McCurdy's

McCurdy's
Company type	Private (formerly)
Industry	Retail
Founded	1901
Founder	John Cooke McCurdy
Defunct	1994
Fate	Purchased by May Department Stores; outlets sold to The Bon-Ton
Headquarters	Rochester, New York, United States
Products	Department store goods

McCurdy's—originally known as McCurdy and Company—was a department store headquartered in Rochester, New York. Established in 1901, the business was purchased by May Department Stores in 1994. However, due to an antitrust agreement—since both McCurdy's and May's Kaufmann's stores served as the leading anchors within local shopping centers—the McCurdy's outlets were subsequently sold to The Bon-Ton department store chain.

History

The origins of McCurdy's trace back to 1901 when John Cooke McCurdy, who had relocated from Philadelphia via Ireland, founded the company under the name McCurdy and Norwell Co. The initial establishment was situated at the intersection of Main and Elm streets. This site later became integral to the development of Rochester's Midtown Plaza, a shopping mall co-founded by Gilbert McCurdy along with Maurice Forman, owner of B. Forman Co., where McCurdy's flagship store was incorporated and served as the mall’s primary anchor.

Additional branches were opened over time in several locations: Pittsford, New York, Greece, New York at Long Ridge Mall, Northgate Plaza in Irondequoit, New York at Irondequoit Mall, Henrietta, New York within The Marketplace Mall, as well as stores in Geneva, New York at Town and Country Plaza, and in Victor, New York at Eastview Mall. Notably, the Northgate Plaza outlet, inaugurated in 1953, marked McCurdy's as the first Rochester department store to establish a suburban presence.

Positioned as a medium to high-end retailer, McCurdy's competed directly with Sibley, Lindsay and Curr (later known simply as Sibley's). To broaden its market reach, "budget stores" were operated within Midtown Plaza, Long Ridge (now Greece Ridge), and Eastview Malls. These outlets offered seconds, clearance items, and select merchandise priced slightly above discount retailers but maintained McCurdy's signature service quality and reputation. The Midtown location also featured an in-house bakery and dining facility.

In 1968, McCurdy’s acquired fellow Rochester-based department store B. Forman’s, consolidating control over Midtown Plaza which had previously been jointly managed by both companies. Both McCurdy's and B. Forman continued operations separately until 1994. The acquisition of Elmira-based Iszard's in 1989 further expanded McCurdy’s reach into Elmira and Ithaca markets.

In January 1994, McCurdy & Co. secured a $4.5 million loan from the City of Rochester to support working capital needs, using the Midtown building as collateral. By July of that year, McCurdy's along with B. Forman Co. ceased operations. Four McCurdy locations were sold to the May Company while all B. Forman stores were shuttered. Shortly thereafter, liquidation sales commenced for both chains.

The main McCurdy’s store at Midtown Plaza was situated directly opposite Sibley’s flagship on East Main Street in downtown Rochester; however, McCurdy’s merchandising approach was somewhat more conservative.

A distinctive feature of Midtown Plaza was its two-story mechanical "Clock of Nations" located in the main atrium. This clock showcased animated dolls representing various countries that rotated hourly around the central clock face. Each hour highlighted a different nation by illuminating its doll capsule and playing corresponding music. This attraction drew generations of visitors who eagerly gathered each hour to witness the display. As Midtown Plaza declined with shrinking patronage and store closures becoming evident, the clock emerged as a beloved regional icon. In 2008, it was relocated to the Greater Rochester International Airport terminal for preservation and continued public enjoyment.

References

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