When Robyn and Charles Krzykwa realized they were spending nearly as much time driving to buy sports gear as watching their three boys play, something clicked.

“We started realizing there just weren’t many options for sporting equipment around here,” Robyn said. “If you needed gear, you had to drive 45 minutes to an hour away — and even then, the choices weren’t great.”

That frustration — shared by parents across Pearl River County, Mississippi — inspired the couple to open The Sports Exchange, a new-and-used sporting goods store in Picayune designed to keep families on the field, not on the road.

“Our goal is to fill that gap in our community and make a little money,” Charles said.

The store will focus heavily on youth sports such as baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball, while also carrying gear for adults, including golf and pickleball.

The Krzykwas are hitting the ground running, moving full speed toward the opening of The Sports Exchange. The family has already purchased merchandise and is close to finalizing its lease. They’re picking up shelving, meeting with sign vendors, and expect to open within the next two to three weeks. The couple also plans to host pop-ups at local tournaments and accept trade-ins — creating a circular system where families can sell or exchange outgrown gear.

Getting the business off the ground didn’t happen overnight, though.

“We always knew we could do this, but we needed guidance,” Robyn said.

They first connected with Business Counselor Flint Brent of the Mississippi Small Business Development Center (SBDC), who helped them build a business plan and map out next steps. Brent then referred them to the Lending Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) and Economic Development Loan Officer Chris Tillman.

Tillman helped them secure a startup loan in October 2025. The capital — paired with family funds — covered inventory, lease and build-out costs, advertising and software expenses, website development, and working capital.

For Charles, who works seasonally in the oil field, the support means financial breathing room.

“Usually, we spend all summer saving and then we dip into those savings just to make it through the slow season,” he said. “This business — and this financial support — means we don’t have to drain our savings just to stay afloat.”

The Sports Exchange will be located in a shopping center near Friendship Park, the home venue for the Picayune Athletic Association. The park has baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, a playground, and a splash pad. Other tenants in the shopping center include The Life Church, Logan’s Chicken, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, Crosby’s Furniture, and Hancock Whitney Bank.

Staffing will be covered by both Charles and Robyn, with the addition of one part-time employee.

“We’re here to bring affordable, quality options close to home — and make sure local families have what they need without driving across the county,” Charles said.

The Krzykwas also plan to partner with youth leagues, highlight local athletes, and support foster youth with sports gear.

“We want to be more than a store — we want to be part of the community,” Robyn said. “Serve the community, meet a need, and make sports more accessible for local kids.”

For the Krzykwas, it’s a chance to turn a sideline frustration into a local solution — and spend more time cheering from the bleachers instead of behind a windshield.

The couple says CU made that possible.