Exeter >> The announcement came late Friday evening: Albert Boscov, Pennsylvania’s iconic retailer – leader of the department store chain that bears his family name – had passed away at 87.
Boscov’s death came a little more than one week after he sent a letter to employees announcing that he was battling terminal cancer. He passed away at home, surrounded by his wife Eunice and his three daughters.
The announcement of Boscov’s death was made “with profound sadness” by his nephew Jim Boscov, CEO and vice chairman of Boscov’s Department Store LLC.
“Albert Boscov was truly one of the giants in the retail industry,” Jim Boscov said in the statement. “He was a man of vision and passion and he had a profound influence on the retail business community and the community at large.”
On Friday, the company’s Facebook page posted a note from Boscov thanking the public for the well-wishes that had been sent since the announcement.
“I’ve been amazed at the amount of wonderful notes that you’ve sent and I know I don’t deserve them, but I certainly enjoyed them. You’re a wonderful group of people that have been part of my family for 87 years and I’m most proud of all of you. Love, Al,” the post read.
As word began to spread about Boscov’s passing Friday night, reaction in the form of statements and social media posts quickly followed.
“While Albert was well-known as a retailer and a driving force behind several projects in downtown Reading, he should be equally remembered for his work as a humanitarian. He helped – actually helped, and not just allowed – organizations to hold food and clothing drives, bake sales, and other events at his stores,” Kevin K. Murphy, Berks County Community Foundation president, said in a statement. “He established a ‘Friends Helping Friends’ program for nonprofits to sell coupons for his stores, with all ticket sales going directly to the nonprofits. He gave financial support to many causes, including the Penn State Berks Thun Library and Genesius Theatre, and he even performed for Genesius as Tevye from “Fiddler on the Roof.”
“His philanthropic spirit is why he was named in 1993 as recipient of the Thun Award, which honors those dedicated to improving the quality of life in Berks County. He was a friend, mentor and supporter for a generation of community leaders.”
Reading GoggleWorks Executive Director Levi Landis posted on Facebook Friday: “Tonight the GoggleWorks family mourns the loss of our co-founder and visionary Albert Boscov. We extend our warmest comforts to his family, including his extended family at Boscov’s and the numerous nonprofits, organizations, and communities he reached with his legendary charm and brilliance. His life is truly an inspiration and from it the world now has a little more beauty, art, trust, friendship … and candy. Thank you Mr. Boscov.”
The Reading Royals hockey team also posted on Facebook Friday: “Tonight we say goodbye to a Reading legend. Mr. Boscov, you gave this city so much pride with the continued love you provided. Thanks for believing in us and being a driving force in the creation of the great arena we play in! You will be SORELY missed. We will try to pick up the torch and carry it forward in your honor. Our hope is to be a part of something you’d be proud of. We love you and we will miss you. – Royals Nation”
On Saturday, Jim Boscov told Digital First Media that he has been hearing from people in the days since the first announcement was made – people who have shared memories about how Boscov had personally affected them over the years.
“We’ve been hearing just one thing after another. He lived his life doing good things for people – not just good business. He will be remembered for being more than just the world’s best merchant,” Boscov said, adding that the company will continue to build on the legacy of Albert Boscov. “I am very comforted by the fact that his energy and spirit has gotten infused into his whole family here. We have a formula that works – a successful formula – and we will continue his legacy and build on it.”
On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., tweeted: “Saddened to hear of Al Boscov’s passing. He was a terrific leader and community partner. My condolences to the family.”
State Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, tweeted: “Admired, respected and loved by customers and co-workers alike. We will miss you greatly #Albert Boscov. May you Rest in Peace.”
Albert Boscov’s indomitable spirit – he was working at home until Tuesday, according to Jim Boscov – was focused on the success of the company, its customers and co-workers; and it was focused on his community. He led the company in growth and returned the company to prosperity after a bankruptcy in 2008.
Boscov’s is now largest family-owned department store chain in the nation, with 45 stores in seven states, employing more than 7,500 co-workers. In addition to his business skill, Boscov is known for his philanthropy and his commitment to the redevelopment of the City of Reading.
Where it all began
Boscov was born in 1929, the youngest son of Solomon and Ethel Boscov. Boscov’s Department store originally started as a mobile business in 1914, with Solomon taking merchandise to the end of the trolley line and walking from farm to farm – selling to farmers and sleeping in their barns. He opened his first brick and mortar store in 1918 – at Ninth and Pike streets in Reading.
In an interview with Digital First Media in 2014 to commemorate the company’s 100th anniversary, Boscov said he wanted to work in the store by the time he was 6 years old, adding that he learned much by watching his father work.
“He was a very remarkable person – in the sense that he was concerned for others … He would try his best to help when he could,” Albert said during that interview.
Boscov is a graduate of Reading High School and graduated from Drexel University with a business degree. He officially joined the company in 1954, after serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
The original store at Ninth and Pike streets was renovated and enlarged, and the company began to expand.
In 1962 Boscov’s West opened in Sinking Spring, followed in 1965 by Boscov’s North. The original Reading store was lost in a fire in 1966, but in November 1967, Boscov’s East opened in Exeter. On that same day of celebrating a new store, came word the Boscov’s West store had caught fire. Within one year, however, a new Boscov’s was opened on the same site.
Boscov became co-president of the company, along with his brother-in-law Edwin Lakin in 1969, following the death of Solomon Boscov. The pair began adding auditoriums to stores, festivals and created the still-used “Did You Boscov Today?”
Boscov began bringing Hollywood legends to play the store auditoriums and appear at store openings. Dorothy Lamour, Henny Youngman, Rita Moreno, Mickey Rooney, Cyd Charisse, Morey Amsterdam, Sophia Loren – all made appearances.
“They were just as talented, but Hollywood didn’t want them anymore,” he said in 2014. “As word got around, we started to pick up quite a number of people.”
The Boscov’s chain continued its expansion in Pennsylvania before expanding to New York, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. By 2005 the chain had 39 stores doing more than $1 billion in sales.
A time of transition
In 2006, Boscov and Lakin decided to retire. Retirement did not mean Boscov stopped working, however. He continued his civic and philanthropic work.
He founded and led the nonprofit Our City Reading Inc. to assist the city to restore abandoned homes. Under his leadership more than 600 families had the opportunity to own and live in a new home. He led the effort to equip a Senior Citizens Center in downtown Reading and in 2006 he opened the GoggleWorks, the nation’s largest center for the arts. In 2016 he opened the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Reading.
In addition, Boscov’s hosts non-profit programs that generate more than $600,000 a year for thousands of very worthy organizations.
Shortly after Boscov and Lakin retired, the chain, under the direction of Kenneth Lakin – Edwin’s son and Albert’s nephew – purchased 10 mall locations from Federated Department Stores.
“They didn’t have the financing for that. Maybe if everything had gone perfectly it would have been all right,” Boscov said in 2014. “But it didn’t. The economy tanked just about then and they went into bankruptcy and were going to be liquidated.”
Boscov said he was embarrassed by the Chapter 11 bankruptcy and felt he had let customers, suppliers and co-workers down.
He and Edwin Lakin put together a $305 million deal to buy the business back, and in December 2008, Boscov sat in a courtroom in Delaware – offering the only bid for the company. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2009.
In 2013, Boscov was inducted into the Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association Hall of Fame – the organization’s first inductee.
In 2015, Boscov made the decision to step out of the CEO role once again, naming company Vice Chairman Jim Boscov as CEO. Albert Boscov continued to hold the title of chairman.
Boscov’s burial will be private. A public memorial service will be announced at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to memoriesofal@boscovs.com.
To see a video of an interview with Albert Boscov as the company celebrated its 100th anniversary, click here.
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