The Fry Block was first owned by Henry Scidmore, a dealer in jewelry and watch repairer. Carl L. Fry is believed to have bought the building from the Scidmore estate for his insurance business, and William H. Fry later inherited his father's insurance business. Over time, the building also housed Carl Fry Insurance, Sacandaga Press, John P. Gruet Printing, Resseguie Feed Store, O. A. Harrington Jewelry Store, Delgado's Millinery, Daniel Taylor's Newsroom and Bicycle Shop, Abner's Pool Room, Oneida Market, Charlie Berry's Poolroom, Loren Crannell's Meat and Grocery Store, Hugh Barker's Electric Shop, Roy Cruikshank's Hardware, Flewelling's Brass Rail Restaurant, Frank Bendl's Brass Rail, Michael Lastro Brass Rail, Christopher Ward Brass Rail, Black Bear Restaurant, and Timeless Tavern.