Ever drive by a former retail establishment of yesteryear and reminiscence? Wondering what your former Caldor has evolved into by today's retail landscape? While you can probably take a guess, maybe you're not too sure or already know because you've shopped there since (or refuse to?). If a bunch of them didn't become used for Ames shortly after only for them to follow in Caldor's demise, their leases were bought up by the likes of today's retail giants, mostly that of Wal-Mart and Kohl's.
I'll tell you something Caldor shoppers, after doing research for this project its baffling to imagine a success story like Caldor, which plummeted into oblivion. Like its rival Bradlees, Caldor shared its peak of success during the 1970's, only to fizzle out by the 1980's and of course facing hard times a decade later.
We all can remember some of the odds and ends about each individual store. Whether it was notoriously dingy, never got an up-to-date remodel, maybe that other one did get one. Maybe you even remember what kind of wall paint/paper colors it had, the musty smells (currently tenanted at today's Kmart stores) and the people who worked there. What store did you most frequent? My store(s) were New Britain and Southington, which were real hole in the wall stores which had the rainbow logo all the way up until their final clearance.
I remember the "rainbow" stripes with a clock underneath, directly over the entrances and even the zebra/peppermint-styled globe-disguised surveillance cameras hanging from the ceilings at the New Britain store.
The infamous "swept wing" facade unveiled in 1972 for the 21st Anniversary. Every child's dream was to climb up onto the roof on one of the wings. (West Hartford-Elmwood pictured).
Feel free to input on your thoughts, memories, or general musings or stories you might have about one not forgotten store... and you don't have to be from Connecticut to get in on the memories.
Below is a list of all the former CALDOR locations we've discovered that existed of in the hometown state of Connecticut. Much like our BRADLEES and AMES store locators (graciously filled in by Ames Fan Club), we're doing a quick list and detailing them by location, by towns. Thus far, and unlike Bradlees, the only towns which shared two simultaneously operating stores was Norwalk and West Hartford. Norwalk had the original store and one additional in West Norwalk. West Hartford had its first store in 1972, and then one in Bishop's Corner in 1984. Both West Hartford stores were inherited from fallen or relocated retailers.
Additionally, we had a difficult time finding out information on New Haven and Fairfield County-area stores (especially Branford). If anyone has any information, kick it our way if you would be so kind. This might have something to do with the Hartford Courant and its general lack of reporting on the New Haven Register's "turf."
We urge if you choose to explore these locations (especially GROTON), you do it at your own risk. On stores that are active as other retailers today, there could be some small artifacts lurking among the shadows of facade.
QUICK LIST of CONNECTICUT LOCATIONS
A simple list as if you were being quizzed about former Caldor stores: town and what the store is today. Refer to the DETAIL LIST for specifics and possible imagery.
AVON became Wal-Mart
BRANFORD became Kohl's
BRISTOL became Kmart, then/currently Price Chopper Supermarket
BROOKFIELD-DANBURY (F) became subdivided into Kohl's, Sleepy's
DERBY became Wal-Mart
ENFIELD became Kohl's
FAIRFIELD became Kohl's
GROTON became property of Pfizer Global Research & Development: Kings Heights
GREENWICH-RIVERSIDE (T) (F) became subdivided into World's Gym, Walgreens
HAMDEN (F) became Kohl's
MANCHESTER (F) became Ames, then Outlet Marketplace, currently vf Outlet
NEW BRITAIN became Wal-Mart
OLD SAYBROOK became Wal-Mart
MIDDLETOWN became Ames, then/currently Home Depot
MILFORD (M) became subdivided and expanded mall space; Borders, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods
NORWALK became Wal-Mart
NORWICH (M) became Bob's Discount Furniture, currently vacant
NEWINGTON became Stew Leonard's Fresh Farm Market
RIDGEFIELD became Kohl's
ROCKY HILL became Wal-Mart
SOUTHINGTON became Wal-Mart
STAMFORD (T) (P) (F) became Burlington Coat Factory
TORRINGTON became Ames, then expanded, relocated Big Y World Class Market
TRUMBULL (M) (T) became Kohl's
VERNON-ROCKVILLE became Ames, then/currently Price Chopper Supermarket
WATERBURY (F) became subdivided into three parcels; Bernie's, Planet Fitness, vacant space
WATERFORD became Lowe's Home Improvement
WALLINGFORD became Kohl's
WILLIMANTIC-MANSFIELD (M) became Ames, then/currently Kohl's
WEST HARTFORD-ELMWOOD became Ames, now currently vacant
WEST HARTFORD (BISHOP'S CORNER) (P) became Marshalls
WEST NORWALK became Wal-Mart
(M) INSIDE MALL/ACCESS LOCATIONS
(T) TWO-LEVEL LOCATIONS
(P) PARKING GARAGE LOCATIONS
(F) ORIGINALLY CONTAINED "FURNITURE MART"
DETAIL LIST of CONNECTICUT LOCATIONS
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AVON
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Wal-Mart Plaza
225 West Main Street
Route US-44
Opened in October 13, 1970.
Became Wal-Mart
10th Connecticut store. Was an architectural prototype store.
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BRANFORD
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Branhaven Plaza
1060 West Main Street
Opened sometime between 1973-1976?
Became Kohl's
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BRISTOL
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HUB 6 (currently known as Bristol Commons)
99 Farmington Avenue
Route US-6
Opened on October 1, 1976.
Became K-Mart, then became/currently Price Chopper Supermarket.
2007: "Village" facade and clock tower plaza themes still evident from later Caldor-era days. Sealed "automotive garages hubs" used for office space for Caldor still evident from Grants days, patched by Caldor for its opening. K-Mart took over location in 2000, then closed shortly after in 2003.
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BROOKFIELD-DANBURY
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106 Federal Road
Route US-202
Opened before 1965?
Became subdivided into Kohl's and Sleepy's
Often mistaken for a Danbury location as its adjacent the Danbury townline.
Remains of Caldor (white/red/gray colors) within Sleepy's parcel (Photo credit: SiteRide). Unconfirmed if this artifact still exists today.
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DERBY
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656 New Haven Avenue
Route CT-34
Opened in 1973 (?)
Became Wal-Mart
Report claims building style was "swept wing"-style.
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ENFIELD
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Elm Plaza (currently and also known as Kohl's Plaza)
95 Elm Street
(Near) I-91 Junction
Opened in 1976.
Became Kohl's
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FAIRFIELD
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290 Tunxis Hill Road
Route US-1 & CT-58
Opened sometime between 1973-1976?
Became Kohl's
Store featured "Grand Re-Opening" expansion, completed March 1979. Original opening date unknown. Was directly across the street from rival Stop & Shop plaza.
Photos from SiteRide (1), (2) Note: Building structure apart entrance resemble GROTON location?
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HAMDEN
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2850 Dixwell Avenue
(F) ORIGINALLY CONTAINED "FURNITURE MART"
Opened on before 1965?
Became Kohl's
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MILFORD
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Connecticut Post Shopping Center, later known as Connecticut Post Mall, currently known as Westfield Connecticut Post
1201 Boston Post Road
US Route-1
(M) INSIDE MALL/ACCESS LOCATION
Opened in April 1977.
Caldor opened at the cusp of mall enclosure/redevelopment, which completed in 1978. Store might've been two levels, but one level was unused for retail space.
Photo from SiteRide, taken sometime in the mid-to-late 1990's.
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MANCHESTER
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The Plaza at Burr Corners
1145 Tolland Turnpike
(F) ORIGINALLY CONTAINED "FURNITURE MART"
Opened on June 15, 1966.
Became Ames, then Outlet Marketplace, currently vf (Vanity Fair) Outlet
2007: Apart from a few paint touch-ups and other slight modifications, building still largely a ghost of Caldor. Former brick-pillars entrance facade still evident from Caldor. Rectangular label scar evident on building far-left side, confirmably used by Ames.
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NEW BRITAIN
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655 Farmington Avenue & Corbin Avenue
Opened on November 17, 1972.
Became Wal-Mart
The 21st Anniversary store: 21st company-wide store built for 21st Anniversary. First store to display new corporate "rainbow" logo and modern "swept wing" entrance facade look. Contained almost exact look until its closure.
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NEWINGTON
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Newington Fair
3350 Berlin Turnpike
Opened on May 12, 1994.
Became vacant from 1999-2006, was redeveloped and is currently Stew Leonard's Fresh Farm Market.
Store still skeletal within mold of Stew's, was gutted in Summer 2006. Was vacant from 1994 until early 2006; during then was used for limited storage and other events from nearby Toys 'R' Us. Was the last true vacant/unused by future tenants store in Connecticut.
Retrospective gallery from Caldor to Stew Leonard's, a project undertaken by myself from 2006-2007.
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OLD SAYBROOK
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Old Saybrook Plaza
655 Boston Post Road
Opened on August 17, 1976.
Became Wal-Mart
Was originally W.T. Grant/Grants, which became Caldor after bankruptcy in 1976. Caldor expanded original building from enclosed mall portion.
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MIDDLETOWN
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Washington Plaza
909 Washington Street
Route CT-66
Opened on August 1976. Was 21st store in Connecticut.
Became Ames, demolished for Home Depot.
Was originally W.T. Grant/Grants, which became Caldor after bankruptcy in 1976.
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NORWALK
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500 Connecticut Avenue
Opened in 1977.
Became Kohl's
Photos from SiteRide, from mid-to-late 1990's Caldor-era.
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NORWICH (NORWICHTOWN)
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Norwichtown Mall
42 Town Street
(M) INSIDE MALL/ACCESS LOCATION
Became Bob's Discount Furniture, now currently vacant
Was originally W.T. Grant/Grants, which became Caldor after bankruptcy in 1976.
Store was graciously renovated by Bob's occupation, but contains rectangular label scar along building side as well as Caldor 90's-era colored stripes. Store contained mall access only. Bob's Discount Furniture closed in 2006. Automotive bays still existant from Grants, later used by Bob's as merchandise pick-up.
GROTON
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King's Highway & US-1 Junction
Opened on March 16, 1973.
Closed on March 1996.
Became/property of Pfizer Global Research & Development: Kings Heights
2nd store opened in 1973, 23rd store.
2007: Building still exists as an "Existing Occupied Warehouse," exterior largely intact albeit partially renovated interior. Facade and block-lettering label scar still visible. Entire former shopping center is fenced off and regularly monitored by gate/security (except on weekends?).
Photos: taken November 4, 2007.
Original thanks to Joseph Rifkin "Surviving Caldor In Groton Confirmed"
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GREENWICH-RIVERSIDE
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1333 East Putnam Ave
Route US-1 & Sound Beach Avenue Extension
(T) TWO-LEVEL LOCATION
Opened before 1965?
Became subdivided into Walgreens and World Gym
Was a two-level retail space location.
Photo from SiteRide, from 1990's Caldor-era.
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RIDGEFIELD
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Copps Hill Plaza
125 Danbury Road
Route CT-35
Opened in October 1976.
Became Kohl's
Was originally W.T. Grant/Grants, which became Caldor after bankruptcy in 1976.
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ROCKY HILL
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Townline Road Shopping Center
80 Town Line Road
Silas Deane Highway & Interstate 91 Junction
Opened on August 21, 1970.
Became Wal-Mart
Was an architectural prototype. Featured "Home Improvement Center," which made an addition, opening in 1973.
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SOUTHINGTON
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Caldor Village (currently Wal-Mart/Plaza)
235 Queen Street
Route CT-10
Opened on August 17, 1973.
Became Wal-Mart
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STAMFORD
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Broad & Summer Street
(T) TWO-LEVEL LOCATION
(P) PARKING GARAGE LOCATION
Opened in 1966.
Became Burlington Coat Factory
Photo from SiteRide; from mid-to-late 1990's.
TORRINGTON
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420 Winsted Road
Opened on October 1971.
Became Ames, then demolished for expanded and relocated Big Y World Class Market.
Opened in 1971, succeeded from Sears which opened in 1967. Caldor closed in 1999, then Ames took over from 2000~2003 then vacant until 2007. Building has been demolished as of June 2007. Big Y and Lowe's will soon occupy all space in Torrington Parkade.
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TRUMBULL
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Hawley Lane Mall
100 Hawley Lane
(M) INSIDE MALL/ACCESS LOCATION
(T) TWO-LEVEL LOCATION
Opened in 1971.
Became Kohl's
2007: Rectangular "Red/Accent"-era label scar evident on building side.
VERNON-ROCKVILLE
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Tri-City Plaza
35 Talcottville Road
Route CT-83
Opened on October 10, 1976.
Became Ames, currently Price Chopper Supermarket
Was the chain's 40th store, 24th Connecticut store. Originally Grant City (W.T. Grant Co.), which became Caldor after bankruptcy in 1976.
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WATERBURY
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Bernie's Plaza
855 Lakewood Road & Wolcott Road
(F) ORIGINALLY CONTAINED "FURNITURE MART"
Opened before 1965?
Became vacant, renovated and subdivided into Bernie's and later, Planet Fitness (far right end), leasable parcel (far left end).
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WATERFORD
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Cross Roads Centre
Interstate 91; Exit 81
Opened in 1988
Became Ames, demolished/currently Lowe's Home Improvement
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WALLINGFORD
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Wallingford Mall
1248 South Broad Street
Route US-5
Opened in November 4, 1969.
Became Kohl's
Was an architectural prototype. Was located in a plaza/shopping center referred to as "Wallingford Mall."
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WILLIMANTIC-MANSFIELD
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East Brook Mall
81 Storrs Road
Route CT-195
(M) INSIDE MALL/ACCESS LOCATION
Opened on April 3, 1975.
Became Ames, became remodeled and renovated Kohl's
Was the 20th Connecticut store and 33rd company-wide store. Was the second mall-inclusive location built in Connecticut. Location did not contain exterior entrances, access was through mall only. Renovation vastly improved store, remodel included reducing store space; removing former loading docks and adding rear lot access (without driving around otherside of mall), and adding rear parking lot and lot-to-store entrance (without entering mall). Main/front entrance still requires mall access.
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WEST HARTFORD-ELMWOOD
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983 New Britain Avenue
Opened on November 2, 1973.
Became Ames, was used shortly after for climate-controlled storage facility, currently vacant
2007: Store is vacant and largely preserved (!) upon exterior as it was when it was Caldor. Interior is currently gutted completely into a warehouse. Rectangular label scar used by Ames still evident, possibly held over from before Ames occupation. Building was used by private firm for climate-controlled storage but has abandoned it for possible asbestos infestation. Area is very distressed, building is rapidly decaying.
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WEST HARTFORD/BISHOP'S CORNER
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Bishop's Corner
333 North Main Street & Albany Avenue (Route US-44)
(P) PARKING GARAGE LOCATION
Became Marshalls
Was formerly and originally flagship location for Lord & Taylor. Lord & Taylor moved into Westfarms Mall in 1982, leaving the space vacant shortly after. Contains largely unused parking garage with Marshalls access from within garage. Building was also possibly subdivided into Blockbuster, Quizno's and Barnes & Noble Booksellers; now vacant. Building rear contains former Edward's, which became Adams-IGA also currently vacant.
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WEST NORWALK
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650 Main Avenue
Route US-7
Opened in 1951.
Became Wal-Mart
Photo from SiteRide, taken mid-to-late 1990's. This was the first Connecticut store.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For more on Caldor, look into these other studies and photo galleries.
The Ames Fan Club Forums: "Caldor"
Always worth plugging our ever-resourceful buddy, Chris Fontaine and his outstanding Ames Fan Club.
Flickr Sets
Our very own galleries of various Caldor stores; formerly and currently vacant. Be sure to check out those East Patchogue, New York galleries, which was a former W.T. Grants and some featured in the showcase.
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Last modified: February 16, 2008.
