Page 37 - 2022 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

Opposite: Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City Top: The Rockefeller Group, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York City
Below: Radio City Music Hall, New York City
What would surprise people most about the Christmas decoration business? The Christmas industry is a year-round business. We are busy and plan all year round. We’re already in full swing of planning for Christmas 2022.
How long have you been in Westchester?
We moved from the Bronx to Mount Vernon in 2010 and purchased a 110,00 SF facility. There, we employ 57 people, including preparers and decorators that design, assemble and store elaborate installations.
How has your business evolved over the years?
This year, we opened Christmas in America, our first ever Christmas Village and consumer show room. The entrance fee to the village benefited the United Way. It was very popular.
What are the benefits of being in Westchester?
We used to be in the Bronx, but now we are a half mile from the New York City Subway line and we have a lot more space. Without traffic, we’re just 30 minutes to Manhattan and Long Island. The highways are close and It’s very easy to get to the bridges. We’re also not far from New Jersey and Northern Westchester.
How did COVID impact
your business?
During COVID we were down, but now we’re doing 20 per cent more business than before COVID, thanks largely to the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP). We’d be out of business without it. It also let us put forward a strategy for growth.
Talk about your experience with the Business Council of Westchester.
The BCW has been extremely helpful to us from an operational perspective, connecting us with expert services locally, such as finding a designer for our redesigned website.
What do you love personally
about Westchester?
I live in Harrison and grew up in Mamaroneck. For me it’s a great com- munity - the value is there. For me, Westchester is a great community, with good people. I love it here.
“Our obsession
with detail helps
ensure that our
clients’ holidays are
successful. We’ve
been leaders in the
holiday decorating
industry since 1968.”
—Dan Casterella, Chief Executive Officer, American Christmas
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 35
© Courtesy of American Christmas
© Courtesy of American Christmas