Working Iowa: Play It Again Sports moves to larger location in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – For years people have been going to Play It Again Sports in Cedar Rapids to buy, sell or trade sports and exercise equipment.

Now, the store has moved to a larger location at 4444 1st Avenue NE.

“Just kind of figuring out where everything goes and we have bigger ceilings, more space, just it’s kind of a cool as you walk in it’s a cool place the buildings’ got a lot of history to it so it’s been pretty cool,” said Gabe Loesch, Owner of Play It Again Sports in Cedar Rapids.

The new store is 500 square feet larger than the old one and they say they’re always hiring.

“We’re in retail, so especially holiday season we’re always hiring between one of the stores we have. So hire, hire, hire again, good people,” Loesch explained.

Loesch’s wife shares the building, with her business Style Encore. He says a job at either of the stores is about sales.

“We do a lot of fixing, repairing. We deal with new and used at both stores so buying from customers, fixing it, repairing it, selling it. However we can do to kind of get it back in the customer’s hands,” said Loesch.

Over the years he continues to see new products and has been able to help young people just getting their start in sports.

“That’s probably our number one clientele is the younger kids. The t-ball, the soccer kids coming in and you get to watch them all the way through. You know the moms coming in with the kids and starting them, it’s pretty cool,” Loesch said.

Those interested can apply online.

People can also be on the lookout for a Once Upon a Child store the couple plans to open in their former Play It Again Sports location in the Town and Country shopping center come 2025.

“It’s a busy little stretch for us but it’s been really fun,” said Loesch.

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