Play It Again Sports | Topeka's Hidden Treasures
By MIRANDA ERICSSON | Photos by BRIAN PETERS
Play It Again Sports supplies new and resale sports equipment for every athletic need. The store in Fairlawn Plaza is a giant treasure trove of all things sports, from bats and balls to exercise equipment and apparel. On your first visit, you might be surprised by the high ceilings, huge floor space, batting cage and putting green.
Owners Terica and Sean Gatewood want their community to know that Play It Again Sports is a store that encourages touching and playing around with the merchandise.
“This store is fun,” Terica said. “Sports are fun, and kids and adults should play. We want to see people try out something new and enjoy getting active. If you would like to try a new activity or have questions for us, we can give you ideas or help you get started. That’s why we have a batting cage and putting green.”
Play It Again Sports hosts community-minded events that encourage physical activity. At a recent event, kids interested in wrestling were invited to meet high school wrestlers, ask them questions and receive tips for how to get started. The store also hosts team nights, including free uniform fittings, for area groups and schools.
“Coaches are so busy,” Terica said. “We like to do something special for teams here to give them a boost, so we fit them and give them a discount on their equipment all year. Many of our coaches are helping kids who wouldn’t be able to afford to play otherwise, so that discount really adds up.”
Play It Again Sports sells both used and new equipment from almost every major athletic supplier, including top-of-the-line professional gear. Terica explained that offering new, quality equipment is just as important for the resale ecosystem.
“Often that professional athlete or league player will upgrade their equipment at the store, and they trade in their previous purchase,” Terica said. “Then we might have an athlete in a junior league who needs really good equipment but can’t afford new prices. We have an option to supply that athlete at a discounted price. Offering new, quality gear means that we can supply every athlete’s need, and it keeps the resale supply fresh and exciting.”
Selling used equipment is how Play It Again Sports reduces waste and saves athletes money. Because the store pays for trade-ins and gives a bonus for store credit, parents can save even more by trading in gear when their kids grow or change activities.
“All of this equipment is still good, still playable, and there are people out there who want to get into a sport. Why do we see all of this stuff being thrown away when it still has use and value?” Terica said. “That gave us another reason to do this.”
FRANCHISE CONNECTIONS, CUSTOMIZED TO LOCAL NEEDS
Play It Again Sports is a franchise customized to meet local needs. Being a franchise gives them access to major sports equipment vendors at unbeatable prices, but Terica and Sean make a point to stock and sell only the best quality products to the community.
“A customer suggested we carry a disc golf manufacturer from Finland, and we looked into it and decided to do it,” said Terica. “Now we carry those supplies in our store. We have all the power over what we sell in our store and what we do to engage with our community.”
For Topeka shoppers, the store offers a few extra perks.
“Twice a year, we put big batting cages in the mall with pitching machines, and let folks try out any bat in the store,” Terica said. “Every major manufacturer the store carries comes in throughout the year to do free fittings for customers and fun giveaways.”
Terica is a pharmacist by trade and remains an active board member and volunteer, but she works full time at the store.
“I’m here all the time,” Terica said. “I believe it’s important that I lead this team in helping our community. We want to help parents and coaches, and make sure these kids have what they need. That’s what we do here.”
Play It Again Sports works with charitable organizations that encourage local kids to be healthy and play sports, such as Family Service and Guidance Center and Sole Reason. They also accept donations for Doorstep and First Tee.
“My husband and I both want to help people,” Terica said. “When we asked ourselves how we could contribute more to this community, we kept coming back to sports. For many families, sports are an important connection to community and a way to be active and healthier.”
The couple goes out of their way to support small groups, schools and recreation clubs with tight budgets.
“We print fan gear for any size team, even small ones,” Terica said. “I like to sit in the stands and show my support for my kid. If he has a pirate on, I want to have a pirate on. We’ll run that fan gear for free, and set up a link so that families and fans can order spirit gear to support their team at the cost of the shirt. Even if a team is only eight kids, those kids matter.”
Play It Again Sports also leverages their buying power to help area high schools get the best prices from the best athletic vendors. As a result, more school dollars stay in the community.
Terica, who believes it’s important for kids to have spaces to play and community teams to join, belongs to the Topeka Area Sports Commission Board. The group works to improve local athletic fields, attract sports teams to the area and train coaches and umpires.
“The reason you do things is to make your community better,” Terica said. “I love that we can offer a fun shopping experience and an incredible value for athletes, and we can help kids, every day.”
TK
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