Richmond, Virginia, has become home to a groundbreaking establishment that merges the vibrant energy of a sports bar with the captivating appeal of a sports card shop. Parlay at Graybo’s, nestled in the lively Scott’s Addition neighborhood, is the brainchild of Duke Dodson, Ryan Fitz, and Gray “Graybo” Burnette, designed to offer a communal setting where patrons can relish opening new card packs, engage in live card breaks, and savor sports events on oversized screens while indulging in delectable food and drinks.
The grand opening of Parlay at Graybo’s took place on May 18, amid much fanfare, showcasing the Preakness Stakes viewing, alongside live music and special festivities. The venue occupies the former site of the Circuit Arcade Bar at 3117 W. Leigh Street, creatively connecting the sports bar with the card shop via a breezeway embellished with a miniature putting green, elevating the interactive ambiance of the space.
The founders bring diverse expertise and a shared ardor for the sports card industry to Parlay at Graybo’s:
– Duke Dodson, with roots in card collecting since the late 1980s, has a robust business and finance background, notably impacting Richmond’s real estate sector.
– Gray Burnette, a history aficionado and former educator, transitioned into this venture post-pandemic challenges in education.
– Ryan Fitz, hailing from property management and tech realms, contributes a contemporary edge to customer integration in the business.
Their nostalgia for childhood collecting memories and a vision to offer a refined environment for adult enthusiasts steered the transformation of a small sports card shop into the expansive Parlay at Graybo’s. The venue’s recent enhancements include a sprawling 3,300-square-foot sports bar and a 2,200-square-foot card shop, poised to amplify foot traffic, bolstered by its strategic locale amid entertainment hubs.
A standout feature at Parlay at Graybo’s is the live card breaks accessible from the bar, infusing the thrill akin to game days into every visit. The founders adeptly foster a collector community through avenues like their eBay store, a weekly podcast, and virtual live breaks, nurturing engagement among collectors locally and beyond.
Ryan Fitz points out the burgeoning collector base in the Richmond area, ranging from novices to seasoned investors, rendering Parlay at Graybo’s a welcoming haven for all enthusiasts. The closure of the former venue, Circuit, paved the way for this novel endeavor, with Dodson seizing the opportunity by acquiring the property shortly before its shutdown.
This innovative fusion of a sports bar and card shop in Parlay at Graybo’s sets a new standard in the region, promising an immersive, one-of-a-kind experience that beckons both sports aficionados and card collectors to revel in the electric ambiance it exudes.
