08/03/2024
Well, the time has come to where I can finally make it official. It is hard as hell to do this post. Unfortunately, we have closed our doors. There are many things that factored into making this very, very difficult decision. Fayetteville and our surrounding counties, we will miss you. Everyone of you touched us in a special way…some not so good. MOST was AMAZING. The two twins that we sized up for football one night. The dedicated kid from Fayetteville Christian that came in on many Saturdays for baseball. My disc golf friends. You dang golfers were some of the best. We even had a few celebrities sneak in. 24 years this store has been helping some amazing athletes. (I knew this post would finally make me cry.) We had a great four years together under my ownership. I can’t thank you all enough for your support. I will miss seeing you. I apologize that we have left. The hardest decision I ever made.
To my employees, my two Austins…great young men. Austin Keen, you always knew how to make us laugh. Austin Schindler, you go do great things young man. Mark Heil, this damn dude is a legend. Was more popular than me at the store. You weren’t getting out of there without knowing he coached high school football. Two amazing schools that he built excellent programs. And, he was our very own BATMAN!!! I sure will miss telling him to get off his cell phone. Eric Pietro…WOW!!! You couldn’t have come along at a better time. Every damn day this young man came into work happy and ready to help each and every customer. He wanted to be the very best that ever worked at Play It Again Sports. I was better, but he did LOVE it when you customers referred to him as “the Play It Again Guy “. Trust me, he never missed telling me know about it. I will miss our talks about baseball. Then there was our Chuckster. We dubbed him the Jack of all trades and master of ALL!!! I don’t think he never couldn’t fix something. Randy Gibbs taught him glove lacing ONE TIME and he’s the best damn glove lacer in this town. Bruce Jackson, Randy Gibbs, Steve Thomas… you all taught me so much of every angle of this job. Thank you all.
Last, thanks to my partners for your support and thank you son for teaching my old butt about baseball and working along side of me at the age of 12 until now. It was a great 4 years together…most days.
As we have turned off the lights and emptied the store I hope you know how much I will miss you. How much Eric will miss you. How much Coach will miss you. How much Austin and Austin will miss you. How much Chuck will miss you. God speed Fayetteville. Much love. As the Air Force taught me though…this isn’t good bye, just so long for now.