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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — The comeback continues.

Children’s retailer Carter’s/OshKosh has reopened at the Arena Hub Plaza, said Robert Tamburro, whose company owns the complex.

Tamburro said the business reopened Thursday.

The news also comes as Tovon & Co. Diamonds, displaced from its storm-damaged location in the adjacent Wilkes-Barre Township Commons, has relocated to the Back Mountain.

Tamburro, trustee and general partner of TFP Limited — owners of the Arena Hub Plaza — said many of his tenant businesses were severely damaged by the June 13 EF2 tornado, which packed winds of up to 130 mph.

He owns the buildings that house Dick’s Sporting Goods, TJ Maxx, Barnes & Noble, Staples, PetSmart and Carter’s/OshKosh — none have been condemned, but all incurred severe damage.

Commons in limbo

Stores that were located in the Wilkes-Barre Township Commons plaza have yet to learn if the property owner there will rebuild.

The buildings were severely damaged and have been condemned to be demolished. The owner of the property is Urban Edge Properties of Paramus, N.J.

Hardest hit was the building that housed Panera Bread, Tovon & Co., America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, LA Nails, Sneaker King, GameStop and Famous Footwear.

Robert Minutoli, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Urban Edge, has declined to comment on the status of the Wilkes-Barre Township Commons or offer a status report on whether any of the businesses affected by the tornado would return.

Other buildings in the Commons are Smokey Bones, Petco, The Dress Barn, Marshall’s, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Catherine’s and Target. They were largely spared damage and reopened within days.

Tovon relocates

Tommy Van Scoy, Jr., owner and president of Tovon and Co., said that he has leased a new store in the Dallas Shopping Center. He said the building is being remodeled and he expects to be open within a month or two.

“We are taking appointments for engagement rings, wedding bands and any type of custom jewelry,” Van Scoy said. “We will meet customers at the new store to go over details.”

Customers can call 570-970-2700 to make an appointment, Van Scoy said.

Van Scoy said he has not heard anything from Urban Edge regarding their plans for the Wilkes-Barre Commons site. He said he was the only business that was not part of a large chain.

“We had to do something,” Van Scoy said. “So we decided to relocate and it worked out perfectly for us. We began our business in the Dallas Shopping Center in 1992. This is like coming home for us.”

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_web1_TTL061315newstores-3.jpg.optimal.jpgTimes Leader file

By Bill O’Boyle

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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.