WYOMISSING, Pa. - Boscov's is celebrating its 110th anniversary.
"110 years is a wonderful thing to be celebrating," said Boscov's CEO & chairman, Jim Boscov.
Boscov grew up in the retail business.
He recalls memories from his youth, and stories from long before of the company's origins, beginning with his grandfather who came to the U.S. from Russia in 1914.
"He started peddling through Lancaster County and Berks County," Boscov said.
His first store was on North 9th Street in Reading.
Boscov's chairman and CEO, Jim Boscov
"He had ultimately bought out the dry goods store that had staked him and it was a small, attached home," explained Boscov. "As business got better, he would buy the house next door, knock a hole in the wall and, bingo, they had a dress department."
Over the company's 110-year history, that one store has grown into multiple and changed and blossomed into what it is today.
"The truth is, I learned a lot from my grandfather," said Boscov. "My grandfather really established the core values. He was an honest guy. He offered products that were a good value."
When many retailers are closing stores, Boscov's is planning to open a 51st location.
Boscov says the company's core values are what keep it flourishing.
Boscov's at Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing
"The fact that we're a family-owned, privately-owned, business makes all the difference in the world because it means that we know who we're working for," said Boscov. "We don't care about the stock market, we're not in business to make our shareholders rich. We can make decisions that are good for the customer."
The family always believed in truly being a part of the community.
"We try very hard to be meeting with non-profit groups and providing support where we can," Boscov said. "Sometimes it's merchandise, sometimes it's the proceeds of a sale, sometimes it's an outright donation, sometimes it's a place for them to tell their story. But we think that's what a family-owned, small town department store should be."
They are celebrating the 110th anniversary with a number of extraordinary deals, treats and nostalgia starting this weekend. Many of the resources are limited and will sell out quickly.
