Greater Utica Magazine Cover – December 2022 – History of Robert Fraser Department Store Utica NY

The history of Robert Fraser Department Store Utica NY is featured on the December 2022 cover of Greater Utica Magazine, showcasing one of the city’s most successful retail enterprises during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1865 by Scottish immigrant Robert Fraser, the business grew from a small peddling operation into a major downtown department store on Genesee Street, becoming a cornerstone of Utica’s commercial life.

The history of Robert Fraser Department Store Utica NY reflects both ambition and resilience, especially after the devastating 1905 fire that destroyed the original building. Rebuilt in 1907 as a modern, fireproof six-story structure—complete with one of the region’s first escalators—the store thrived for decades before closing in 1939. Its legacy remains an important chapter in Utica’s retail and downtown history.