On hand for the Aug. 1 grand opening of Sit N’ Play at 5 E. High St., London, were: (from left) owner Brad Thomas and his son, Brandon Thomas; London Mayor Pat Closser; and owner Charissa Thomas.
(Posted Aug. 3, 2020)
Theresa Hennis, Staff Writer
Downtown London is home to two new shops. Sit N’ Play, a video game store at 5 E. High St., and Kathy’s Community Corner, a thrift store at 9 E. High St., celebrated their openings with ribbon cutting ceremonies on Aug. 1.
Sit N’ Play owners Brad and Charissa Thomas said they felt that London needed a new video game store after losing two such stores in the past.
Brad Thomas buys, sells and trades video games and repairs video game systems.
“I have a network all over the country,” he said. “If I don’t have what you’re looking for, I can get it for you.”
His wife, Charissa, looks forward to expanding the store.
“For right now, people can buy our games and take them home to sit and play, but we want to make a playing area available here,” she said.
On hand for the Aug. 1 grand opening of Kathy’s Community Corner, 9 E. High St., London, were: (from left) London Mayor Pat Closser, owner Kathy Lyon, and Lyon’s work partner, Brenda Gibney.
Kathy Lyon, owner of Kathy’s Community Corner, sees her store as a business and an outreach center. She has helped families who have lost everything to fires. Her vision for the new location is to help more families in need. She also accepts volunteer work from those who are obligated to perform community service.
Lyon has an open-door policy, reminiscent of the community feel of an old general store.
“If anyone wants to pull up a chair and talk or has a problem and needs someone to listen, I’m here. I have a love for people,” she said.
The store has a wide inventory, but if customers can’t find what they want or need, Lyon, who frequents auctions, can find it for them.
For more about Sit N’ Play, visit sitnplayvideogames.com and “Sit N Play” on Facebook, or call (740) 490-7016. Store hours are noon-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and noon-5 p.m. Saturday.
To contact Kathy’s Community Corner, call (740) 771-6536. Store hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
