The Plaza at Buckland Hills — Local services in Manchester

Parking lot can be a nightmare. The diagonal crosswalks seem to confuse people and they forget how to walk. This in turn causes drivers to NOT view pedestrians as being in the crosswalks due to the poorly thought out angles. Speaking of pedestrians, most don't even look and cross anywhere, almost as if they're looking to get hit. Driver's seem impatient and don't stop for the pedestrians who are properly using the crosswalks. Some of the stores seem like they would be better off just being an online retailer, one such store is Gamestop, who takes your preorder money and if you're not they're right away due to work schedule or sickness, they blatantly sell your special preorder copies, then flat out lie to your face and tell you they tried calling you multiple times and even left messages. Don't believe them, the grey haired manager has a very poor attitude because he knows there days are numbered, gives you an attitude, and again, lies multiple times to your face. It's time they stop renewing dying stores in this strip mall and embrace trendier stores with hotter products that you won't just go on Amazon and for far cheaper. Big Lots, 5 Below, and the fabric store (JoAnn Fabrics?), along with Pet Smart all are stores with good deals where you don't need to rush online to try to beat there prices. Pet Smart allows you to bring your pet in which is practical and safer on stifling hot or freezing cold days. The Bank of America ATM entrance is atrocious for anything but a sub compact car. The approach angle was not well thought out and while space is a premium, you either need to back up and reposition once or twice (can be dangerous because driver's zip by there and behind the noodle place to avoid the speed bumps, but if you do not reposition, you end up going over the curbs, potentially damaging your rims and always wrecking the lawn. The Plaza has greater potential than it's being used for. Lastly, they never should have taken the KFC out of there, just to put a failed taco place with Taco Bell being in the same plaza. Thank you...

This shopping center has tons of popular stores ranging from food (Starbucks, Five Guys, Noodle Company, Between Rounds Bagels, Taco Bell, Olive Garden) to crafts (Michael's, JoAnn Fabrics) to stocking up (PetSmart, Trader Joe's, Total Wine and More). You can even charge your Tesla. That's great.... What's not, is the parking lot.

There are three entrances to this enormous lot. The one in the middle by the Taco Bell, arguably the most convenient location, is one way only. The one on Buckland Hills Road can only be accessed from the South Windsor side, and the exit is right turn only, away from South Windsor. The only entrance that is fully both ways is all the way on the far end by the Tesla charging stations.

You might imagine based on the terrible entrance and exit design, they at least have good traffic flow, right? No. Traffic is awful. If you want to use the main aisle during peak hours, good luck. The main aisle is right by the stores and is riddled with stop signs, people coming and going from the stores (Trader Joe's made it much, much worse) and lines of cars trying to turn onto the aisle from the branches of parking aisles. The unfortunate thing is, this is the only clear way to drive from one end to the other. All other options are around the edge which has confusing turns and is very much out of the way. They have such a huge volume of people coming to these stores, and really need to rethink the...

First off. This is not a mall. It's a Plaza. One long building with a few larger anchor stores and a few separate standing restaurants. One being Olive Garden.

JoAnn's is down to the far left near the entrance to the hotel and another free standing restaurant. There is Dollar Tree, The Party Store, Ulta, Avenue, Lane Bryant, Torrid, 5 Below, Game Stop, a bridal store, AAA, Trader Joe's, PetSmart, Michael's, and some other small shops.

There are three ways in but only two out and neither is convenient. Those exits are at opposite ends of the Plaza. The exit by JoAnn's has a traffic light while the other is a yield. (That one you should avoid on a busy weekend. The line in front of the Plaza of exiting cars can go half way down the building.) Expect slow driving, people walking out in front of you, and a few rude drivers.

There is plenty of parking but the dividers make close up spots by Game Stop and Wine & More awkward & difficult to maneuver. These are choice locations at the middle that fill up fast and also have the most foot traffic. Plus parking is a tad tighter.

There are Tesla parking locations down by JoAnn's along with a stand alone ATM.

The parking lot is starting to show its age and could use some patching, a new surface coat and line painting.

Please note that there is not a lot of shelter here with overhangs or awnings. If it rains, run or bring a umbrella and remember to watch out for...