Schenectady, N.Y. — The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority today announced that The Costumer will renovate two buildings on Barrett Street in Downtown Schenectady and move its retail store to Mohawk Harbor on Erie Boulevard.
“This project renovates two buildings downtown and brings a destination retail outlet to our waterfront development at Mohawk Harbor,” said Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair.
“Schenectady County is proud to be the home of The Costumer for over one hundred years,” said Schenectady County Legislator Cathy Gatta. “We congratulate them on their expansion and thank The Costumer for their continued support and investment in our community.”
“The Costumer has been a staple in our community for over a century,” said Mayor Gary McCarthy. “We are incredibly excited to welcome their unique and fun retail experience to the waterfront development at Mohawk Harbor.”
The Costumer was founded in 1917. The company has an enormous collection of costumes that are used in professional and school productions all across the United States. The company will upgrade the two buildings on Barrett Street to house its design teams, costume inventory, catalog and e-commerce businesses. Annually, The Costumer supports theatrical productions with over 1,000 schools, television, film, advertising and theater companies. The two buildings to receive upgrades include 1020-1030 and 1031 Barrett Street near the corner of Union Street, a main thoroughfare downtown.
The company’s retail store provides adult and children’s costumes, props, wigs and theatrical makeup year round including a full line of dance footwear and apparel. The Costumer will lease over 7,000 square feet at Mohawk Harbor facing Erie Boulevard. The new retail store will open in August in plenty of time for Halloween. The company’s current retail location in Colonie will close later this year.
Erik Johnsen, owner of The Costumer said, “We are delighted to not only maintain our presence in Schenectady, but also expand it with a superstore at Mohawk Harbor. The Costumer has called Schenectady home for 104 years. Metroplex’s support enables us to preserve that tradition while creating a “shoppertainment” retail experience befitting the attractions, events and community at Mohawk Harbor.”
The Metroplex Board of Directors met this evening and approved $210,000 in funding to support The Costumer project.
Mohawk Harbor is Schenectady’s successful $600 million waterfront development that includes Rivers Casino & Resort, two hotels, restaurants, apartments, condos, amphitheater/performing space, bike trails, tech office space and a wellness facility and urgent care operated by Ellis Medicine. Rivers Casino is the most visited attraction in the Capital Region.
David M. Buicko, CEO of the Galesi Group and developer of Mohawk Harbor said, “We worked closely with Metroplex to bring The Costumer to our waterfront development. The Costumer specializes in fun, holiday events while serving theaters across the United States each day.”
For more information see www.thecostumer.com and www.mohawkharbor.com.