LJ's Card Shop

Sports cards and Pokemon share the cases at LJ's, a Columbus card shop with dollar boxes, old-school baseball, and a showcase of Jordan items.

On Granville Street in the 43230 corner of the city, LJ's Card Shop is the kind of place where a visitor can lose an afternoon. Shoppers describe flipping through shelves and bins long after they planned to leave, and parents mention bringing kids in for their first-ever trip to a card shop and walking out with something for everyone. If you're hunting for a Columbus card shop that treats browsing as part of the fun, this one earns its reputation.

The inventory leans in two directions at once. On the sports side there is a deep run of baseball, including the dollar box where regulars dig out old Cleveland Indians cards, plus showcase pieces for the collector who wants something nicer. Basketball fans get attention too, with Michael Jordan items called out in customer stories. On the other side of the room sit Pokemon boxes, packs and singles, and new collectors say the staff will happily let them pull boxes off the shelf and ask questions.

What sets LJ's apart is the mix of old and new. One longtime customer talks about getting help chasing a Fernando Tatis card, while another loves that vintage baseball sits beside current releases. Pricing gets repeated praise, and so does the tone: greeted right away, no pressure, and employees who know what they are handing you. A younger staffer sorting cards in the aisle even took time to explain things to a Pokemon newcomer.

Timing matters here. According to Google, the shop keeps weekday hours from 10:30AM to 6:30PM, trims Saturday to noon through 5PM, and stays closed on Sunday, so plan an after-work stop or a shorter Saturday trip rather than a late evening. Weekday afternoons are the easiest time to take your time at the cases.

LJ's sits at 124 Granville St in Columbus, with a website at ljscardshop.com for a look at what the shop is working on. Bring a want list, a few dollars for the bargain bin, and any cards you are thinking of trading. With a 4.9 rating across 100-plus Google reviews, it is one of the best-reviewed trading cards Columbus collectors can find on the north side.