By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A new video and game rental store has opened in LaPlace in response to Blockbuster permanently closing its doors.

Located at 1116B W. Airline Highway in the Triche Shopping Center, Box Office Video is owned and operated by five locals, some of who were formally employed by Blockbuster.

Owners Jennifer DeFrisco, Perry Naquin, Wayne Grubbs, Colin Ceasar and Leslie Naquin hope their store will help to fill the rental void left by Blockbuster’s departure from LaPlace in 2013.

Leslie Naquin said Box Office Video employs former LaPlace Blockbuster employees and that the store has been open for a few weeks.

Box Office Video offers one and three day rentals and requires that all customers open an account at the store to rent games and videos. All that is needed to open up an account is a driver’s license. Movies can also be purchased at the store.

Box Office Video is open Sunday through Thursday from noon until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon until 11 p.m. The store phone number is 985-359-4600.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Box Office Video is planned for March 15.