Craft store Michaels moving to Towne Center

One of Watertown's craft stores will move next to Old Navy in the Towne Center Plaza.

Michaels will move to an 18,000-square-foot space, said COR Development Co. President Steven F. Aiello. COR runs Towne Center on outer Arsenal Street.

"To leave one center and move to another shows the company's long-term commitment to the market," Mr. Aiello said.

Michaels has been in Price Chopper Plaza since 2001. Nigro Companies, Albany, bought Price Chopper Plaza in August.

Vice President Steven J. Powers said the store still has a few years on its lease.

"We'll be looking for a suitable replacement," he said. "We did a bunch of work around there after we bought it."

Mr. Aiello said the move will happen in late spring or early summer.

He also said Shoot N' Score Lacrosse and Hockey Sporting Goods Store will open in the plaza Friday. The store covers about 2,000 square feet and sits next to Sally's Beauty Supply near Panera Bread.

"Despite the sluggish economy, we're very pleased with the leasing progress in the center," Mr. Aiello said.

"We're signing new deals, which speaks well to the local economy."