Barkers became Jamesway for a while, I believe, and there may have been one other. I miss that level of store, Walmart is cheesier. I guess KMart is comparable, but there's still a void.

Quoted from rollarama

Barkers was the first department store that was built in the plaza where Hanaford is.  I think I was in 5th grade when it was built, about 1974 maybe?  It was when the whole plaza was enclosed, there was an indoor walkway from the Hallmark store all the way around to Barkers.  There was a Thom McAnn shoe store, and a Denbys.  

Regionally, Barker's had a rather short lifespan.  It was started in CT in 1961, built 20 stores in NY between 1970 and 1975, and all of its stores were closed between 1980 and 1981.

The Rotterdam Barker's was built sometime between 1973 and 1975, I believe.  That was Shoporama Plaza (grand Union and Carl's was a completely separate plaza and property.  Then the Barker's-Shop Rite Plaza was built in the early 1970's (Shop-Rite was probably where the CVS was located).  There was a vacant strip of land, in the middle, between the two plazas for a number of years.

Barker's was like a Woolworth's or a Ben Franklin store -- selling lower end merchandise.  It is certainly a huge stretch to say it was any better than Wal-Mart.   In fact, I would say the only difference between Barker's and Walmart was that Barker's sold cheesy, cheap American merchandise when anything was still being made in America, and Walmart sells cheesy, cheap foreign merchandise now that everything is made in sweat shops overseas.

I worked for a private contractor setting up the shelving units for the Barkers store prior to opening in 1973.

Barker's Discount Department Stores was started February 1, 1961. At this time, Franklin Stores Corporation acquired all outstanding stock of Barker's Inc. Barker's Inc. was an operator of two discount department stores in the state of Connecticut. With this purchase, Barker's began a period of 19 years in business. Between 1961 and 1970, Barker's would open over 11 more stores. From 1970 to 1975, Barker's would become one of the nations fastest growing retail chains in the United States, opening almost 20 stores alone in New York State. In 1976, Barkers would open up several former W.T. Grant store locations in central New York.

The Downfall

After years of prosperity, Barkers was on its downfall, along with several other major retailers. King's Department Stores Inc. (later renamed KDT Industries, Inc) acquired the financially ailing Barkers for $30 million in August 1980. Included in this deal was the 125 Franklin Store chain, a women's specialty shop retailer. Barker's stores retained their name until early 1981, when most Barker's were renamed King's. Barker's stores not purchased by King's were either closed or sold to other retailers. At the time of this purchase, Barker's operated 63 stores.

Shoparama had nothing to do with Barker's. Rotterdam Square Mall is Rotterdam Square because the area where Barker's was , was Rotterdam Mall.

I'm thinking maybe when the Rotterdam Barker's closed, it was Ames that came in there briefly, and then Jamesway, but it could have been the other way around.

Quoted from Madam X

Shoparama had nothing to do with Barker's. Rotterdam Square Mall is Rotterdam Square because the area where Barker's was , was Rotterdam Mall.

Shoporama has a lot to do with the topic because it was the shopping center NEXT DOOR, and which eventually was torn down to build the Walmart and Staples stores as well as part of the parking lot for what the shopping area that is now there.

Shoparama was actually a much better strip mall than what has replaced it.  It had a great LOCAL department store, was just the right size and it didn't have a parking lot (like Hannaford Plaza has) that apparently was designed by someone who thought he/she was designing something for a demolition derby show.

Like I said, Shoparama had nothing to with Barker's. I have never understood that parking lot that is there now, or the one at Mohawk Commons. The new Target in Glenville, they somehow managed to make that lot harder to use than it was when KMart was there. Vehicles have become larger, so havepeople, but parking spaces are still small.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Shoparama was actually a much better strip mall than what has replaced it.  It had a great LOCAL department store, was just the right size and it didn't have a parking lot (like Hannaford Plaza has) that apparently was designed by someone who thought he/she was designing something for a demolition derby show.

I AGREE!!!!!!!!!

When our friends come in from out of town to visit, they just laugh at the parking lot there. they say the same thing.........'who the hell designed this'!!!

It is great to see the central dispatch building taking shape, and the site for the new Stewart's shop being cleared, too.  Rotterdam is a great place to live and getting better every day.

The RENAISSANCE is moving along at full speed.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

...  Rotterdam is a great place to live and getting better every day.

The RENAISSANCE is moving along at full speed.

Would you care to explain your comments?    Home values falling, home sale prices falling, homes taking 6 months, often a year to sell.  Taxes going up.

YES that is Rotterdam.   Care to provide any EVIDENCE fo the contrary?

How is a falling tax base and increased taxes indicative of a renaissance?


Of course, you are too cowardly to address the FACTS, aren't you?   Naturally we all know you better than you know you, and we all know you will NOT address, NOT explain the falling tax base and increased taxes.


There is far more building and remodeling being done outside of the town, the city, this county.

the village idiot designed the parking lots.....and all he does is quote words that are not a reality