Yet another business has gone under in the relatively new Jackson Crossings shopping center.  It was no surprise that Play N Trade would not last long.  As an avid video gamer, I had gone to this store nearly a two dozen times while eating at the Jackson Diner or Surf Taco.    I never bought anything at this store.  Why? Because they never had new games in stock.    When a new game came out, a visit to Play n Trade was usually met with “I’m sorry, we’re sold out, try coming back in a few days”.  

Unfortunately for Play n Trade, Target in Howell always had the games in stock and sometimes at a discount.   Target was out, which was rare, there are two video game stores in the same shopping center which were stocked to the hilt with the latest titles.

The store was laid out pretty well, but unfortunately the shelves were usually missing the hot new titles and the used gaming section didn’t offer much of a choice either.   The staff, while always nice if you approached them were usually sitting in the back playing the game you wanted to buy on their large LCD TV.   

When you walk into a GameStop, the clerks always come to you and offer their assistance.  The staff at Play n Trade usually never left the confines of the rear counter.  It wasn’t surprising to see Play n Trade packing up their boxes last month, in fact it was more or less expected.

On top of the issues with the store, as is always the problem in Jackson Crossing, you would sometimes have to park all the way by Kiddie Academy just to go in.   Some days, we would drive right on by because the Retro Fitness customers had the lot nearly full and I didn’t want to wait for a spot or walk 1/4 mile in 20 degree weather.

What Jackson Crossings needs now is a nice bagel shop such as Manhattan or Einstein Bagels.