Sports cards are more popular locally than ever, even though the Philadelphia factories that once made them have closed, writes Matt Breen for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Philadelphia was once a hotbed for producing the cards,

Fleer, a leading Olney factory for trading cards closed after more than 65 years back in November 1995.

The company blamed labor problems in professional sports for the decline in interest.

Now, spurred on by the pandemic quarantine, collectors have rediscovered trading cards.

Here’s two spots in Delaware County where you can pick up sports cards.

Media Cards & Sports

Jim DeCorso’s Media shop at 415 Baltimore Ave. offers card collecting and ski and snowboarding equipment.  Why those two activities?  “Just two things I have an interest in, they’re really not related,” he says.

DeCorso’s shop has vintage cards back to the early 1900s.

Carl’s Cards & Collectibles

Carl Henderson opened his collectibles store at 22 W. Eagle Road in Havertown in 1995 when the cards weren’t such big sellers.

 “Well no better time to find out,” Henderson said. Today, business is good with a great selection of cards and memorabilia, along with an occasional autograph signing.

Read more at The Philadelphia Inquirer about where you can buy sports cards.

Visiting a Philly sports card show.