Game trader opens

It seems like the struggling economy is good for businesses that buy and sell used stuff.

The latest example in this area is a rapidly growing company called Play N Trade Video Games, which sells new and used video games, consoles and accessories.

Play N Trade is opening a new store this weekend at 4800 Grove Barton Road in Raleigh, next to the Raleigh Grande cinema.

Franchisee Martha Klotkowski said that right now, business is about 50 percent trades and 50 percent new sales.

But I would bet that percentage might change as more people look to make some quick cash on their used stuff.

And, as a side note for you video game aficionados, the store also repairs gaming systems and resurfaces damaged game discs.

There are also Play N Trades in Cary, Garner and on Wakefield Commons Drive in Raleigh.

The company is hosting a national Guitar Hero III tournament this afternoon. The winner gets $2,000 in store credit.

In North Raleigh's Falls River Town Center off Durant Road, look for these openings in the coming months: Lily Mae's Jewelry & Gifts is planning a second store (The first is in the Factory in Wake Forest.); The Little Gym, a child development center; From New York with Love Delicatessen; Sushi restaurant Sake House; and a do-it-yourself pottery studio called Klaystation.

In Knightdale's Midtown Commons shopping center, the one being built at the intersection of U.S. 64 and I-540, Best Buy, Kohl's, Dick's Sporting Goods and TJMaxx have signed on to be anchors. No smaller-store tenants have been announced yet, but the first stores are projected to open in November.

Other items: In Johnston County, gardening company Garden Max will open this spring in the Lowes Foods-anchored Middle Creek Commons at N.C. 50 and N.C. 42. ... In Chapel Hill, personal training studio Fitness Together will open in May at 605 Meadowmont Village Circle. Fitness Together has locations in Cary and Raleigh. ... Clothing boutique At Ease will move in May from its current spot on Raven Ridge Road to Raleigh's Sutton Square, the newly renovated shopping center at Falls of Neuse and Millbrook roads. ... In Raleigh's Brierdale shopping center, the Earth Fare center off U.S. 70 behind Brier Creek, Irish pub and restaurant Trali Pub opens this weekend. ... In Holly Springs, McDonald's opened at 7100 GB Alford Highway (the N.C. 55 Bypass) ... And in downtown Apex, a gift shop called Blue Tiger and The Common Grounds Coffeehouse both opened at 219 N. Salem St.

From my blog this week:

The Kroger store in Cary at High House Road and N.C. 55 will close in May. It wasn't meeting sales and profit expectations, said spokesman Carl York. He said there are no plans to close any of the other 17 area Kroger stores. ... Also in Cary, Harris Teeter opened in Tryon Village at 1151 Tryon Village Road.