This 1949 Times Union photo of River Street in Troy teems with the ghosts of chain stores past.

Chickenland was a 30-store chain of poultry markets, according to local papers, when it opened this shop in 1947. Its location, at River and Fourth streets, was known as Franklin Square. Chickenland's slogan: "Buy the part you like to taste, NOT the part you have to waste." And whether you liked to taste legs or gizzards, wings or necks, livers or breasts, they had you covered, with all birds guaranteed freshly killed. Plus during grand opening weekend you got a 1/4 pound of butter free with a poultry purchase of $1 or more: "The food event Troy has been waiting for!"