Cooperstown question

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by RTK

I was their in early April, things were still at winter's pace, stores either closed or short hours. Yastrzemski's did look pretty good. I liked the town alot, a bit touristy but that's what it is with the HoF being their. I did find a store with a bunch off good books I haven't seen anywhere else and baought a few. A lot of BB hats & jersey, t-shirt stores. I can imagine card shops, or really any store, having a hard time getting traffic in the winter. The town was pretty sleepy in April. Maybe "pop up" stores emerge during the peak of summer.

With so much commerce done online these days, I don't know how actual stores in any type of business can stay open. I don't think we can have it both ways.

I went in the winter for the first time ever a couple years ago. I've been in the summer about 10 times or so.

I have to admit to liking the winter much more. Sat at the bar with the locals and heard how much the lady who runs or ran the HOF has ruined their town.

[RTK]

Originally Posted by Joshchisox08

I went in the winter for the first time ever a couple years ago. I've been in the summer about 10 times or so.

I have to admit to liking the winter much more. Sat at the bar with the locals and heard how much the lady who runs or ran the HOF has ruined their town.

There's a book out that touches on her and the family and how they control what goes on both at the hall and in town. I don't recall the title. I lent the book out and never got it back.

[bigtrain]

Jane Clark and the Clark Foundation own the Hall of Fame property, the Otsega Hotel and many other pieces of prime real estate. However, in my experience in 35 years of visiting and 12 years of having a summer home there, I can tell you that most of the locals think Ms. Clark is terrific. She has helped to control development around the lake keeping thousands of acres in their natural state. She supports many local causes and gives tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students. Any locals who think she is a bad influence in the village do not know what they are talking about.

[yanks4]

Bigtrain is dead on.. Cooperstown has continued to be maintained because of her. Her taste is impeccable and she has balanced her involvement very well.

[bravos4evr]

Interesting that so many fans think the HOF is owned and operated by MLB. I always have to explain that it was created by a hotelier so as to create a way to fill his hotel year round!

[Vintagecatcher]

I used to visit Cooperstown regularly when I lived in MA. My favorite store to visit was The National Pastime. It had all kinds of prewar cards, trophies, art work, and memorabilia from the Deadball Era.

It was a sad day when that store closed.

http://www.visitingcooperstown.com/nationalpastime.html

Patrick

[TCMA]

Be sure to visit Baseball Nostalgia in the Doubleday Field parking lot. Been in biz since 1974 and they still carry a lot of the old TCMA cards, tons of autographed photos, and lots of HOF Induction Day Cards. Pete and Bruce are two of the most knowledgeable guys in town and live in Cooperstown year-round.

[vintagesportscollector]

Originally Posted by Vintagecatcher

I used to visit Cooperstown regularly when I lived in MA. My favorite store to visit was The National Pastime. It had all kinds of prewar cards, trophies, art work, and memorabilia from the Deadball Era.

It was a sad day when that store closed.

http://www.visitingcooperstown.com/nationalpastime.html

Patrick

For those that never had a chance to visit National Pastime, here are some photos of what it used to be...very sad day when it closed.

http://s26.photobucket.com/user/vint...?sort=3&page=1