On a recent trip for my daughter’s volleyball game, I made a point to visit both locations of The Fan Zone—one in Waite Park and the other in Willmar. While I had originally planned to write about both, the Waite Park store’s sheer size deserves a dedicated deep dive when I have more time to stay. So for now, let’s focus on the Willmar location—and trust me, it’s worth the spotlight.
Nestled inside the Kandi Mall, The Fan Zone immediately stands out. Even before stepping inside, a t-shirt rack with sports and Topps themed shirts draw you in. Once you enter, the first thing that grabs your attention is the massive wall of wax—a side wall stacked with up to six rows of boxes and packs from the front of the store all the way to the back. It’s far more extensive than I expected in outstate MN.
Despite being smaller than its Waite Park counterpart, the Willmar shop boasts a footprint larger than most card stores. The main aisle features nine display cases filled with singles—four dedicated to sports cards and five to TCG. In the center of the store, four more cases showcase vintage sports cards, while three wall-mounted displays (two sports, one TCG) add even more depth to the selection.
The store features value boxes sorted by sport, 12 feet of shelves packed with supplies, and a wide range of TCG accessories. A game room adds to the TCG experience, while the memorabilia section impresses with jerseys, shirts, hats, autographs and the like. Bonus points for stocking original Nintendo games at very reasonable prices.
What truly sets The Fan Zone apart isn’t just its physical layout—it’s their online inventory. With almost a half million sports singles listed on their website sorted by sport/year/brand, collectors can search/browse, purchase, and have cards pulled directly from the store. This seamless integration of in-store and online shopping is a game-changer. Note to shop owners far and wide – please do this.
To test it out, I searched for 1962 Topps football cards (a set I’m currently building) and they have over half of the set in stock – they even have the condition of each card noted. I then looked up Shohei Ohtani and there are 300 cards available. This kind of convenience is a dream come true.
The Willmar Fan Zone is a well-organized, collector-friendly shop that punches above its weight. Whether you’re into vintage sports cards, modern TCGs, or memorabilia, there’s something here for everyone. And with their robust online inventory, it’s easier than ever to find exactly what you need. One thing’s certain—I’ll be placing an order online soon.
