Inaugural Centennial Club Inductee Ceremony Slated

 

GLOVERSVILLE, NY — Jennifer Donovan, the Gloversville Downtown Development Specialist (DDS) at the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth (CRG) announced the inaugural class of eight legacy businesses and organizations to be inducted into the Gloversville Centennial Club.

 

The public ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. under the marquee of The Glove Theatre, 42 N. Main St. The event aligns with the exact 112th anniversary of The Glove Theatre's grand opening on October 9, 1914, and serves as the official downtown kickoff for New York State’s Path Through History Weekend.

 

"This program was created on behalf of the City of Gloversville to honor the remarkable longevity, economic resilience, and enduring contributions of our legacy institutions," said Donovan. "These eight charter members serve as vital mentors for new businesses and organizations shaping our future, demonstrating how local stewardship builds a lasting community."

 

Eligible organizations that turn 100 or were not included in this inaugural round will be invited to submit nominations for next year's class.

 

Inaugural Centennial Club Inductees (Class of 2026) are:

• Eccentric Club (Founded 1882): Established as a social organization and housed in its Renaissance Revival clubhouse since 1908, it has hosted civic figures, including President Theodore Roosevelt, and remains a premier venue for networking and community events.

• Nathan Littauer Hospital (Founded 1891): Opening its original 28-bed facility in 1894 through local leadership and benefactor Lucius N. Littauer, it has grown into a comprehensive, state-of-the-art regional healthcare system.

• Livingston's Furniture (Founded 1901): Starting as a home furnishings store delivering by horse-drawn wagon on Bleecker Street, this fourth-generation family business moved to South Main Street in 1938 and continues its century-long commitment to quality.

• The Glove Theatre (Opened 1914): Opening on October 9, 1914, for music, film, and vaudeville, later updated with its iconic Art Deco marquee, it continues as a vibrant cultural anchor.

• Rossbach Shoes (Founded 1922): Established by Christian Rossbach on West Fulton Street, this family footwear business navigated decades of retail shifts under the Rossbach family to remain a resilient downtown mainstay.

• Palace Diner (Opened 1923): Manufactured by Jerry O'Mahony Dining Car Company and located at 62 South Main Street for over a century, this iconic dining landmark was preserved by the Sena family starting in 1972.

• Mr. G's Hair Gallery (Founded 1925): Originating as the Sanitary Barber Shop inside a residential home by Vincenzo Garofalo, two generations of the family have evolved the business into a full-service salon.

• Bowman's Market (Founded 1925): Once an employee of the business, James Franco acquired the market and it operated across generations of the Franco family, remaining a trusted staple for quality meats, fresh seafood, and prepared foods.

 

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