The excitement generated by Thursday’s long-awaited opening of the Valley’s newest retail department store was palpable.

How could it not be? Delayed only by a worldwide pandemic, the new retailer’s grand opening is finally upon us. Thousands of shoppers turned out Thursday, waiting in a line that stretched along the front of the Eastwood Mall’s exterior — in multiple directions. Shoppers filled the aisles of the store all day long.

Boscov’s opening day was one of the most unique we’ve seen through the years for a few different reasons.

First, it seems that Boscov’s had made our Mahoning Valley the home to the only department store opening this year in a new market in the entire nation!

That was made possible, in large part, by the strong relationship that has blossomed between the families that own and operate both Niles-based Cafaro Company and Reading, Pa.-based Boscov’s department store.

Jim Boscov, company CEO, recently told our business writer Ron Selak Jr. that in the case of dealing with the Cafaros, who also operate a family-run business, they have “clicked.”

The relationship between the two companies started several years ago when the Cafaro Company was among a group of private investors that purchased an equity position in Boscov’s during its bankruptcy. The deal was if Boscov’s emerged from bankruptcy successfully, it would open a store at a Cafaro Company property.

The transaction was fully a business proposition, a way to keep Cafaro Company from becoming overexposed as other large retailers started to slump. Through their dealings, they began to realize the two companies share similar traits that have led to their successes. Among them, both are family-owned and privately held, which makes them loyal to the customer, not stockholders.

Certainly, the relationship that included extending a helping hand, followed by promises kept, should be respected.

The new retailer’s opening here also should make us all very proud. After all, how often does the Mahoning Valley lead the nation in an economic development endeavor?

Along with the enormous investment in our Valley, the new store brought some 250 jobs, too.

Also helping to make the store unique is its incredible size.

The 180,000-square-foot store occupies the space vacated by Sears along with much of the mall’s entire west wing, where smaller in-line stores were once located, making Boscov’s the largest store in Eastwood Mall.

Finally, this week’s opening was also noteworthy because of the way the company made good on vows we often hear from businesses about “giving back” to the community.

Shoppers wanting to be among the first to experience Boscov’s on Thursday’s opening day could do so for a modest $5 charitable donation. Those funds will be channeled to local charities and philanthropic causes that had been invited to pre-register for the giving event. Jim Boscov told our reporter the goal was to generate at least $100,000, or more, in donations.

Bravo! While that figure, theoretically, represents dollars that could have been spent in his store, the donations instead will go to the area’s needy and important causes.

Generous shoppers were more than willing to make the donation for this good cause. We knew they would, considering that the Valley is known for its hard-working and generous residents.

Shoppers also weren’t hesitating to get started on their early holiday shopping, crowding into the aisles with shopping carts full of Boscov’s merchandise.

Jim Boscov said his store is committed to doing this grand opening right. Anthony Cafaro, co-president of Cafaro Company, says the store will help secure Eastwood Mall as a destination for the entire Mahoning Valley, as well as Pennsylvania’s Shenango Valley.

We have no doubt that Boscov’s quickly will become an important staple in the makeup and offerings of our Mahoning Valley. We are thrilled to welcome Boscov’s to our community.

editorial@vindy.com

SCRIPTURE

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NASB