Rambling with… Joe Daley Sports and Framing

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/08/2021 (660 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I first met original WHA Winnipeg Jets goalie Joe Daley years ago, when his sports card shop and framing business was on the west side of St. James Street, directly across from Polo Park.

I remember being a bit star-struck and buying a card (of him, of course), and asking him to sign it. He was in a Detroit Red Wings uniform and I still have the card somewhere in Hoardville (which also doubles as my suite at Kinsmen Place).

Knowing that Joe and his son Travis have relocated Joe Daley’s Sports and Framing to 513 St. Mary’s Rd., I contacted them (actually, it was Travis) and asked if they’d be interested in being interviewed for a column in The Lance.

The first question I was asked was whether their St. James location was where they started the business, and was a bit surprised by the answer:

“We started on south Osborne Street in 1989 but were only there for about five months before we moved to St James Street.”

I then asked how the COVID-19 pandemic had affected them:

“It definitely had an effect; however, both sides of our business became something people gravitated to during the pandemic. Card collecting regained its popularity and has remained pretty strong.

“Then, with so many people being at home … the framing side has continued to grow as many people are decorating homes, home offices, etc., with framed items.

“Like many other businesses ,there were challenges along the way when we had to lock the doors and switch to a delivery/curbside/online model. We do, however, feel very fortunate and thankful that our customers stuck with us and helped support us through the months.”

Travis and Joe provide all the services themselves. Card and memorabilia collecting has always experienced ups and downs in popularity and demographics over the years, so I asked what that market is like now  and got a great answer…

“Card collecting has always been a very broad age spectrum and continues to be so today from young children to people my age enjoying the hobby.

“On the framing side, it is obviously an adult demographic which for us has been across all ages from the young adults framing concert posters or favourite players to people that are finishing a basement and want to have the walls adorned with some of their favourite items.”  

When I asked about one favourite item they have, I was told they aren’t super-sentimental:

“We have always been sellers, so we don’t hang onto anything, really … (but) we have always loved nice-condition old cards.”

I always ask business owners it they wish to share any thought or tidbits and this I  got this reply…

“(We) just wanted to reiterate how thankful we are for the local support that we have received through the pandemic and offer our heartfelt ‘Thank you’ to everyone.”

Before I ramble on I must mention that Joe Daley’s has a strong online presence at www.joedaleysportscards.com  

Weldon Rinn lives, writes, and enjoys living in St. Vital. He can be reached at weldonrinn2@gmail.com