Lucky Vault

East Hollywood TCG shop on Santa Monica Blvd stocking PSA, CGC and BGS slabs, English and Japanese One Piece, Pokemon sealed and a middleman grading service.

Lucky Vault keeps a low-key storefront on Santa Monica Boulevard. One reviewer called it a nice incognito spot in Hollywood. Inside, the shop is serious about graded cards and sealed product, and its online presence through eBay Live and other streams has built a following well beyond Los Angeles.

The inventory covers graded slabs from PSA, CGC and BGS, sealed Pokemon, One Piece in English and Japanese, and simplified Chinese Pokemon products that are hard to find at most US shops. Singles and accessories round it out. If you're after Japanese cards in Los Angeles, this is one of the more interesting cases to browse.

Pricing is a recurring theme in reviews, with visitors calling it fair across sealed product, slabs and accessories. The shop also stocks protective supplies and display accessories, so you can buy a slab and a case to show it off in one trip. For collectors comparing Los Angeles card shops for graded inventory, it's worth adding to the route.

Grading is a real service here. Lucky Vault acts as a middleman for PSA, CGC and BGS submissions, which suits collectors who don't want to deal with grading company accounts themselves. Its live pack-opening brand, PackHeadsTCG, runs breaks and $1 auctions, and an out-of-state buyer in the reviews raved about the orders that arrived.

In-store, reviewers keep mentioning fair pricing, a relaxed atmosphere and patient help for new collectors. Steven is named for giving one beginner a stream of collecting tips. The posted hours run 12:30PM to 9PM Monday through Saturday, and the shop is closed Sunday.

The shop is on Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood, within walking distance of the Vermont/Santa Monica Metro B Line station, and street parking is available on nearby blocks. Call ahead if you're coming for a specific slab, since the graded case turns over quickly.