Officials from the United Neighborhood Community Development Corp. in Scranton joined elected officials Friday to celebrate the $6 million renovation of the former Hitchner Biscuit Co. building in West Pittston.
The rehabilitated development includes 18 apartments with one, two and three bedrooms that all have equipped kitchens and baths, community space and adjacent parking for residents. All but two of the units have been leased, and two apartments with three bedrooms are available for occupancy.
United Neighborhood Community Development Corp. is the owner. NDC Real Estate Management in Scranton is the management agent. Project funding was obtained from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, PNC Bank, Luzerne County and the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
Joseph Hitchner established the Hitchner Biscuit Company in 1880 and moved the business to its present location at Exeter Avenue and Ann Street two years later. At its height, the company employed nearly 300 people and baked 90 different cake and biscuit products. It supplied 43 states with crackers and cookies.
Muralist Michael Pyrsda of Tamaqua reproduced a historically accurate restoration of the Hitchner Company lettering and Cresco Biscuit package on the side of the building.
Boyd Hitchner, a New Jersey resident and a descendent of the founders of the business, attended the ceremony Friday.
He praised the United Neighborhood Community Development for creating modern, efficient homes for area residents and at the same time, restoring "a piece of our family's and ultimately the borough's rich history."
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com