Boscov?s just wants to be part of the family. A Reading, Pa.-based business, Boscov?s Department Stores Inc. moved to the Baltimore region officially last Oct. 28. Taking up locations in three former Macy?s, the newstores have no desire to put their competition out of business. Boscov?s goal is to create its own niche and its own dedicated consumer base.
“We felt this was the right opportunity to give Baltimoreans an option when it comes to their choice of department stores,” said Kenneth Lakin, the chairman and chief executive officer of Boscov?s Inc.
As part of a previous deal with Federated Department Stores Inc., Boscov?s received 10 stores spread throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. These locations included Baltimore-area stores in Owings Mills, Marley Station and White Marsh.
“Boscov?s is a wonderful addition to our regional shopping choices,” said Fronda Cohen, marketing and communications director for Baltimore County Economic Development. “They complement our local neighborhood shops as well as our larger national retailers.”
Despite a good reception generally with Maryland consumers ? and a positive reaction from many locals ? Lakin acknowledges he was a little surprised with the mixed reaction he received from some shoppers.
“If there is one thing we didn?t understand, it was how loyal Baltimoreans had become to the Hecht name and the Hecht store,” Lakin said of the chain that is now known as Macy?s. “Going to school in Washington, I understand a little bit about the domination of the Hecht department store group in the area.”
But a little competition just means that Lakin is looking forward to the challenge.
“Whatever it is, something seemed to rub people the wrong way, and that was built over time,” Lakin said. “We are committed to building loyalty for Boscov?s over time, and we know we have a lot of work to do to become the hometown store of Baltimore.”
As for future expansion in Maryland, Lakin cites the closing of the Federated deal as a reason people can expect Boscov?s to lay low this year.
But “we are looking for communities that are growing, and Maryland definitely has communities that are growing,” Lakin said.
