NWI Cards

NWI Cards is a trading card and hobby store in Merrillville, Indiana, in the 80th Place Plaza off West 80th Place. It carries Pokémon, One Piece Card Game, Magic: The Gathering, Weiss Schwarz and Dragon Ball Super Card Game alongside a model-kit shelf that gives it a second reason to visit. It suits players who want a local place for organized play, collectors hunting singles, and builders after Gundam or Pokémon kits.

What's on the shelves

The card side runs on singles and sealed product across Pokémon, One Piece, Gundam Card Game, Union Arena, Weiss Schwarz and Dragon Ball Super, with Magic: The Gathering also bought and sold. Inventory turns over as collections come in and customers buy, sell and trade, so the singles on hand change from one visit to the next.

Accessories are stocked in depth: sleeves, deck boxes, binders and toploading boxes, from Pokémon-themed deck boxes under $5 to larger toploader boxes in the $25 to $35 range.

The hobby side is unusual for a card store. Shelves hold Gundam model kits and Gunpla in several grades, Pokémon model kits (the Quick line runs about $10 to $20 for common kits), a One Piece model ship, and the supplies to build them: paints, panel-lining supplies, nippers, detailing products and other hobby tools.

Selling and trading cards

The store buys singles and whole collections, from a handful of valuable cards to collections worth thousands of dollars. Every collection is appraised in person against current market pricing and the condition of each card. The offer is 70% of the appraised value in cash or 80% in store credit.

Most normal-sized collections can be brought in without notice. A collection that may be worth more than $1,000 should be arranged by phone first so someone is free to give it proper time. Bringing a list of card name, set and condition speeds the appraisal, and separating valuable cards from bulk helps with larger collections.

The buy list covers Pokémon, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, Gundam Card Game, Dragon Ball, Union Arena, Weiss Schwarz, Lorcana and Riftbound. Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are not purchased. Newly printed sealed Pokémon products are not bought either, though older out-of-print sealed product may be.

Play space

The store keeps a play space for weekly locals, tournaments, prereleases, trading, casual games and learn-to-play sessions. New players, collectors and families are welcome, and bringing a deck, trade binder or model project is encouraged.

Store policies

Returns are accepted for 30 days, with one exception: sealed card products are final sale. Local pickup is available at the store for orders placed ahead, and shipping is limited to addresses within the United States.

Hours and getting there

The store is at 78 W 80th Pl, Merrillville, IN 46410, in the 80th Place Plaza, where parking is free.

The local scene

The closest hobby shop is Gull Calendars Games & Toys, also in Merrillville, about 1.5 miles away. Crown Point has several more: Crown Point Toys and Collectibles and Hidden Trophy Video Games and Collectibles, both about 3.2 miles out, and Chemshaw13 Donutz & Comics and CRM Comics & Collectables, LLC, about 4.2 miles away.

Card shows are within reach as well. The Chicago Card Show, about 31 miles away, next starts on November 8, 2026, the same day as Chaser's Cards & Collectibles Exchange Show, about 49 miles away. The Massive Card Show Spectacular, about 51 miles out, follows on November 14, 2026.