Between business travel, Labor Day, a magazine deadline and a much-needed vacation day, there’s been little time left for bloggin’. But the schedule has calmed down a bit, so the blog entries should become more frequent.

Speaking of travel, odds are that you probably have to drive a little further these days to find a card shop or card show. There are an estimated 1,200 independently owned card shops around the country, down from more than 4,500 stores a little more than a decade ago. And there are also far fewer card shows around the country.

Online competition has played a role in both of these declines, of course, Dealers are finding it easier and more cost effective to sell material online. With less quality material at the shows, it’s harder to attract consumers. Owners of hobby shops are finding it difficult to compete with the prices offered by some online dealers, many of whom do not have the overhead costs (i.e., rent, utilities, wages) involved in operating a hobby store.

Are there fewer card shops and card shows in your area of the country? If so, has this reduction affected your buying habits of sports collectibles? Any comments are appreciated.