Pat Catan's to open in Austintown in September

July 7, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

By ROBERT CONNELLY

AUSTINTOWN

Ongoing construction at the Austintown Plaza, 6000 Mahoning Ave., is for a new Pat Catan’s craft store.

That is expected to open in mid- to late September, and there are currently stores of that brand in Niles and Boardman.

“We’re already getting comments that people are thrilled that they are coming in here,” said Martin Solomon, president of Austintown Plaza. “Overall, it’s an indication that the area is improving and ... it will bring more people into the center.

Ray Young, marketing manager for Pat Catan’s, said the store will have a soft opening in late September or sometime in October for new employees to get used to the store before a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“The Greater Youngstown-area is a strong market for us,” Young said. “I think it fulfills any shoppers on the west end of the market.”

He further said there will be between 25 to 35 employees at the craft store. The location will feature custom floral options and a classroom for craft classes, among other normal categories offered by the store chain, Young said.

“We’re looking forward to opening that store and having a larger presence in the market,” he said.

Solomon said he and his company are in talks with more possible tenants for the plaza. That includes talks with “on a deal for another large space” and also the possibility of a “major national tenant to build a new building next to the Regal Cinema.”