Portland Press Herald (Maine)
01-20-2005
Sports memorabilia transmit memories
Edition: Final
Section: Your Neighbors-South
Column: MY BUSINESS
Memo: LOCKER ROOM SPORTS CARDS & MEMORABILIA ADDRESS: 100 Main St., South Portland HOURS: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday PHONE: 767-3200 E-MAIL: albertcardente@ hotmail.com OWNER: Al Cardente NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Two
Q: How did your business start?
A: After I retired, I guess I was getting bored with doing nothing and figured that opening up this place would be the best way to meet new people who had the same interests. I started this business right here at this location in 1996.
Q: Why did you choose to locate your business in this area?
A: This is a sports-minded area where many good athletes have had success on minor and major league sports teams. People in the area, male and female, support all forms of sports.
Q: How do you plan to grow your business?
A: I have the most desirable products available at all times and make sure vintage cards also are available for the experienced collectors who like to remind themselves of when they were young. I also try to keep up with the everyday changes in the business and the sports industry in general.
I make sure that every child who leaves the store is happy; I give them their money's worth so they want to return.
Q: Why did you choose this line of business?
A: Ive always enjoyed collecting sports cards and memorabilia. Through the years I have become very knowledgeable in the industry of sports. My grandchildren are fascinated with sports cards in general, and I enjoy having conservations with anyone who likes to reminisce about what they used to have before their parents threw out their collections of Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, among others.
Q: Is there anything unique or significantly different about your business?
A: Absolutely! This place is different because of the fun and the rare collection of sports cards and memorabilia, and also because of me. We are able to give young kids a new mind set. We let them know that by reading all the information on the back of the cards, they gain knowledge of the player on the front. Every card is numbered, so it keeps them busy trying to collect them all. They can pass on that knowledge to each other.
All young children have their own heroes, whether they are players of football, baseball, basketball or hockey. Then they educate each other.
Q: How does your business fluctuate with the seasons?
A: It goes along with the major sports that are in season. Believe it or not, my business also has to do with the stock market, pay raises, school vacations and holidays in general. And of course, the tourists.
Q: What are the challenges/advantages to running a small business or family business?
A: The challenge is to keep customers interested in the sports they know the best and also keep them abreast of the new products available. We strive to teach the younger generation the value of memories with their collections.
The advantage of being small means I can go one-on-one with a customer and give them my full attention when need be, personally answering any questions they have. I enjoy passing on to them some of my knowledge a little at a time in each and every sport. I wish every father, mother and grandparent would get their loved ones interested in collecting, no matter what it is they decide to collect. It's habit-forming and a lot of fun, not to mention educational and healthful.
Know of a small business that would make a good profile? E-mail neighbors_south@ pressherald .com or contact News Clerk Betsy Ring McMahon at 791-6307.
Illustrations/Photos:
Caption: Staff photos by Doug Jones Just a few of the baseball 'hall
of famers' available at the Locker Room Sports Cards & Memorabilia
shop at 100 Main St. in South Portland. Al Cardente at the counter
of Locker Room Sports Cards & Memorabilia in South Portland: 'I make
sure that every child who leaves the store is happy; I give them
their money's worth . . .'
Copyright 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
