Play It Again Sports (playitagainsportsomaha.com), located at 8453 West Center Rd., specializes in fitness equipment and sporting goods and offers a great selection of new and used items.  They buy gently-used gear all day, so their selection changes daily.  Local franchise owner Richard Messina recently opened the new store, officially bringing Play It Again Sports back to the Omaha community.

Tell us a little about your business. – We buy, sell, trade, and consign new and used sporting goods.  Our biggest categories are exercise and fitness equipment, baseball/softball, golf, and hockey gear but our store offers everything from disc golf and skateboards to equipment for water and snow sports, lacrosse, football, soccer and more.  We generally have a good mix of new and used inventory, which is ideal as there’s great value in buying used items but people can also create their own discount on new items by bringing in their gently-used items for trade credit.

How did you get started in the business? – A year ago I bought a Play It Again Sports franchise and opened the store on October 30, 2014.  I recently retired from the Air Force, and when I realized there wasn’t one here in the community I knew it would be a great fit.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Definitely my career in the military, having served 22 years in the Air Force.  More currently in my new endeavor, relating the skills and values I learned in the military and being able to apply those as an entrepreneur and business owner.

Tell us a little about your family. – I’ve been married for 23 years to my wife Cyndi, who also works at the store as our bookkeeper and sales associate.  We have two sons, both who are in college, and a 10-year-old daughter.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Retiring from the Air Force and starting a new business. Flying airplanes and selling sporting goods couldn’t be any more different, but both have been extremely rewarding.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I’ve learned quickly that new business owners have very little free time, but when I do I like to spend it with my family.

What are you the most proud of? – Without a doubt it’s raising successful, well-adjusted children.  Besides my Air Force career, opening the store has been a huge accomplishment for me.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? – You have to spend money to make money. I’ve found it’s important to invest wisely in the business, the community, and our staff.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Adventurous.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – These days it’s flying airplanes! It’s been a big adjustment going from getting paid to fly to having to pay to fly, but I love it and am still very passionate about it.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Architecture.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – We contribute to many of the local youth sports programs in a variety of ways because we know the importance of the values and life skills that kids learn through sports.

What is your favorite movie? – Shawshank Redemption.

What is your favorite TV show? – Big Bang Theory.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – WheatFields.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – I can be reached at (402) 934-8100 or via email at messinar@playitagainsportsomaha.com.  You can also find Play It Again Sports online at playitagainsportsomaha.com and are welcome to stop by the store and say hello anytime!