Share your shift: Erika Mozes shares Delancey Sports’ leap from gear to games and more

Erika Mozes, Co-Owner of Delancey Sports, at the storefront of the Bracebridge location.

As part of Muskoka Business Week’s Shift Happens series, we spoke with Erika Mozes, co-owner of Delancey Sports alongside her partner Josh Karam, to learn about how this locally owned sporting goods store is combining quality equipment with family-friendly arcade fun.

Can you briefly describe your business and the services/products you offer?

Delancey Sports is cottage country’s locally owned and operated, full-service sporting goods store. We are dedicated and passionate about keeping our community active year-round. We offer a wide range of quality gear and apparel for every season, including skiing and snowboarding, hockey, curling, running, swimming, and more. We’re committed to helping active people find the right gear, whether they want performance brands or everyday essentials.

Delancey Sports is also home to Delancey’s Arcade, a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly hangout featuring sports-themed games, air hockey, consoles, and classic arcade fun. It’s the perfect spot to play, shop, and stay active together.

What is one major “shift” or change your business has made in recent years?

We expanded to Bracebridge and launched Delancey’s Arcade! Delancey Sports first opened in Haliburton in 2020 after we learned the local sporting goods store was closing its doors. We couldn’t imagine Haliburton without one, so we stepped up to help keep the community active and geared up.

In 2023, we opened DelanSKI Sports at Sir Sam’s Ski Hill. This milestone was a dream come true for us since we’ve always loved skiing on that hill.

Then, in 2024, we made our biggest shift yet by opening in Bracebridge! It was this new Bracebridge location that inspired us to combine our love for sports with family fun. Josh had always dreamed of opening an arcade, but we knew a standalone arcade would be a tough business. When we saw the perfect space at 9 Manitoba Street, we jumped at the chance to bring this unique sporting goods and arcade concept to Muskoka.

What challenges did you face during this shift, and how did you overcome them?

Our biggest challenge has been helping the Bracebridge community get to know who we are and what we do. Building awareness takes time, especially in a new town, but we’re steadily making progress.

We’ve focused on connecting with the community by adding great new services like skate sharpening and ski tuning, and by hosting fun, family-friendly experiences in the arcade. When parents stop in for a child’s birthday party or someone swings by to get their skates ready for the season, each visit helps spread the word about Delancey’s. Bit by bit, people are discovering what we’re all about!

What has been the most rewarding outcome of adapting to change?

Getting to know the Bracebridge community has been incredibly rewarding! The support we’ve received has been amazing, especially from the Chamber, and we’ve met so many wonderful people along the way.

We’ve also discovered that the arcade has been a fantastic addition to Delancey Sports. It’s brought new energy and fun to the store, creating a space where families and friends can make memories together. In fact, it’s been such a success that we decided to add a smaller version of the arcade to our Haliburton location too!

What advice would you give to other business owners navigating change?

Josh and I have a pretty high tolerance for change. After more than a decade as entrepreneurs, we’ve learned to make decisions quickly and act on them. Change doesn’t have to be scary if you approach it with clarity and confidence.

If another business owner were looking to navigate a big shift, our advice would be simple: first, check your numbers. Then check them again. Once you know the numbers make sense, stop overthinking and start doing. Momentum matters, and sometimes the best way to learn is by taking that first step.

How do you see your business continuing to grow or evolve in the future?

We see Delancey Sports continuing to grow as a specialty sporting goods retailer and as a community hub. In Haliburton, we’re expanding to a larger storefront in the new year, which will include a bigger arcade and an exciting new addition for fitness enthusiasts that we can’t wait to announce soon!

At our core, we love sports and community, and that passion will continue to guide our growth as we improve our current locations and expand into new communities.

What does being part of the Muskoka business community mean to you?

Being part of the Muskoka business community means so much to us. From day one, we’ve felt a genuine sense of connection and support. The local business community here in Bracebridge has been incredibly welcoming. There’s a real spirit of collaboration here. Knowing that there are resources, partnerships, and friendships available within this community gives us confidence as we continue to grow.

We’re proud to be part of a network of people who care deeply about their towns, their customers, and each other. It’s inspiring and reminds us every day why we chose to build our business here.