Sen. James Skoufis (D-N.Y.) lauded the ongoing redevelopments in Middletown during a tour of a new downtown department store on Nov. 29.
Called “New Middletown,” the store opened on Nov. 17 at the former Tompkins Department Store building on North Street, which was once a busy regional shopping corridor before the downturn of the former railroad city during the second half of the 20th century.
“I wasn’t old enough at the time, but my parents and my grandparents yearn for the days of having department stores like this,” Mr. Skoufis said during the store tour. “To see this in Middletown and to be part of the continued renaissance that is happening in this city is rewarding for me.”
Mr. Skoufis represents most of Orange County, including the City of Middletown.
The store’s first level features exclusive merchandise from Shen Yun Collections and Shen Yun Dancer, including handbags, jewelry, scarves, clothing, and home goods.
Everyday products locally made in the United States and thoughtfully sourced from around the world are on display on the second floor, including a special holiday gift section.
According to New Middletown Marketing Director Sammie Song, the store’s main goal is to revive a lost shopping tradition and bring the community together.
During the tour, Mr. Skoufis presented a certification of recognition to New Middletown CEO Lili Zhou and attributed part of Middletown’s revival to the growing Chinese American community.
“To see the Chinese American community grow in Middletown and western Orange County, to see the contributions that come with it, and to see the investments and the contribution happening in just a few short years from your community is incredible,” he said.
“The renaissance that is happening in the City of Middletown—I will tell you; the mayor will tell you; and anyone will tell you—is in large part thanks to your contributions.”
Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano told The Epoch Times that the Asian community was behind several major investments in recent years, including the budding education institutions Northern Academy of the Arts and Fei Tian College, the new headquarters of the tech firm Gan Jing World on Fulton Street, and the construction of a state-of-the-art cosmetic surgical center by SY Aesthetics.
That—combined with private investments from other sources and communities, the development of the Heritage Trail, and the $10 million downtown revitalization state grant—has driven the Middletown revival, he said.
Ms. Zhou told The Epoch Times that she appreciated the support of Mr. Skoufis and Mr. DeStefano and looked forward to working with everyone to make the city better for all.
The store plans to revive a popular tradition of the former Tompkins Department Store in December by featuring a joyful Santa Claus greeting visitors at the center staircase.
