstrings: “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!” His words painted a picture of continuity, of family traditions that had been kindled under his roof.
The candid sharing of these financial challenges crafts an enlightening narrative about more than just a store—it paints a broader picture of how intricately global policies can reverberate through local communities. As supplies become pricier, the financial ballast shifts, thrusting San Antonio collectors into a new reality where higher price tags might soon become the norm.
Yet, the true story emerging from Boomtown’s response is one of enduring community spirit. Challenged by forces far beyond their control, both Nava and his patrons have showcased a stoic resilience and an indomitable sense of camaraderie. For hobbyists and collectors across San Antonio, Boomtown isn’t just a shop—it’s a sanctuary where collections are nurtured, friendships bloom, and passion remains untarnished by the grit of the outside world. In the realm of trading cards and collectibles, change might be inevitable, but as long as the heart of Boomtown beats strong with support, its loyal community will keep coming back for more.
