If you are planning on visiting Rochester soon, there are three shops that you will want to make sure that you visit. Rochester is a great place to visit and there is a lot to do. There are plenty of shops to visit while you are on your weekend getaway but there are three that you must visit.
It is Time to Travel Again
The COVID 19 pandemic has been raging for about two years now and it has kept us all at home. Luckily, with the advent of the COVID vaccines (about 15% of the US population was already vaccinated by March 2021), we are able to get back to life and start traveling again. Visiting Rochester and making the most of the shopping opportunities is a great way to get back on track with life and have a little fun.
Walking from shop to shop is not only good for your mental health, but it is also good for your physical health. Regular physical activity, including walking, can reduce the risk of diabetes to 50%. That means you can enjoy a weekend of shopping and improve your health all at the same time when you visit Rochester.
Tips for Preparing for Your Shopping Trip in Rochester
There are plenty of places where you can shop in Rochester. Before you head out for the day, plan your day. Most shops in Rochester have websites that you can check out and use to plan your shopping trip. The design of the website can tell you a lot about shops. Website design is one of the key factors that people use to determine the credibility of the website (75%) and ultimately of the shop.
One of the planning tools you can use is Google maps. By mapping out your shopping day you will be able to get to more shops and do it more efficiently. Planning your shopping ahead of time and knowing where your next stop is located will make the entire trip enjoyable.
Consider the amount of time you have to dedicate to your shopping trip. Time plays a crucial role in which shops you will be able to visit and how long you can spend browsing. If you are not able to get to all the stores you want on this trip, it is never too soon to start planning your next trip to Rochester.
If you are only able to get to three places to shop, you will want to get to the three places listed below. You will find a large selection and great prices.
The Rochester Public Market
If you love to browse and find great deals, then you must visit the Rochester Public Market. It is open 52 weeks a year every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It is a combination Farmers Market community sale site. You will find amazing options for food, jewelry, and unique items. If you are around on a Saturday morning, you want to make sure that you stop by.
Reviewers on TripAdvisor gave this market a five-star review 66% of the time. It is a great place to stroll around and find great deals on a great number of goods. Make it a priority to visit, you will be glad you did.
The Eleventh Hour Gift Shop
If you are in the market for unique gifts for friends and family (or yourself), stop in at the Eleventh Hour Gift Shop, where unique is the name of the game. They offer a wide range of inventory that takes gift-giving to a whole new level.
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
If you have a sweet tooth or even if you do not, stop in at Hedonist Artisan Chocolates and buy something special for someone left at home. There is only one word to describe the smell when you walk into this shop; heavenly. All your senses will enjoy a visit to this shop. The chocolate is delicious, the staff is welcoming, and it is a great place to indulge.
Shop Rochester and experience all the great shops that will make your weekend getaway memorable.
For homeowners living in and around the Rochester area, there are plenty of options available when plants, lawn, and garden care needs arise. Local landscaping professionals, greenhouses, and nurseries can provide not only access to appropriate plants but also access to valuable professional insight and guidance. Enjoying plants and working them into your daily life is easy when you know where and how to get started. Rochester residents are fortunate to have an abundant supply of plant experts right in their local area.
Doing Business With Local Small Businesses
It was estimated that by the end of 2020, there were 8 million Facebook advertisers, the majority of which were for small and medium businesses across many different industries. One of the most common included home and garden-related services. This only highlights the dominant demand for lawn and garden services. Local businesses are often the go-to place for homeowners looking for help and advice with their landscapes. In the Rochester area, there are plenty of opportunities to find skilled and experienced plant experts who can offer unique insights and advice for any garden-related needs. Starting with the local pros can help ensure you get the right plants for your specific needs as well as the finest services and advice along with the most affordable prices.
Benefits of Plants at Work
Bringing plants inside the workplace, with indoor potted plants and the like, can have great benefits for office workers in virtually any setting. According to a Queensland School of Psychology research project, plants may improve the productivity of workers by up to 15% and can also help boost mood and attention spans as well. Improving the air quality and atmosphere of the workplace can go a long way in improving employee perspectives and work habits.
Benefits of Plants at Home
These same benefits can be enjoyed at home, too. By having plants inside the home and a well-maintained yard and garden outside, you can boost the value of the home, make it more attractive, and improve the health of you and your family overall. Cleaner air and a sense of responsibility and pride for taking care of another living thing is something every family member can benefit from.
Shifting Focus for Green Living
Rochester residents can utilize local garden centers and plant experts to do their part to make lawn and garden care more environmentally sound. Sustainability with gardening is also on the rise today among younger homeowners. A recent NGB survey shows that 67% of respondents younger than 35 want a green healthy-looking lawn but also want other elements included as well. This shift in focus is partly driven by an eco-friendlier view of homeownership.
Take Small Steps Today to Get Started
If you live in the Rochester area and are looking for some help and guidance with your next lawn or garden project, be sure you start with the local pros. These are the experts who know how to find the right plant for the right place and how to best take care of it. From lawn grasses to trees and shrubs to common flowers and plants- whatever your plant needs are, these pros are there to help and to make it as easy as possible for homeowners like yourself.
Visit the neighborhood garden center and try and buy from local nurseries and greenhouses. Local guidance and insight are often best. Finding these will be a quick and easy way to get started on the right path for any landscape and plant-related plans you have in mind.
Helping Rochester small businesses is an easy way to give back to your community. During the cold winter, many families struggle to heat their homes and put good food on the table. Read along to find the best ways to support these local companies.
Use Their Services
The best and most obvious way to support a business is to pay for its services. Landscaping companies are abundant all over the company, and homeowners are encouraged by 90% of real estate agents to have their homes landscaped before selling. This service will help your home look better and support a small business.
If you are not eating in person due to COVID-19, order from your favorite local restaurant. Make sure to tip well and thank the delivery workers. This will help delivery workers and restaurant workers stay afloat and want to come back to work. And you will get to keep eating your favorite meals. Treating everyone in the city with kindness and compassion goes a long way, especially for a small business.
Many students live in Rochester. You might look online to see if any art shows or plays are being put on by universities in the area. This is a great way to support the community and enrich your life in the process. There is always something to do in the city to help a small business, of which there are almost 28 million in the United States.
Learn Where to Find Local Businesses
There is no shortage of small businesses, especially in Rochester. Just walking down the street you can find local grocers, boutique candy stores, craft stores, and more. Look around your office building or apartment to see what the city has to offer. The Rochester Public Market is a great place to walk around and find these local vendors who want to share their goods.
You should check the local paper and news stations to see what is going on in your area. This might lead you to a great new flower shop or clothing store that has just opened up. You can also ask your friends where they are getting groceries or paint supplies. Have open discussions about the importance of small businesses, and more will seem to crop up. Make sure to check everything out in person to give small businesses a chance.
Promote Them Yourself
Word of mouth is very strong and has become even stronger in the digital age. Make sure to leave positive reviews and tell your friend about the new businesses you have found. Share your new finds on social media! This can be done with a geotag or by tagging the business in your post. This step will always go appreciated by business owners who are struggling to get off the ground or make a return during COVID-19. This will help small businesses, 64% of which are struggling with finances, get new customers, and grow their client base. It is always good to help your community prosper.
If you have your own small business, talk with other business owners about combining efforts. This might mean a local wine store and chocolatier having a chocolate and wine night. This will bring clients from both businesses together and give everyone a better chance at growing their business. Take the time to go to local events and you might even find yourself with a coupon for the future.
Trying to support a small business will help your community grow. By funding businesses with your service and giving them free press, you will be instrumental in their success. Help Rochester be better with these tips for helping a small business in the city.
There is some unfortunate news regarding driving in Rochester, New York. The police and media have reported an increase in carjackings, and if you’re a driver you know that’s trouble. Carjackers are often armed, violent, and desperate to get away from the scene of a crime, making the situation very volatile if you’re unprepared or choose to fight back. Even though carjackings are on the rise, there is evidence that suggests that it’s still safe to drive in Rochester, so long as you know what you’re doing.
Police Intervention Helps
The Sentencing Project has revealed research to show a 500% increase in inmates over the last 40 years. Though there is an overall decrease in crime, more people are going to jail, and among the criminal population are carjackers. Fortunately, police can work in a number of ways to catch these criminals. From setting up roadblocks to preparing stings, generally, the police can zone in on an area where there are repeated carjackings and get in front of the problem. Should a carjacking occur, there is also a risk of subsequent carjacking, as criminals try desperately to flee? The good news is, because of the carjackings, there will be no shortage of police patrolling the streets. Unlike in the movies, police pursuits often end with the suspect dead or apprehended, so if you see an increased police presence in Rochester, it may mean you are safer driving than you would without them around.
Staying Safe While Driving
Check to see where you are on the road at all times. If you slip into a dark street, be alert for pedestrians coming closer to your vehicle. Many cars nowadays have a security feature that locks vehicle doors automatically. Even without this feature, you never want to find yourself at a traffic light with your passenger or driver’s side doors unlocked. Also, it’s in your best interests to drive safely so you don’t attract the attention of criminals. Sometimes, criminals will see dangerous driving as a sign that you’re the perfect target to pick on. For that reason, it’s best to obey the rules and stick to the law while you’re driving. An important fact is that Americans report spending 87 minutes a day on average in their cars, but a median of only one hour. The more time you have to spend in your car in Rochester, the more effort you’ll have to put into staying safe.
Be Vigilant and Report Suspicious Activity
Work with the public to fight back by reporting suspicious behavior. There will be times in Rochester when you see strangers lurking, people hiding their actions, and people clearly engaged in criminal activity. It may be tempting to ignore this activity, but all you’re doing is increasing the chances that someone else might be victimized by a crime. With all the carjackings taking place, the more vigilant you are, the more likely others will follow suit. For carjackings, police helicopters are often used when concerned citizens report upcoming changes regarding suspicious activity to the police. The U.S. has five times more heliports than any other country. That means there are always opportunities for law enforcement units to get in the air and search as long as citizens are forthcoming with information. Take pride in your community and report suspicious activity to the police. In doing so, you may be saving another person from a violent carjacking in Rochester.
Police may be reporting an increase in carjackings, but you can still drive safely in Rochester if you take the time to drive safely and report suspicious activity to the police. Part of fighting back against these carjackings requires many citizens to work together and talk about what they’re seeing in the community. No matter where you go in the United States, you’re sure to find a community affected by crime. But as long as people take safety precautions, they’ll at least be able to get around Rochester, New York safely without too much of a hassle.
Since I’ve lived downtown I’ve had my eyes on this building. Not for much good reason except that it was there, and waiting. But despite being so close, it always stayed locked up and out of reach. In fact, over the years it seemed to defy everyone’s best efforts to occupy it – including those of its many owners…
Gallina Development , with the help of the Rochester Model Railroad Club , has restored a favorite old model railroad display for the holiday season. The model trains, which have sat in storage for a decade, will be in the lobby of The Metropolitan (formerly Chase Tower) at One Chase Square in Downtown Rochester through the holidays…
Searching for the perfect stocking stuffer this holiday season? How about an itty bitty version of Kodak tower? ReplicaBuildings.com manufactures replica scale models of famous buildings from around the globe. And two of them have been plucked right from Rochester’s skyline…
Last week Justin Schmidt sent us this incredible old illustration of Rochester Savings Bank. Justin writes, “I thought you would enjoy this; in my collection of Rochester ephemera, I came across this page in The American Architect (Sept. 20, 1928 issue) that shows the ‘complete’ design for the old Rochester Savings and Loan building. I never knew it was incomplete!”
Here is a neat view I came across while rummaging around in the Local History Department at the Rochester Public Library. The image is of State Street with downtown Rochester in the background, taken from one of the top floors of Kodak tower…
On my almost daily walk along State and Main streets I’ve often noticed this boom lift blocking the sidewalks around the Powers Building . I’ve never given it much thought. I just figured Daniel Powers liked his windows really clean.
Then, last week while at the Fringe, my RocSubway teammate Joanne Brokaw got introduced to Scott Grove. As it turns out, Scott is that guy hanging high up over Rochester’s sidewalks—and he’s not cleaning windows…
Have you ever done something so crazy you started to question your own sanity? A few weeks ago a little voice inside my head said, “DUDE, you should totally organize a flash mob!” Most sane people would have chuckled to themselves and ignored the voice. Not me. I listened to it.
So now here I am, asking you to join me for what could be the most insane (yet wildly entertaining) 5 minutes that downtown Rochester has seen in quite a while. If you’re feeling a little bit crazy, the details are after the jump…
The City of Rochester has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) to adaptively reuse, redevelop, and operate five former bus shelters on Main Street in downtown Rochester, NY. The deadline to respond is June 26 and successful proposals are expected to be announced by July 31…
As some of you may or may not know, the city recently released a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of another piece of the Midtown site. Parcel 5 , the site in question, is the very long block from Main St to Elm St and between the Windstream building to the west and 1 East Avenue (Bank of America) to the east. Let’s go back to our trusty Midtown site plan for a visual…
Several years ago the west end of Rochester’s abandoned subway tunnel was filled as part of the Broad Street Improvement Project. Now a planned downtown development could permanently close off one of the last remaining entry points to Rochester’s old subway tunnel. Morgan Management is waiting for approvals to build a five-story luxury apartment complex at Court Street and South Avenue, right smack on top of the subway’s east entrance and the former site of the Court Street subway platform…
The abandoned subway tunnel beneath Rochester’s Broad Street has become one of the most popular sites for students of architecture and design to test their creative chops. You may remember the ROC Low Line; an underground park designed by a team of RIT students. Soon after that we reviewed a more serious plan to install an underground shopping mall and entertainment venue called Broad Street Underground.
Yet another thought-provoking concept and set of renderings have been shared with us. This one elaborates on the idea of using the interior space as a nightclub, with various (wet and wild) public spaces…
Last week I grabbed lunch at Pizza Stop – one of my absolute, hands down, favorite food joints in Rochester. After placing my order and (stepping promptly to the right) I noticed a petition* taped to the countertop. It was asking the City of Rochester to provide compensation to downtown merchants who lost business during a lunchtime food truck/cart event the week before. The petition argued that the City’s promotion of the food trucks caused nearby brick & mortar shops to lose money…
On Facebook last week I shared an old photo of Rochester’s iconic Mercury statue as it was being removed from its original perch atop the Kimball Tobacco Factory in 1951. The factory was demolished to make way for the War Memorial and the statue sat in storage until the Lawyers Cooperative (Aqueduct Building) became his new home in 1973.
Fast forward to June 2011; the 21 foot tall, 700 pound statue gets a thorough inspection for signs of wear and a good restoration. The following photos were taken by Wes Plant during that checkup. And they show Mercury in detail you’ve probably never seen before…
With all of the recent flooding in our area, RocSubway reader Michael Delaney wrote in and suggested, “a great idea for an article would be about the history of flooding in Rochester and the civil engineering that has gone into solving the issue. Beyond the dams, I’ve heard that there are huge storm sewer tunnels underneath the city. It would be very interesting to know more about it.”
Situated at the intersection of the Genesee River and Erie Canal, Rochester’s geography has blessed—or cursed—us with a long long history of great floods. Before the construction of the Mount Morris Dam (1948-1952) records indicate the City of Rochester had experienced severe flooding about every seven years between 1865 and 1950. Talk about a pesky problem.
Digging into all of the engineering marvels that have spared modern Rochesterians from most of these high waters could easily span many pages. And I promise to dedicate future posts on the subject. But for now, I want to show just how bad this problem was by highlighting just one flooding disaster that occurred in late March, 1913…
Urban greengrocers are making a comeback across the country – and in Rochester too! Late last year RocSubway was the first to tell you about a new, locally-owned grocer opening in downtown Rochester. Construction is now underway at Hart’s Local Grocers, a new independent grocery store in the East End. Founder, Glenn Kellogg announced today that Hart’s will open its doors this summer.
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After the Erie Canal was rerouted south of downtown Rochester, the Rochester
Industrial & Rapid Transit Railway (the “subway”) was built in
its place as a link between the five different railroads and interurban trolley
lines that served the Rochester area. As the industrial landscape of Rochester
changed, and highways replaced the railroads, the Rochester subway gradually
became a relic of a bygone era. In 1956 the subway was abandoned and much of
its route was converted into Interstate 490 — built to connect Rochester
with the New York State Thruway (I-90). Read more about the history of the Rochester Subway.
RochesterSubway.com exists to help spark
public dialogue around how we can better connect the neighborhoods of Rochester
NY, surrounding communities, and their cultural offerings. Rochester’s
future is written in her past. Let's rediscover it.
![Old Richford hotel building at 65-67 S. Chestnut Street, Rochester. [IMAGE: Anonymous]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/richford-building-65-67-chestnut-rochester-00.jpg)
![An old model train display has been dusted off and restored at the former Chase Tower in downtown Rochester. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-chase-tower-metropolitan-tower-01.jpg)
![Replica of Kodak World Headquarters, Rochester NY. [IMAGE: ReplicaBuildings.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/replica-kodak-tower.jpg)
![Rochester Savings and Loan building. 40 Franklin Street. [IMAGE: The American Architect]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-savings-bank-drawing-01.jpg)
![View of downtown Rochester from Kodak tower. [IMAGE: Rochester Public Library Local History Division]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-state-street-from-kodak-tower-00.jpg)
![Meet Scott Grove, a Rochester artist, sculptor, furniture designer, architectural preservationist, among other things. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/scott-grove-powers-building-maintenance-01.jpg)
![On Thursday, June 18, at exactly 9:07a.m. we're going to start the biggest spontaneous dance party ever to take place in downtown Rochester. For the exact location and to learn the dance moves, watch the video. [IMAGE: ReconnectRochester.org]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-flash-mob-01.jpg)
![The City of Rochester has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) to adaptively reuse, redevelop, and operate five former bus shelters on Main Street in downtown Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: Hennebery Eddy Architects, Inc.]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/portland-bus-shelter-coffee-kiosk.jpg)
![This proposed luxury apartment complex by Morgan Management could permanently close off one of the last remaining entry points to Rochester's old subway tunnel. [IMAGE: Morgan Management]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-court-street-apartments-by-morgan-01.jpg)
![Kenneth Martin chose to focus on Rochester's abandoned subway tunnel for his Master of Architecture Thesis. This is his concept for breathing new life into the space. [IMAGE: Kenneth Martin]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/ken-martin-aqueduct-concept.jpg)
![Pizza Stop. State State, Rochester. [PHOTO: non-euclidean photography, Flickr]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-pizza-stop.jpg)
![Statue of Mercury. Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: Wes Plant]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-mercury-statue-renovation-2011-40.jpg)
![A large crowd is gathered on Front Street to look at the flood at the other end of the street. Varlan's Hotel, Rosenberg's Pawnshop, Charles Adam's Sons Grinding, J.G. Zweigle's Sons, W.T. Bridle Furniture, William Pigeon Shoes, Hyman Davis Shoes, Genesee Provision Company, Myers Department Store, and the F.H. Loeffler Company are visible in the photo. March, 1913. [IMAGE: Albert R. Stone]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-ny-flood-march-1913-01.jpg)
![Hart's Local Grocers, Rochester NY. [IMAGE: Provided by Hart's Local Grocers]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/harts-local-grocers-rochester-01.jpg)
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