Before the 1800s, retail was mainly merchants selling their goods at fairs and markets. Some would travel with their products, peddling goods to distant customers. As cities grew, merchants set up permanent stores in these urban areas. They carried a larger variety of items, becoming "dry goods" stores. They opened locations close to other stores selling related goods. People liked having this variety in a small region, inspiring the idea to put it all under one roof. The men below show the evolution from "peddler to palace" in the Utica area during the late 19th century.
J. B. Wells, Son & Co.
John B. Wells (1816-1891) moved to Utica in 1839 to work at his cousins' dry-goods shop. In 1841 he formed a partnership with Utican Lewis Bailey and they opened a store in Auburn, NY. Wells saw promise in Utica, so in 1843 they moved their store to 88 Genesee Street. Three years later, Bailey left the business. In 1865, he teamed up with John S. Capron and the business became "J. B. Wells & Co." When Wells' son became partner in 1873, the name was changed to "J. B. Wells, Son & Co."
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The store moved a number of times to accommodate its growing size. In 1879 the store was doubled, and in 1886 another enlargement took over the entire 4-story building at 77-83 Genesee. By 1890, the stock had evolved from dry-goods into what many considered Utica's first department store. Wells' first store was very sparse, with plain wood counters and shelves. By 1909, his son, Edward L. Wells managed a large and modern store with two elevators, heating, and lighting.
Fraser's Department Store
Robert Fraser (1849-1920) was born in Glasgow, Scotland. After moving to America, he worked his way up the business ladder, first employed as a clerk for E.T. Manning,, then as a dry goods peddler. He traveled for five years selling products from a backpack, until he had enough money to open his own store in N.Y. Mills. Attracted to the growing city of Utica, he opened a store there at 178 Genesee Street. In 1880, he moved his business across the street and by 1890 business was doing so well that he expanded again, taking over neighboring stores. |
Robert Fraser's Store Exterior
FR 161853
c. 1900
FR 161853
c. 1900
On May 10th, 1905, a fire ravaged Fraser's store. The Utica Saturday Globe reported an estimated $500,000 worth of damages, which works out to over $12 million in today's currency!
Photographs, Fire at Fraser's
1998.226
1905
1998.226
1905
Money
One dollar bills burnt by the fire at Fraser's 1905 |
Paper napkin
2010.057.02 Signed napkin from the reopening of Fraser's Department store 1907 |
Not to be discouraged, Fraser began plans for an even bigger store. Located at 173-181 Genesee Street, the building was opened in 1907.
John A. Roberts & Co.
Later that year they moved their dry goods store from 53 Franklin Square to 169 Genesee Street. From 1888-1890 he ran the business alone, until Edgar B. Odell joined him and together they created "John A. Roberts & Co." John A. Roberts & Co. at 169 Genesee Street. Utica Morning Herald, March 2, 1895. |
Roberts purchased the old Butterfield House and opened his new store on the site in 1911, completing his transition from "dry goods" to "department store". The building was modeled after a dry goods emporium in New York City.