ROTTERDAM Dance studio packs up for move Plaza slated to be razed for new Walgreen’s BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Terri Ferrara walked into her family’s longtime dance studio this week to find the walls bare. After taking two weeks off, she was shocked by how much headway her sister, Lynn, had made in packing up more than five decades of photos and memorabilia. “I walked in and had chills,” she said, in an empty room on the bottom floor of Rotterdam’s Capitol Plaza, where Ferrara Dance Studios is located. By September, the Ferrara sisters will begin teaching lessons in their new location about a mile away on Hamburg Street. The move will be the first the 53-year-old dance studio has made since Jack Ferrara began teaching at the plaza in 1966. Soon, the 50s-era mini-mall on the Curry Road junction with Altamont Avenue will be razed to make way for a new Walgreen’s Pharmacy. Last year, town planners approved a plan by HDB Ventures, the owners of the plaza, for a 14,700-square-foot drugstore with 65 parking spaces. The move shocked many of the 15 business owners in the plaza, including the Ferraras, whose studio anchors the building and represents its longest-standing tenant. Lynn Ferrara said “My car practically comes here all by itself.” But moving isn’t all bad for the studio. In fact, the relocation will allow the Ferraras to expand their business into a building about a third larger, while also moving to a spot just a few steps away from I-890. And the new location will also feature an amenity the old studio always lacked: windows. After years in what is essentially the plaza’s basement, the Ferraras are looking forward to a bit of sunshine. They’ll also be able to avoid floods. On three occasions, water has cascaded into the studio, which is actually built into an embankment and over a stream. “It’ll be nice not to worry about that,” she said. Perhaps the most difficult part of the move is simply going through all the stuff that has accumulated. One whole room in the business was once filled from floor to ceiling with everything from costumes to props to sleeves of vinyl records. While they sort through the clutter, they’re also finding items that some area residents might want. Terri Ferrara said she’s given some of the old dance costumes to her friends’ children and old photos to former students — or their families. “Some of these photos we’re finding, their grandkids are now taking,” she said. The sisters have also discovered some movie footage of dancers dating back to when the studio fi rst opened. They even found a machine to play the dated films. Jack Ferrara performed at business showcases across the county and was Rotterdam’s first dance program director for the Parks and Recreation Department. He first opened Jack’s School of Dance in 1956 with 35 students and a studio in small converted garage. “It was a shack, but it was good enough for everyone here,” recalled Lynn Ferrara. As his school attracted a following, Ferarra was able to open a second studio in Cobleskill in 1988. The dance studio now teaches nearly 400 students between the two locations. “That’s a lot of lives to make a difference in,” Terri Ferrara said. The Ferraras still have a lot of moving to do. Though the walls are empty, the floors are cluttered with boxes waiting to be moved. Still, the Ferraras are confi dent they’ll be done with the transition by the fall. They’ve got one last room to clean out: their father’s closet in the back of the studio. “We’ve been saving that for last,” she said. ANA N. ZANGRONIZ/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER Terri Ferrara gets her power drill ready before she removes shelves inside of Ferrara’s Dance Studio in Capitol Plaza on Tuesday. Ferrara’s is moving after more than 40 years in the same location.
All I heard was in the vicinity of the old Rolling Greens area. I don't know if that means on either side of it or across the street. Sorry, but that's all I know for right now.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I guess it will be newer and more updated from where they came from. (no surprise). And it will be a great boost for Hamburg Street.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
This is a great move for Hamburg Street. Perhaps the patrons that go to Ferrara's will frequent the eataries and perhaps even get their car washed while in the neighborhood or sign up their kid for a birthday party at Rollarama. This is a great start!!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I just read a sign on Altamont Ave, that advertised Ferrara's Dance Studio's open house at their new location on Hamburg Street. It will be on August 30th from 5pm to 7pm. We're sure they will have continued sucess.
I think this is the best thing that could have happened to Ferrara's Studio. They deserve a nice new place! I'm glad they found the perfect place. And it is an added plus for the Hamburg Street area.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Maybe it'll give some revitalization to some of those businesses. Maybe the parents drop off their kids to the dance studio, then go and do some shopping or grab a snack locally.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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