More than collectibles: A collector’s story in Duluth

The scene from inside Elite Sports and Collectibles.

Tucked inside the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth, Minnesota, Elite Sports and Collectibles is far from your typical mall store. From the hallway outside, the store stands out by its autographed jerseys from both current and former players, hanging from the ceiling like banners in the rafters. Even more autographed jerseys from some of sports’ best athletes are visible on the walls through the entrance windows, catching the eye of anyone walking by.

Behind the counter, Kade Katzmarek, a motivated 27-year old employee, carefully arranges a fresh shipment of trading cards, paying close attention to how they should be organized.

When customers step through the entrance, they usually pause for a moment. The store opens up wider than expected, like a hidden space behind the mall walls. Four tables covered with trading cards stretch across the center. A glass case stretched across half of the room packed with trading cards from every major sport — football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, gleams under the lights. Some cards are sealed and untouched, while others that are more valuable and historic are kept in cases and autographed in marker.

“Most people walk through the doors, stop, and say, ‘Wow, I wasn’t expecting this,’” Katzmarek says with a laugh as he finishes organizing a stack of newly delivered NFL card boxes.

Andrew Hansen, a loyal customer at Elite Sports and Collectibles, says he first discovered the store a couple of years ago while wandering through Miller Hill Mall.

Behind the glass case, the back shelf almost feels like its own museum. Mini and full-size autographed NFL helmets by some of the league’s legends sit under the lights, with their shells glistening, catching the reflection of customers walking by. Large plaques featuring current and historic athletes lean against the wall, allowing any sports fan to reminisce about athletes they’ve followed throughout their life.

Autographed NFL helmets and plaques from some of sports’ best athletes are displayed on the shelf.

Hansen says he always slows down here. “You can’t help it but just stare and admire them. Some of these players feel like superheroes,” he says.

Above the helmets and plaques, framed, game-worn autographed jerseys by Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards are displayed for $1,000 each, catching the eye of anyone, especially Minnesota sports fans.

Two game-worn Anthony Edwards jerseys are framed for sale.

Even with all the rare collectibles, the store has something for casual fans, too. Racks of regular jerseys, sweatshirts, leather jackets, and hats are displayed, drawing in any fan who walks by.

The right-side walls of the room are covered with limited edition and signed photographs, leaving almost no empty space. Some show Minnesota players from the Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, and Vikings, while others feature famous athletes from around the sports world.

The store holds a clean, fresh scent that’s hard to describe but familiar to any sports fan — brand new jerseys, newly opened trading cards, and the faint smell of sharpie autographed on the jerseys.

Katzmarek has been passionate about collecting since he was a child. “I’ve been into collecting my whole life,” he says. “I just always knew I was going to work with some kind of memorabilia.”

Cards were his favorite, so that’s what he focused on. Trips to antique stores and flea markets as a kid sparked his interest in collecting and eventually led to his first job at a collectible store in high school.

“It’s just something I’ve always dreamed of doing,” he says. “It’s been a goal of mine for a long time.”

Most days Katzmarek runs the front of the store alone. One of the biggest challenges, he explains, is knowing the value of everything that comes through the door.

“You’ve got to know everything, even stuff you’re not into,” he says. “People expect it. Katzmarek also says that another big obstacle is learning about things you’re not familiar with.

And then there’s the occasional theft, which thankfully doesn’t happen every day, but unfortunately, you have to be ready for it, Katzmarek says.

For Katzmarek, it’s the people that make the job memorable. “Sometimes someone stops in, and you start talking with them, and the next thing you know, you’re traveling and doing card shows together,” he says.

He adds that you never know what relationships can come from just starting a conversation, which is why he goes out of his way to build connections with every customer who walks through the door.

Hansen says he keeps coming back not only for the items, but for the conversations. “Kade and Fred, the owner, really know their stuff. Not only do they sell you memorabilia and cards, but they explain the story and value behind each item,” Hansen says. He adds that it makes the experience 100 times better to know what you’re really buying before you walk out.

It’s not only the customers who excite Katzmarek; it’s also the collectibles themselves. His favorite item in the store is a $1,500 autographed Michael Jordan jersey, describing it as rare and historic.

He explains that Jordan doesn’t sign with every company. He’s exclusive with Upper Deck and doesn’t sign with too many other top end companies, so seeing it here is extremely rare.

“I’ll never own it, but I can look up at it, and appreciate it,” says Katzmarek.

Just as Katzmarek admires historic items, customers like Hansen experience that same excitement.

“I’ll always remember the day I bought my first Steph Curry rookie card,” he says, recalling the thrill of finally owning a piece of a basketball legend.

Katzmarek also has a deep understanding of how the store operates. Cards arrive through distributors, while jerseys, clothing and signed items are sourced from licensed companies and warehouses.

After working at two different collectible stores, Katzmarek says, “Working here, I try to learn everything the owner does, and there’s just an endless amount to take in.”

As Katzmarek finishes talking with a customer about an NFL trading card, he reflects on what working at the store has taught him about patience and professionalism. He says you see all kinds of people every day. “You have to be calm, listen, stay composed, and know how to handle every situation. It’s something you think you’re ready for, but you really learn it on the job,” Katzmarek says.

For Hansen, Elite Sports and Collectibles has done more than help him build his collection. It’s changed the way he sees the hobby. Hansen credits Katzmarek with giving him a new appreciation for sports.

“Honestly, he’s made me appreciate sports in a whole new way. Every time I see Kade, he walks me through the history behind the players, cards, and memorabilia. It makes you feel like you’re part of it, even as just a fan or collector,” says Hansen.

Someday, Katzmarek hopes to open his own store and is using his time at Elite Sports and Collectibles to soak everything in. Every time he explains the history behind an autograph or watches a customer light up after pulling a rare card, he’s reminded why he’s here. Each moment brings him one step closer to the store he hopes to run one day.