Resident Starts Barrington's First Sporting Goods Consignment Sale

If you have an active family, you can appreciate just how expensive playing sports can be. From soccer cleats to lacrosse helmets, the costs certainly add up. A Barrington woman saw the need for more affordable sporting equipment for area families and Play-On Sports Gear, the areas first sporting goods consignment sale, was born.

Tammy Kerr thought of the idea for a used sporting goods sale when she started to think about how much money she was spending on her own families gear. She thought there had to be a cheaper way to keep the family active.

“Originally I was thinking about opening a storefront like Play It Again Sports, but I wanted it to be bigger. I wanted to have a big venue where people could cosign their sporting goods equipment,” she said.

Play-On Sports Gear is the first consignment sale of its kind for this area. The sale is taking place April 12-14 at 22N102 Pepper Road in Lake Barrington, by Christmas Tree Classics. Families who browse this week’s sale will find everything needed for spring and summer sports. Another sale will happening this fall will feature winter sports and other outdoor equipment.

“We spend millions of dollars every year just paying for fees for our kids to participate in sports, and then they decide they don’t want to play baseball, they want to play lacrosse. It’s really important for kids to explore all of their interests. In order for us to be able to let them, it needs to be cost effective,” she said.

Kerr is also using her consignment sale to help others in the community. A portion of the proceeds will benefit and The Illinois Special Olympics. Barrington Youth Baseball and Softball and BASA donated gear and equipment to benefit these charities. 

“When I decided I wanted to do this…I really wanted it to be able to benefit somebody,” Kerr said. “I considered different youth organizations, but I wanted to have something local here in Barrington. I learned about Scarlett and I really wanted to help her. I also wanted to help the Special Olympics,” she said.

Play-On Sports Gear is open to anyone who’d like to shop. Those interested in attending will find both consigned and new sporting gear including everything from shin guards to even weight lifting sets. There will also be several representatives from children’s summer camps on hand to talk with families.

“I pretty much have every sport represented, whether it’s a few pieces or a lot of pieces,” she explained.

Kerr is hoping for a great turn-out for her first-ever sale, and also hopes the community will learn more about consigning and how it can benefit every family.

Play-On Sports Gear will be held April 12-14 at 22N102 Pepper Road in Lake Barrington.

Hours:

April 12: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

April 13: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

April 14: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.