The last time I started my mower, the cord did not retract. Is there an easy way to get it to retract? Or should I take it to a repair shop?

If the recoil mechanism is just hung up, you might be able to free it with some gentle pull and release. If the spring inside has uncoiled, it is a frustrating job to take it apart and rewind the spring. I would take it to a shop where they do that all day long.