For Rob Lavoie and Cory Edwards, what began as a part-time high school job has evolved into
a full-time passion. Now the owners of two Play It Again Sports locations in Ottawa – Orléans
and Barrhaven – the pair have built their careers around helping local athletes get geared up.
“We both started towards the end of high school and then continued through our post-secondary
education,” says Rob. “We were both passionate about all sports, and it seemed like an ideal
job where we’d get our hands on the newest gear, be around it all day, and interact with like-
minded people.”
Over time, that early interest turned into a career path. Rob and Cory rose through the ranks
from floor staff to supervisors, then to managers helping run four stores in the region. When the
previous owners stepped back, Rob and Cory were ready to take over. “We were lucky to have
great mentors who allowed us to grow. When it came time for them to move on, it only felt
natural for us to keep the ball rolling.”
Years of on-the-ground experience shaped how they lead their stores today. “We’ve seen all
sides of the business, and we’ve learned from both mistakes and successes,” Rob says. “The
biggest thing we’ve learned is that we don’t know everything. Ego is the biggest enemy to
growth.”
At the heart of Play It Again Sports is a simple model: buy and sell both new and used gear.
“Every store has similar pricing on new equipment, but we take the stuff you’ve outgrown, give
you a discount, and then offer great deals to others looking for used gear,” Rob explains. “It’s
great for families, great for the environment, and great for athletes looking to save.”
Seasonality drives demand, with items like hockey gear, golf clubs, and ball gloves flying off the
shelves. “Golf has been the hottest category the last couple of years,” says Rob. “Post-
pandemic, participation has really taken off. And there’s always new models and technology
hitting the market, so the trade-in scene is always active.”
Community is another cornerstone of their business. Both owners have deep roots in Orléans
and Barrhaven, and their stores reflect that connection. “We see so many familiar faces. It really
makes Ottawa feel like a small town,” says Rob. “Now, we even have staff whose parents
worked with us years ago.”
Play It Again Sports also supports the community beyond retail. They donate gear, sponsor
teams, host fittings, and help local leagues through equipment drives and tournament support.
“There’s always a limit to what we can do, but if we can make something work, we’ll certainly
try.”
Looking ahead, their focus is on improving what already exists. “It’s not about opening more
stores. It’s about growing within our four walls and enhancing the customer experience. The
phrase ‘we’ve always done it that way’ doesn’t exist in our stores,” Rob says.
What hasn’t changed is the joy they get from the little things, like helping a kid into their first pair
of skates. “It’s still a big moment for us,” Rob says. “And we don’t take that for granted. We truly
love what we do.”
