TIMES UNION REPORTS – Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday for Mania Sports Cave, 2218 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw.
According to its website, Mania Sports Cave sells “the best sports team memorabilia available.” Some of the things available to purchase include jerseys and mini helmets.
Owner Kevin Frentner said he started the business because he’s a big collector and people would ask him how he got certain things. He then thought of creating a business because he learned where and how to get memorabilia.
“That being said, we don’t have anything (similar in Warsaw). It’s a three-hour drive to find some of the stuff that’s autographed. And now you have something here. It’s in hometown Warsaw,” he said.
Being a business owner, Frentner said he is able to get his products through distributors and wholesellers. Everything in his store has been authenticated through credible sources, he said.
His online store started first, but he was able to get the shop on Winona Avenue in November and some work had to be done on it before it could be opened. At this point, he is the only employee, but Frentner does hope to grow his business to the point he can bring on employees.
For the main teams his store is pushing, Frentner said there are a lot of Colts and Bears memorabilia, but he is mainly looking at any teams from Chicago and Indiana. The store will provide memorabilia from other teams as well, noting he has jerseys being framed that are not from the Colts and Bears. His plan is to offer jerseys from all 32 football teams.
Frentner said the only days he is not in the store are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. However, his hours are limited right now. People who are interested in knowing the store’s hours can check the store’s Facebook page.
People can buy memorabilia in the store or through its website at https://maniasportscave.com/.
When buying online, there is an option for customers to pick up their purchases in the store or to ship the purchases. Frentner also said he does layaway and he does work with people, as long as paying off the purchase doesn’t take “forever and forever.”
He plans to bring players to the area to sign memorabilia in the future.
He said he plans to grow the business in the future, but didn’t specify where he wants to take the business.
He said 10% of proceeds will go to St. Jude’s Hospital. He is planning to have Mania Sports Cave to possibly sponsor a T-ball team at the YMCA next year.
