UPDATE:
Thursday night, the Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association inducted one of the state’s largest retail leaders into the Retail Hall of Fame.
Albert Boscov, leader of Boscov’s, is the first person ever to receive the honor.
CBS 21 was at the ceremony in Reading, and it truly was a historic night.
Current and past governors, business leaders, friends and family joined Al Boscov at the Crowne Plaza in Reading to induct him into the Hall of Fame after decades of not only retail work, but service to the community.
83-year-old Albert Boscov was inducted into the Retail Hall of Fame, making him the first person in history to receive the honor.
Hundreds of people are gathered here to honor Mr. Boscov, along with 3 Governors.
We talked to Albert Thursday evening on his big night.
What does this mean to you after so many years of work?
“I’ll tell you, it’s a really nice honor,” Albert admitted. “But there are a lot of good retailers in Pennsylvania, and I hope all of them end up in the Hall of Fame, but I’m glad to be the first one.”
“He should be the first, he’s the best. There’s no question about it,” exclaimed former Governor Ed Rendell.
Former Governor Ed Rendell, Former Governor Tom Ridge, and Governor Tom Corbett were in attendance, all to honor a man who has made Pennsylvania a better place.
“He is a, truly a citizen of the community and as such, he has demonstrated community citizenship that I hope other businesses would emulate for the future,” Governor Corbett explained.
“He made a huge difference. He made his community a better place to live, to work, to worship, and to shop, of course!” commented former governor Tom Ridge.
“Every time we opened a store we tried to do a lot for the community,” Albert Boscov told us.
Albert Boscov’s father started the store back in 1911 in Reading, and since then, it has grown to more than 40 stores in 5 states.
Boscov hopes that his father would be proud of what he’s done.
“I think I’d like my father to be proud of me,” Albert Boscov explained. “I think that would be a nice legacy. My father was a great guy, wanted to do a lot for the city, and I’m glad I can help.”
Through it all, his friends say he’s an extraordinary individual who doesn’t just care about business, but cares about people.
“His coworkers respect and endure and love him, and he treats his people like family, and he treats his customers like family,” Pennsylvania Retailers Association President and CEO Brian Rider said. “And I think it’s one of the reasons he has been so successful over the decades.”
To his employees and friends, he’s Mister B, and he’s still at it after more than 60 years.
“For the great Al Boscov, let’s stand up and cheer,” Ed Rendell finished.
___________________________________________
One of the largest local retailers in the state is being honored Thursday night.
Albert Boscov, the CEO of Boscov's, is being inducted into the Pennsylvania Retailers' Association Hall of Fame, making him the first person to receive the honor.
The ceremony is set to begin around 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Reading, which is where it all began for Albert Boscov and his family.
Did you Boscov today?
That catch phrase is known throughout the state, asking if you've gone to one of the largest independently owned department stores in Pennsylvania.
83-year-old Albert Boscov will be the first person inducted into the PA Retail Hall of Fame.
It hasn't always been an easy journey to get to where the Boscov Company is now, but it's been worth it.
In 1911, Albert's father, Solomon Boscov, arrived in Reading, purchased eight dollars worth of merchandise, rolled up his sleeves, and started a business by selling items out of a wagon.
Within a year, he had enough money to buy his first store.
What started as a single store in Reading has grown to 40 stores in five states.
Those stores include locations in Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Dauphin and Cumberland Counties, and Boscov's shows no signs of slowing down.
Through Al's leadership, the company has survived fires; it has come back from bankruptcy, and now is thriving as much as it ever has.
To his employees and friends, he's Mr. B, and he's still at it after more than 60 years.
Hosting the event will be Governor Corbett, along with former Governor’s Ed Rendell and Tom Ridge.
We'll bring you more from inside the event at 10 and 11 on CBS 21.
Thursday night, the Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association inducted one of the state’s largest retail leaders into the Retail Hall of Fame.
Albert Boscov, leader of Boscov’s, is the first person ever to receive the honor.
CBS 21 was at the ceremony in Reading, and it truly was a historic night.
Current and past governors, business leaders, friends and family joined Al Boscov at the Crowne Plaza in Reading to induct him into the Hall of Fame after decades of not only retail work, but service to the community.
83-year-old Albert Boscov was inducted into the Retail Hall of Fame, making him the first person in history to receive the honor.
Hundreds of people are gathered here to honor Mr. Boscov, along with 3 Governors.
We talked to Albert Thursday evening on his big night.
What does this mean to you after so many years of work?
“I’ll tell you, it’s a really nice honor,” Albert admitted. “But there are a lot of good retailers in Pennsylvania, and I hope all of them end up in the Hall of Fame, but I’m glad to be the first one.”
“He should be the first, he’s the best. There’s no question about it,” exclaimed former Governor Ed Rendell.
Former Governor Ed Rendell, Former Governor Tom Ridge, and Governor Tom Corbett were in attendance, all to honor a man who has made Pennsylvania a better place.
“He is a, truly a citizen of the community and as such, he has demonstrated community citizenship that I hope other businesses would emulate for the future,” Governor Corbett explained.
“He made a huge difference. He made his community a better place to live, to work, to worship, and to shop, of course!” commented former governor Tom Ridge.
“Every time we opened a store we tried to do a lot for the community,” Albert Boscov told us.
Albert Boscov’s father started the store back in 1911 in Reading, and since then, it has grown to more than 40 stores in 5 states.
Boscov hopes that his father would be proud of what he’s done.
“I think I’d like my father to be proud of me,” Albert Boscov explained. “I think that would be a nice legacy. My father was a great guy, wanted to do a lot for the city, and I’m glad I can help.”
Through it all, his friends say he’s an extraordinary individual who doesn’t just care about business, but cares about people.
“His coworkers respect and endure and love him, and he treats his people like family, and he treats his customers like family,” Pennsylvania Retailers Association President and CEO Brian Rider said. “And I think it’s one of the reasons he has been so successful over the decades.”
To his employees and friends, he’s Mister B, and he’s still at it after more than 60 years.
“For the great Al Boscov, let’s stand up and cheer,” Ed Rendell finished.
___________________________________________
One of the largest local retailers in the state is being honored Thursday night.
Albert Boscov, the CEO of Boscov's, is being inducted into the Pennsylvania Retailers' Association Hall of Fame, making him the first person to receive the honor.
The ceremony is set to begin around 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Reading, which is where it all began for Albert Boscov and his family.
Did you Boscov today?
That catch phrase is known throughout the state, asking if you've gone to one of the largest independently owned department stores in Pennsylvania.
83-year-old Albert Boscov will be the first person inducted into the PA Retail Hall of Fame.
It hasn't always been an easy journey to get to where the Boscov Company is now, but it's been worth it.
In 1911, Albert's father, Solomon Boscov, arrived in Reading, purchased eight dollars worth of merchandise, rolled up his sleeves, and started a business by selling items out of a wagon.
Within a year, he had enough money to buy his first store.
What started as a single store in Reading has grown to 40 stores in five states.
Those stores include locations in Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Dauphin and Cumberland Counties, and Boscov's shows no signs of slowing down.
Through Al's leadership, the company has survived fires; it has come back from bankruptcy, and now is thriving as much as it ever has.
To his employees and friends, he's Mr. B, and he's still at it after more than 60 years.
Hosting the event will be Governor Corbett, along with former Governor’s Ed Rendell and Tom Ridge.
We'll bring you more from inside the event at 10 and 11 on CBS 21.