Photo by Candice Black Zeke and Arlie McCrady show off a couple of their favorite puzzles in the new puzzle room at J & M Book and Play, their parents’ store.

PARKERSBURG – With a new record of over 35,000 books since its opening 11 years ago, J & M Books and Play is continuing to expand inventory and bring local events to the community.

When J & M Books and Play moved into its new location near Grand Central Mall two years ago, owners Jason and Melissa McCrady saw the potential for business growth in the new building.

“When we moved up here, Melissa said the back would be an event center and (we) just brainstormed ideas. The sky is the limit,” Jason said. “Melissa has always said that (the store) was going to be about an experience, it wasn’t just going to be about retail.”

A common theme in the Mid-Ohio Valley is people complaining that there isn’t anything to do; Jason said he has heard that often over the years and hopes that people will turn to J & M Books and Play for entertainment and events.

“There is stuff to do in the MOV. When people think of Parkersburg, they don’t think of the largest indie bookstore. It takes their breath away,” Jason said. “It’s just adding more stuff that we could with the space that God gave us.”

For about six years, the McCradys wanted to open an escape room but it wasn’t possible until they had the space for it. Now, one escape room is open with another one on the horizon.

Some of the other ideas are for re-enactments, history days, game demonstrations and classes. The event center will be the space for these events, which will be available soon.

“This is the first time we’ve been big enough that we’re still growing into the space we have,” Jason said. “The second year after a move is always the most fun because we went through the year of people not knowing where we are.”

Last month, the bookstore received a $10,000 grant and part of that money will be used to replace the lights in the events center. Jason said he hopes that project will be finished this month so that classes and events can begin.

Some of the classes could range from cartoon drawing to painting and creating stained glass. Jason said he wanted to jumpstart these events in the new location but everything was pushed back with the pandemic.

The new puzzle and children’s rooms are opening soon with a new shipment of almost 200 puzzles. Previously, the two rooms were generally used for storage but with the spaces designated for puzzles and children’s books, it will free up some space for other genres around the store.

“It’s nice that I can add another 800 square feet of retail and not have to move locations,” Jason said. “The big reason I needed the puzzles gone is because I needed more room for the roleplaynig stuff, it gives me another 300 to 400 square feet for gaming stuff.”

J & M Books and Play doesn’t just sell games; employees teach people how to play them. Before the pandemic, Jason would go to schools and put on a game demonstration to teach students how to play a couple games.

“My goal is whenever the pandemic slows down and we get back to semi-normal is to be in schools every week. It’s really fun,” he said.

Engaging in activities with one another, sharing and working together are a few of the ways Jason believes it benefits students to play games.

“There’s something about play that’s important for every age, especially kids. With older kids, gaming is activating different parts of the brain and there’s actively engaged in it.”

J & M Books and Play is also available for birthday parties or events and similar to the school demonstration, an employee can teach partygoers how to play during the event.

Coming up on the 11th anniversary for the business, Jason said he has high hopes for the future.

“I’m very excited to see what’s coming,” he said.

More information about J & M Books and Play can be found on the Facebook page or by calling (304) 422-8733.

Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.