Timeline: What Rochester businesses have occupied the historic Main & Clinton corner?

Amorette Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·2 min read

The corner of Main & Clinton is up for consideration in a staged grant process called the downtown revitalization initiative. If this project is chosen, Home Leasing LLC, the company in contract to purchase the building complex, plans to renovate them back to their original look.

And instead of retail on the upper floors as they have served to be historically, moderately-priced apartments will be constructed. During our research of the buildings, we found some advertising of the business tenants that occupied the empty spaces, some dating as early as the late 1800s.

The early morning hustle and bustle on E Main Street passes by the long vacant buildings at 222 and 224 E Main Street, at the corner of E Main Street and N Clinton Ave., Friday, July 29, 2022.
The early morning hustle and bustle on E Main Street passes by the long vacant buildings at 222 and 224 E Main Street, at the corner of E Main Street and N Clinton Ave., Friday, July 29, 2022.

There are likely many more; corrections, clarifications and suggestions are welcome. Here are some that we found:

Fashion and furniture: 216 East Main

  • McMahon Special Company 1902, sold used clothing, furniture and "stuff."

  • Spiegel Fashion Store 1949.

Cloaks and suits: 218 East Main

  • Dake Drug Co. 1901-1902

  • Hudson Cloak and Suit Store, early 1920s. A major fire that started in the basement in March, 1926 closed this location down.

Psychics and shoes: 226 East Main

  • H.J Niewerde, Boots & Shoes Dealer 1886

  • Fanny Farmer Candy Shop

  • Madam Marlow "Psychic Medium" 1897

  • United Cigar Stores company 1904-1908

  • Mayflower Doughnuts 1930s

  • E.J Bauman and Sons Jewelers 1970-1990s

Dentists and cleaners: 224 East Main

  • Dr. Fred S. Belding, Dentist 1904

  • Caldwell hair treatment services, 1918

  • Staub's Wardrobe Cleaners, "Cleaning, repairing and pressing establishment" 1900s, occupied two upper floors.

  • F.W. Brehm, photography business, colorist and photographer, exhibition space (occupied two upper floors in 1910s).

Peanuts and Panty Hose: 220-220 Main Street

  • Fred J. Bauman Saloon 1902/1903

  • Charles E. Cunningham's Saloon 1900s

  • F.H. Sanford Dental Offices 1910s

  • Rainbow Hosiery Store 1930s

  • Red Robin Hosiery Shops, 1930s

  • Planters Peanut's 1930s

  • Mr. Grape National Peanut Corp 1940s

  • The Peanut Store

  • Weiss Jewelers 1970s

  • Boost Mobile 2000s

Amorette Miller is the Democrat & Chronicle's growth and development reporter. She can be found on Twitter at @amorettemiller and e-mailed at acmiller@gannett.com 

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Timeline of businesses that occupied buildings on Main & Clinton