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To this day, many still call it the 'Produce Building'

Chester. Clifton Patrick, the town of Chester historian, submitted historical photos and some fascinating background along with his (correct, of course) Where in Chester? answer this week. Read on to find out more about the building that is now Barry Adleman’s Outdoors Store at 6 Howland Street.

Chester /
| 13 Nov 2019 | 07:18
    Photo postcard of the Warehouse of Chester Produce Growers Association, taken in 1920 after the building was finished.
    Photo postcard of the Warehouse of Chester Produce Growers Association, taken in 1920 after the building was finished. ( Chester Historical Society)
    Left side: Ida Bahagalo, Ida Fichia, Joan Greco, Mary Fruestaci; Right side: Mrs. Vasta, Helen Johnson Tolosky, ?, Katie Kosin
    Left side: Ida Bahagalo, Ida Fichia, Joan Greco, Mary Fruestaci; Right side: Mrs. Vasta, Helen Johnson Tolosky, ?, Katie Kosin ( Chester Historical Society)
    Left side: Jeanette Cavallaro Nucifora, Helen Johnson Tolosky, Millie Gallo, Mary Russo, Katie Kosin Edna Vadalla, Mrs. Roggio, Lena Cincatto; Back row: Mary Cassella, Agnes Labate; right side: Theresa Patane Angie Patane, Sylvia Tuestaci, Lisa Patane, Rose Mucemeci, Rose Buda, Mary Periano, Mrs. Vasta.
    Left side: Jeanette Cavallaro Nucifora, Helen Johnson Tolosky, Millie Gallo, Mary Russo, Katie Kosin Edna Vadalla, Mrs. Roggio, Lena Cincatto; Back row: Mary Cassella, Agnes Labate; right side: Theresa Patane Angie Patane, Sylvia Tuestaci, Lisa Patane, Rose Mucemeci, Rose Buda, Mary Periano, Mrs. Vasta. ( Chester Historical Society)
    Photo postcard of Howland House Hotel. Livery visible to right of hotel. It was built about 1841 across the street from the Chester Erie RR station by Daniel Conklin. It was first called the Railroad & Stage.
    Photo postcard of Howland House Hotel. Livery visible to right of hotel. It was built about 1841 across the street from the Chester Erie RR station by Daniel Conklin. It was first called the "Railroad & Stage." ( Chester Historical Society)

This building replaced the Howland House Hotel, which burned to the ground Saturday morning, December 6, 1915.

Initially it was the warehouse of Chester Produce Growers Association, Chester, N.Y., circa 1920 postcard show it with fleet of five motor-trucks lined up in front of the warehouse.

Being one of the largest buildings in the Village from the 1920s into the 1950s, it hosted many meetings, dances, wedding receptions, Newburgh Y.M.C.A. classes and the Hamble­tonians basketball team played on the Produce Hall court.

On December 30, 1934, Frank Grasso called a meeting at the Produce building for the purpose of organizing an Italian-American Club. Thirty members were present and the Club was organized.

In the 1950s, it was the Chester Mfg Co. owned by Ed Hockberg and Freda Cavallaro. They employed many local people manufacturing coats and children’s clothing. Circa 1953 photographs show the sewing room and staff.

Barry opened his “Wearhouse Outlet Imports Inc.” business in 1975, changing the name to “Outdoors” in 1978.

To this day, many continue to refer to it as the “Produce Building.”