This new store in Topeka is where you can buy and sell gently used sporting gear and equipment

Sean and Terica Gatewood were eager to help Topeka through community sports.

The husband-and-wife team found the answer with their store Play It Again Sports, which opened in May at 5331 S.W. 22nd place in the Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center.

Play It Again Sports lets athletes and parents sell their sporting gear and equipment for cash or in-store credit. Cash for merchandise will be given to customers on the spot.

“You can’t make a living in a better way to me than fitting kids for baseball gloves, or bats and shoulder pads,” said Sean Gatewood.

"Play It Again is nice because if that stuff doesn’t work out you can bring it back and try the next thing," he said. “You can try it at a reduced cost, but you can also trade it back and get some of your money back.”

Terica Gatewood said they were looking for the right location in Topeka that would support the community and a partner that would understand the business.

“Fairlawn Plaza mall has been absolutely fantastic to work with. They are so supportive of families and business,” she said. “Really, they’ve come in as a strong, true partner with us.”

Here is the sporting gear and equipment that can be found at Play It Again

Inside the store, gear varies from every sport including football equipment, soccer gloves, baseball bats, golf clubs, treadmills, bikes, weights and more.

Alongside resale, Play It Again also provides services for well-known sporting brands like Easton and Rawling’s. Through those brands, customers can trade their older model of gear for a newer model.

"I have two children of my own," said Terica Gatewood. "I know how hard it is as a mom, when they want to play six sports and you want to say, 'Yes.'"

Sean Gatewood said the store doesn't have many items for fishing and camping but hopes to add more soon. Golf is the sport the store sells the most of.

The Gatewoods focus on opportunities for the community

The couple said they look forward to catering to the community. Sean Gatewood hopes to provide such sporting team services as glove re-lacing or re-gripping of golf clubs for customers. Terica Gatewood hopes to provide “parking-lot events,” where coaches and their players have the chance to visit and see new gear.

Though the couple takes pride in providing an abundance of gear for athletes, they take pride in their staff as well. Play It Again owners have hired baseball and basketball players from Washburn University and local high schools.

They also hired the president of the local disc golf club to assist customers.

Sean Gatewood serves on the foundation board of the Family Service & Guidance Center and said Play It Again has been raising money for local nonprofits and charities. The store recently had a fundraiser to assist the guidance center with the construction of its youth crisis center.

"Thanks to the Topeka community for supporting us and thanks for allowing us to support them back," said Terica Gatewood.

Here are the hours for Play It Again, which is open daily

Current business hours for Play It Again Sports are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Keishera Lately is a business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Play It Again Sports offers new and used gear for sports in Topeka