FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact: Matt Schow SVP, Marketing & eBusiness
Astor & Black Custom Clothiers announces relocation of corporate headquarters to Pembroke Pines, Florida that will add new jobs and capital investment.
May 7, 2012 - Pembroke Pines, Florida: Astor & Black Custom Clothiers, a leading direct to consumer clothing company for men and women, announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Columbus, Ohio to Pembroke Pines, Florida in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.
Florida Governor Rick Scott, Enterprise Florida, the City of Pembroke Pines and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Council worked closely with Astor & Black officials to attract the company’s headquarters to Pembroke Pines. Astor & Black will create 62 high paying jobs with an average salary in excess of 200% of the local Broward County average wage. The company will be leasing approximately 22,000 square feet of space at the Miami Herald Building located at 2010 NW 150th Avenue, Pembroke Pines, Florida, and invest $1.475 million in capital expenditures for construction & renovation, leasehold improvements and purchase of IT software, computer equipment, furniture, fixtures and other equipment over a 3 year period. The state and local incentives from Florida and the City of Pembroke Pines total $554,000 and consist of $434,000 from the Qualified Target Industries Tax Refund Program along with $80,000 from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund and $40,000 in a Quick Action Closing Fund Direct Cash Incentive from the City of Pembroke Pines for the hiring of Pembroke Pines residents.
According to Astor & Black Co-CEO Richard Dent, “In support of the company’s sweeping goal of growing to $300M, finding a locale that best supports the aspiration of the brand and a facility that meets the rapidly expanding space needs of the business, was a critical component of the company’s comprehensive growth strategy. The decision to choose Pembroke Pines, Florida and the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area as the ultimate location for our headquarters was made easy based on several key decision factors, including but not limited to the enhanced ability to attract world class talent, the access to direct air travel and the quality of the local talent pool in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. The leadership and support of Florida Governor Rick Scott, City of Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Council Chairman Ray Ferrero, Jr., and many others were critical to the selection of Pembroke Pines, and I am personally grateful for their efforts on our behalf.”
“Astor & Black’s choice of Florida reflects our state’s ability to provide the talent, resources and partnerships that can help progressive companies achieve their business goals,” said Gray Swoope, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s principal economic development organization. “We look forward to Astor & Black as a business partner and contributor to Florida’s economic growth.”
Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis said “We are delighted that a leading corporation like Astor & Black has chosen the City of Pembroke Pines as their location of choice. This project exemplifies the dedication of our staff, and the City’s commitment to new and expanding business enterprises. We are grateful to Astor & Black, and look forward to working with them to ensure that they enjoy every possible success in Pembroke Pines.” According to Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Council Chairman Ray Ferrero, Jr., “We are so very pleased to have had the opportunity to work with our partners at the City of Pembroke Pines, Enterprise Florida and the Governor’s Office on behalf of Astor & Black. The CEO Council’s mission is to maintain and grow the presence of the more than 150 corporate and international headquarter operations in the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area that can take advantage of our world class quality of life, transportation access and highly rated business and personal tax climate, and Astor & Black’s decision provides further positive confirmation and ratification of our initiative.”
About Astor & Black David Schottenstein, who was inspired by the old world craftsmanship and quality of European bespoke tailors, established Astor & Black in 2005. Since then, Astor & Black has grown to include over 100 Professional Clothiers nationwide who meet with their clients at their home or office in most major cities. Astor & Black has received numerous recognitions, including being named in INC. Magazine’s 500/5000 list of fastest growing companies in 2010 and 2011, and is the preferred clothier for over 1,000 professional athletes from every major sport.
Today, Astor & Black is looking to significantly expand its business throughout the United States, Canada and select international cities. The business is backed by Castanea Partners, a $500 million private equity firm specializing in early stage retail concepts. With the recent recruitment of a new Co-CEO, Richard Dent (former SVP COO and Co-Leader, Victoria’s Secret Pink), Astor & Black is prepared to take its unique products and personalized service to the front door of America. For more information, please visit
www.astorandblack.com.
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