Card collector turns hobby into business
Like many young boys, he started out collecting baseball cards then, as an adult, had a chance to buy a company’s inventory.
“Then the IRS told me it wasn’t a hobby,” Haire related. “So, it kind of moved into a business.”
“We’re really glad that you all are here,” FWKCC president/CEO Julie Blaylock said just before the ribbon was cut.
“I’m glad to be out here,” Haire said. “I get to come to work and look at cards all day.”
“You’re bringing me back to my childhood,” Town administrator David Smoak said. “Thank you for opening your business in the Town. It’s small business owners like you who really make a difference and help us with our sales tax revenues and our community.”
Sports Treasures, which opened March 21, nurtures collectors’ enthusiasm for the hobby, with sports cards, miniature and signed helmets, baseballs, footballs, posters and other memorabilia. He also carries collector supplies.
“We always have new releases coming in,” Haire said. “We have new singles.
“We have a direct contract with Topps [which makes the cards], Panini and Upper Deck.
Besides getting cards from Topps, Panini and Upper Deck, Haire travels to card shows multiple times a year, and he buys cards from people who come into the store.
“June 1 was my fourth year owning Sports Treasures,” he said. That’s when he
bought the original Sports Treasures, which is located off Broadway in Fountain City, north Knoxville.
“It’s been there for 37 years,” Haire said. “It was originally owned by Joe and [son] Eddie Barkley … back in ’89, when they started it.
“Every year, we go out to a Topps conference somewhere,” he said. “It was Arizona this year.”
This year, Haire decided to expand his business west.
“Farragut was one of the areas that was identified by Topps as needing a sports card shop,” he said. “So why don’t we do it?
“I’ve been trying to move out west for a little while now,” Haire said. “Trying to find the right place. It’s not easy to find property for a storefront.
“We started looking in October of last year,” he added. “We were driving by and
saw a sign here. It actually worked out.”
The store is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday; and closed Sunday.
For more information, call 865-863-0248.
