Our Story

 

Welcome to BudBud's Collectibles.

Hey Andy here and as the first blog post on this site, I thought I’d start with as they say in comic book terminology “The BudBud’s Origin Story”. 

BudBud’s Collectibles is a online hobby shop specializing in vintage collectables.  Sports Cards, Non-Sports Cards, Comics, your favourite Action Figures from the 80’s and 90’s plus a bunch of other cool stuff.  

But the story starts many years ago...

I remember the golden era of sports cards fondly. It was the late 80s and early 90s — I was a 14-year-old kid, there was a sports card shop in every town and a trade show every week. If you collected cards when Upper Deck Baseball first hit the shelves, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

(My best friend and I setting up our table at a card show during the boom of sports cards in the late 80's. Man I wish I had more photos from those shows!) 

I was a kid in the early 80s when I first collected baseball and hockey sticker books. Somewhere around 1982-83 I started buying packs from the corner store — I distinctly remember collecting 83 O-Pee-Chee Baseball. And of course like a lot of kids who grew up in the 80s, Star Wars, G.I. Joe, He-Man, Transformers and Wrestling Figures were at the top of every birthday and Christmas list.

Around 1986-87 I got big into collecting and selling baseball and hockey cards, just as the boom was starting to take off. It was something really special to live through and be part of.

My Dad and I share that enthusiasm for the hobby. He's a lifelong hobby guy — still actively buying and selling on eBay, all things hobby. Sports cards, non-sports cards, comics, coins, stamps — you name it. He has close to 3,000 reviews and 100% positive feedback. It's a hobby he loves and it keeps him busy in retirement.

Dad was right there when I got started collecting and we set up tables together at card shows in the late 80s. Honestly some of the best times growing up.

One of my favourite memories is a family road trip to Boston in the summer of 1990 — right at the peak of the sports card boom. Dad and I made sure to hit every card store along the way. What started as a family vacation turned into an Atlantic Coast Hobby Shop summer tour. My Mother and Sister were not impressed — but Dad and I had the time of our lives.

To this day visiting sports card stores and hobby shops is something I genuinely love.

A few years ago we finally made the trip to the Sports Memorabilia Show in Toronto. Standing there with my Dad at the Sports Card Expo and then the two of us with the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame — it doesn't get much better than that.

Speaking of Dads — I am one myself now, and it's the thing I'm most proud of. My little girl and my boy are future collectors in the making. They inspire me every single day.

Which brings me to the name.

BudBud is my son's nickname. It just came about naturally the way the best nicknames do. And when it came time to name this store there was really only one choice. This place is named after him — and everything we're building here is for moments like the ones I shared with my Dad. Passed down, one generation at a time.

I guess you could say it’s come full circle. I’ve gotten back into collecting since my kids have been born and the idea for BudBud’s Collectibles grew from that. 

To say I’m nostalgic about Hobby and Sports Card shops would be an understatement. I have a genuine passion for the hobby and collecting. When I say we strive to treat customers like family we mean it. 

Even though BudBud’s is starting from humble beginnings, we are determined to make it something great! 

As a visitor here your comments provide us with encouragement that is very much appreciated.  You are part of a fantastic community and are helping to write our story!

Other ways you can  become more involved beyond this site is by checking  out our other social media accounts and signing up for our newsletter.

Thanks for being part of this journey with us, it means everything.

Chat soon,
Andy