A collectibles shop backed by NBA champion Kevin Love just popped up in the basketball player’s Portland-area hometown.
The Alley — a new destination for sports and trading card collectors — opened last week in Lake Oswego, bringing a bout of nostalgia and top-notch inventory to the Portland suburbs.
“Trading cards have a way of connecting generations — parents, kids, athletes, fans and collectors,” Love, a partner and investor in The Alley, said in a news release, “and I’m proud to support a space that brings people together around that shared excitement.”
The shop was officially founded by Love’s brother, Collin Love, along with Oregonians Samuel Soong and Darick Dang. It opened at 435 Second St. on Thursday.
As a Topps Authorized Direct Partner, The Alley has direct access to a highly rated selection of sports and other trading cards. The shop offers a mix of new releases and in-demand vintage packs, according to the release.
But The Alley’s main goal is to make collecting a more accessible activity for trading card veterans and newbies alike.
An enclave of the store called The Lounge offers a comfortable space for guests to relax while more enthusiastic customers browse. And the Community Breaking Studio is a perfect spot to record pack or box breaks. (It’s common for collectors to open sealed cards or cases while livestreaming, often for other buyers.)
“We wanted to build something that felt elevated, but still approachable,” co-owner Collin Love said in the release. “A place where lifelong collectors, kids opening their first pack and families spending an afternoon together all feel equally welcome.”
“For us, The Alley is about more than buying and selling cards,” co-owner Samuel Soong added. “It’s about creating a home for the hobby.”
Kevin Love grew up outside Portland, attending Lake Oswego High School before going on to become a five-time NBA All-Star and win an NBA championship for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. He most recently played for the Utah Jazz.
Through The Alley, Love is excited to return to where it all began.
“Lake Oswego will always be home for me,” he said in the release, “so seeing my brother and his partners bring something like The Alley to the community is really special.”
