Judy Skolnik, the soon to be retiring owner of Coatesville’s popular Army & Navy store, sees a bright future for the city’s downtown, writes Mike McGann for The Times of Chester County.

A mainstay of the region, the family owned and managed business has seen the highs and the lows of the area’s progress over the store’s 90 year presence in the heart of the city. Skolnik has decided to retire while her health and the business are in great shape. However, she believes the next few years will bring a long overdue redevelopment of Coatesville’s downtown.

With plans underway to renovate some of the stunning old buildings adjacent to the store and the upcoming new train station, she feels the city is ready for a sustained period of strong economic growth.

With malls such as Granite Run and Exton Square struggling, the popularity of downtown’s in towns and cities across the region is on the rise. This renaissance is already happening in West Chester, Phoenixville and Kennett Square and Skolnik expects that Coatesville is about to start its own.

In fact, by retiring now, she hopes that a young and passionate person will take over the store to expand its marketing and internet retailing presence to keep pace with the expected explosion in growth.

“I am extremely happy that Coatesville is coming into its own again,” she enthused.

Read more about Judy Skolnik at The Times of Chester County here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the city here.