On the afternoon of Monday, May 26, while most people were home enjoying what remained of their Memorial Day weekend, Despatch Junction Hobbies, located in the old freight house in East Rochester, burned to the ground. The first fire call came in around 5:15, but by then it was already too late. More than 80 firefighters from around Monroe County responded to the blaze, and the CSX main line was shut down while water lines and tower ladders attacked the flames.
The structure dates to the 1880s and was Penfield's first passenger station, before it was converted to use as a freight house by the New York Central railroad. It was later sold and was briefly used as a night club before it became Despatch Junction Hobbies nearly 30 years ago. Owner Stan Slade has been a friend and benefactor of this club since our start in 1996. A wide variety of model and toy trains in all scales could be found inside the store, as well as many new, used, and rare items that cannot be replaced. It is with heavy heart we say farewell to Despatch Junction, and we send our best wishes to Stan and all his employees during this most difficult time.
--Photo by Otto M. Vondrak
