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Rocheleau’s Clothing Store opened in the early 1900s at 861 Main St., when Westbrook was a thriving community of local businesses. Rocheleau’s survived the hard times of the Great Depression and survived a devastating fire in 1942 that destroyed the upper floors of the building in which it was located. The urban renewal project with streets torn up, the elimination of on-street parking in much of the downtown area and istorefront sign limitations ushered in the demise of many local businesses. Rocheleau’s was the last of these retailers in downtown Westbrook. Bill Rocheleau, grandson of the store’s founder sadly closed the store for the last time in November of 1981. The photo on the left shows Rocheleau’s Clothing Store in 1914. Studio 59 Pilates Fitness presently occupies the location.

Research and photos courtesy of Mike Sanphy