Our Story

Meet Link.
The collector behind the machines.

Mini Card Shop was started by Lincoln "Link" Skutt, a lifelong collector from Bourbonnais, Illinois, who turned his love of cards, toys and retro games into a shop, an award and, after a trip to Japan, a growing network of card vending machines.

Lincoln 'Link' Skutt standing behind the counter of his store, Link to the Past
Link behind the counter at Link to the Past in Bourbonnais, IL
First-Ever Winner

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

In 2024, Link was named the first-ever Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Daily Journal's annual Progress Awards. He accepted the award by giving a speech to a packed room of local business leaders.

2024 · Young Entrepreneur of the YearLincoln "Link" Skutt, first-ever winner
2023 · Best New BusinessLink to the Past, Daily Journal
"An entrepreneurial spirit" The Daily Journal's feature on Link and his shop, Link to the Past.
On stage at the Progress Awards Link gives his acceptance speech while his family and the crowd look on.

"Bourbonnais biz owned by 12-year-old runs on family and nostalgia"

Daily Journal headline
How We Got Here

From one shop to Mini Card Shop

  1. 2022

    The Dream

    Link sets his sights on opening a brick-and-mortar toy and collectibles shop in his hometown of Bourbonnais, IL.

    Hard at work turning an empty space into Link to the Past.
  2. February 2023

    Link to the Past Opens

    After a lot of hard work, the doors open at 4 Duncan Dr. in Bourbonnais.

    Link inside the newly opened Link to the Past.
  3. 2023 – 2024

    A Community Cornerstone

    The shop quickly becomes the area's go-to collectibles spot, drawing collectors from all over. It's open Wednesdays after school plus Saturdays and Sundays, and Link spends his weekends behind the counter.

    The Link to the Past sign out front: Buy. Sell. Trade.
  4. 2023

    Best New Business

    In its first year, Link to the Past is named the Daily Journal's Best New Business of 2023.

  5. 2024

    Young Entrepreneur of the Year

    Link is named the first-ever Young Entrepreneur of the Year and accepts the award with a speech in front of local business leaders.

    All smiles with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year trophy.
  6. A New Chapter

    Off to Amarillo

    When his family relocates to Amarillo, Link sells the store. It's a sad goodbye, but he knows a new venture is waiting.

  7. 2025

    The Shop Hits the Road

    Link takes his shop on the road, selling at conventions and shows from Texas to Indiana.

    The Link to the Past store gang back together at the YC3 Show in Texas: cousin Zach, Grandma and Link.
  8. Mid 2025

    The Spark in Japan

    On a two-week trip to Japan, Link sees a culture that has embraced vending machines for pretty much everything. Putting trading cards in a vending machine back home suddenly makes almost too much sense.

    Link outside a hobby shop in Akihabara, Tokyo, with a Pokémon card vending machine right by the door.
  9. Today

    Mini Card Shop Is Born

    Link brings the idea home and launches Mini Card Shop: card vending machines that put the packs and collectibles you're hunting for right in your own community.

    Link with the very first Mini Card Shop, fresh out of the crate.
The Next Venture

Why Link built Mini Card Shop

The idea was sparked by a two-week trip to Japan in mid-2025. Seeing a culture that embraces vending machines for pretty much everything, putting trading cards in one made almost too much sense. Now Mini Card Shop gives collectors like Link an easy way to get the items they usually can't find in stores, including vintage packs and collectibles, and the machines let Link stay in school and keep serving his community at the same time.

Hard-to-Find ItemsVintage packs and collectibles you won't see on store shelves.
Right Where You AreMachines in convenient spots around the community.
Inspired by JapanBorrowed from a culture that has a vending machine for everything.
School + ServiceLink can stay in school and still serve collectors.
Find a Machine
Catch Link on the Road

See us at a show near you

Link still sets up at conventions, card shows and comic cons across the United States throughout the year. Follow @minicardshops to see where he's headed next.

ConventionsCard ShowsComic ConsCoast to Coast