West Shore couple opening used sporting goods store in Colwood
Greater Victoria residents will soon have a new one-stop shop for affordable sporting gear and a place to sell gear they no longer need on the West Coast thanks to a local couple’s first foray into the world of business ownership.
Kira and Dennis Frenette are preparing to open the first Play It Again Sports franchise on Vancouver Island off Island Highway in Colwood in early April, promising a unique resource for families looking to get into sports like hockey it’s known for their high cost of entry.
“We’re heavily involved in sports — hockey, soccer, baseball, ball hockey — and when it comes to buying gear, it’s very, very expensive. We have traveled most of Greater Victoria trying to find used gear at a reasonable price on Facebook Market Place or Used Victoria and found that there is a really great need for used sports shops and there really isn’t one in the area stands now,” said Kira Frenette.
Work began about a year ago when the duo broke ground to find a location for the store and work toward opening day. With the grand opening about a month away, they’re now focused on building up enough inventory to be ready when the day comes.
On Monday (February 27), the store will officially open to buy gently used devices from community members, but in this first month in store, people will not be able to buy anything from the store.
“They can come in, we’ll look at it, and as long as it’s being used gently, no holes or tears, all the buckles are together, all the zips are working properly, and then they get cash on the spot, or a shopping loan. If people want, they can also donate their money to SportAssist, a charity that helps kids pay their esports registration fees.”
The store aims to stock gear for a wide range of sports, with hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, skateboarding and golf expected to be key focus areas. Frenette said the store’s unique model not only represents a more affordable source of sports gear, but also provides a great opportunity for athletes of all ages to try a new sport with far less commitment than buying entirely new gear.
She said it would be easy for someone to buy lacrosse gear in the store, play a few games or a season, and if the buyer decides the sport isn’t for them, they can just take the gear back to the store exchange for either cash or equipment for another sport they might enjoy more.
As a first-time business owner, Frenette said reaching this point in the business has been a challenging but exciting experience. But after seeing firsthand the community demand for a store like this over the years and hearing the enthusiastic feedback they’ve received since word broke that the store is about to open, she said her excitement is only growing .
The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and sells used gear at its 1790 Island Highway Store
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