Another coin shop closes

sadysta1 · March 23, 2008 11:29PM

Coin shop in my town has closed

. Alpagini (sp?) coins of Lansdowne PA closed its dorrs after over 40 years of being in business. I'm sad to see this one go.

bigmansam88 · March 23, 2008 11:37PM

Sorry to hear the bad news.

Is there any specific reason why it closed?

ziggy29 · March 23, 2008 11:42PM

<< Is there any specific reason why it closed? >>

Another eBay casualty?

percyb · March 24, 2008 12:19AM

<< Coin shop in my town has closed

. Alpagini (sp?) coins of Lansdowne PA closed its dorrs after over 40 years of being in business. I'm sad to see this one go. >>

Is he simply retiring? Or was there a shift in biz?

Smittys · March 24, 2008 12:23AM

seems like after 40 years it would be a retiring unless son or daughter took over the business

Tyler1924S · March 24, 2008 12:37AM

Regardless of why he's closing shop, there will probably not be a new coin shop to take it's place. In the California city where I grew up, there were four coin shops, circa 1980, and now, only one remains (and the population of that city is 20,000 more than it was in '80). The one who remains has also been in business for about 40 years, but family members have taken the reigns. Had they not, there would probably be zero coin shops in that city, like so many others.

doh · March 24, 2008 1:46AM

40 years is a great run for any small business. It's sad to see it go of course, but the owner should definitely be congratulated on 4 decades of service.

guitarwes · March 24, 2008 1:52AM

sorry for the news.....

Maybe the owner really wanted to retire and do nothing......just like people with real jobs. Not that being a small B&M coin dealer is not a real job, but maybe he wanted to quit for good.

slipgate · March 24, 2008 1:53AM

Hey I grew up in Lansdowne, PA! Plumstead Avenue! Whereabouts are you?

notwilight · March 24, 2008 1:58AM

The B&M that I shop at and sell some coins on consignment thru couldn't pay the employees and bills with coin sales. They do a lot of bullion business and buy a lot of coins from walkins that must produce some good results. They are in a very high profile area on the main street of a busy town. If you don't have a bunch of stuff coming in then you're probably in trouble as a B&M. --Jerry

lkrarecoins · March 24, 2008 2:00AM

Well, that stinks....I have two in my hometown, and would be disappointed if any shut down

sadysta1 · March 24, 2008 2:00AM

He just retired, he was in business for 44 or 46 years there. Slipgate - I used to live on Drexel Ave. but I'm working and living in MA. I came over for the holdays and to get my car inspected. I wanted to swing by and say hallo but the store was empty and building is for sale.

Coxe · March 24, 2008 2:20AM

I grew up in the Delaware Valley in Penna too. It seems to have been a strong epicenter of boomer coin collectors back when the hobby was more common. Coin shops were pretty common too and I am amazed at the folks who continued with those B&Ms to this day. They won't be replaced. Even if there is a resurgance in the hobby, too many people are more comfortable buying in cyberspace anymore and overhead there is nothing compared to a B&M. Most of the ones I see today are more bullion brokers than traditional coin dealers. It's just the reality of what needs a storefront and what does not.

duck620 · March 24, 2008 2:33AM

so sorry.

braddick · March 24, 2008 2:45AM

When one door closes another door opens.

ziggy29 · March 24, 2008 2:46AM

<< When one door closes another door opens. >>

In the era of eBay, and given all the security and insurance concerns, I really don't think this is true. Some come back to replace the ones that close, but I don't think it's even close to 1-for-1.

Zoins · March 24, 2008 2:47AM

<< He just retired, he was in business for 44 or 46 years there. >>

Nothing wrong with retiring

Zoins · March 24, 2008 2:48AM

<< 

<< When one door closes another door opens. >>

In the era of eBay, and given all the security and insurance concerns, I really don't think this is true. Some come back to replace the ones that close, but I don't think it's even close to 1-for-1. >>

The last coin store I went to had lots of security, you had to be buzzed in and out. There may have been security windows too (bars?). They also had a lot of coins which made many things look common. I'm not sure how many people will want to make the security investments this shop had.

It's much easier and less hassle to sell on eBay.

mozin · March 24, 2008 8:58AM

Now, where will all the stolen coins be sold?

PerryHall · March 24, 2008 9:09AM

<< Now, where will all the stolen coins be sold? >>

Not only that, where will the widows take their deceased husband's coins to be sold?

Omega · March 24, 2008 9:15AM

I was hopeful of a place to discuss the hobby when a new coin shop opened in a neighboring town. Unfortunately, every time I went to check the place out they were closed. I went during their posted hours, I stopped by in the evening, I even tried the weekend. Arghhh! When I finally managed to find them open I was met with over priced common inventory. At least the guy was pleasant to talk to if not the best businessman.

Another coin shop closes

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