Ohio’s First Mobile Sports Card Truck Is Changing How Collectors Shop

CINCINNATI, Ohio — For decades, sports card collectors in the Midwest have faced the same problem: the hobby shop is too far away, card shows only come around a few times a year, and online shopping lacks the hands-on experience of actually browsing sealed product in person. A new Ohio business is changing that equation entirely.

Card Chase LLC, which operates as Ohio’s mobile sports card shop, is set to launch this fall as the state’s first dedicated mobile sports card and Pokémon TCG truck — a converted food truck stocked with sealed hobby boxes, booster boxes, blasters, mega boxes, hangers, and Elite Trainer Boxes from the hobby’s top brands including Topps, Panini, and The Pokémon Company International.

The concept is simple and the timing is right: instead of waiting for collectors to come to a store, Card Chase brings the store to the collectors — rolling to sporting events, card shows, food truck festivals, and community gatherings across Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus.

A First of Its Kind in Ohio

While food trucks have become a staple of American event culture and hobby shops continue to anchor local collecting communities, the combination of the two in the trading card space is essentially uncharted territory. Card Chase appears to be among the first operations of its kind in Ohio, and possibly one of the first anywhere in the United States to operate a fully stocked mobile card shop in a converted food truck format.

“We wanted to meet collectors where they already are,” the company said. “Whether someone is at a Reds game, a card show, a tailgate, or a community event, Card Chase will be there with the product they’re looking for.”

The truck is currently in its build-out phase, with construction estimated to complete around September 1, 2026. The vehicle features purpose-built card cubbies, countertop display space, LED lighting, a digital menu board system, exterior speakers, a security camera system, and a serving window — all within a 15-foot truck designed specifically for retail card sales.

Sealed Wax Only — A Deliberate Choice

Card Chase has made a deliberate business decision to carry sealed product exclusively. The truck will not sell graded cards or individual singles. This focus keeps the product offering clean and immediately understandable for both casual buyers — families and kids discovering the hobby for the first time — and serious collectors looking for the latest hobby box releases.

Current inventory plans include products across four sports categories (MLB baseball, NFL football, NBA basketball, and Pokémon TCG) from Topps, Panini, and TPCi, covering 2025 releases and forward.

The sealed-only model also aligns with a growing segment of the collector community that views sealed product as an investment vehicle. As demonstrated by products like 2025 Topps Chrome Football — the first licensed Topps NFL cards since 2015, trading at nearly double retail on the secondary market — sealed wax continues to appreciate in value for key products, particularly around major draft classes and milestone releases.

A Free App for Collectors

Alongside the physical truck, Card Chase has developed a free Progressive Web App available at cardchasetruck.com/app that gives collectors data-driven tools for navigating the hobby. The app features a sealed product EV scorer that rates over 50 products on a 0-10 scale, a Hot Singles tracker covering MLB, NFL, NBA, and Pokémon TCG, and an events tab that shows where the truck will be appearing.

The app requires no download and no account creation — it installs directly from the browser on any iPhone or Android device.

Serving the Ohio Collecting Community

With a service area covering Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, Card Chase is positioned to reach one of the Midwest’s most active sports markets. Cincinnati is home to the Reds (MLB) and Bengals (NFL), both of which generate strong local demand for licensed trading card products. The city’s proximity to Columbus, home of Ohio State Buckeyes — one of the most followed college athletic programs in the country — adds further collector density to the region.

The company plans to establish a presence at local card shows, where they can serve the hobby’s most dedicated enthusiasts, as well as at broader community events where families and casual collectors may encounter the hobby for the first time.

“We’re building a family-friendly experience,” the company noted. “Parents and kids are a big part of who we’re building this for. The hobby is exciting at every level, and we want to be the truck that makes it accessible.”

Launch Timeline

Card Chase is planning a soft launch in August 2026 with full operations beginning in September 2026. The company’s events calendar at cardchasetruck.com/events will be updated with confirmed appearances as bookings are finalized.

Collectors and event organizers interested in bringing Card Chase to an upcoming event can reach the team at [email protected].

Card Chase LLC is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Follow the company on Facebook at facebook.com/people/Card-Chase/61590575452263, TikTok at @CardChaseTruck, X at @CardChaseTruck, and YouTube for event announcements and product updates.