Pocono News Section

Gertrude Hawk Opens New Retail Store in Throop

Gertrude Hawk Opens New Retail Store in Throop - Friday, April 30, 2010 at 04:07AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Friday April 30 2010
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THROOP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Big changes are coming to Gertrude Hawk in Lackawanna County. After closing their first retail store in Dunmore, officials openeda new store Friday afternoon in nearby Throop.

The chocolate was flowing early as workers prepared for the big opening. The new facility is located in the Keystone Industrial Park.

"It is really exciting for us, I mean, this is such a beautiful, beautiful store. It came out better than I had hoped," Dave Hawk said.

The new location replaces Gertrude Hawk's first retail store which was built on East Drinker Street in Dunmore. That store was a local icon. It opened in 1963 before the nearby interstate was even finished.

Workers know the location change is going to be a big adjustment for people.

"They associate Gertrude Hawk with that building but times change and you just have to move on," store manager Nancy Fayocavitz said.

"Sometimes traditions go by the course and they wear themselves out and I think that's the case here. It was just time to move on," Hawk said.

Many long-time customers like Dayton McWilliams didn't know about the move.

"I was coming up here to meet a friend and a fellow bus driver asked me to pick her up some peanut butter smidgens and I came up here and I didn't realize they had moved," McWilliams said. "She's gonna be very disappointed."

But officials say there is nothing to be disappointed with in the new facility. They say it has a lot more space for products and also a lot more storage space in the back room.

"It's an exciting day today. We're really looking forward to being here in this new location. I have a beautiful store," Fayocavitz said.