A women”™s clothing manufacturer and boutique retailer will relocate its manufacturing space from midtown Manhattan to downtown Yonkers, backed by tax incentives from the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency, Yonkers city officials announced on Tuesday.
The move by Leggiadro International Inc. will bring 20 skilled workers to the city at an average yearly salary of $70,000, according to city officials. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, who also chairs the city IDA, called the Manhattan company”™s relocation “a clear signal that we are appealing to an ever wider variety of businesses.”
Yonkers officials said Leggiadro is purchasing 65 Main St., a 16,000-square-foot building at the corner of Main Street and Market Place, for use as a factory, cutting room, warehouse, design offices and an outlet store. The four-story building has one retail tenant, Rubin Brothers Paint & Wallpaper Co. Inc, and artist residences.
Leggiadro is purchasing the building for $1.65 million and expects to invest another $1.4 million in construction, furnishings and equipment. The Yonkers IDA board at its Tuesday meeting approved a mortgage tax exemption of $20,700 for the company and a sales tax exemption on construction materials estimated at $48,575. The company will also receive a limited property tax abatement.
The company plans to renovate the building in phases and complete the project in three years.
Founded by former fashion editor Ann Ross, Leggiadro sells its clothing line in 13 boutiques nationwide.
The development is good for Yonkers. It says something about how we are changing and progressing as a City. People are seeking out our real estate…but you have to get your facts straight. What is interesting is that the building was historically a garment factory and is returning to its roots. It might be interesting to have something historical on the building that references its past.