Not good news for Northern Virginia collectors

[ncinin]

https://theburn.com/2025/09/25/dulle...-ikea-store-1/

[ValKehl]

Sad news for me, as I've been going to the Chantilly Show forever!

[minibbcards]

The DC Big Flea is hosted there as well, which is a great overall antique show.

[hcv123]

I am sure the show is not going to "go away" - Joe will find a new venue to host it!

[Knightlax5]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I am sure the show is not going to "go away" - Joe will find a new venue to host it!

I would welcome it in Charlotte NC! The vintage around Charlotte is non existent compared to the Chantilly show

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I am sure the show is not going to "go away" - Joe will find a new venue to host it!

I hope so, but I saw what happened to the Long Beach show. Site sold, show no more.

[Bigdaddy]

How about bringing it back to Richmond? Though I'm sure there are other spaces available in the NoVA or Baltimore area.

[Hankphenom]

Bummer!

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

How about bringing it back to Richmond? Though I'm sure there are other spaces available in the NoVA or Baltimore area.

I don't see the Chantilly Show being moved to Maryland because that would bring it too close to the Philly Show, which Joe D. also runs or co-runs. Taking it to Richmond or a bit further south (Raleigh, NC?) is my guess, if Joe D. doesn't find another suitable location in No. Va. The key may be where the majority of Chantilly dealers are willing to travel to.

[Jewish-collector]

If they can't find a new venue in northern Virginia, I'm guessing they will move it to the Fairgrounds in Richmond (same location as the old TUFF Stuff shows).

[ValKehl]

The Tuff Stuff Card Shows in Richmond! Alan, those were some good times! IIRC (which I often don't), they also did a few shows in No. Va. (Springfield?).

[brunswickreeves]

Oh Tough Stuff, you were so multidimensional and comprehensive. Loved that guide!

[taul166]

I have lived in Northern Virginia my entire life. I have gone to the Dulles Expo Center many, many times over the years either to the sports memorabilia show, the Big Flea, or others. I was surprised by this news. You know the Expo Center used to be in the two buildings, the other being the one that houses the Walmart. I am not sure this is a done deal, but money talks, and the County may or may not push back. I can't think of an alternate location that is close by unless show sponsors rent a large building on a nearby college campus or other location. There is one, or used to be, an expo center in Fredericksburg, VA but that is somewhere around 50 miles away southbound in the direction of Richmond, VA off Interstate 95. I am hoping that in the end the Dulles Expo Center will continue to exist. I know IKEA has been looking to move into this location, and another spot has been talked about. We will have to see how this turns out, but I hope the location remains the same as it is with maybe some improvements.

[Brian Van Horn]

The show has been good. I have been there from Pittsburgh four or five times. The only bummer is that during all the shows which I did a round trip each time I only ever bought one card. It was a 1916 Zee Nut Morrie Rath off William Chappell for $30.00. Wonderful to walk around the show and a wonderful drive.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

How about bringing it back to Richmond? Though I'm sure there are other spaces available in the NoVA or Baltimore area.

Richmond for the win! Tuff Stuff flourished here for years.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I'm sorry to hear this. While it was never of any benefit from a vintage autograph perspective, I have fond memories of working it many years ago.

[MJRaider]

Raleigh or Richmond please! Either would be great venues.

[theshowandme]

If I have to get on I-95, I’m not going!

That is partially kidding, but this sucks. Chantilly is a 15 minute drive from me.

[Michael B]

Fredericksburg Convention Center is a bit smaller than Dulles at about 125,000 sq. ft.

https://www.fredericksburgconventioncenter.com/

The dropdown 'about' on the right has specs and floor plan. The ballroom would be good for the autograph signings.

It is not a bad space. It is in the back of Central Park which you pass on Rte 95. For perspective it is directly behind the rest stop on the southbound side of 95 just before the Rte 3/Plank Rd exit. There is plenty of parking in their lots and the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium which is next door. It is also walking distance from 4 hotels; 3 Hilton properties (Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden and Homewood Suites) plus an Extended Stay America. There is also a Clarion and Comfort Inn less than 1½ miles away on Carl D. Silver Parkway which is the road that takes you to the convention center from Plank Rd.

The food selection within one mile is extensive. From fast food to sushi, Mexican, Japanese and Italian.

The downside: The drive down Rte 95 on a Saturday after about 10 am can absolutely SUCK! When I lived in Springfield my wife and I would turn around and go home when there were things we wanted to do in Fredericksburg, but did not want to deal with the traffic. Most of the time Rte 1 can be better as the traffic lights break up the traffic, but if there is an accident anything goes.

Full disclosure - I live 150 yds off of Plank Rd 6 miles to the west, but that does not mean I would attend the show more often than I do now which is once every few years.

[philliesfan]

This stinks. I never was to the show but was going to take overnight trips to there for shows when I retire at the end of the year.
Bob

[Bigdaddy]

If the show moves on from Chantilly, the real question is what will replace Willard's as the go-to bbq joint?

[Bigdaddy]

Sorry, double post

[Jewish-collector]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

If the show moves on from Chantilly, the real question is what will replace Willard's as the go-to bbq joint?

I agree. That was everyone's favorite meetup place before/after the show.

[rayfg]

I'd love to see it moved to Charlotte also. Charlotte could use a show.

[bcbgcbrcb]

About a 12 hour drive for me from Central FL. Have passed each time I had a chance to set up there recently. New sites mentioned thus far would be 10-12 hour drive so really makes little to no difference to me. Those who live right there and are complaining about the traffic, be grateful that you live in the northeast where every big show drive is easily made the same day. You’ve got Philly, White Plains, Shriners, Hofstra, Chantilly, when the National was in Cleveland. Nationals in Chicago are a bit tougher but try 19 hours from Central FL before you start complaining. Closest significant vintage show down here is Chantilly at 12 hours right now.

[sb1]

According to Trade Card Database there are over 100 shows between now and the end of the year in Florida alone, some have to have vintage. If not be the only guy there with it, you will sell much more than being a small fish in a big pond at a huge show.

[Rhotchkiss]

Looks like Andrew and my annual trade show could replace Chantilly as THE event of northern Virginia

[BigSix]

Sad news. Just what we need, another IKEA retail store replacing a great venue to host card and antique shows. A shame!
Durward

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Looks like Andrew and my annual trade show could replace Chantilly as THE event of northern Virginia

Ryan (and Andrew), YOUR SHOW ALREADY IS THE EVENT of Northern Virginia for ME!!

[nwfsteve]

Richmond's advantage, such as it is, is that the airport is just down the road. You wouldn't want to ferry talent from, say, Fredericksburg to Dulles.

[Natswin2019]

Richmond already has a pretty rapidly growing 3-4 times a year show in the Three Point Show, which has expanded pretty quickly to over 350 tables in the space of a year or so. That show is in the regencey mall, idk what large space in downtown Richmond could host a show the size of Chantilly. The convention center is the only one that comes to mind, eveything else is far out of the city.

[bcbgcbrcb]

There are a lot of shows in Florida nearly every weekend. Also keeping in mind, Florida is about a 6 hour drive from north to south, if you are going diagonally, more like 8 hours even. Average number of tables at a Florida card show is 40-75 with about 95% being modern & Pokémon. So, that leaves an average of 2-4 vintage tables per show with the majority of those being 50’s, 60’s and 70’s Topps. So, how far do I drive for that 3, 4, 5 dealers? As far as being the only vintage dealer setting up, no vintage dealers set up so no vintage buyers go, thus it doesn’t make a difference if you are the only one, you will sell next to nothing. I’ve tried it several times.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

About a 12 hour drive for me from Central FL. Have passed each time I had a chance to set up there recently. New sites mentioned thus far would be 10-12 hour drive so really makes little to no difference to me. Those who live right there and are complaining about the traffic, be grateful that you live in the northeast where every big show drive is easily made the same day. You’ve got Philly, White Plains, Shriners, Hofstra, Chantilly, when the National was in Cleveland. Nationals in Chicago are a bit tougher but try 19 hours from Central FL before you start complaining. Closest significant vintage show down here is Chantilly at 12 hours right now.

Long drive for Chantilly. How about Philly?

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by Natswin2019

Richmond already has a pretty rapidly growing 3-4 times a year show in the Three Point Show, which has expanded pretty quickly to over 350 tables in the space of a year or so. That show is in the regencey mall, idk what large space in downtown Richmond could host a show the size of Chantilly. The convention center is the only one that comes to mind, eveything else is far out of the city.

How about…

https://henrico.gov/projects/henrico...-event-center/

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Looks like Andrew and my annual trade show could replace Chantilly as THE event of northern Virginia

That might be so if the admission cost wasn’t so high.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Hank:

Philly is 14.5 hours, even longer. Just flew there last weekend to buy but can't set up there that way. Can't get a spot anyway, waiting list is too long.

[here2havefun]

Y'all are getting me excited about the show moving to RVA. I grew up going to the Tuff Stuff shows.

[brunswickreeves]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Looks like Andrew and my annual trade show could replace Chantilly as THE event of northern Virginia

Official kick off to the annual baseball card show circuit?! Could call it: Opening Day

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Hank: Philly is 14.5 hours, even longer. Just flew there last weekend to buy but can't set up there that way. Can't get a spot anyway, waiting list is too long.

Right, Phil, I didn't know you were looking to set up. Long trip either way.

[theshowandme]

Likely the last Chantilly show this weekend.

Hope to see many of you on the floor

[Jewish-collector]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

Likely the last Chantilly show this weekend.

Hope to see many of you on the floor

Don - Where are we going for dinner ? Willards ?

[Piratedogcardshows]

The Racetrack in Richmond is currently occupied with the RVA Expo! Same building the old Tuff Stuff shows ran out of. Check us out!

[ValKehl]

I'll be there on Friday, ogling the E222 card I gotta win for my E222 collection (see below), while hassling Scott Russell at the same time!

Yes, Alan, I'll join you for dinner at Willard's BBQ. What time works for you?