The Island Park Public Library was buzzing with conversation on Nov. 20, as Evolution Cards and Collectibles hosted its first Sports Collectibles Discussion and Appraisal in the Community Room.
The library partnered with the new local business, based on Long Beach Road, for a one-hour event that brought residents together to talk sports memorabilia, baseball cards, pricing, selling and collecting tips. A crowd of familiar and new faces turned out to explore the world of collectibles.
Frank Manzo, owner of Evolution Cards and Collectibles, and his business partner and manager, Daniel Hadoulis, shared insights into card grading, market trends, how to price and sell items and advice for new and longtime hobbyists.
“We’re a newer business that is looking to help out in any way, shape or form, to anyone on the island,” Manzo said. “We do a lot of shows, we do a lot of public events. You’ll definitely see us out on the island.”
Mayor Michael McGinty stopped by to get a glimpse of the wonders of collectibles as well.
“I have a feeling they’re going to continue to do very well,” McGinty said. “Every time I’ve taken a walk with the dog past the store, there have been all sorts of kids in there looking and buying and then that night, half a dozen guys walked up with trading cards to get an estimate of their worth and they were amenable to that.”
The last 30 minutes of the event were devoted to on-site appraisals, with attendees bringing in their own cards and items for a quick estimate — further connecting the new shop to the community.
“I was there for the program, and it was very interesting and very well received by the public,” Jessica Koenig, director of Island Park Public Library said. “People were very excited, and they brought in some interesting items. The discussion was very wide ranging. He covered how to sell on eBay, and he’s happy to give advice on that. So it was a very open and interesting discussion.”
Evolution Cards and Collectibles opened in April, founded by longtime friends, Manzo and Hadoulis.
“I’ve worked in cards before, I’ve been in the industry for like 10 years in various different positions, been to 1000s of card shows, events, things like that,” Manzo said. “I’ve always wanted to own a card store and I think anyone that really is in the hobby, their kind of subconscious dream is to own a card store at some point.”
Koenig said this likely won’t be the last such event.
“I think this was a program that was of interest to people who may not be frequent library users, and we certainly love to bring everybody in,” Koenig said. “So to have a program that appealed to a bit of a different audience was a wonderful thing for us and for Evolution Cards and Collectibles also.”
For more information on the store, visit EvolutionCard.shop.
To see upcoming events at the Island Park Public Library, IslandParkLibrary.org
