David Vega, the owner of South Coast Collectibles, first discovered his love for Pokémon cards in 1999. Over the years, his passion has evolved into a lifelong hobby of collecting and attending card shows. From Pokémon and Digimon to sports cards, Vega has developed a deep appreciation for sports and collecting sports-related memorabilia.
Vega recently attended the Northeast Sports Card Expo at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough, joining approximately 400 vendors who shared their passion for sports cards and non-sports cards. As a New Bedford native, Vega has been collecting cards and attending card shows for about 25 years, actively participating in various similar events throughout the year, including weekly shows in Woburn, Fenway, Gillette, and the Garden.
Attending this expo brought immense joy to Vega as he witnessed the growth of the hobby and saw customers transition into becoming dealers while also observing dealers become customers at different shows. The Northeast Sports Card Expo was the largest card show in the region and featured appearances by a Boston Red Sox World Series trophy and the Boston Bruins mascot.
Despite being 34 years old, Vega’s love for cards remains strong as he views selling and trading cards as a way of preserving nostalgia. He emphasized the excitement of exploring new finds at card shows, even after attending numerous events in the past. The Northeast Sports Card Expo continued on Sunday at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough, providing card collectors and enthusiasts with an opportunity to connect and indulge in their shared passion.
In conclusion, David Vega’s story is a testament to how one person’s passion for collecting can evolve into a lifelong hobby that brings immense joy to them even after many years of attending card shows.
