Local Coin Shop Closes... The End Of An Era.

So, I wanted to make my 1000 post a special post. I thought for a while about what I wanted to post about. Last week, I found my answer...

I started collecting coins a while back. Being a complete "newbie" to the hobby, I went searching for a LCS that would be a wealth of knowledge, lend a helping hand at grading, be friendly, have a great selection, etc. The first one that I went to was horrible. I was treated absolutely horrible. I was a younger guy just out of high school. The shop owner looked at me as if I was a young punk looking to get money for some inherited coins. I looked around the shop, asked a couple of questions, and after only a few minutes the owner looked at me with a scowl on his face and exclaimed, "Well are you actually going to buy anything or are you just going to waste my time?"

Now, I am the first one to say that if I am in the way of him losing business because he was helping me and not another customer, I could understand that. If he had other customers waiting, I would have moved aside and allowed them to be served. But, that was not the case. I was the only person (well my wife and I) in the shop at that time. I looked at him and said, "You know, I was looking to make a long time relationship with you as my coin shop but instead I think I will go elsewhere."

I left and vowed to never return to that shop again... and I never have.

On my way down the road, I noticed another coin shop. My wife and I decided to pull in and give it another shot. There were two people working the coin shop, a gentleman and his wife. I nice couple who were immediately friendly and willing to show me around.

After looking at a few cases of coins, I approached the store owner to ask him a few questions. I was greeted with someone that was very informative and willing to assist me with each and ever question I asked. Over the course of the visit, not only had I learned about some coins but I had also discussed with the store owners my history of coin collecting and how I had arrived at the collection I currently had. I felt very welcomed with every subject I brought up whether it was American coins, world coins, bullion, etc.

Over the next few visits, I became more involved with my questions. I eventually asked the store owner to start quizzing me on coins, counterfeits, errors, varieties, etc. We made this a annual visit event. Every time I came in, he would ask me new questions to help me build and expand my collecting knowledge. Not only did my knowledge of coins grow but as did my collection. The shop owners would pull out coins they took in that they thought may catch my eye. I loved coins with animal, science, OFEC, and other content.

They had bulk world coins in the back in containers that they would allow me to sit for hours and go through. They trusted me with their inventory and supplies. I gained their trust through our conversations. Before I knew it, I was spending hours a week just chatting with them, their customers, and friends. I had finally found the place I had been looking for.

This went on for many years. We got to the point that we even double dated on numerous occasions (the shop owner and his wife were old enough to be our grandparents but that did not bother us one bit as we are old souls!). We went antiquing with them, dinner and movie, and all sorts of other events. I would go and stay at the shop with one of them while the other would go to appointments. We have a great friendship.

This all lasted for quite a while until I had to get a grown up job and was no longer in college. My free time was quickly gone. While I did not have the ample time to visit the shop, we still kept in close contact and talk often.

The shop I am talking about closed its doors last Friday. Not for financial reasons or anything like that. It was time for the owners to enjoy some retirement, their families, and relax. I just wanted to express my gratitude for all that they have given me over the years. I appreciate all of the information that I was able to absorb over the years. I appreciate the casual conversations. I appreciate the friendly smile and the occasional "dirty joke" when the wives weren't around.

All in all, I just want to say thank you for all that you have given to this coin collector...