Saturday, June 27, 2009Saturday, June 27, 2009
June 27
LOOKING GOOD: Boscov's
By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE – Other downtown stores have come and gone.
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Boscov’s doesn’t fit that trend.
For nearly 29 years, the downtown anchor store, between South Main and South Franklin streets, has weathered tough financial times.
The store seems to be winning in the current recession, recently reporting increase sales of 4 percent for the year and 6 percent in May alone.
Boscov’s is reaping the rewards of downtown revitalization that has seen in recent years the opening of Movies 14 and several restaurants, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton said.
“We have more people in downtown,” Leighton said. “Boscov’s has and always will be the anchor for downtown.”
Leighton and Vonderheid said Boscov’s is a different kind of department store than the typical store because Al Boscov, chairman and chief executive officer of the Boscov’s retail chain, takes pride in customer service.
“I believe Boscov’s is one important piece of the revitalization of downtown Wilkes-Barre,” said Boscov’s store manager Brian Cann. “I feel that as cities and towns continue to rebuild that it is important to have a strong retail presence.
“I have seen an increase in customer traffic, especially in the evening,” Cann added. “There are more things to do and more places that are open now.”
It was nearly the end for the South Main Street store and 40 other Boscov’s in 2008 when the retail chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Al Boscov came out of retirement and helped save the chain through a mixture of public and private financing that was approved by a federal bankruptcy judge.
“Al Boscov has clearly forged a very strong bond with his local customers,” Vonderheid said. “He is a marvelous merchant; we all benefit from his renewed commitment to the stores he built, and we’re lucky to have him as a member of the local business community.”
“If we had lost Boscov’s, it would have taken us years to rebuild,” Leighton said. “Once Mr. Boscov gets the store back running the way he wants it to operate, we’ll see some investments there. I’m happy the doors are open and will continue to be open. I’m confident Mr. Boscov will turn the store around. We see the evidence now with increased sales this year.”
The revitalization of downtown, which included Boscov’s, has been ongoing since 2001, said Larry Newman, vice president of community and economic opportunity for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry.
“Each of the major projects undertaken in downtown since that time has helped to realize the goals set forth in that plan,” Newman said. “For example, University Corners (the theater project) was specifically designed to be an activity anchor that would bring people downtown at night and on weekends and serve as a catalyst for new and existing businesses surrounding the complex.
Al Boscov purchased the former Boston Store on South Main Street in 1980. It was the first Boscov’s store outside Reading, where the retail chain has its origins.