End of an Era: Golden Valley Sports Memorabilia Shop ‘Been a Fun Ride’
After 40 years of being in the sports card and memorabilia business, Mark Hochstaetter, the owner of Papa Hawks Sports & Collectibles in Golden Valley, is retiring.
Saturday will be the shop’s final day.
“Doesn’t feel right,” said Robert Lease, a longtime customer. “You just come in and look, and he’s got it. “
Papa Hawks has been a go-to place to go for anyone who collects sports memorabilia.
“If I’m looking for a couple cards to complete a set, he’s got it here,” said Lease.
The store has millions of sports cards, photos, and autographs among its collection. Hochstaetter discounted his entire inventory shortly after announcing his retirement in November.
“It’s been crazy. We’ve had a lot of people in. Lot of people in, two, three, four times, 10 times. It’s been wonderful,” he said.
Wonderful, not just because he’s moving product, but because he can say one final goodbye to the friends who have supported his business throughout the years.
“Been a fun ride. I’ve enjoyed it,” said Hochstaetter, who started the business after leaving a corporate job.
Mark Hochstaetter, the owner of Papa Hawks Sports & Collectibles, is retiring after 40 years in the business.
It’s been a fun ride for his employees too.
“It’s my home away from home in a way,” said employee Vincent Beltaos.
To Beltaos, Papa Hawks is more than a store. It’s a place where like-minded people can gather to talk about sports and the teams they love.
“At the end of the day when we’re wrapping up, it’s the small talk before we leave. It’s the little things,” he said.
Anything that’s not sold during this final weekend will be put on an online auction site, which means there’s still a lot of sorting to be done.
It’s one reason why the emotion hasn’t sunk in for Hochstaetter just yet.
“I think the emotional part will come when I lock the door for the last time,” he said. “That’s I think when it’ll hit me.”
And that day won’t come for another few weeks. But today is all about gratitude.
“I just want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for supporting me all these years,” said Hochstaetter.
The online auction will begin Jan. 31 and run through Feb. 10.
