General Forum

My first were 1982 and 1983 Topps baseball wax packs and 1983 Fleer cello packs at a Safeway in 1983. Those cards were well-loved, to put it nicely. The first cards I bought to keep in 'mint' condition and build a set were 1986 Topps baseball from a Woolworth about 40 miles from my home in the summer of 1986. I went back late that fall to buy some more wax packs to help work on my set (as my podunk town didn't have any), and all they had were boxes and boxes of some crummy basketball cards in red, white, and blue wax packs that said 'Premier Issue'. I decided not to waste my money, and instead wait for the 1987 baseball to come out.

And that is why I won't retire for another 20 years.

Here's a picture of the southwest corner of Passons Blvd. and Washington Blvd. in Pico Rivera, CA., now occupied with a fairly new wings place. In the 60s and 70s, it was the site of Greer's Pharmacy, where I bought my first baseball cards (1968 Topps). I can still remember the kindly pharmacist, Mr. Milton Greer, who filled all our family's prescriptions. How times have changed!

https://imgur.com/zNJSgcy

I didn't live in Pico Rivera but we had family friends who lived there back in the day (Goodbee St.) and we used to visit them quite often when I was a kid--memories!

Very cool. I grew up on Burma Road. While the city had its problems back then and not the best reputation, my experience was that it was a close knit community where neighbors looked out for each other and I have many fond memories of childhood there. Plus, it produced big leaguers Tom Egan, Scott Reid (he lived across the street from us!) and Craig Worthington. Also, my junior high classmate Rich Camarillo, who had a long and successful NFL career as a punter for the Patriots and the Rams, including a Super Bowl appearance in '86 against the Bears.

The first pack of cards I ever received was when my dad bought a pack of 1967 Topps Baseball - 7th series! at a Great Scot grocery store in Evansville.  I was 6 years old and the only card I remember in the pack was Joe Adock.

In '68 I started buying my own cards at Smitty's Market, the teeny, tiny corner grocery store a half-block away from my house.  I received a nickel a week for my allowance and I used that nickel to buy packs at Smitty's.

Unfortunately, Smitty's was only around for another year because the government used its eminent domain power to buy out Smitty's and all the houses on that street to build a new Highway 41 right through our neighborhood.  Before the highway was built, my brother and I would go to another corner grocery to buy cards when Smitty's had run out.

After Smitty's closed, I had to find a new place to buy - which was the Key Market on Washington Street.  By 1970 I was delivering papers and earned a few bucks a week, most of which I used to buy boxes instead of single packs.

None of those stores - Great Scot, Smitty's, or Key Market, are still in business.  Not unexpected after 50 years.

I'm 1984 I would mow my grandmothers lawn, and get $6 or $7 dollar.  Rode my bicycle to the 7-11 which was just under a mile away.  I'd play the pin-ball machine, buy a glass bottle of Pepsi, and packs of Fleer and Topps baseball.  I would occasionally buy the Big League Chew bubble gum.  We as kids felt like big leaguers.  Behind the 7-11 we'd hit rocks with an old bat.  Sometimes we ride bikes to the park which was the opposite direction from grandmas house, and play baseball with any other kids that were there. 

https://goo.gl/maps/EdD3GcTiB61RM1o89  You have to rotate the on street view to see it. It is now an Auto Parts Store. Back in 1970 this was the Ben Franklin Store in Milaca, MN also known as the "Five & Dime" I used to buy 1970 Topps for 10 cents a pack. Over the years I lost most of my collection, but I still have a few left. My Mom always confiscated the bubble gum as soon as I opened a pack. I always had to have sugarless gum and still had to go to the Dentist. Good times!