Card store stays afloat

In the back room of Cloud 9 Sports Cards & Memorabilia sit hundreds of complete sets of sports cards - along with stacks of wax boxes, each with dozens of individual packs of cards.

Some of the packs still contain bubble gum, something Topps discontinued from its standard packs in 1992.

"I would not recommend it," manager Paul Warner said of chewing the gum.

But, like the gum, the store has managed to survive the ups and downs of the collecting and oil markets, which aren't always synchronized. Warner said there are reasons the store has survived three owners and three locations since the late Margie Cloud founded it in the 1980s.

"This sounds very simplistic - but getting cards people want" is how Warner accounted for the store's success. That, and keeping a strong customer base.

"I think word of mouth has a lot to do with it, too," added customer Suzy Nieto of Odessa, a regular customer at Cloud 9 for eight years.

"They make people feel comfortable whether they're a big-time collector or a little kid," she said. "They let you take your time and look around."

An avid collector and retired teacher, Warner took over as Cloud 9's manager last year.

Fans of all ages can find memorabilia that's ripped straight from the headlines, whether it be a ball signed by recent Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Rich "Goose" Gossage selling for $79.99, or a picture of Josh Hamilton participating in the recent Home Run Derby, framed to include some Yankee Stadium infield dirt for $125.

"His stuff moves real quick," Warner said of Hamilton. "People like his story."

The store also specializes in "classic" cards, like 1950s Bowman brand cards of Ted Williams and Jackie Robinson.

And then there are local favorites. There are the obvious like Detroit Lions and former Permian High receiver Roy Williams and former Odessa College and NBA star Larry Johnson. But Warner said there are some surprises people seek out, like former Permian High and NFL quarterback Stoney Case.

And, while sports memorabilia stores in other parts of the country struggle with the economy, Cloud 9 is benefiting from the oil boom. Warner said many customers are oil workers from other states who can't find card stores, even in much larger cities.

And even though many websites sell sports memorabilia, Nieto said nothing beats having it in front of you.

"It's nice to be able to see something with your own eyes instead of having to rely on somebody's description," she said.