SYRACUSE - Seven months after a devastating fire struck it, Hanover Square retailer Koolakian & Manro Menswear held a grand re-opening ceremony Wed. Sept. 17 to formally mark the store's return.

"When the fire hit, we had some tough decisions to make about the future of our business," Ed Koolakian and Charlie Manro, said in a statement. "The people of this community made that decision much easier."

To recognize Koolakian & Manro's grand re-opening, Syracuse Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll presided over ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the store with the owners and other patrons who attended the event.

Mayor Driscoll noted that Koolakian & Manro Menswear has been an institution in downtown Syracuse for over 100 years. He also expressed gratitude to the Downtown Committee, the Syracuse police and fire departments, local businesses, and the volunteers who helped Koolakian and Manro the day of the fire and while they were displaced.

On Feb. 8, a fire hit Koolakian & Marro Menswear, requiring extensive rehabilitation and restoration of the store. J. Santoro Construction, LLC of Syracuse completed, the renovation work, which was covered almost 100 percent by insurance, Ed Koolakian says in an interview. After four months in a temporary retail space in the State Tower Building, the menswear store returned to a completely refurbished store and all new merchandise, reopening for business on June 9. Koolakian declined to disclose revenue figures for his business.

Koolakian's was founded in 1905 by Ed Koolakian's grandfather. Koolakian & Manro says it is the oldest menswear store in Central New York and the fourth oldest retailer following Hendrick's Photo, Lemp Jewelers, and Smith Restaurant Supply.

Koolakian's has been located in Hanover Square since 1957.

In 2001, the business merged with Charles H. Manro Menswear to become Koolakian & Marro Menswear.

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