Inside the Panini Roundtable October Store of the Month: Legacy Sports Cards

In a relatively short amount of time, hobby shop owners across North America have discovered that there are many significant advantages to being an approved member of the new Panini Roundtable program.

Panini America Legacy 18

In a relatively short amount of time, hobby shop owners across North America have discovered that there are many significant advantages to being an approved member of the new Panini Roundtable program.

Just since its inception in late August, the Panini Roundtable has delivered a program-exclusive wrapper-redemption initiative for 2013-14 Prizm Hockey, conducted the first of many conference calls with select Roundtable stores and members of the Panini America Product Development Team, and, for the first time, awarded bonus Black Friday packs to store member stores based on existing inventory. Today, we’re unveiling yet another benefit of membership: The Panini Roundtable Hobby Shop of the Month.

The inaugural Panini Roundtable Hobby Shop of the Month — for October 2013 — is Legacy Sports Cards in Las Vegas. Earlier this week, through an exchange of emails, we had the opportunity to discuss the prestigious honor with store owner Marcel Bilak. Bilak also was nice enough to share some great images of his shop with The Knight’s Lance.

Enjoy the interview and enjoy the images.

The Knight’s Lance: How does it feel to be selected as the first winner of this award?
“When [Panini America Sales Director] Tim Franz called me I was in work mode and it took a second for it to sink in that I had won the award. But since that phone call I have been super excited. It’s a complete honor to receive the first Panini Roundtable Hobby Shop of the Month Award. The program is rock solid and I look forward to participating and helping it become successful.”

TKL: What does Panini America’s support of your store in particular – and all brick-and-mortar stores in general – mean to your business?
“Panini supports our hobby — and, in particular, brick-and-mortar stores — more so than any other manufacturer. Case in point, their programs are innovative and successful. For example, the Panini Player of the Day is easy to explain to our customers and even easier for them to play. The prizes are enticing and the grand prize opportunity could not be any better. The Black Friday promotion was in large part the reason we had such a huge turnout in 2012 and we expect the same this year. Customers love those Black Friday Packs!”

TKL: What do you feel is the key factor in running a successful hobby shop?
“Trust, integrity, expertise and money management. I am blessed to have the most wonderful staff on planet Earth. We trust and respect each other. Anything is possible when those elements are present and our every action is executed with integrity. Our combined expertise allows us to quickly and properly address most any question and opportunity that arises. The last is a very important aspect of running a business like ours: Money management. We are constantly bombarded with opportunities to buy great deals and pre-order loads of great hobby boxes, but our job is to pick and choose. We need to be selective and precise in our buying. The bottom line is the only line.”

TKL: In your opinion, what is the best part about working with Panini America?
“The best part about working with Panini was being able to obtain my Tim Franz memorabilia card!”

TKL: What were your best-selling Panini America products in the month of October?
“Playbook football has been a good seller for us two years in a row. Our customer really love cracking that product. We sold all of our Flawless at light speed and hope that product is back next October.”

TKL: Anything else you want to add?
“I just want to thank my family and staff. Their love and support is the platform on which I continue to trudge. Without them this little card shop would not have blossomed into what it is today. Oh, yeah! Please visit our new website for all the largest selection of hobby boxes, supplies and memorabilia.”

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11 Replies to “Inside the Panini Roundtable October Store of the Month: Legacy Sports Cards”

  1. I am just too lazy to read it through at the moment, but watched the pictures, and the only thing i can say: I wish to have a store like that somewhere close to my home!

    1. Yes he was the Golden Contract winner and was featured on the 2013 Bowman card BGC-MB…I actually have it:-)… Only b/c I bought it off eBay so I could get it signed by him when I went back to Vegas…but I never got a chance to stop by his store 🙁

  2. I have been in contact via YouTube with Marcel for years and he is a stand-up guy. He gave me a great deal on a Hudson card for my collection a while back as well. We were also both swindled by the same person on eBay at different times! I have been subscribed to their channel for a long time and would definitely recommend dealing with the store in person or online. Great program to feature shops around the country, thanks Tracy!

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