WESTWOOD—In the world of collectibles, there are shops that sell cards, and then there are places like TNT Sports Cards—an airy, bright corner of Westwood where passions run deep and every item tells a story.
For Ted Straka, the owner of TNT Sports Cards, it’s not just a business—it’s a life enriched by the thrill of the chase, the joy of discovery, and a commitment to creating a welcoming space for collectors of all kinds.
Straka didn’t start out with plans to own a sports card shop that would become eBay’s number-one site for trading card consignment. Growing up in Park Ridge and later graduating from Paramus High, he followed a seemingly conventional path to an accounting degree from Ramapo College.
But with a year left before graduation, Straka made a pivotal decision. “I realized this was going to be more fun and better compensated.”
He shifted his focus, pouring his energy into a passion he’d been nurturing since childhood, and amid setting up the former SportsWorld indoor amusement park in Paramus: trading cards.
Since opening the doors of TNT Sports Cards in 1994, Straka has built not just a store but a community hub. Now at 240 Westwood Ave., the shop’s environment mirrors its owner’s personality: understated, welcoming, and meticulously organized. The store is clean and bright, with stock squared off and representing ranging worlds of interests.
Here, sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and pop culture fans alike find a home. As a troop of boys on bikes rolls up and checks out the wares, Straka expresses at least tentative interest in this reporter’s 1991 Desert Shield gold foil Topps baseball cards.
“I want a little something for everybody; I don’t want anyone to feel they’re excluded from what we have here,” Straka says.
But it’s not just about in-store experience. Straka’s business acumen shines on a larger stage—eBay. Since 1998, TNT Sports Cards has sold over three million items online, earning over 350,000 unique feedback entries and 1.1 million total feedback scores, making it a titan in the digital marketplace.
His secret? A seamless consignment service that auctions thousands of items weekly. “We handle all eBay and PayPal fees for our consignors, making the process straightforward and hassle-free,” he says.
This approach, honed over decades, is part of what sets TNT Sports Cards apart. Straka’s deep knowledge of the market, combined with extensive marketing resources, ensures that items reach a global audience, achieving the best possible sale prices. “We look forward to filling the holes in your want-lists and satisfying your needs,” Straka adds confidently.
Collectibles for Every Collector
Inside TNT Sports Cards, there’s something for everyone. From sports trading cards—spanning baseball, football, basketball, hockey, NASCAR, Formula 1, WWE, UFC, pickleball, and soccer—to historical memorabilia and Pokémon cards, the shop’s reach is vast and varied. Straka’s approach is inclusive by design.
One of the store’s most notable items is an Abraham Lincoln autograph priced at $15,000. “I collect presidential autographs for myself,” Straka says, revealing a personal connection to the business beyond its day-to-day operations. His taste for unique memorabilia doesn’t end there.
Lingering on a section of Trump-themed collectibles, Straka says the store has nothing to do with politics. “The thing is, there’s a lot of demand for it. In 2009 I sold a lot of Obama cards.”
Straka says he chose the shop’s location carefully, recognizing the efficiency of being close to the post office. He also values the town’s “good vibe.”
“We’re definitely getting a lot of foot traffic,” he notes. And while he acknowledges the presence of like-minded businesses on the avenue, he is clear: “I don’t think we’re getting a big overlap with the toy store.”
In addition to his eBay presence and in-store sales, Straka maintains strong ties to the wider trading card community, which is thriving online and in conventions and shows. The store is active on social media, engaging collectors through their Instagram account, @tntnorthnjwestwood, where new arrivals, special items, and local happenings are often highlighted.
“There’s God knows how many sites on Instagram and groups on Facebook, etcetera. And there’s a lot of people who go to all the events,” Straka says, but it’s clear that what he has built at TNT Sports Cards is unique—a place where trading cards create timeless connections.