Innovative Richmond Venue Blends Sports Bar with Card Shop for Ultimate Fan Experience

• Posted: May 22, 2024, 12:42 pm
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

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Richmond, Virginia, has introduced an exciting new destination for sports enthusiasts and collectors alike, combining the social atmosphere of a sports bar with the interactive appeal of a sports card shop. Named Parlay at Graybo’s, this unique establishment is located in the historic Scott's Addition neighborhood, a bustling area known for its entertainment venues.

The concept, envisioned by Duke Dodson, Ryan Fitz, and Gray “Graybo” Burnette, aims to provide a communal space where guests can enjoy the thrill of opening new card packs, participate in live card breaks, and watch sporting events on large screens, all while enjoying a meal and drinks. The venue officially opened its doors with a grand event on May 18, which included viewing the Preakness Stakes, complemented by live music and special activities.

Parlay at Graybo’s resides in a space formerly occupied by the Circuit Arcade Bar at 3117 W. Leigh Street. The sports bar and card shop are cleverly connected by a breezeway that features a small putting green, enhancing the interactive and engaging nature of the venue.

The founders of Parlay at Graybo’s bring a rich background and deep passion for the sports card industry:

• Duke Dodson, who started collecting cards in the late 1980s, rekindled his interest in card collecting in 2021 after a long hiatus. With a strong background in business and finance, Dodson has been a pivotal figure in real estate in the Richmond area.
• Gray Burnette, a history enthusiast and former educator, ventured into this business following his departure from the educational field after the challenges posed by the pandemic.
• Ryan Fitz comes from a property management and tech background, focusing on customer integration, adding a modern touch to the business operations.

The trio was motivated by their childhood memories of collecting and a desire to create a venue that catered not just to children but also provided a sophisticated environment for adults to enjoy sports and collectibles. This led to the expansion of the original modest sports card shop into a larger, more versatile space.

The new location boasts significant expansions with the sports bar covering 3,300 square feet and the card shop expanding to 2,200 square feet. This growth is anticipated to increase foot traffic significantly, benefiting from its prime location in an entertainment-rich area.

Parlay at Graybo’s offers an innovative feature that allows patrons to participate in or watch live card breaks from the bar, adding an element of excitement synonymous with game days. The founders also foster a community for collectors through their eBay store, a weekly podcast, and online live breaks, which helps maintain engagement with the collector community both locally and online.

As Fitz noted, the Richmond area has a vibrant and growing base of collectors ranging from novices to seasoned enthusiasts and investors, making Parlay at Graybo’s a welcoming space for all. The closure of the previous venue, Circuit, provided an opportunity for this new venture, which Dodson capitalized on by purchasing the property shortly before its closure.

This hybrid model of a sports bar combined with a card shop is pioneering in the area and offers a unique, electrifying atmosphere that promises to draw both sports fans and card collectors, providing them with a unique, immersive experience.