After three years in Freeport, G&T Sports Cards Plus will soon have a new home a few miles north.
Specializing in sports trading cards and collectibles, the shop is set to relocate to 309 South Pike Road in Buffalo Township, according to owner Tyler Huth.
The reason for the move, Huth said, is a practical one: parking.
Regularly hosting trading events that draw upward of 150 people, Huth said he simply required more space for customers and their vehicles.
Though he said a piece of his heart will remain in Freeport, he’s looking forward to moving to his hometown and a space with a “more modern feel.”
Regular customers, who Huth said had frequently raised the issue of parking, supported his decision to move.
“We’ve been very fortunate to build a very cool, loyal customer base,” he said.
In addition to his shop, Huth’s G&T Arcade will also relocate to the new space. The arcade features a variety of traditional games including pinball, claw machines and ticket-collecting games.
The move will coincide with another new addition to the G&T enterprise, Huth said. The owner purchased a trailer to serve as a mobile store at events like carnivals and farmers markets, he said.
Buffalo Township Supervisor Mike Oehling said he was happy to see a “homegrown” entrepreneur open a business in the township.
The new shop, he said, will be good for the tax base and for the community.
“I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Oehling said.
For the grand opening, Huth said he is hoping to plan a “fun event,” but the details are still in the works.
The Freeport location will remain open through Friday, June 27 with the new shop set to open Tuesday, July 1.