New Broadway Location for Villa Italia Bakery brings Commercial Baking/Retail Operation to Proctor’s Entertainment District and 40 New Jobs Downtown
Precision Industrial to Relocate and Build new 7,500 Square Foot Facility on Erie Boulevard Retaining 41 Jobs and Creating 10 new jobs
Schenectady, N.Y. — Schenectady County and City officials today joined with Metroplex to announce plans by the Mallozzi Family to invest over $2 million in a renovation of 226 Broadway in downtown Schenectady transforming a partially vacant building into a major commercial bakery and retail coffee/pastry shop in the fast growing Proctor’s Entertainment District creating 40 new jobs downtown. The current owner of 226 Broadway, Precision Industrial, will relocate to a new 7,500 square foot building that will be constructed on Erie Boulevard retaining 41 jobs and adding 10 new jobs in the City.
Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “This is another sign of the growing confidence that the business community places in our efforts to rebuild downtown Schenectady. When you have proven, well established and highly regarded entrepreneurs like Angelo Mazzone and the Mallozzi Family making multi-million investments downtown, it sends a signal that Schenectady’s long hoped for recovery downtown is finally happening as a result of the unified and pro-active economic development strategy put in place by County leaders in cooperation with the City and Metroplex. This latest announcement brings to over $67 million the amount of new investment coming to Schenectady County since we put in place this unified economic development structure just seven months ago.”
Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “My warmest welcome to the Mallozzi Family as they make this important investment and expansion in downtown Schenectady. The Mallozzi name is synonymous with quality. We are building a downtown entertainment district anchored by Proctor’s and by high-quality technology and retail operations. The Mallozzi’s investment and the important decision by Precision Industrial to stay in the City represents the 9th new building added to the tax rolls this year and the 6th building to be substantially renovated increasing the tax base in the City. This project represents another major win and keeps the sense of momentum we have going with the new leadership at Metroplex and at the County working in full partnership with the City and our delegation in Albany. We are presenting potential developers with a united front and a completely professional approach which is why Schenectady is winning again.”
State Senator Hugh T. Farley said, “It’s as important to keep the jobs we now have, as it is to attract new jobs. Today’s announcement does both – it keeps two important businesses in Schenectady County, while enabling them to expand and create added jobs. I salute Schenectady’s economic development team for helping our existing tax-paying businesses, as well as attracting new ones. I was pleased to be able to re-program Senate funds to assist with this project.”
Assemblyman Paul D. Tonko said, “This announcement is exciting news for downtown Schenectady and Schenectady County. The Mallozzi’s expansion is our expansion. This latest success from a very industrious family that has, through its own immigrant dream come true, experienced a great expansion of
their business in the last few decades. The relocation of Precision Industrial and Villa Italia is a back-to-back shot in the arm for the revitalization of the downtown Schenectady economy.
The Mallozzi Family currently operates the Villa Italia Bakery in Rotterdam. The current site has been purchased to accommodate expanded parking for a nearby church. The Mallozzis considered sites in several major retail areas of the Capital Region before selecting downtown Schenectady. The Mallozzi Family will purchase 226 Broadway and completely renovate the building investing over $2 million to equip and fit-out the new structure. Over 5,000 square feet will be used to house a commercial bakery which serves Mallozzi Family restaurants, retail outlets and a successful mail order business. In addition, over 1,500 square feet of space will be used as a pastry shop and coffee bar serving office workers downtown and pre- and post-theater crowds at Proctor’s. The bakery will retain 29 jobs in the County and create 11 new jobs.
Robert Mallozzi said, “We’re proud to join in the rebirth of downtown Schenectady. The energy and optimism here are very tangible and exciting. We applaud Metroplex and County and City leaders for creating the conditions for a revival of the business climate here. Our family has been committed to serving our neighbors for generations and we look forward to sharing in the success of downtown. This economic development project will produce extraordinary benefits, for two vital and expanding companies and our employees, for the growing arts and entertainment district around Proctor’s and the city and county.”
Robert T. Farley, Minority Leader of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “This is another exciting announcement to demonstrate the incremental progress that is transforming the State Street arts and entertainment district of downtown Schenectady. The Mallozzi Family is widely famous for their quality, customer service and creativity. This is a wonderful new location for them, and we thank them for their ongoing commitment to the community. Small and family owned businesses are the backbone of our economy, and like the Mallozzi’s, we need to help promote their growth and success.”
Precision Industrial will relocate operations from 226 Broadway to a site on Erie Boulevard that formerly housed the Callanan Industries Plant. Precision Industrial will construct a 7,500 square foot building, retaining 41 jobs in the City and creating 10 new jobs with a total investment of $500,000.
Todd Kilburn, President of Precision Industrial said, “Our Company provides environmental services to clients throughout the Northeast. We are pleased to cooperate in this economic development project that will result in a re-use of our existing building and the construction of a new building for our company on Erie Boulevard. We look forward to continued growth in Schenectady and we appreciate the pro-active efforts for the economic development team in Schenectady that worked with us to encourage our growth within the City.”
City Council President Frank Maurizio said, “We are rebuilding our downtown at the same time we build the tax base with quality companies like Villa Italia and Precision Industrial. This is another important step forward for our City.”
Ray Gillen, Chairman of Metroplex said, “We are pleased that Schenectady’s pro-active economic development effort has landed two companies and in the process saved a historical building downtown. My thanks to the County Legislature, Mayor Stratton and many City Department heads who were involved in this project, Senator Farley, Assemblyman Tonko and the Metroplex Board for their strong support of this project and many other ongoing initiatives that will help to reshape the future of our downtown while we lay the groundwork for smart growth in the remainder the County.”
In return for their commitment to invest in Schenectady, the Villa Italia Bakery is eligible to apply for a $400,000 loan from Metroplex. Senator Farley is supporting the project by redirecting façade funding that his office provided to the City several years ago, that was not spent on other projects, to support the renovation of facades at 266 Broadway. This funding totals over $180,000.
Precision Industrial is eligible to apply for a Metroplex loan of $205,000 and a $20,000 relocation grant.
More information can be found at www.villaitaliabakery.com and www.malozzis.com.