Boscov's is one of the real last remaining department stores left. Hey are located throughout PA, NJ, DE, MD.
They have depatments that other stores left behind years ago like toys, electronics, photo (ritz camera), garden center, candy, appliances (not much), stationary, travel centers, etc... some even still have restaurants in them.
They are a privately-owned company. Prices are decent and the quality of the merchandise is high.
All their stores are unique, because most are in recycled buildings. Several current Boscov's once went under the name "Ports of The World". I think Boscov's bought this small chain in the early 90's.
Here's a pic of my local store (more pics @ www.boscovs.com)
(http://www.boscovs.com/static/about_boscov/images/stores/neshaminy.jpg)
They also have New York State stores as well. Two in Albany, one in Binghamton, and one in Nanuet.
QuoteOriginally posted by MBZ321
Boscov's is one of the real last remaining department stores left. Hey are located throughout PA, NJ, DE, MD.
They have depatments that other stores left behind years ago like toys, electronics, photo (ritz camera), garden center, candy, appliances (not much), stationary, travel centers, etc... some even still have restaurants in them.
They are a privately-owned company. Prices are decent and the quality of the merchandise is high.
All their stores are unique, because most are in recycled buildings. Several current Boscov's once went under the name "Ports of The World". I think Boscov's bought this small chain in the early 90's.
Here's a pic of my local store (more pics @ www.boscovs.com)
(http://www.boscovs.com/static/about_boscov/images/stores/neshaminy.jpg)
\
sounds cool was the interior look like?
QuoteOriginally posted by 76&AmesfanmanBBTB
sounds cool was the interior look like?
Typical department store interior. They use lots of neon on the different department signs, and the whole store has an upscale look to it. It varies slightly by each store
QuoteOriginally posted by MBZ321
QuoteOriginally posted by 76&AmesfanmanBBTB
sounds cool was the interior look like?
Typical department store interior. They use lots of neon on the different department signs, and the whole store has an upscale look to it. It varies slightly by each store
It reminded me a lot of a Kaufmanns with a little more emphasis on things like Sporting goods. Very upscale, high quality products, very impressive. Definitely worth checking out.
About what you said abou Boscov's taking over old stores, that is very true. I thing that the only New York State location that is all original is the one in Binghamton. The ones in Albany were old stores: Colonie being a former Stienbach, and before that the original Colonie Center Mall Macys, and the Clifton Park one a former Caldor.
Also, the Nanuet location was a former store as well, but, I do not know the name. That might've been a Stienbach as well.
Just a small correction - the Colonie Center Macy's was not where Boscov's is now - it was actually where part of the mall hallway and small stores are now.
If you are in the mall, coming from Sears - a couple stores past Friendly's (lower level) you'll see a hallway to the right that leads to offices and restrooms - that marks the end of the "old"part of the mall - directly in front of you (looking toward the current Macy's) would have been the front wall of the old Macy's. Everything past here was added on or converted when Macy's built their new store - so this mall was much smaller and basically a "straight line" from Sears at one end to Macy's at the other - with a couple short halls to enter by (lower floor on the Wolf Rd side, upper floor on the cemetary side) plus the outside doors into Sears, Macy's, CVS and whatever used to be where Christmas Tree is now.
i was just in one of there stores today they havhe such nice stuff it have the nordstrom look to it well the one i went to kida had that look its more simaler to macys in a way
this boscov's is in Eatontown ( West Long Branch ) new jersey in the Monmouth Mall the store is 262,000 square feet.
from company listings of www.siteride.com
Boscov's is expanding! They are buying up a bunch of former May Co. Stores (10) In NJ, PA, and MD.
This will bring their store count to 50 stores in PA, NJ, DE , MD, NY, and one store in VA.
here is the boscov's in binghamton ny in downtown. the store was like 5 or 6 levels and it had additional departemtnts, like toys (but they were at high prices), electronics, junky tapes and DVDS. THE STORE WAS AWESOME!!!! WHY WAS THIS BOSCOV's different!
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the boscov's in binghamton ny in downtown. the store was like 5 or 6 levels and it had additional departemtnts, like toys (but they were at high prices), electronics, junky tapes and DVDS. THE STORE WAS AWESOME!!!! WHY WAS THIS BOSCOV's different!
more boscov's in binghamton ny
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the boscov's in binghamton ny in downtown. the store was like 5 or 6 levels and it had additional departemtnts, like toys (but they were at high prices), electronics, junky tapes and DVDS. THE STORE WAS AWESOME!!!! WHY WAS THIS BOSCOV's different!
more boscov's in binghamton ny
more boscov's in binghamton ny
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the boscov's in binghamton ny in downtown. the store was like 5 or 6 levels and it had additional departemtnts, like toys (but they were at high prices), electronics, junky tapes and DVDS. THE STORE WAS AWESOME!!!! WHY WAS THIS BOSCOV's different!
more boscov's in binghamton ny
more boscov's in binghamton ny
more boscov's in binghamton ny
Boscov's in Nanuet, NY was formerly a Stern's.
here is the bon ton in scranton in the downtown steamtown mall.
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the bon ton in scranton in the downtown steamtown mall.
more scranton one
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the bon ton in scranton in the downtown steamtown mall.
more scranton one
more scranton one
here is the 100,000 to 200,000 sf Boscov's that opened in the CLifton park mall in clifton park ny. IT was once Caldor. and I beleive they tried to revidalize the mall with this, but I saw a lot of vacant stoers adn a vacant steinbach in the mall.
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the 100,000 to 200,000 sf Boscov's that opened in the CLifton park mall in clifton park ny. IT was once Caldor. and I beleive they tried to revidalize the mall with this, but I saw a lot of vacant stoers adn a vacant steinbach in the mall.
more clifton park
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the 100,000 to 200,000 sf Boscov's that opened in the CLifton park mall in clifton park ny. IT was once Caldor. and I beleive they tried to revidalize the mall with this, but I saw a lot of vacant stoers adn a vacant steinbach in the mall.
more clifton park
more clifton park
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
here is the 100,000 to 200,000 sf Boscov's that opened in the CLifton park mall in clifton park ny. IT was once Caldor. and I beleive they tried to revidalize the mall with this, but I saw a lot of vacant stoers adn a vacant steinbach in the mall.
more clifton park
more clifton park
more clifton park
boscov's in plymouth meeting mall in pa
plymouth meeting one
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
plymouth meeting one
plymouth meeting
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
plymouth meeting one
plymouth meeting
plymouth meeting
boscov's in easton pa
It is good to see that Boscov's has aquired a lot of stores from the May Company. It is a wonderful anchor to fill those spaces. The closest one to me is in Nanuet, about half an hour away, but I hope one opens really close to my town of Wayne. :yup:
Boscov's is the best department store there is! I got my current camera from Boscov's. :)
QuoteOriginally posted by MBZ321
Boscov's is one of the real last remaining department stores left. Hey are located throughout PA, NJ, DE, MD.
They have depatments that other stores left behind years ago like toys, electronics, photo (ritz camera), garden center, candy, appliances (not much), stationary, travel centers, etc... some even still have restaurants in them.
They are a privately-owned company. Prices are decent and the quality of the merchandise is high.
All their stores are unique, because most are in recycled buildings. Several current Boscov's once went under the name "Ports of The World". I think Boscov's bought this small chain in the early 90's.
Here's a pic of my local store (more pics @ www.boscovs.com)
(http://www.boscovs.com/static/about_boscov/images/stores/neshaminy.jpg)
The Boscov's at Neshaminy Mall was origially built by Lit Brothers in 1974. It was the last Lit's store to open. Later, this location was a Pomeroy's and a Bon Ton store. This Boscov's location opened in 1995. I worked there from Oct, 1997 to Dec, 2000.
The Plymouth Meeting Mall location, as well as the Echelon Mall location, were origionally Lit Brothers locations. You can see on the buildings where the Lit Brothers sign used to be, inside the rectangle that's near the store entrances.
I wonder what the one at Cumberland Mall in Vineland was originally.
QuoteOriginally posted by nims57
I wonder what the one at [Censored]berland Mall in Vineland was originally.
I think that location was built from the ground up.
QuoteOriginally posted by MikeRa
QuoteOriginally posted by nims57
I wonder what the one at [Censored]berland Mall in Vineland was originally.
I think that location was built from the ground up.
I wonder when that mall opened then.
It opened in the 70s
Does anyone know what happened to former Alexandria, VA Boscov's which was also a former Ames?
Boscov's at the Nanuet Mall is closed, along with the rest of the mall, sans Sears from the looks of it.
Quote from: d_fife on December 17, 2006, 03:29:23 PM
plymouth meeting one
That Lit Brothers name was located where the glass panes above the entrance doors to Boscov's. The Voorhees Town Center location has the same outside design as well, except the "Lits" and "Lit Brothers" signage was on the walls, with the cursive "L" located where the glass panes above the entrance doors.
Albert Boscov was on NBC last week regarding the struggling economy in Reading, PA:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41877933/ns/business-consumer_news/
Boscov's reopened a store at the Monmouth Mall yesterday - with Shirley Partridge in attendance, no less!
http://www.app.com/article/20111009/NJBIZ/310090012/Boscov-s-grand-opening-today-at-Monmouth-Mall
Boscov patriarch Al Boscov profiled; he's the one retailing executive (apart from maybe Danny Wegman) that I'd like to meet someday...
http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-09/business/30260335_1_albert-boscov-monmouth-mall-grand-opening
A video example of Al Boscov's "personal touch"
http://www.philly.com/philly/video/BC1206747173001.html
Boscov's is a store where I actually enjoy shopping; I can't say that for most of its direct competitors. It seems to be a little friendlier, and certainly more down to earth than, say, Macy's. I guess one reason I like it so much is the variety they carry. While my wife is shopping shoes or blouses I can wander off and look at a lot of other things. Better than being stuck at Kohl's or Penney's! Seriously, I hope they can keep the chain alive and well far into the future.
I had been in the local (Salisbury, MD) store not long after it opened in the early 90s and didn't care for it. Too fancy, not my kinda thing. I stayed away for years until I became friends with an older gentleman who loved to talk. He would stop by and see me about once a week, and he went on and on about one of his other weekly stops, Boscov's. Seems the "girls" there really took care of him, were always friendly, and at Christmas time he would have to stop by and give them a card or some candy. That sorta sold me on the company.
Its closed White Marsh store in the Baltimore market will reopen in November:
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-05-17/business/bs-bz-boscovs-whitemarsh-return-20120517_1_ceo-albert-boscov-white-marsh-mall-bankruptcy-protection
It will also open a new store in Woodbridge, NJ next year
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20120517/NJNEWS/305170062/Boscov-s-anchor-store-Woodbridge-Center-next-year?odyssey=nav|head
A sad but probably necessary move. Part of what made Boscov's unique was that they still sold the lines that most middle-market department store chains had already stopped selling. How will they differentiate themselves now?
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/11/boscovs_plans_to_stop_selling.html
what will that mean of the binghamton one?
I don't think any Boscov's locations are closing; they're merely getting out of the business of selling electronics and MAJAP.
Quote from: retailisking on November 15, 2012, 08:18:13 PM
I don't think any Boscov's locations are closing; they're merely getting out of the business of selling electronics and MAJAP.
You are correct. What i read from the article, Boscov's is just leaving the business of selling Electronics and Major Appliances. They are still selling Small Appliance and expanding the Furinture Department.
Even Best Buy wants to get out of the major appliance business (their goal is to eventually have smaller stores, much like how Old Navy is remodeling their stores to be smaller and leasing out the extra space), so Boscov's getting rid of them isn't a huge surprise. There's not much repeat business when they're selling that's expected to last 20 years.
Boscov's tended to carry a little different assortment of merchandise in electronics/major appliances compared to its competition. You might see products or brands that were hard to find elsewhere. It was in the mid-90s that I was shopping for a washing machine and they were the only place carrying Amana; I'm not so sure they didn't also have Speed Queen. They had an above-average music department, back in the cassette days (yours truly is still stuck in the cassette days!)
First Connecticut location is opening in Meriden in the former JC Penney.
They're also in talks to take over a former Sears in Pittsburgh. (It's mentioned in a side bar in this article about the Meriden Store)
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/7207268-129/westfield-meriden-betting-on-boscovs-department-store.html
Boscov's is going into the former JC Penny at Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills, a relatively new mall located
about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. (not to be confused with the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon which I have derided for being so upscale almost nobody I know goes there).
I was kind of hoping they would move into the former Sears at Century III and help to save that dying mall.
Boscov's actually took some kind of money from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to stay afloat several years ago.
The rumor mill says that Boscov's is planning on leaving its mall location in Salisbury, MD to build a stand-alone store just north of the state line in Delaware. I'm anxious to see how that will work out (and how much truth there is to it.) This would put them in a fast growing area, and eliminate sales tax. Could be a good move. I'm not sure how the Centre at Salisbury would fare without them as Boscov's was consistently the busiest place in the mall, from what I've seen.
Maryland truly excels when it comes to driving business out of their state.
Quote from: retailisking on May 08, 2015, 04:56:26 PM
They're going to open at the site of a former JC Penney in Meriden, CT
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/7207268-129/westfield-meriden-mall-betting-on-boscovs-department-store.html
Posted on Page 2 of this thread.
Quote from: Marc B on May 08, 2015, 07:28:45 PM
Quote from: retailisking on May 08, 2015, 04:56:26 PM
They're going to open at the site of a former JC Penney in Meriden, CT
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/7207268-129/westfield-meriden-mall-betting-on-boscovs-department-store.html
Posted on Page 2 of this thread.
So noted and deleted.
James Boscov made the official announcement on Saturday confirming plans for Meriden, Connecticut.
According to an article on MYRECORDJOURNAL.COM Boscov's was looking at the Brass Mill Mall in Waterbury for their first Connecticut location. When there was no space available they took a field trip and discovered the vacant JC Penney at the Meriden Square. The article also mentions Boscov's hopes to have their Meriden store open by late Fall.
I wonder if that means if Sears or JCP decides to close at Brass Mill that Boscov's will jump into the space.
I never had the chance to got to a Boscov's. I've been to King of Prussia 3 times and that mall doesn't have one. And I went to Bethlehem twice. I never had a chance to visit the malls in Bethlehem/Allentown. The first time I went to KoP and the first and second time I went to Bethlehem I was attending Writing Conventions. The 2nd time I went to KoP I was supposed to check out other malls besides the KoP mall, but driving on I-76 was such a terrifying experience that the vehicle I rented stayed in the hotel parking lot all weekend and I made the people I was visiting in KoP drive me around. :-[ What can I tell you? At that time I was 25 I barely had my driver's license 2 months I was in a strange state, driving a strange vehicle, and it was the first time I went on a highway without the driving instructor. The last day of the trip I managed to drive I-76 from KoP to the Philly Amtrak station return the rental vehicle, but that was the last time I ever was on any highway.
Most recently the closest thing to a highway that I have driven on was in 2013 when I accidentally got on that highway that leads to Route 9, but I only drove one exit because I was going to the Berlin, CT Amtrak station.
Boscov's at Neshaminy Mall is expanding. They are taking over the former RadioShack, Dollar Tree, and Kay Bee Toys site, and renovating their Young Men's store (itself a former Singer Fabrics location). The Young Mens store is temporary in the former Deb Shops site. The pic is that of the former RadioShack and Dollar Tree sites.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/18713294793_61b998d4d0_b.jpg)
Boscov's is going into Westfield Meriden? I'm surprised they want to go there.
Quote from: MikeRa on July 01, 2015, 03:52:02 PM
Boscov's at Neshaminy Mall is expanding. They are taking over the former RadioShack, Dollar Tree, and Kay Bee Toys site, and renovating their Young Men's store (itself a former Singer Fabrics location). The Young Mens store is temporary in the former Deb Shops site. The pic is that of the former RadioShack and Dollar Tree sites.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/18713294793_61b998d4d0_b.jpg)
Oh wow, I'm surprised that Dollar Tree closed. I remember this was the only one in the area for a couple years before they bought out Dollar Express.
I'm also surprised Boscov's really needs that much extra space...what departments could they possibly be putting in here?
Quote from: JimSawhill on July 03, 2015, 09:46:56 PM
Boscov's is going into Westfield Meriden? I'm surprised they want to go there.
They wanted to go to Brass Mill in Waterbury, but there wasn't any space available. Then they took a drive found the vacant JC Penny at Westfield Meriden and jumped on it. They immediately talked to the mall management about taking the space.
Quote from: JimSawhill on July 03, 2015, 09:46:56 PM
Boscov's is going into Westfield Meriden? I'm surprised they want to go there.
From what I have read, Meriden had space and they got a great deal on the rent. best Buy was going to leave until the mall have them a sweet deal on the rent as well
Quote from: TRU7536 on July 07, 2015, 11:49:24 AM
Quote from: JimSawhill on July 03, 2015, 09:46:56 PM
Boscov's is going into Westfield Meriden? I'm surprised they want to go there.
From what I have read, Meriden had space and they got a great deal on the rent. best Buy was going to leave until the mall have them a sweet deal on the rent as well
Thanks.. I meant that I heard Boscov's is upscale and Meriden isn't upscale...
Quote from: JimSawhill on July 11, 2015, 10:29:43 PM
Quote from: TRU7536 on July 07, 2015, 11:49:24 AM
Quote from: JimSawhill on July 03, 2015, 09:46:56 PM
Boscov's is going into Westfield Meriden? I'm surprised they want to go there.
From what I have read, Meriden had space and they got a great deal on the rent. best Buy was going to leave until the mall have them a sweet deal on the rent as well
Thanks.. I meant that I heard Boscov's is upscale and Meriden isn't upscale...
Boscov's is a mid-range department store. Dillard's is higher end between the two. The two do not directly compete but their market areas almost border each other where the Salisbury, MD and Virginia Beach, Virginia regions border each other. Although from it's site, Boscov's has one store in Ohio (and that seems like an outlier store).
I'm not familiar with Meriden Mall, so I can't comment on it's likelihood of success, but this will put Boscov's into Connecticut and into New England.
In some ways, it might be challenging since one store will lack critical mass that a cluster of stores would otherwise offer.
I'm more surprised that Boscov's hasn't chosen a store in Mercer County area of NJ, as it could strengthen it's position in Central NJ and further north but within NJ. It added a store in Woodbridge Center and has two by the Monmouth-Ocean area, but that is still light even within Central NJ. Between Bensalem (Neshaminy Mall)/Moorestown NJ and Woodbridge is a long corridor where Boscov's lacks a store.
I just passed a former Stop&Shop site in Monmouth Junction, NJ and it faces the busy Route 1 and there are other strong tenants like Home Depot in the same center, South Brunswick Square Mall.
http://x.lnimg.com/attachments/A2389C20-97C1-4A9B-9E7C-50F564D59A8C.pdf
I was thinking that Boscov's might be able to fit in to this plaza with a store similar to the one in Christiana Town Center in Christiana, DE. The listing shows that the former Stop&Shop is just a 55,000 sq.ft building but maybe Boscov's could add a second level?
The Boscov ownership only wants to open one new store a year as it goes with growth cautiously, but I think it should look into adding a store in Mercer County or between Mercer Co. and Woodbridge Center. It's a densely populated, high income area.
Quote from: JimSawhill on July 11, 2015, 10:29:43 PM
Quote from: TRU7536 on July 07, 2015, 11:49:24 AM
Quote from: JimSawhill on July 03, 2015, 09:46:56 PM
Boscov's is going into Westfield Meriden? I'm surprised they want to go there.
From what I have read, Meriden had space and they got a great deal on the rent. best Buy was going to leave until the mall have them a sweet deal on the rent as well
Thanks.. I meant that I heard Boscov's is upscale and Meriden isn't upscale...
I just took a quick look at their website, they are no Macy's or Nordstrom by any means. They seem to be a step up from Jcpennys.
It's going to be interesting with Meriden. They lost Lord and Taylor years ago bc it didn't fit their demographics and Jcpennys closing is a sign the mall doesn't bring enough foot traffic even for a lower end department store. We all know the only reason Best Buy stayed and signed a two year deal, was because the last minute the mall offered them a sweet deal on rent. Best Buy wasn't doing good business and I wouldn't be shocked if The Gap is even still at this mall will be one of the locations closing.
Gap has been gone for years at Westfield Meriden. There is Old Navy which is owned Gap Inc. It's been there about 4 years now if I recall.
As of two years ago, Boscov's sold TVs and electronics. I confirmed on a recent visit that Boscov's has ceased that business.
And many years ago, I remember they had sold CDs in the Voorhees store. Even Target has trimmed that out to a small selection. My local Best Buy has moved the CD/DVD aisles to the back of the store, with a great de-emphasis.
Meriden, Connecticut Boscov's will open October 8th.
Quote from: mixedday on July 28, 2015, 10:11:39 PM
As of two years ago, Boscov's sold TVs and electronics. I confirmed on a recent visit that Boscov's has ceased that business.
And many years ago, I remember they had sold CDs in the Voorhees store. Even Target has trimmed that out to a small selection. My local Best Buy has moved the CD/DVD aisles to the back of the store, with a great de-emphasis.
They also sold large appliances a few years ago as well, but they are gone too.
Boscov's in Meriden, Connecticut unofficially opens today October 8th. For a $5 ticket you get to preview the store before it opens tomorrow. The money from sales of the tickets will be donated to charity. Shirley Jones from The Partridge Family and her son Patrick Cassidy will be performing all-week starting Saturday in The Boscov's Auditorium.
Quote from: Marc B on October 08, 2015, 07:39:31 AM
Boscov's in Meriden, Connecticut unofficially opens today October 8th. For a $5 ticket you get to preview the store before it opens tomorrow. The money from sales of the tickets will be donated to charity. Shirley Jones from The Partridge Family and her son Patrick Cassidy will be performing all-week starting Saturday in The Boscov's Auditorium.
Shirley Jones, a native of Smithton, PA, here in the Pittsburgh area.
The Jones Brewery was in her family for many years, and produced Stoney's Beer in Smithton.
It is now made by Iron City. Her great-grandfather, Stoney Jones, reportedly won the brewery
in a poker game!
High school football aficionados in Westmoreland County still maintain that 16 year old
Shirley Jones is still the hottest cheerleader to ever show up around these parts.
Boscov's is having their 101 year anniversary sale right now; we were in there Saturday and they had some neat photos and storyboards hanging up, including a photo from a grand opening in 1985 featuring Mr. Boscov standing next to Sophia Loren.
Starting Sunday (10/18) for entertainment in the Boscov's Community Auditorium at their new Meriden, CT store will be Elvis Aaron Presley Jr. ::)
Mom and I went to the new Boscov's at the Meriden Square Mall today. It's my Mom's new favorite store. She spent $90 on curtains alone. She's had trouble finding curtains after the Casual Curtain chain closed in February 2014. She got other things too including a new pillow for me.
The Boscov's at Neshaminy Mall, Bensalem, PA debuted their new Mall entrance today. They won't open those gates until the area on the inside, which was the mall common area, for a couple of weeks:
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5827/21723181713_a6b6d8c7a1_b.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/761/21721493184_0501b5088d_b.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5765/22354922201_c7a2bb77a6_b.jpg)
In Atlantic County, NJ, Boscov's anchors the Harbor Square shopping center, formerly Shore Mall. A Burlington Coat Factory is there as well. A Halloween store seasonally operates in a former Value City space. I was just there, and while it's not as ghetto as when the mall was open, there is certainly something off about the center. One is Golden Corrall being a restaurant there. Other being the 2-3 run down centers near and across the mall.
What's most ghetto (and specific to the center) is there is a large inflated pumpkin (for Spirit Halloween) on top of the Value City space that looks just as bad as inflatable rat balloon when unions picket their employer . It's May, and it's not Halloween season, so it shouldn't be up even otherwise.
I'm surprised Boscov's and Burlington wouldn't want a better space in general, or atleast the center owner to spruce up the center and not permit the Halloween store to not take down it's signage and balloon.
I also find the traffic pattern weird. If I want to drive from Boscov's west back to Mays Landing/Hamilton, there is no left turn option at the traffic light. One can only go right - east, or make a complicated U turn through the GS parkway.
I believe Macy's and Sears have the best locations in Atlantic County, in a modestly performing Hamilton Mall with highway facing anchor spots. Boscov's is in a weaker shopping center and area. JCPenney is part of Hamilton Mall with Macy's and Sears, but it doesn't face the highway. I wonder between Boscov's and JCPenney, which has the better location. Highway facing but in a ghetto block, or in a decent area (and mall) but not facing the highway.
Quote from: mixedday on May 12, 2016, 09:33:49 PM
In Atlantic County, NJ, Boscov's anchors the Harbor Square shopping center, formerly Shore Mall. A Burlington Coat Factory is there as well. A Halloween store seasonally operates in a former Value City space. I was just there, and while it's not as ghetto as when the mall was open, there is certainly something off about the center. One is Golden Corrall being a restaurant there. Other being the 2-3 run down centers near and across the mall.
Boscov's is a strange beast and seem to thrive well in dead or dying malls and/or not-so-great neighborhoods. Most of their locations, especially in the Central PA region are mostly all in dead or drying malls, yet are still busy and very profitable locations for them.
Some stores have been able to find a good niche and thrive by serving it well. In my part of the world Boscov's doesn't have real deep competition. Macy's has the higher end of the market, Wal*Mart the lower. Sears & Penney's are weak or non-existent. Boscov's offers a very wide selection, more than anywhere else I can think of these days (candy counter, toys, bedding, housewares, dinnerware, a travel desk, restaurant, etc.)
As Sears is selling off or subleasing off it's store real estate in certain cases (e.g. King of Prussia Mall), I wonder if Sears might sell/sublease either the Hamilton Mall Sears, or the Somers Pt. Kmart (it could move Sears there). There is also a Pleasantville Kmart but it's more downscale and the real estate likely worth less. Sears could sell either one to Boscov's. I think either would be an upgrade for Boscov's (from Harbor Square) especially if the Hamilton Mall Sears anchor space could be sold to them.
It'd also be great if Boscov's returned to Oxford Valley Mall but in Sears more central anchor space. Boscov's does operate not too far in Neshaminy, but so does Sears. It's probably Sears closest two mall stores to each other in the Philly region.
Would Boscov's have interest in Valley Mall in Hagerstown? Macy's has closed there, which might present an opportunity for Boscov's to move in. I don't know about the Macy's real estate there, but I know Boscov's already operates in Frederick in a substandard space. There is an outlet center in Hagerstown (Hagerstown Premium Outlets) that competes against the Valley Mall, which might have depressed sales for Macy's, but Boscov's might perform better.
I think Boscov's needs to join the 21st Century and have order online and pick up in store like other major retailers do such as Sears, Penney's, Macys, Target, Kohl's, Walmart, etc.
Boscov's in New Hartford, New York is opening on Saturday. It's in the former Sears at the Sangertown Square Mall.
http://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/boscovs-to-open-store-in-new-york-state
http://www.sangertown.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1436&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=16
Boscov's says in the year they've been open in Meriden, Connecticut sales have exceeded their expectations. And while not mentioned by name they also said they're doing more in sales than Macy's and Sears in Meriden.
Quote from: Marc B on October 19, 2016, 09:46:46 AM
Boscov's says in the year they've been open in Meriden, Connecticut sales have exceeded their expectations. And while not mentioned by name they also said they're doing more in sales than Macy's and Sears in Meriden.
It doesn't take much these days to overtake Sears in sales...just sayin'... ;)
Albert Boscov chairman of Boscov's Dept stores passed away at 87 after battling cancer.
http://wnep.com/2017/02/10/retail-industry-giant-al-boscov-dies-at-87/
:-(
Best of wishes to his family.
Between this and Mike Ilitch, it's been a lousy week for retail and restaurant legends. Al Boscov leaves one hell of a legacy. Hopefully Jim is up to the task of building on Al's tremendous achievements.
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/albert-r-boscov
http://www.wfmz.com/news/berks/albert-boscov-dies-at-87/326328545
Has anyone noticed some boscov's locations have really gone downhill? My local one has turned into a dump, first it started when the Ritz camera inside it closed, then they had a showroom for discounted furniture that turned into selling really cheap dollar store merchandise, then the electronics section was removed and is currently empty, then the optical department was replaced with more dollar store merchandise??? Also the toy department is a mess most of it is either completely empty or toys no one wants anymore. I hate to say it but my local sears is in better condition at least the merchandise they are selling makes sense for a department store. When you start filling empty spots in your store with dollar store merchandise in the same place you are selling mid-high priced goods you can't help but think wtf?
Years ago, when I worked for David Weis Co. we would run a Dollar Days promotion with cheap dollar items mere steps from the jewelry counter where we displayed $10,000 diamonds.
My Mom told me when she was at Boscov's in Meriden shopping for curtains back in February they were selling Curtain closeouts from KMART. Maybe they bough them from the KMART closing sale in Cromwell.
Quote from: zonemad96 on April 03, 2017, 03:05:28 PM
Has anyone noticed some boscov's locations have really gone downhill? My local one has turned into a dump, first it started when the Ritz camera inside it closed, then they had a showroom for discounted furniture that turned into selling really cheap dollar store merchandise, then the electronics section was removed and is currently empty, then the optical department was replaced with more dollar store merchandise??? Also the toy department is a mess most of it is either completely empty or toys no one wants anymore. I hate to say it but my local sears is in better condition at least the merchandise they are selling makes sense for a department store. When you start filling empty spots in your store with dollar store merchandise in the same place you are selling mid-high priced goods you can't help but think wtf?
In which city is your Boscov's located?
Quote from: giantsfan2016 on April 03, 2017, 09:36:05 PM
My Mom told me when she was at Boscov's in Meriden shopping for curtains back in February they were selling Curtain closeouts from KMART. Maybe they bough them from the KMART closing sale in Cromwell.
This isn't really anything new. I remember walking through their stationary department many years ago (probably 20 years at this point) and bought a notebook with a Drug Emporium? (or some similar store) sticker on it. Boscov's masquerades itself as a more middle-upscale department store, but they've always done a large amounts of buyouts and closeouts.
Ritz Camera used to run the camera departments within Boscovs but since the chain closed down im not sure what became of that area. I know they handled a lot of the electronics items for Boscovs also. I know recently the Boscovs chain was also in danger of closing before Ritz went under as they were discussing what to do with those stores . In the end Boscovs survived and of course Ritz went bankrupt and no longer exists.
Quote from: retailfan on April 07, 2017, 06:42:20 PM
Ritz Camera used to run the camera departments within Boscovs but since the chain closed down im not sure what became of that area. I know they handled a lot of the electronics items for Boscovs also. I know recently the Boscovs chain was also in danger of closing before Ritz went under as they were discussing what to do with those stores . In the end Boscovs survived and of course Ritz went bankrupt and no longer exists.
At my local store the space just sort of got absorbed into several surrounding departments. It was basically a small island in the middle of the store, like the candy department.
Boscov's is opening in the former Sears Store at the Millcreek Mall in Erie, PA.
http://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/boscovs-dept-store-to-open-in-fall/734570843
Every time I read about a Boscov's opening I feel a bit ambivalent. Happy that they're expanding, and sad that they're not expanding closer to me. Hey, maybe they can take over the Bon-Ton in the Maine Mall! :)
The floor plan of Millcreek Mall is actually SHAPED LIKE A GUN!
Look it up on Google Earth, it's true!
The legend is that this was a mob message from the original builder to
someone in the general direction of the "barrel".
Quote from: retailisking on June 14, 2017, 05:48:15 PM
Every time I read about a Boscov's opening I feel a bit ambivalent. Happy that they're expanding, and sad that they're not expanding closer to me. Hey, maybe they can take over the Bon-Ton in the Maine Mall! :)
I just hope they are more careful this time, unlike 2006-2008 when they took over too many former May Company stores and ended up having to close them after a year or two. I think Boscov's is doing a little better as they target more of a lower-middle income shopper and have a much broader variety of merchandise. I like to think of Boscov's as a 'fancy Walmart'.
Boscov's is opening their 47th store in October and it will be their second in Connecticut. They are opening in the former JC Penney in the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford. They are expanding the footprint of the store front and will be 200,000 square feet.
https://patch.com/connecticut/milford/replacement-jcpenneys-connecticut-post-mall-announced
Quote from: Brammy on January 11, 2018, 04:02:22 PM
Boscov's is opening their 47th store in October and it will be their second in Connecticut. They are opening in the former JC Penney in the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford. They are expanding the footprint of the store front and will be 200,000 square feet.
https://patch.com/connecticut/milford/replacement-jcpenneys-connecticut-post-mall-announced
Wonder if they're gonna enter into Eastern Connecticut, or just the Manchester area.
Quote from: TheFugitive on June 15, 2017, 10:09:30 AM
The floor plan of Millcreek Mall is actually SHAPED LIKE A GUN!
Look it up on Google Earth, it's true!
The legend is that this was a mob message from the original builder to
someone in the general direction of the "barrel".
Wow...that's one mall.
I'm glad they announced a new location, was getting concerned about nothing being announced. Also glad they are taking it easy, because they might have lots of opportunities in the next few years to over expand again.
Quote from: esw01407 on January 11, 2018, 08:08:07 PM
I'm glad they announced a new location, was getting concerned about nothing being announced. Also glad they are taking it easy, because they might have lots of opportunities in the next few years to over expand again.
what of old.Bon ton in portland maine mall and old Sears or Macys in Bangor Mall.
Quote from: danfifepsu on January 11, 2018, 08:11:17 PM
Quote from: esw01407 on January 11, 2018, 08:08:07 PM
I'm glad they announced a new location, was getting concerned about nothing being announced. Also glad they are taking it easy, because they might have lots of opportunities in the next few years to over expand again.
what of old.Bon ton in portland maine mall and old Sears or Macys in Bangor Mall.
I was wondering how far these expansions would go to bring in Boscov's. Looks like there adding 60,000 sq. ft. to this store.
Quote from: danfifepsu on January 11, 2018, 08:11:17 PM
what of old.Bon ton in portland maine mall and old Sears or Macys in Bangor Mall.
Makes absolutely no sense. The Bangor Mall is dying, and Maine is too far away from their core. They're only now establishing themselves in Connecticut.
Quote from: retailisking on February 08, 2018, 05:52:35 PM
Quote from: danfifepsu on January 11, 2018, 08:11:17 PM
what of old.Bon ton in portland maine mall and old Sears or Macys in Bangor Mall.
Makes absolutely no sense. The Bangor Mall is dying, and Maine is too far away from their core. They're only now establishing themselves in Connecticut.
well maybe Portland. if they overexpand they could die.
Quote from: danfifepsu on February 09, 2018, 08:08:09 AM
well maybe Portland. if they overexpand they could die.
Even Portland is a big stretch. They might expand into Western Mass; the Westfield Bon-Ton survived this round of closures. It might be close enough to their Clifton Park, NY and Connecticut locations to make sense.
The Boscov's in Milford, CT had a soft opening yesterday and is holding its grand opening today
https://www.nhregister.com/business/article/Boscov-s-to-host-grand-opening-in-Milford-on-13279279.php
BOSCOVS is opening NEXT FALL WHERE Nordstrom is closing : https://www.wpri.com/business-news/nordstrom-at-providence-place-closing-boscovs-coming/1509822244
Strong move, like it allot. Seems like another good place to open another store.
So, is there any possibility that Boscov could pursue the former Sears space at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence Twp., NJ? I've read that Simon has decided to convert the Sears in Ross Park and few other A malls to other uses with restaurants as one feature, pretty much preventing a fourth dept. store setup again. But no plan has been announced for the former Sears here.
Quote from: mixedday on October 27, 2018, 11:44:22 PM
So, is there any possibility that Boscov could pursue the former Sears space at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence Twp., NJ? I've read that Simon has decided to convert the Sears in Ross Park and few other A malls to other uses with restaurants as one feature, pretty much preventing a fourth dept. store setup again. But no plan has been announced for the former Sears here.
Hard to say at this point, because Boscov's announced it's 2019 opening will be in RI. So the earliest we'll know where the next Boscov's will be is late 2019. Boscov's also is in several weaker/in-danger malls in PA, so that could possibly affect future openings.
Which PA stores is Boscov at risk in? I think it will benefit at places like York Galleria without two competing department stores now. In other places, it might be ideal to relocate - maybe beneficial if it relocated to Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes Barre area.
That said, it should probably wait to 2019, especially if Lord & Taylor actually proceeds with it's plans to close 10 stores, and it might find a number of better A malls to consider. The Lord & Taylor at Walden Galleria (Buffalo market) is a good location for a Boscov to pursue a spot. The closed Sears is too far at the end of that mall.
Another site that might do well is the former Sears in Hunt Valley, MD, although I'd rather Wegmans expand it's store adjacent to it.
In Baltimore area, Boscov re-opened the White Marsh store in NE Baltimore county, which is not too far away, but I think far away enough that a second Boscov can co-exist 18 miles away. macy's has a Towson store and White Marsh store for Baltimore county. But I'd say the Hunt Valley shopping area is rather small, even though it's adjacent to Towson and not too far from Owings Mills. Pittsburgh might be not worthwhile a market for Boscov to return, but Boscov can increase it's presence in Maryland (Baltimore area) maybe. In the Philly suburbs, it's pretty well covered except for the Mercer County area (Quaker Bridge).
Quote from: mixedday on November 01, 2018, 10:40:19 AM
Which PA stores is Boscov at risk in? I think it will benefit at places like York Galleria without two competing department stores now. In other places, it might be ideal to relocate - maybe beneficial if it relocated to Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes Barre area.
That said, it should probably wait to 2019, especially if Lord & Taylor actually proceeds with it's plans to close 10 stores, and it might find a number of better A malls to consider. The Lord & Taylor at Walden Galleria (Buffalo market) is a good location for a Boscov to pursue a spot. The closed Sears is too far at the end of that mall.
Another site that might do well is the former Sears in Hunt Valley, MD, although I'd rather Wegmans expand it's store adjacent to it.
In Baltimore area, Boscov re-opened the White Marsh store in NE Baltimore county, which is not too far away, but I think far away enough that a second Boscov can co-exist 18 miles away. macy's has a Towson store and White Marsh store for Baltimore county. But I'd say the Hunt Valley shopping area is rather small, even though it's adjacent to Towson and not too far from Owings Mills. Pittsburgh might be not worthwhile a market for Boscov to return, but Boscov can increase it's presence in Maryland (Baltimore area) maybe. In the Philly suburbs, it's pretty well covered except for the Mercer County area (Quaker Bridge).
that Lord and Taylor isnt closing in Walden.
Ok what of in NH? I doubt the STeeplegate as its dying. what of the Maine Mall? or Holyoke Mall Sears . Boscov's is thriving in this Dept Store meltdown.
I went to the former Hunt Valley, MD Sears site today and it appears Michael’s is in procress and HomeGoods has replaced the lower level, Wegmans adjacent side. I don’t think the Wikipedia entry has this listed. The second level hasn’t been altered but in any event, this likely rules out Boscov or JCPenney any possibility of coming to the outdoor mall. It wasn’t a great location but not a bad one either, as Wegmans is a decent central anchor.
Boscov might be limited in the Baltimore market at White Marsh for time being. Marley Station is too dead of a mall to be worthwhile, Security Sq too ghetto, and Columbia too upscale/likely high rent. But Baltimore isn’t that large of a market, so it might be ok. The former Owings Mill mall is now a Costco and a Lowes is coming up. I thought Boscov could come back with a Christiana like store but it’s have to be new construction ground up, which might be more costly for Boscov to consider. There is also Harford Mall anchored by Macy’s and Sears. Once Sears closes, it could make a good Boscov site.
As for Lord and a Taylor, I was just mentioning Walden Galleria in case.. It’s a strong mall but it didn’t feel all that upscale when I went in there last. The Lord and Taylor is in a good position though and t might do well with less upscale competition.
Quote from: mixedday on November 01, 2018, 10:40:19 AM
Which PA stores is Boscov at risk in? I think it will benefit at places like York Galleria without two competing department stores now. In other places, it might be ideal to relocate - maybe beneficial if it relocated to Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes Barre area.
Susquehanna Valley Mall - Mall is in good condition, but no other anchors. In special servicing for awhile now.
Fairgrounds Square Mall - The redundant Reading PA location. If the mall re-development happens, more then possible this location stays as is.
There are also one or two locations in Western PA in lower quality malls.
New Jersey you also have the questions around the re-development of Monmouth Mall, and the potential seizure of the Voorhees Town Center by the town for redevelopment.
There's also the questions of renovations of existing stores, with Hazleton PA needing a new roof.
Wyoming Valley Mall will probably be a no for Boscov's, due to the renovations done to the downtown store. Wyoming Valley Mall also has some issues, the former Bon-Ton is in poor condition and probably should be demolished. The mall's loan also entered special servicing recently. It's a good mall, just needs at least one new anchor.
Boscov actually has plans for improvements and is dedicated to staying in Voorhees. Likewise, Voorhees Twp. wants to keep Boscov in all redevelopment planning consideration. The fate of the rest of the mall doesn't have bearing to the Boscov's site, since the mall is separately owned from the Boscov site. Monmouth Mall is losing Lord & Taylor, but it's a pretty strong mall and I don't know why redevelopment jeopardizes Boscovs there.
Actually, central NJ might be prime area for Boscov. Great population density, typically strong demand and no sales tax on clothing. Besides Quaker Bridge, Boscov's might evaluate a few other sites once Sears disappears, including Freehold Raceway Mall and a freestanding Sears site in New Brunswick off Route 1. I don't think it will go for all of these or even have the opportunity to pursue all of them, but it could pick up a couple. It might not want to compete with a bunch of stores at Freehold Raceway and deal with high rent, but it could pursue the Sears site in New Brunswick off Route 1 likely easily.
I also do wonder when/if we could see Belk or Dillard's start moving into the better former Bon-Ton locations, coming into competition with Boscov's.
Park City in Lancaster comes to mind. It's an A mall and Bon Ton had an decent facing site as an anchor. Belk could try for it, although I'm really surprised macy's hasn't, even as a store relocation from another central PA mall.
A lancasteronline.com poll (which isn't that meaningful) but some people voted. Top votes were for Cheesecake Factory, Dave and Busters and IKEA. I don't even know if macy's was even desired, as a lot of people find macy's to be pricey. But macy's has been able to stick around in middle class areas and even urban leaning (Security Square in Baltimore area). IKEA is unlikely, but restaurants and other retail might just happen over a department store replacement.
I'm still curious which other 8 Lord & Taylor stores will close. I suppose we will find out in early 2019 after the holidays, or they have decided to not close any more stores. Dillard's or Belk might pursue the Northeast region, then, overlapping with Boscov's. Von Maur also has a store in Rochester, NY and view a few sites for expansion.
Has anyone here been to or well familiar with Westfield Annapolis?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westfield_Annapolis
There is a vacant Lord & Taylor building. Is it a good site, still vacant without confirmed plans of something else, and would it make a good location for Boscov if it wanted another Maryland store? This one would be within 30 miles of Washington DC unlike Boscov's other stores which are farther out. The mall has some A list tenants like Apple store, so that is likely positive that the mall is a draw and Boscov can co-exist with macy's and JCPenney. If Boscov went in, it'd be one of the first malls with both Boscov's and Nordstrom, interestingly.
I'm in Annapolis for work on occasion; on a rainy day I'll take a walk in the mall. I was curious what that empty space used to be (nicely repurposed right now as a sort of alternate route from one wing to another). Especially if/when Sears goes away, that could be a good fit. It's one of the healthier malls I've been in lately.
What was the big, now empty, anchor at Marley Station? That mall is another "rainy day" stop, but in a lot sadder shape.
At Marley Station, it used to be macy's (which took over Hecht's site later). Then, Boscov's used to operate at Marley Station Mall as a fourth anchor. But it closed and that mall is too weak, and likely not able to support four anchors, let alone a couple even.
While Boscov operates at a number of dead/dying malls, typically it's the alpha there now, sole department store in those malls now. I don't think it'd want to join a dead/dying mall with macy's/JCPenney. But in strong malls like Millcreek Mall (Erie) but not too upscale/high rent (like King of Prussia), I think it would want to consider.
Regarding the Boscov's in Monmouth Mall:
This article from the Asbury Park Press discusses the redevelopment plans (which lacked Boscov's in the plan) and Boscovs:
Boscov's: We're not going away when Monmouth Mall gets redeveloped
https://www.app.com/story/money/business/main-street/whats-going-there/2018/09/24/boscovs-monmouth-mall-redeveloped/1379493002/
I went to the Freehold Raceway Mall and Monmouth Mall in Monmouth County, NJ today. Freehold Raceway is a pretty solid, large A mall - apparently it's the second largest mall in NJ. The Sears which will likely close next year is only one level, has low ceilings, not enough square footage to have apparel, as Primark occupies the upper level that it used to have. I don't think Boscov's will pursue this space (too small, probably high rent), but if Lord & Taylor or JCPenney closes in the future there, Boscov might make sense at the mall.
25 minutes away is the Monmouth Mall, and it's is more a B mall. While it's B, it has relatively new flooring and pretty modern in most parts inside, but the second level side is more lackluster. It has macy's, JCPenney, Lord & Taylor (store closing sale in process) and Boscovs.
From the article:
Boscov's doesn't own it's building and leases a three story 100,227 sq. foot building. The Boscov site is not in the redevelopment plans, however but Boscov wants to stay at the mall. Meanwhile, Lord & Taylor (80,589 sq. foot building) is closing but Lord & Taylor owns it building.
I wonder if Boscov would assume the Lord & Taylor space?
A couple of points against it though
a. 80,589 sq. ft is kind of small for Boscov
b. Boscov will still be second fiddle to macy's in the mall. macy's has the prime spot in the mall. In addition, there is JCPenney competition.
While the article indicates some interest by the center owner to keep Boscov, it could very well screw Boscov and opt to accommodate a Target instead for all it knows.
Sears has a store in Middletown, NJ. I don't know enough about that store if it's decent and large enough for Boscov to relocate in the event it opts to leave the Monmouth Mall and the high likelihood that Sears closes. The Sears off Route 1 in New Brunswick is a good location, but it's in an another part of Central NJ - not in Monmouth County.
In addition to both malls (Freehold Raceway, Monmouth), there are the Jackson Premium Outlets and Jersey Shore Premium Outlets. Monmouth is a well populated county, but with the competition and possible lack of good sites, maybe Boscov does leave without a replacement for this area.
Those sq. ft. numbers are probably no go's for Boscov's as you've posted. Minimum 160,000 sq ft they need at this point.
Boscov seems screwed in any event, as it doesn't own it's building, the second level of the Monmouth Mall is underperforming, and there is a lot of unused area outside of the Boscov. Boscov doesn't have much leverage unfortunately. The Boscov building is old and the old parking deck by that side of the mall is a waste of space. Depending on how grand the Kushner wants to go with site, I wouldn't be surprised if JCPenney is offered a buyout deal, limiting the mall to just one department store, macy's. JCPenney owns it building, but it has coverage in Freehold Raceway and Ocean County Mall, that taking a buyout might be in it's interest. JCPenney took a buyout in Owings Mills Mall (Maryland), similarly.
While it is unfortunate, there is probably opportunities for Boscov to pursue Sears sites in Northern NJ once Sears closes, where Boscov lacks stores. Woodbridge Ctr is the most northern store in NJ and even that area is viewed by some as still in Central NJ.
Aside from Quaker Bridge that I mentioned which is an area where Boscov lacks coverage, there has to be possibility Boscov would re-consider the Montgomery Mall in North Wales, PA. Boscov actually operated in this mall until it's bankruptcy.
When Boscov pulled out, it was competing against macy's, jcpenney and sears at this mall, in a side-most anchor spot that it acquired from macy/strawbridge's, and it has Plymouth Meeting just 11-16 miles south. Since that closure, a Wegmans has replaced the former Boscov space, and the mall has had improvements since this time. There is high likelihood of Sears closing in 2019, so Boscov might be able to assume that space, and Boscov would be in a better shape against fewer department store competitors. JCpenney is vulnerable position as well, especially in the SE PA side of the Philly market.
I noticed there is a Boscov coverage gap between Plymouth Meeting all the way up to Lehigh Valley Mall, with no nearby store to Doylestown.
I don't think Oxford Valley (or returning to Oxford Valley) would be as a good as a fit though. Boscov's Neshaminy store is too close, and a more ideal goal would be getting into Quaker Bridge.
Quote from: mixedday on November 17, 2018, 03:37:11 PM
Aside from Quaker Bridge that I mentioned which is an area where Boscov lacks coverage, there has to be possibility Boscov would re-consider the Montgomery Mall in North Wales, PA. Boscov actually operated in this mall until it's bankruptcy.
When Boscov pulled out, it was competing against macy's, jcpenney and sears at this mall, in a side-most anchor spot that it acquired from macy/strawbridge's, and it has Plymouth Meeting just 11-16 miles south. Since that closure, a Wegmans has replaced the former Boscov space, and the mall has had improvements since this time. There is high likelihood of Sears closing in 2019, so Boscov might be able to assume that space, and Boscov would be in a better shape against fewer department store competitors. JCpenney is vulnerable position as well, especially in the SE PA side of the Philly market.
I noticed there is a Boscov coverage gap between Plymouth Meeting all the way up to Lehigh Valley Mall, with no nearby store to Doylestown.
I don't think Oxford Valley (or returning to Oxford Valley) would be as a good as a fit though. Boscov's Neshaminy store is too close, and a more ideal goal would be getting into Quaker Bridge.
They also have a huge gap in Central PA between Selinsgrove and Altoona, but it's a ton more rural. State College really doesn't have the space right now, mall is poorly sized, and Lycoming is on deaths door, so doubt it will ever be filled.
JCP is not in such dire financial condition. They are nowhere near in the shape that Sears/KMART is in.
I don't understand why everyone is wishing for JCPenney and even Sears/Kmart to go away. It would be a shame to have more chains disappear. I would hope JCP would be the one chain to stay around for a while.
Quote from: AmesNewington on November 19, 2018, 06:42:01 PM
I don't understand why everyone is wishing for JCPenney and even Sears/Kmart to go away. It would be a shame to have more chains disappear. I would hope JCP would be the one chain to stay around for a while.
I wont want JCP to go away at all. it has such potential. AT least they are not riding it down like Sears to where "Cut its losses and move on" makes strategic sense.
I wonder if Boscov is looking into the Sears anchor space in the Westmoreland Mall in the eastern side of the Pittsburgh market. The Sears is supposedly closing this month.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westmoreland_Mall
According to wikipedia, the Sears building is 200,000 sq. ft, which is a good size.
I also did a google map view of the site. The JCPenney is more central but the Boscov still has good highway visibility. I think that I passed Westmoreland Mall when I drove up to Latrobe Airport once, but I didn't get to go in. Perhaps sometime I will check the mall out. Wikipedia notes it's the the largest mall between Pittsburgh area and Lancaster area.
And, nice YouTube video on Westmoreland Mall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBSuHWSCB8Q&t=32s&fbclid=IwAR1T7HISrSdDVVkbqS4HPZiVzNieqf15B9km05B7UXcs8D7hYbfRG7Gd6eM
Quote from: mixedday on March 07, 2019, 12:51:32 PM
I wonder if Boscov is looking into the Sears anchor space in the Westmoreland Mall in the eastern side of the Pittsburgh market. The Sears is supposedly closing this month.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westmoreland_Mall
According to wikipedia, the Sears building is 200,000 sq. ft, which is a good size.
I also did a google map view of the site. The JCPenney is more central but the Boscov still has good highway visibility. I think that I passed Westmoreland Mall when I drove up to Latrobe Airport once, but I didn't get to go in. Perhaps sometime I will check the mall out. Wikipedia notes it's the the largest mall between Pittsburgh area and Lancaster area.
And, nice YouTube video on Westmoreland Mall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBSuHWSCB8Q&t=32s&fbclid=IwAR1T7HISrSdDVVkbqS4HPZiVzNieqf15B9km05B7UXcs8D7hYbfRG7Gd6eM
That looks like a highly attractive location. I would say the only thing that could hold that up is if a better location comes open somewhere else, I get the feeling Boscov's isn't looking too hard at PA right now. Binghamton might be the place to watch, downtown location is in need of repair and owned by the city, city is trying to move on it, but isn't making progress yet.
Also, random OT, with the Lycoming Mall in serious trouble in Central PA, information has been coming out as to why there is no Boscov's in that area. Apparently Williamsport got on Al's bad side during an attempt to rebuild downtown in the 80's. He walked away and never looked back.
For PA:
Philly- Boscov's is well covered. Only when Montgomery Sears or JCPenney closes, it might be worthwhile for Boscov to reconsider this mall again. It closed a store (bought from macys when it no longer needed the strawbridge's site) there in bankruptcy in 2008 but that site became a Wegmans grocery store.
Central PA - Boscov's is already in Park City Center in Lancaster (area's top mall) and York Galleria.
Pittsburgh-
Originally when I thought of Pittsburgh opportunities, Ross Park came to mind. It's one of Pittsburgh's strongest malls, but Simon decided to go with a transform plan of the closed Sears space instead of permitting a new fourth dept store anchor.
On one hand, Boscov's sites tend to be busy and thus a draw, and it will use both floors also and all entrances. On the other hand, adding Boscov even to a former Sears will put pressure on the JCPenney in the mall, and of course, there is opportunity cost - i.e. a promenade and restaurants might bring in more revenue, even if the mall owner has to foot the costs to redevelop.
But to the point of protecting the current anchors, JCPenney has become a failure as a whole, in my opinion, that competition taking its business seems inevitable anyways. Although Simon's plan at Ross Park and a few other malls (like Ocean County in NJ) indirectly helps JCPenney there by not having another mid-range dept. store against it.
The Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills (Tarentum, PA) has a vacant Sears (or Sears Grand?) site, but that mall is pretty weak. The macy's seems busy though, JCPenney and Dick's are still in operation, and the Sears site itself might not be that bad, but the mall area might not have enough volume for Boscov to consider, especially if it has to compete with traffic that is going to macys and jcpenney. Best Buy left that area which isn't a good sign of the overall of retail traffic.
I mentioned Wyoming Valley Mall in the Wilkes Barre area but Boscov's already has a downtown store, and PREIT also seems interested in unloading that mall which is a sign of disinvestment. I've noticed that there aren't that many malls in the Wilkes Barre-Scranton region but it's a small region.
I want to check out the former L&T in Westfield Annapolis mall in Maryland. I don't know if it would be suitable for Boscov. On another thread, it was mentioned it's a strong mall but I'm not sure if the site is large enough for a Boscov. If it's smaller, maybe Belk as Belk takes up less space (as from my visit in Hagerstown).
In some of these areas, current space may not be a complete factor, if there is room for building to be done.
The Boscov's in Colonie Center (Albany, NY) was enlarged from it's original tenant of Steinbach's before Boscov's moved in to the space.
Additionally, the one in Clifton Park, NY was rebuilt from a former Caldor store.
So they are (or at least have been) willing to work with malls to get spots re-sized to their needs as long as the space exists to do so (and at least in the Colonie Center case, doing so left a fairly small parking area outside their exterior entry but that didn't stop them from doing it anyhow).
I hope Boscov is doing well in the retail apocalypse. I also wonder if it will stay more or less in the Mid Atlantic to Northeast areas or venture into North Carolina or Florida, like Wawa, Wegmans and some other chains from north do.
But heading into new territories can be a risk, and it has to advertise a new brand. It has gone into Connecticut and Providence though, and coincidentally Dillard's and Belk don't serve the Northeast.
In-fill might make sense and it can benefits that ads on TV cover existing stores and new stores. Philly might be done, but maybe it would look for another store in Baltimore region. (Although no suitable site comes in mind, other than Annapolis). Pittsburgh might have Westmoreland and another site it can fill. I think it might avoid 25 mile radius outside of Boston, New York City and Washington DC if these are expensive real estate markets. It can expand in NJ though, extending more north from Central NJ.
State College PA I think is one of the oddities for Boscov's that needs to be filled, but there are ZERO opportunities right now for them. It's a surprisingly far ride to Altoona. Mall is dying, but you'd have to demo half of it to get a Boscov's on site.
Lycoming County is a similar issue, but the Mall is dying too fast for them to move in, and there are no good opportunities in Wipo city.
Annapolis seems very strong to me; a great location. In that mall I'd say Sears is a lot more visible than the former L&T; I was never in the latter but from walking through that area I'm not so sure that store isn't 2 story?
My Mom and I went to the Boscov's in Meriden yesterday. After using the restroom we discovered they have a large Bargain Room in the back of the store on the second floor near the Optical Department. The Bargain Room is in what was the auditorium space. I always wondered what they used the auditorium space for after they had the performances of Shirley Jones and Elvis Presley Jr after the grand opening.
The Boscov's in Laurel Mall (Hazleton PA) has a restaurant in it.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g52805-d4574181-Reviews-Boscov_s_Greenery_Restaurant-Hazleton_Luzerne_County_Pocono_Mountains_Region_Penns.html
Any other Boscov stores with a restaurant in it?
In a few other malls where Boscov operates that I'm familiar, the idea of it seems possible.
Ones I've seen in person:
Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville
Fairgrounds Square Mall in Reading
Supposedly also has:
4500 Perkiomen Ave Reading, Pennsylvania
We're also several weeks away from the RI Boscov's opening, so the question will be, whats the next store location?
Quote from: danfifepsu on October 09, 2018, 04:47:07 PM
BOSCOVS is opening NEXT FALL WHERE Nordstrom is closing : https://www.wpri.com/business-news/nordstrom-at-providence-place-closing-boscovs-coming/1509822244
The Providence, RI Boscov's opens Thursday September 26th.
how does Boscovs keep opening more stores let alone stay in business... who is shopping there? it is like a fourth rate Macy's.
Quote from: buzz86us on September 24, 2019, 07:35:05 PM
how does Boscovs keep opening more stores let alone stay in business... who is shopping there? it is like a fourth rate Macy's.
Easy. It fills that odd area between quality and value when Macy's is too expensive, Target and Kohls don't fit, and Walmart is too cheap. It's customer base is older and loyal, and are being replaced by the next generation behind them too. It's also filling the hole for people who hate online shopping, and there is a market there.
They are known for driving a hard bargain with suppliers, will buy overstocks, and supports the community.
there are two stores near me, and i never see anyone in them plus they are really overpriced
I was driving through Harrisburg, PA the other day and saw they had a store on Gettysburg Pike.
There was a Sears still open not far from it.
Quote from: esw01407 on September 24, 2019, 08:38:59 PM
Quote from: buzz86us on September 24, 2019, 07:35:05 PM
how does Boscovs keep opening more stores let alone stay in business... who is shopping there? it is like a fourth rate Macy's.
Easy. It fills that odd area between quality and value when Macy's is too expensive, Target and Kohls don't fit, and Walmart is too cheap. It's customer base is older and loyal, and are being replaced by the next generation behind them too. It's also filling the hole for people who hate online shopping, and there is a market there.
They are known for driving a hard bargain with suppliers, will buy overstocks, and supports the community.
So its just another lower end department store like Sears lol. They do fit in certain markets in CT, I can see them opening up in Waterford and Waterbury.
Quote from: TRU7536 on September 25, 2019, 05:42:49 PM
Quote from: esw01407 on September 24, 2019, 08:38:59 PM
Quote from: buzz86us on September 24, 2019, 07:35:05 PM
how does Boscovs keep opening more stores let alone stay in business... who is shopping there? it is like a fourth rate Macy's.
Easy. It fills that odd area between quality and value when Macy's is too expensive, Target and Kohls don't fit, and Walmart is too cheap. It's customer base is older and loyal, and are being replaced by the next generation behind them too. It's also filling the hole for people who hate online shopping, and there is a market there.
They are known for driving a hard bargain with suppliers, will buy overstocks, and supports the community.
So its just another lower end department store like Sears lol. They do fit in certain markets in CT, I can see them opening up in Waterford and Waterbury.
But unlike Sears, Boscov's stores tend to be busy, and well-stocked and they have more departments. When I walk into a Sears, I feel a dull energy in the store. JCPenney stores are more presentable than Sears, but I get a feeling of depression in JCP stores.
I really wish Boscov could get into Quakerbridge, Bridgewater Commons and Freehold Raceway solidifying their central NJ presence in the more upscale (but not too upscale) malls there, than being limited to just Monmouth Mall and Woodbridge Center.
We were in the Salisbury, MD Boscov's last Saturday and, like always, it was reasonably busy. Yes, the clientele skews older but there was a mix. Prices, if you shop the sales, can be quite good, and they offer things other stores around town don't. I'm not sure anyone else in town offers what they do when it comes to kitchenware, small appliances, dinnerware/glassware, and perhaps more. It's not all about quantity but quality. That said, they do get their share of chintzy merchandise with a large section of "As Seen on TV" stuff, the bargain room (Salisbury has it upstairs in an auditorium, too. I think they may have had fashion shows there once) and its mostly dollar store items. My wife hesitates to buy clothing or other textiles because of bad experiences with things falling apart. And, get this: on our last visit we were looking for a cake pan and one of them they had in stock was Mainstays---yep, checked the back and they were from Wal*Mart!
Regarding restaurants at Boscov's, Dover, DE has one (or at least they did the last time we were in there, a few years back.) It's hard to believe it would stay that busy.
Quote from: esw01407 on September 16, 2019, 12:43:21 PM
Ones I've seen in person:
Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville
Fairgrounds Square Mall in Reading
Supposedly also has:
4500 Perkiomen Ave Reading, Pennsylvania
We're also several weeks away from the RI Boscov's opening, so the question will be, whats the next store location?
I have been in the following Boscov's and, when they were around, PORTS:
Neshaminy Mall, Bensalem, PA
Plymouth Meeting Mall, Plymouth Meeting, PA
Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees, NJ
Moorestown Mall, Moorestown, NJ
Franklin Mills Mall, Philadelphia PA
Godfrey Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Granite Run Mall, Media, PA
Colonies Center, Albany, NY
Beaver Valley Mall, Monaca, PA
Clearview Mall, Butler, PA
My Mom got me some Maple flavored fudge from Boscov's yesterday. It was so sweet. It was just like drinking from a bottle of maple syrup.
So, the Sears in Montgomery Mall (Montgomeryville, PA) will be closing.
Boscov's once assumed a vacated department store space at Montgomery Mall after macy's and strawbridge's parent companies merged, but it was very short-lived and closed circa 2008 when Boscov had financial woes. It was up against three other department stores, and Boscov's Plymouth Meeting Mall location likely was being siphoned. It decided to stay at Plymouth Meeting where it had less competition and a more established customer base.
Wegmans and Dick's has since replaced that Boscov site in Montgomery Mall and has brought increased and more diversified business in that area. The general area has been growing as well.
I think Boscov's is generally well covered in the Philly suburbs, but a return to this Montgomery mall (and this time in Sears space) would fill a geographic hole, as there is a large distance between Plymouth Meeting Mall and the Lehigh Valley Mall. I also don't think Lansdale/North Wales residents necessarily will drive to Plymouth Meeting Mall, which has fewer stores than Montgomery. I think Montgomery Mall is the closest mall to serve Doylestown.
Another regional mall site is the vacant Sears at Quakerbridge Mall in Lawrenceville, but I think Simon has bigger/better plans for that mall. That mall has an Apple store and is slightly more upscale leaning.
With the Sears and Lord & Taylor closures, there are likely now maybe 5 or so good mall sites for Boscov's to select from in the East for future growth, and it only opens one store a year. Nonetheless, a return to Montgomery Mall might make sense. It's likely not too expensive real estate, like a mall like Tyson's Corner, and still well within the Philly market where it wouldn't have to expand its advertising.
The Salisbury store is undergoing an expansion & remodeling. Retail apocalypse? What retail apocalypse? :)
http://www.wboc.com/story/41284710/salisbury-boscovs-store-expansion-underway
It is interesting that Boscov's wants larger stores while Kohl's wants smaller ones. I wonder if some former Sears or soon to be closed Sears buildings would be too small for Boscov consideration for new stores.
In the Philly area, the Quakerbridge Mall Sears is still vacant with no planned or announced redevelopment for over 15 months and in general would be a good site for Boscov. The mall has macy's, jcpenney and lord & taylor and has destination stores like Apple and Cheesecake Factory. I mentioned also Montgomery Mall Sears which is closing. I just don't know if the square footage of these stores would be suitable. Also, Boscov might not be ready to take on so many locations, but these two would fit well within the Philly DMA.
Boscov's will expand buildings. They announced internally the next location already, if I've guessed right the building is probably going to need another 20,000 sq ft at least.
I wonder if it would be in the chains best interest to hold up for now and wait to see what happens with JCPenney. Macy's might be making some more store decisions in the near future.
That's true. I believe they took 4 additional store fronts on the 1st floor of the Westfield Meriden Square when they took over the former JCP. I think they expanded the former JCP space in Milford, CT too.
Boscov's remains the only major retail tenant in the former Echelon Mall, now Voorhees Town Center. Technically there is still LensCrafters and Bath & Body Works,and Tilt Studio (like Chucke E Cheese), but these are smaller tenants that could move off mall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0SNaLKZnBo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzFZ8K1Z04o
Unlike Boscov's Frederick location which is attached to deadmall, the Frederick store is on a highway with other retail, while in Voorhees, Boscov is part of a dying mall and also one not near a highway.
Boscov's has stores in Moorestown and Deptford, not too far away as well, so in theory, it's even more extraneous. I don't think Boscovs wants to close Voorhees, though. It's a legacy location and it benefits being the only retail in the once known mall, but at some point, the die off of retail from other establishments will hurt Boscov, and if the land was offered to purchase for redevelopment, Boscov might agree to sell the site.
It occured to me that the former Sears Essentials/Kmart in Lawnside might be a good relocation site for Echelon/Voorhees customers/staff.
The former Sears Essentials/Kmart building is in between a new vibrant ShopRite and Hallmark on one side, and on the other there is Petsmart and Home Depot. A Lowes is nearby too. A lot of complementary retail traffic.
The issue is that store is likely just 100,000 sq. foot and would be a downsizing from 2 level Boscov in Voorhees. But they could always redirect customers interested in furniture to Moorestown or Deptford.
Also Voorhees Town Center could be redeveloped for more residential and less retail. The mixed-use idea of VTC is somewhat problematic with a large Boscov and large Boscov parking lot. It'd take a visionary effort though, and there is a difference in townships (Voorhees to Lawnside), although within Camden County.