Dennis Hooker had always enjoyed trading sports cards, but it wasn’t until he quit his job doing deliveries for Hirons that he realized he could make his hobby his full-time career.

Just after Hooker left Hirons, the location on East 18th Avenue unfortunately burned down. Hooker said he saw that as a little bit of a sign that he made the right choice to make a career trading sports cards and memorabilia. He then opened Hooker’s Sports Cards in 1985.

While Hooker’s card shop primarily supplies sports cards to trade, Hooker does giveaways of various autographed jerseys or posters. The shop also carries other trading cards from Pokemon to limited edition Star Wars cards.

The shop hosted a card and jersey raffle on Feb. 22, something that Hooker says they try to do once a month.

“The giveaways have been building my customer base,” Hooker said. “I’ve given away a Dak Prescott autographed helmet and Pete Rose rookie cards; I could go on for hours.”

University of Oregon junior and avid sports card trader Thomas Rainey says the prices at Hooker’s are some of the best prices collectors in Eugene can find. Rainey also says that the location being relatively close to campus is a benefit for collectors who go to UO.

A skill that most avid trading card collectors learn is how to determine card value. Flipping and selling cards at different shops and card shows is a skill that card traders strive to perfect.
Rainey explains that the most common way to find card values online is by checking “comps” on eBay. This refers to the value cards sold for on eBay, allowing card collectors to better know a card’s true value.

“If a card shop has good pricing around market value or under, and has informed employees it makes for a great experience,” Rainey said.

Hooker has seen hundreds of pack openings and recently has seen autographed rookie cards of NFL rookies Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels. He said the coolest card he has seen is a Mike Trout one-of-one autographed card, which is estimated to be worth $10,000. Hookers said the price is worth it.

In addition to eBay, Hooker uses the site 130 Point to help customers find the value of pulled cards.

Knowing that sports cards are available anywhere in town, Hooker does raffles for autographed jerseys and cards as a way to stay connected to card lovers.

“I’ve been open for so long that people that are 30 years old, I first saw them come in when they were kids,” Hooker said.

Trading sports cards has also become a way to connect with other card enthusiasts. Posting on Facebook and Instagram has connected Hooker to card traders of all interest levels.

“In the old days, you could be sitting on a case of product to sell for two weeks,” Hooker said. “Now I get stuff in and it goes in two hours, and I order supplies every day.”