Albert Boscov to Enter Hall of Fame

The man who was persuaded to open a department store in downtown Binghamton is heading for the Hall of Fame. No, not Cooperstown. The new one in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Albert Boscov is to be the first inductee of the Pennsylvania Retailers' Hall of Fame.

The state's Retailers' Association will hold a dinner and awards ceremony in Reading March 7 to honor Boscov and other retailers from around the state.

The 83-year-old Boscov was born in Reading. Boscov now is chairman of the department store chain that was founded by his father a century ago.

Boscov opened a store on Court Street in Binghamton in August 1984 after a persistent effort by mayor Juanita Crabb to convince him to set up operations where Fowler's department store had been located.

Thousands of people showed up for the Binghamton store opening.