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Al Boscov takes a tour of his downtown Wilkes-Barre store in 2012.

WILKES-BARRE — Al Boscov said Tuesday that the long-awaited million-dollar renovation of the downtown store will begin in two weeks.

“We’ve had a slight change in design, and that’s the reason for the delay in starting,” Boscov said. “The project will begin on the third floor and the estimate remains at $1 million.”

It’s been one year since Boscov announced the plan to remodel the South Main Street store and customers and employees have been anticipating the project.

Last March, Gary Boyer, Boscov’s senior executive vice president/chief stores officer, said carpeting was going to be installed within a month, but the project never started. Boyer also said shoppers could expect to see brighter lights, new carpeting and flooring, freshly painted walls, some new features, expanded departments and maybe a few new shops.

Ryan Thomas, manager at the Wilkes-Barre Boscov’s, said he has not yet been notified of the start date for the project.

“We were told it would begin in the spring,” Thomas said. “That’s all I know.”

Boscov believer

Mayor Tom Leighton said he appreciates all that Boscov has done for the city and he recognizes the key role the five-level store has played in the city’s revitalization.

“Mr. Boscov has always been very committed to the downtown since I became mayor in 2004,” Leighton said. “I appreciate his investment in this remodeling project and so do all of his customers.”

Leighton said Boscov has stood by the city through its resurgence.

“He has always been a man of his word,” Leighton said of Boscov. “I made a commitment to address the downtown. By Boscov’s staying open, he has saved jobs and created others.”

Leighton said Boscov’s presence in the downtown was a key in attracting the movie theater, Barnes & Noble and other retail and restaurant outlets.

“And with that, every dollar spent downtown creates new tax revenue,” Leighton said.

It’s been more than a year since the remodeling project was announced, and Boyer said Boscov was looking to completely refresh the store. He said Boscov has a special place in his heart for Wilkes-Barre — that he loves the city and wants to truly help the community and make it a better place to shop.

Boscov’s employs about 140 full and part-time people. The building contains 230,000 square feet, which includes sales areas, offices and storage. And Boscov’s boasts a multi-level parkade.

Good news

Larry Newman, executive director of the Diamond City Partnership, stewards of the downtown business community, said the remodeling project at Boscov’s is good news for the entire community.

“It’s very important that Boscov’s has elected to reinvest in their downtown location,” Newman said. “It certainly indicates that Boscov’s sees a future here in downtown Wilkes-Barre.”

Newman said 40 years ago it was uncommon for a city’s downtown not to have a department store.

“But today, it is a rarity to have one in the center of a city,” Newman said.