Mike was born in 1972, the same year, he pointed out, that Dale graduated from college.  His family is from Wenatchee.  His dad passed away May 3^rd. " He was my audience and teacher".  Hard to live without him but involves himself in more activities which seems to help.

 

Dad worked at Boeing, moved to Everett in the 80s.  Went to Cascade High School.  Wrestled in high school. 

Joined the Army.  Ended up in Missouri.  Received three warrants in transportation.   Returned home applied for Washington State Patrol.  Fought fires in Eastern Washington.  Returned to Seattle to be a logistics manager.  In 2001 I discharged from National Guard.

 

2004 went back to school.  Was a liaison to Governor. 

 

2010 moved to Arlington and started business.  700 square foot location.   First year grew to 3,700 sq foot location.  Aqua Sox sponsors, second to Tulalip Tribe.

 

Mike's been collecting since he was a child.  "Kept me out of trouble.  Something I did with my dad and friends.  I wanted to have the biggest collection"

 

He ha four boys and not one of them want anything to do with sports cards.  But he works to educate kids that come into the shop.

 

President of the Downtown Arlington Business Association.  "If businesses around me are doing well my business will do better."

 

After WWII card collecting boomed. Bowman Gum and Topps were confectionary companies and started putting out cards.  Media coverage of certain players increased interest in collecting cards. 

 

Shortly before 1970 and 1989 card companies put out error cards.  High demand, very valuable.

Companies started grading cards after the errors.

 

The store will be getting into board games, magic trading cards.  Opening up a 750sq foot gaming room in the back of the shop.  Mike will have kids’ trading nights.

 

John Ollerud and his wife came to the shop to buy his cards that he could sign to give away

 

He has trivia events and he gave an example with Cougar Dale and Husky Cindy playing a game for minature helmets: