MONTICELLO –– With Old Navy slated to move into the former site of Staples at the Thompson Square Mall off Route 42 in Monticello, the Center for Workforce Development held a Recruitment Event at their Career Center on October 27, where prospective employees could stop by and have on-the-spot interviews with representatives of the large retail chain. 

According to Center for Workforce Development Director Loreen Gebelein, there were 104 applicants in attendance. 

“I think it was absolutely wonderful,” Gebelein said of the turnout. “A lot of people are happy Old Navy is coming to Sullivan County.” 

A spokesperson from Old Navy told the Democrat that the plan is for the store to open to the public on Wednesday, November 9, with a grand opening of Saturday, November 12. They add that the store will create 30-40 local jobs.

As recently reported, Sullivan County is ahead of the entire State – including New York City – in job growth. The NYS Department of Labor’s recent monthly report said Sullivan’s private-sector job growth rate was 9.1 percent year-over-year for September 2022.

Gebelein believes the addition of Old Navy will mean more good things for the County. 

“By having them come here, it will only continue to increase our job growth rate,” Gebelein said, adding that she expects people from outside the County to also come shop at the new store. 

The Center for Workforce Development plans to hold more job fairs for area employers at their Career Center on 50 North Street in Monticello, every two weeks. 

Today, they are holding one from noon to 4 p.m. for Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility in Liberty, and on November 18, they will be holding one for Resorts World Catskills.

More info about their job fairs, as well as employment opportunities in the area, is available on the County’s website.