Monsey Memories: Vanderbilt Lumber in New City

Yitzy Fried 

Since 1869, Vanderbilt Lumber in New City has served the community for their lumber and hardware needs, until they closed in the year 2006. Following is an article from The Journal News around the time of their closing, which gives a glimpse into their history. 

“Vanderbilt Home and Rental Center, the store that supplied early residents with coal to heat their homes, feed for their livestock and lumber to build most of the houses after World War II, is closing. The shop, which first opened as J.J. Vanderbilt & Sons Groceries in 1869, along the Erie Railroad’s New City train station, was recently sold to New City-based developer Caliber Builders Inc, said William “Billy” Debevoise, 57, a former owner and Vanderbilt descendant. 

“I am going to try to retire,” Debevoise said. See if can or not. I might go stir crazy. 

The Vanderbilt family business began with Jacob E. Vanderbilt, a postmaster for New City, a ticket master for the railroad and a justice of the peace. Jacob Vanderbilt’s only daughter, Sarah, married William Debevoise, who became business partners in 1895 with Vanderbiild, and Billy Debevoise’s great-grandfather. 

“I hope they have a successful business and last for another five generations, Debevoise said of the Willows family’s new business. 

Willow’s son Mike, 22, hopes so too. 

“I was hoping down the road one day, if we do well, I could take it over,” said Mike Willows, a recent College of New Jersey graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Vanderbilt’s history is a reflection of New City’s. It first served as a post office and grocery store, selling coal and livestock feed when New City was mostly a farm town. It expanded as the community did. 

“New City’s population grew with the construction of the New York State Thruway and the Palisades Interstate Parkway, Clarkstown historian Robert Knight said. In the mid-20th century, the store began to focus on hardware and building supplies, including lumber. They were right in the heart of everything, Knight said. They initially supplied all the lumber and building materials for building new housing after World War II.” 

Caliber Builders Inc. has proposed luxury condominiums for senior citizens at the 5-acre property., which is still the site of the New City train station.  

“At a time when Clarkstown officials are seeking to revitalize downtown New City, the owner of the old Bradlees Shopping center in New City, Alfred Weissman of MAK Development Corp. in Englewood Cliffs New Jersey. intends to acquire the station, restore it and create a railroad motif at the plaza. 

Willows, who had worked for the Debevoise family for 37 years and whose new store is adjacent to the plaza, said, “It’ll be nice to see it there.’