CANTON — A New York City developer paid $57,500 for the former Hacketts clothing store in the Midtown Plaza, 19 Miner St. — about half of what the building was assessed for in 2012.

Garry L. Cohen closed on the purchase in July but only recently filed the real estate transaction with the St. Lawrence County clerk’s office.

Mr. Cohen owns several buildings in the plaza, including the vacant Jubilee store, which has been empty for more than a decade. He also owns the plaza’s parking lot.

He said it made sense to purchase the Hacketts store, which he acquired through an April bankruptcy hearing in Utica.

The Hacketts store was among several owned by Patrick Hackett Hardware Co., which ceased operations after filing for bankruptcy in 2009.

“Nobody else was interested,” Mr. Cohen said. “I didn’t want this thing sitting in limbo in the middle of my shopping center. I was a natural buyer for it.”

In 2012, the building was assessed for $119,000, more than twice the $57,500 price Mr. Cohen paid for the 5,300-square-foot store.

Mr. Cohen said the space would be suitable for another retailer or office space.

“People have been through there, but I don’t have a deal,” he said. “I would welcome inquiries. I don’t intend to keep it empty.”

He said the store has air conditioning and would be an ideal spot to sell fresh vegetables, fruit and other produce year-round.

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