Play N Trade Holds Grand Opening Celebration

There’s a new game in town.

Play N Trade, at 303 Main St. in Huntington, opened its doors six weeks ago and is the only video game store in the village.

Rob Conte, the former owner of Conte’s Burger Haven in Huntington Station, which closed its doors in November 2008 after 47 years in business, has been exploring options.

Preparations were underway early Saturday, with store personnel donning oversized Mario and Luigi costumes, as Conte got ready to host the grand opening of the new video game store. Face painting, graffiti T-shirts, giveaways and even a Nintendo 3DS giveaway were all planned as part of the weekend celebration, which began Friday and continues through Sunday.

Conte noticed the proliferation of stores similar to Game Stop and realized there was nothing like it in Huntington. After some research, he discovered Play N Trade online. Unlike other game stores, this is an independently owned and operated franchise and something new for Conte.

“It’s completely out of my comfort zone,” said Conte, “but I’ve learned a lot, and you just have to go for it.”

Conte, a 1983  graduate, said he considered a location near the Walt Whitman Mall, but after almost a year of searching, he “got lucky” and found the Main Street location.

“Play N Trade is not your typical video game store,” Conte said. “Other game stores are tiny and cramped, you’re just in and out. This is interactive, we want people to come and hang out. We hold tournaments, let you try any game before you buy, even have birthday parties.”

Customer Paul Trowe, a game developer visiting from Austin, Texas, praised Play N Trade. "It's an alternative to larger corporate game stores, which focus on selling used games, ruining the market for developers." He added, "This is an opportunity for a small business owner to build relationships with people so they will come back."

Trowe’s nephew, Nicholas, also had high praise for Play N Trade. “I really like it. They have really cool games and they let you try the games before you buy them.”

Play N Trade customers can try any video game before purchase, participate in local and national tournaments, have consoles and games repaired and sell and trade games.

Upcoming events include a Pokemon tournament on July 23 and a Magic The Gathering Draft Tournament on July 26.

Hours are Monday- Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.