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WILKES-BARRE — The largest store in Wilkes-Barre will soon boast new lights, fixtures and carpets as part of an extensive store reboot.

Albert Boscov, chairman and chief executive officer of the Boscov’s Department Stores, has been working on remodeling the store for the past year.

“(Boscov has spent) over $1 million (to remodel),” Curt Snyder, senior vice president of visual merchandise and store planning, said.

The remodel includes moving several departments around different floors and expanding others. The first-floor shoe department has made it’s way up the escalator to the second floor. To make room for shoes, the children’s department has found it’s way to the basement level. The separate departmental fitting rooms have been centralized in the middle of the first floor.

“Anytime you work on a multilevel store, moving is (the hardest part),” Snyder said as he put together ballet bars for the misses department on the first floor.

The second-floor lingerie department and the first-floor handbags and accessories department have expanded.

“All soft lines have been redone and expanded,” Snyder said adding that the remodeled store will be on par with the other stores in the 44-store company.

On Sunday, June 5, Boscov will be in Wilkes-Barre for a grand re-opening of the store. Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George will be hand for a proclamation.

George called the store an “asset” in an email to the Times Leader on Wednesday.

“I admire and commend Mr. Al Boscov for his dedication to the city,” George said. “Mr. Boscov has never forgotten where his roots began.”

According to Irene Kelly, Boscov’s Wilkes-Barre public relations manager, the store will be bustling with events.

“The Wyoming Valley Pipe and Drum Band will be outside (at the reopening) with Mr. Boscov,” Kelly said.

The store will also will conduct food tastings and basket raffles to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Pat “the greatest clown in the Northeast” Ward and Fun Faces by Louis will also be on hand to entertain children.

George said that when he began as a Wilkes-Barre city police officer, his first beat was South Main Street, where he met Boscov employees. At Boscov’s, their employees are the heart of their store, they employ 132, with most being there longer than 10 years.

For cosmetic department manager Annie Kravitz, the store’s remodel is “major.” Kravitz remembers being hired in August 1980 by Boscov’s sister.

“We needed it,” Kravitz said, beaming as she worked around her department which was still being updated.

An employee since November 2015, bridal consultant Amanda Campbell used to do “lunch with my grandmother” at Boscov’s. She applied for a job because it was “close and convenient.”

Both Campbell and Kravitz agree the remodel, which isn’t completely finished, is “beautiful.”

“We will keep updating things through the fall,” Snyder said.

Boscovs Store Manager Ryan Thomas talks with department managers during a meeting to get ready for Black Friday 2014.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL112514boscovsMainbar3.jpg.optimal.jpgBoscovs Store Manager Ryan Thomas talks with department managers during a meeting to get ready for Black Friday 2014. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader file photo

By Melanie Mizenko

[email protected]

The grand reopening will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 5.

According to a media release, special events and sales will continue for three weeks after the grand reopening.

Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko