LOCAL NEWS
Kevin Chronister
After a full year in business, Play N Trade in Lusby Commons Shopping Center has firmly established itself, thanks to a large contingency of gamers nearby with an appetite for new and retro video games.
Retro Gaming Community Helps Keep Play N Trade on Top
“We deal with every type of video game that’s ever been made, even if you bring it in and we barely recognize it, we can always look it up and see how much it’s worth and still trade it in,” owner Kevin Chronister told The Southern Calvert Gazette. “We deal Photo By Sean Rice from Atari all the way up to the new hottest thing that comes out,” he said, adding that on the rare occasions when a non-broken retro system like an Atari or ColecoVision is traded in the store, it will be bought again in about a week’s time.
“I have tons of other stores call me because I have so much more product here than many of the other stores do in terms of retro stuff,” Chronister said. “So our area that we live in is quite saturated with collector stuff. So the East Coast back in the day were apparently big gamers.” Play N Trade will repair old tapes, cartridges and systems, if parts are still available. He also has “try before you buy” stations, and puts on gaming tournaments. Most recently the store hosted a Call of Duty 4 tournament, with a $500 prize going to the winner. Chronister, of Lusby, said he wanted to open a business for a long time, until he finally pooled his money with his brother and took the leap. “I’ve been playing Atari since I was little. So you know, I started out on the first system and kept on playing ever since … and it’s moved on to opening a store,’ he said. His store in an independent franchise of Play N Trade, a corporation which is
about 5 years old. “Unlike what most people might think, it’s not a huge profit business. As a matter of fact you only make between $5 and $7 on a brand new game when you sell it. But … It’s a fun business, tournaments are a blast, we have so many people come here and hang out.” Chronister also tries to do things for the community. Around Christmastime, the store donated 10 systems to families being helped by the county’s Department of Social Services. Chronister has lived in Lusby for nine years. Growing up in a military family, he bounced around the country and world before landing in Southern Maryland. Now he lives in Ranch Club. “We’re doing well,” he said of the business. “Our business is based on customer service, 100 percent. It’s all word of mouth … We’re nice about things, and if you’ve ever shopped at our competition you would realize how nice we are.” By Sean Rice (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net.
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Thursday, March-2010
Calvert Healthcare Solutions, a non-profit organization in Lusby that provides health care services at low cost was recognized by the Calvert County office of the Maryland Department of Social Services for the agency’s participation in a workforce training program. Tim Pillard, community development manager for the Maryland Department of Social Services (DSS) in Calvert County, said his office sponsored the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce’s “Business After Hours” program on Feb. 23 to recognize businesses that support employment programs that DSS puts in place to assist clients with Photo By Sean Rice attaining employment. “We work with people that received Tim Pillard, community development manager for Maryland Department of Social Services (DSS) temporary cash assistance, and our goal the in Calvert County, congratulates Dr. David Rogers, is to get them experienced and get them board president of Calvert Healthcare Solutions, employed,” Pillard told The Southern while Calvert County Chamber of Commerce President Carolyn McHugh looks on. Calvert Gazette. “We’re always looking for businesses and organizations to participate in the work experience programs, as well as people that are will to participate in what we call the paid internship program,” Pillard said, adding that approximately 20 participating businesses attended the after-hours event at Adam’s Ribs in Prince Frederick. Calvert Healthcare Solutions in 2008 took on an employee under a DSS program in which the state temporarily reimburses the employee’s salary for a period of time to give the client on-the-job training. After the state-funded period ended, Calvert Healthcare decided to hire the client full time. “On top of being a participant of the employment program, we would like to recognize them for the good that they do within the community,’ Pillard said, when presenting an award to Dr. David Rogers, board president of Calvert Healthcare Solutions. “They provide a very low-cost health benefit to Calvert County residents.” “This is one super program,” Dr. Rogers said after receiving the award. By Sean Rice (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net.