Off-Topic Forum

I will be traveling for business to London Ontario. While I have to work 8 hours a day. I was wondering what might there be to do during my down time. Hoping a card shop near by. Any restaurants that locals will go but someone from US wouldn't know about. Only going to be there 3 nights, so not much time. I will be there first of May and have nothing planned. Company likes to wait until the last minute. Any help is appreciated 

I'm sure our TCDB friends in Canada can answer much better and with much more detail.  I was in London and Toronto for work a number of years ago.  I don't remember many specifics, but I do recall eating a few nights at a place called Montana's and The Keg.  I seemed to remember being satisfied at both.  I know we also went to a poutine place, but I don't recall the name.  

Of course during my time there I also made plenty of stops at Tim Horton's.  I know they have some locations in the states but not where I am at.

I don't recall doing too much site seeing other than what I did at work while in London. Did much more off clock site seeing in Toronto.

Anyhow, Have a good trip.

I am originally from London, Ontario and still go back every summer to our place on the lake in that area.

There are several card shops but I have grown to prefer 2 that I have found to be excellent with owners that are knowledgeable and friendly.

The 1st one is in the northwest section of town named Beyond the Pond (Beyondthepond.ca). Great place to browse both new and vintage. Very good baseball selections and excellent hockey (no surprise as it’s Canada).

The 2nd one is south of London about a 20 minute drive. It’s called Fan of the Sport (fanofthesport.com). Great guy owns the place and they have good selection & excellent prices.

if you are up to a drive of about an hour or so there are 2 excellent shops west of London.

The first is in Chatham named  Rocket Sports Cards (rocketsportscards.com). The owner might be the most knowledgeable sports card guy in Ontario - he has a weekly YouTube show that is very entertaining.

The second is in a small town named Blenheim (just south of Chatham) named Stadium Sports Cards (stadiumsportscards.ca). Again great people at the store with excellent selection and good prices.

If you decide to go to any of these places please mention that the Dodger guy from California sent you - they will get a kick out of that.

Have fun, enjoy and happy hunting.

Rick

I am not sure about any card stores (there must be some), but I live a few hours drive away. There is one point of interest to any hockey card collector however that can be found at 430 Adelaide St. North (corner of Dundas & Adelaide in London). It's the old O-Pee-Chee factory and warehouse. I understand that they've turned the insides into apartments but the outside is still the same as it was. 

I can give you a phone# of Martin's Sports Cards who always set up booths at the big Sports Card Show's in Toronto twice a year (as well as others). I don't believe he actually has a "store" but if you explain your situation maybe a meeting can be arranged? He has a ton of older O-Pee-Chee unopened boxes from as far back as the 1970s until they went out of business in the 90's. I've heard rumors that when they did go belly up, he bought out their remaining inventory. Tel# (519) 836-3061 ask for Jason. 

You should use the Advanced search on the Members Directory and contact some of the current members that live there: https://www.tcdb.com/Members.cfm?ACTION=ADVANCED

Check out JayMan11's profile.

Thanks I love me some routine. When I go to WDW and go to the Canada pavilion in epcot I always get some. I will definitely checks those restaurants out

I worked in London for about 10 years and Beyond the Pond was my favourite spot. Staff was friendly and would work with you on prices. They also have a lot of loose cards to look through. It's about a 20ish minute drive from the core, but I would say it's worth it. If you're in the South end of London, where there are a lot of hotels, there is Players. They have a lot packs and products,  but not a lot of loose cards if memory serves correct. That place gives me more "hobby bro" vibes. 

As for restaurants,  one of my favorites was Bungalow.  They make excellent burgers and have a variety of beers on tap. Garlics is an excellent sit down restaurant located in the city core. Anderson brewery is also an excellent craft brewery if you're into that. 

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions as I am very familiar with the city.