- Northern New York Newspapers
- Watertown Daily Times
- The Journal
- Daily Courier-Observer
- NNY Ads
- NNY Business
- NNY Living
- Malone Telegram
MASSENA Grandmothers Attic is opening in the former Clopmans Furniture store downtown.
The new, used and consignment furniture store had rented a space on East Orvis Street, according to Manager Jennifer L. Parker.
Earlier this year, Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena board member Crista Makdouli told Ms. Parker of an opportunity to own her own building with a storied past downtown at 20 Main St. Ms. Parker said she purchased the building from the Clopman family at an excellent price.
The store will also offer odds and ends, handmade curtains, floral arrangements and holiday merchandise. Ms. Parker also plans to offer ceramics classes in one of the former rooms.
She said she also plans on renting out rooms to other retail vendors and offering a variety of low-to-high-end inventory.
Weve got the space. Were trying to fill it with the items Massena needs, she said.
Clopmans co-managers Frank and Miriam Catapano decided to retire last spring and shut the Main Street store after 83 years.
Mrs. Catapanos grandfather, Louis Clopman, opened the store on Water Street in 1929 after emigrating from Eastern Europe. Her father, Harry, 97, ran it for decades, as did her brother, Joseph, who retired in 2008. Mr. and Mrs. Catapano began working there 20 years ago.
Clopmans was one of the last holdouts from a once-bustling business district. But now, Ms. Parker said she looks forward to making a go of it downtown. She moved in much of her merchandise at the end of July and plans to be fully operational by October.
I think its going to be a lot busier location, she said. Thats what were hoping for, anyways.
In the meantime, she is welcoming customers in on Main Street as she works out the final details for the store.
Its kind of a one deal at a time deal now, she said.
She praised Mr. and Mrs. Catapano and Harry Clopman for their assistance in selling the building, which she said they kept in excellent shape over the years.