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A Central Valley Legacy
From a small after-school project to a multi-generational family business, Bases Loaded has served Fresno collectors for over three decades.
High schoolers Marc and Chris turned their passion for collectibles into an after-school job, opening Bases Loaded at the Farmers Market shopping center on Tulare and Divisadero — with their family's full support.
Teaming up with their dad, Mike, the brothers launched M&C Cards to promote local sports card and collectible shows. Their very first event was a fundraiser that raised $1,200 for their childhood church's new Sunday School building.
Having outgrown its first home within two years, the shop moved to the Foodmaxx center at Shaw and Feland, where it became the heart of the business for a quarter century — supporting both Marc and Chris's growing families.
After decades of dedication, the brothers made the tough decision to close, even kicking off a going-out-of-business sale. The news devastated Marc's son Thomas, who'd grown up dreaming of taking the reins. After heartfelt discussions and prayer, the family found a new path: Chris retired, and Marc kept the legacy alive with a brand-new partner — his son.
They signed a new three-year lease — then two days later, COVID forced a two-month shutdown. Despite that terrifying start, the father-son duo weathered the storm. Today Bases Loaded isn't just surviving; it's flourishing, standing as one of the longest-running collectible stores in the Central Valley, packed with new arrivals several times a week.
Be Part of the Story
Three decades in, the best part is still the people. Stop by, talk the hobby, and dig through the shelves.