Binghamton Boscov’s May Be Spruced Up Soon

Albert Boscov says some improvements are being planned for the downtown Binghamton store that bears his name.

Boscov - who is the chairman and CEO of the Pennsylvania-based department store chain - says company officials are "taking a good look" at the Binghamton location to consider ways to make it more attractive.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Boscov said the company hasn't spent much on the downtown store and an assessment's underway to determine what improvements might be made.

Boscov said: "If we're going to be part of the community, we really have to bring the store up to a contemporary store."

He said some work could start with the arrival of warmer weather.

With the increased presence of Binghamton University students downtown, Boscov said the downtown store has seen a growing number of young people recently.

Boscov said he believes "Binghamton will have a bright future."

The downtown store at Court and Water streets opened in August 1984 after a lengthy campaign by Mayor Juanita Crabb to persuade Boscov to put the empty building back into use.

Boscov said "we still do well" in Binghamton. He noted the store sustained some damage in the September 2011 flood. He said he hopes to have the store looking "a lot better in the not-too-distant future."

Boscov is being honored tonight as the first inductee into the Pennsylvania Retailers' Hall of Fame. A dinner and ceremony are to be held in Reading.