VERO BEACH, Fla. — What looked more like the launch of a new gaming console or concert ticket sale was actually a line of Pokémon card collectors outside the Vero Beach Sam’s Club on Tuesday morning.

The excitement centered around a limited release of 288 Pokémon card packs, with purchases restricted to two packs per Sam’s Club membership. Despite the limit, demand far exceeded supply.

By early Tuesday morning, the line had wrapped around the building as collectors, resellers, parents and Pokémon enthusiasts waited for a chance to purchase the sought-after cards.

According to those in line, some collectors had begun arriving as early as Sunday, sleeping in their vehicles to secure a place near the front of the line ahead of Tuesday’s release.

Store staff also dealt with an unusual situation before the sale even began.

Several individuals reportedly attempted to represent themselves as being affiliated with the Pokémon Company in an effort to establish unofficial placeholders in line a day before the release, claiming they were there for crowd control. Sam’s Club management did not recognize those claims and informed the individuals that they would not be permitted to reserve spaces on behalf of anyone else. They were also warned that continued attempts to do so could result in being asked to leave the property.

The release highlights the continued popularity of Pokémon trading cards, which have experienced a massive resurgence in recent years. Limited-edition products frequently sell out within minutes as collectors hope to complete sets, find valuable rare cards, or simply relive the nostalgia of one of the world’s most recognizable franchises.

For many waiting in line, however, the experience was about more than just the cards. Conversations among collectors, families and longtime fans turned the early-morning wait into a community event, even as hopes rested on whether the limited inventory would last long enough for everyone in line.

With limited packs available and a strict two-pack limit per membership, many collectors understood there was no guarantee they would leave with cards in hand.

As of Tuesday, the Pokémon craze showed no signs of slowing down in Indian River County, with dozens of people willing to wait hours—and in some cases days—for the chance to purchase the latest release.

Were you one of the collectors waiting in line? Share your photos and experience with IRC Media.