Since opening Card Gurus on West Pecan Street in October, Justin Johnson and Blake Perkins have turned their shared childhood love of card shops into a thriving community for collectors of sports cards, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, comics and collectibles.
The background
Johnson and Perkins met while working at a retail store in Round Rock, where they found they had similar hobbies and interests. They were both tired of working in the corporate world and fleshed out a plan for opening their own spot.
“It was probably our favorite thing we remember from our childhoods—going to the card shop with our dads,” Perkins said. “We wanted to share that with the new generation.”
Card Gurus opened on Oct. 25. Perkins said opening the shop was hard work, but worth it to make a lifelong dream come true.
“The community has helped us, and it’s been amazing,” Perkins said. “They’ve embraced us, and they wait for us in the morning to open the door, and we have to kick them out at night. This has become the most active parking lot, and our landlord said we might have saved the building.”
What they offer
One thing the pair thought was missing from card shops was customer service. Having worked retail, they knew they could bring that aspect.
“I hated going into shops where no one would talk to you,” Johnson said. “We want people to know that we’re really grateful they came in here.”
Card Gurus holds Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering tournaments, and Perkins said the business has up to 100 people show up for trade nights.
“It’s about making a community as much as it is selling things,” Johnson said. “We try to draw people in and make it fun for the kids.”
Looking ahead
In the back of the shop, Card Gurus has several vendors selling items, such as custom woodworking and T-shirts. They have had so much success with the vendors that they are planning on expanding upstairs.
As for other future plans, Perkins said the store has received franchise offers and hopes to open another location.
“People just love the brand, love how they’ve been treated, and everyone respects the grind of other collectors,” Perkins said. “We’ve spread the TCG virus to a lot of people since we’ve been here.”
