4 minute read
UBECARD HOBBY SHOP
Trading Memories, Collecting Legacies
Speaking with UBEcard shop owner Ray Serion stirred up memories. As children in elementary school, my brother and I loved collecting, trading, and playing games to win hockey cards. Occasionally, a generous child would yell “Scramble!” and toss their unwanted cards; it was like treasure was falling from the sky. Ray has similar stories from his childhood growing up in Kerrisdale.
He says, “Trading cards embody the essence of what we stand for, a celebration of cherished moments and the timeless pursuit of building legacies, one card at a time.”
A lifelong collector, Ray has amassed hundreds of thousands of cards.
During the early days of the pandemic, new hobbies developed when people had nothing but time on their hands. Sewing machines and bicycles sold out and collecting cards through online purchases soared.
“Cards that had been sitting in closets collecting dust became big again. Their value spiked. Cards that had been worth $200, in some cases, were inflated significantly by thousands of dollars. It was a matter of supply and demand,” Ray says.
His passion for cards and community sparked the inception of his business idea in 2021. Fueled by his love for collectible cards and the desire to create a haven for fellow enthusiasts, he embarked on a journey to bring this vision to life.
I opened UBEcard because I wanted to bring something new and nostalgic to Dunbar. It's a one-of-a-kind shop on Vancouver's west side.
Ray is concerned that social interaction is declining and wants to invest in faceto-face business. His vision was to make cards available to collectors for the tactile experience.
“There’s nothing like it, from a hobbyist’s point of view, to touch them and kick the tires,” Ray says with a laugh.
Whether you collect Pokémon, sports, or Magic: The Gathering cards, UBEcard is the place to find treasures that speak to every card collector.
From rare finds to sought-after classics, our selection caters to novices and seasoned collectors. UBEcard is not just about cards; we’re about the shared passion, the thrill of the game, and the delight of finding that perfect addition to your collection.
Soon after UBEcard opened last August, a fellow who had grown up in Dunbar but now lives abroad came into the store. As a child, he bought bubble gum hockey cards at a small grocery store that used to be two blocks from Ray’s shop. He brought in two Wayne Gretzky rookie cards. Ray didn’t get a chance to handle the cards as they still needed to be graded, but he loves this full-circle story.
It could be worth a small fortune if you have a mint-condition Wayne Gretzky rookie card tucked away.
Ray says, “His rookie card is considered the holy grail of hockey cards.”
Cards are sent for evaluation and grading, and their condition determines their worth. Cards can be worth anywhere from ten cents to tens of thousands of dollars. Ray is happy to teach people what collectible cards are worth and why.
Ray has a Gretzy card that has been graded with a rating of 7/10. Another rare card is basketball player Michael Jordan’s 1986 rookie card. UBEcard has one in-store with a grading of 8/10.
Ray’s tip is to collect what you like, whether a player or a sport, Pokémon, or Magic: The Gathering cards and from there, it becomes a hobby.
Fifty percent of UBEcard’s business is Pokémon cards. The store hosts Saturday night trade nights for Pokémon cards, which receive good turnouts.
UBEcard plans to dovetail with neighbouring business Sweet Somethings to use its storefront to host events starting in February. Ray is thrilled to provide an opportunity for community involvement and for people to have a safe place to play and hang out. This is an opportunity for card collectors to play certain games like Magic: The Gathering. Card makers sponsor these events, and there will be prizes.
“Our collection isn’t just about cards; it’s a testament to the stories they hold. Each Pokémon card, sports collectible, and Magic card is a gateway to imagination, strategy, and camaraderie. We celebrate the thrill of the hunt, the joy of discovery, and the connection these cards forge between friends, family, and communities.”
UBEcard Hobby Shop 4335
Vancouver, BC V6S 1P8
Phone 604-394-2273
Story by Sarah Gordon (Feb 2024) @PALLAMEDIA
