The Barclay's golden period had its roots in the postwar years, thriving on the hope of a better tomorrow and managed by a family whose dedication to serving the people of Welland cemented the hotel's name in the hearts and minds of the public, despite time and change.

The Barclay Hotel sprang up in place of the former Commercial Hotel, at the southeast corner of King and Division streets.

The site at 60 King St. was bought by Dave Sher and Sel Saltzman of Toronto, who built the hotel in 1947, first leasing it to Francis Cutaia to manage it.

Incidentally, the Cutaias were a family who were long and deeply involved in the hostelry business, having founded the Colonial Hotel in Welland. After the Colonial, the Cutaia brothers - Francis, Jim and Charles - moved to manage the Reeta Hotel on East Main Street, with Francis striking out on his own and eventually moving on to the Barclay once the opportunity arose.

In 1957, after working at the Barclay for 10 years, Francis bought the building from Sher and Saltzman, becoming the owner in 1958.

During its prime, the hotel served as a meeting place for numerous clubs and organizations, including the Welland Lions, Regina Lodge, Atlas Steels executives and the CHVC AM radio station, among others.

Boasting 50 guest rooms considered to be the finest in the area, it was a favourite of company executives and Welland visitors.

Further amenities included a two-chair barbershop, a club, sample/show rooms and a lounge.

During Francis Cutaia's management years, a number of improvements were added, such as the Victoria and Barcelona rooms on the lower floor and the Amber dining room on the east side, with an expanded capacity for 100 people.

Managing the hotel for another 10 years, Francis eventually fell victim to declining health, and the property was sold in 1968 to John Pretula and Chester (Chet) Miksza, two Hamilton entrepreneurs and former professional athletes.

Of the two, Pretula had previous experience managing a restaurant for 25 years along with his wife, and both men were interested in maintaining the hotel in top condition.

They invested $400,000 into the Barclay in the belief that the Welland Canal relocation project taking place in the early 1970s would help create a new period of growth and development for the community.

Not long after, the building once more changed hands, being acquired by Andrew H. Dar in 1978 and renamed the Dar Hotel.

The name change and new ownership did not really register with the public, and local residents still colloquially referred to the building as "the Barclay."

As business declined and the hotel became underused, there were plans to redevelop the hotel as a senior citizens' residential/meeting centre, but the adjacent Nero building was deemed to be a better selection.

As a result, the Barclay was eventually demolished in 1989.

The site was cleared for construction of the modern-day Canal View Homes, a mixed-use apartment complex. A convenience store and office space are included on the ground floor.

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