-Messenger Photo: John McBride
Lane Leisher will open Card Collectibles Hobby Shop in Fort Dodge on October 21st. The location is 700 Central Ave.
Lane Leisher has been collecting sports memorabilia for as long as he can remember, he said. That passion is now turning into a new business.
After recently moving to Fort Dodge from Oklahoma, Lesher decided to open a card and collectibles store. He plans to launch a new store, The Card Collective Hobby Shop, on October 21st.
The store is located at 700 Central Ave. It is the former home of Wicker Jewelers, a longtime jewelry and watch store that recently closed.
“I’ve been collecting most of my life.” Lesher said. “It’s always been my dream to open a shop.”
Lesher works for Koch Fertilizer and transferred to Fort Dodge from Enid, Okla., six months ago. Once he and his family arrived, he began looking for a place to open a hobby store.
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-Submitted Photo Card box sets are the main items available for purchase at Card Collectibles Hobby Shop in Fort Dodge. Pokemon cards are also sold in the store.
He says it worked because the former Wicker store was vacant.
“We were actually looking at the space next to the loft upstairs.” He said. “Someone said Wicker Jewelers was closing. I looked it up on the internet and it looked perfect.”
Inside the store, Liescher has converted all the jewelry cases into display cases for card sets, helmets, jerseys and other memorabilia he’s collected and purchased over the years.
“I buy from other people and other shows. I also have some agents.” He said. “It’s going to be different, though, because I’m new to sales. I’ve always just bought.”
Lesher said he plans to continue attending various card and memorabilia shows around the area, including a monthly show in Fort Dodge.
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-Messenger Photo: John McBride
You can buy all sorts of items at the card shop, including some Wheaties boxes. Owner Lane Leisher said he has countless Wheaties boxes available.
Card Collectibles Hobby Shop will specialize in card sets, which Rescher said are extremely popular and extremely difficult to obtain. He said most card sets sell out quickly after they are released.
He also said he has been contacted by other collectors who want to sell their items, but are willing to part with them.
“Most of my messages are from people who want to get rid of card sets and other things in their basements.” He said. “Most of what I have here now is from my personal collection. I haven’t bought anything from anyone locally yet.”
Lesher said the store will also offer a consignment area where collectors can sell their items.
“I just hope the community really embraces it.” Lesher said. “We want the younger generation to get involved. That’s the only way this hobby will survive. If kids don’t collect, this town will disappear.”
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-Messenger Photo: John McBride
This Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet signed by Tom Brady is part of Card Shop’s extensive Tom Brady collection.
Liescher said he has spoken with several residents who have fond memories of past hobby shops throughout town. He has also researched the history of downtown Fort Dodge and its buildings and is impressed by it all.
“It’s kind of cool. I want to upload some pictures from the history here.” He said.
He also said he has spoken to many people who have fond memories of Wicker Jewelers, including several who have asked about repairing watches. He joked that he might have to add a watch battery to his collection.
Lesher has a large collection of Tom Brady items, including an autographed Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet. He also has several Tom Brady autographed cards on display.
He also said that he has a huge collection of Pokemon cards and that the card sets are also in good supply and remain popular.
Business hours are Wednesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The store is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Risher said anyone who would like to see his collection should call the store at 405-318-9573.
Lesher and his wife, Destiny, have one son, Lennox, and both help out at the store.
Collectors can also check out the store’s website at www.cardcollectiveshop.com. You can also follow the store on Facebook by searching for “The Card Collective Hobby Shop.”