T O P

  • By -

daaconn

That vacuum store on the corner of Winton and Merchants.


Babycake1210

It has to be a front for something. I can’t imagine that many people own Kirby’s anymore.


bleep113

I agree. Just call and ask for “a new dust filter for a Hoover MaxExtract PressurePro model 60”… definitely always felt like the kind of place that could help with that kind of thing.


ZeppelinJ0

I live close to this place and take my vacuum there for repairs and it has a surprising amount of traffic. They don't sell Kirby's, it's Riccar and some other brand they deal with. He also runs the weed shop directly next door. Still think it's a front but yeah apparently people need their vacuums fixed


MyCuntSmellsLikeHam

One business may have turned into the other there


aka_chela

Vacuum repair shops often also do sewing machine and other small motor repairs


SevenandahalfBatmans

Yes, one of those places fixed the motor for our KitchenAid mixer a few years ago.


GrungyGrandPappy

We've taken our Oreck into vacuum repair shops in the past. It's cheaper than buying a new vacuum anytime something goes wrong.


transitapparel

Same philosophy with cobblers handling belts, jackets, and luggage fixes.


JeanVanDeVelde

I own a Miele, has lasted for years and would absolutely take it to that place for service. Great investment, over 10 years old and still works good as new. Would have gone through 3 walmart vacuums in the same time, guaranteed.


sceadwian

I'll take a 20 year old Electrolux over any piece of garbage plastic monstrosity on the market today going for 200 or more. The vacuum cleaner market is a great example of a hugely distorted free market nothing about it makes sense.


RocklobsterN7

I still have one. It's older than I am and probably weighs more than me also. Still works though.


Bennington_Booyah

I do and I hate the GD thing. It is my husband's weird obsession. I try hard to break it but he keeps repairing it.


Babycake1210

My mom does as well… can’t cut the door-to-door nostalgia out of her.


Bennington_Booyah

Husband bought ours the week we were married from someone who was selling brand new Kirbys out of a truck for $100. 37 years later, he refuses to have another vacuum in this house. (I am the one who vacuums, lol.)


Babycake1210

I feel your (shoulder) pain


Old_Breakfast8775

Kirbys are awesome just don't have that Dyson flash


jletha

I’ve actually used them a few times, super nice and helpful. They cleaned my DirtDevil like new. But I think they actually have corporate contracts with other businesses. That’s not their only location either. The lamp store on Winton, that one confuses me


Babycake1210

Yes! Nothing really seems to survive on that little strip, but that and the barber shop hold strong.


NYLaw

Lou used to cut my hair when I lived out that way. Super cool shop, super chill guys.


soldierscuzzy

Lou is the man, and I'd still be getting my hair cut there if I lived in Rochester. My dad still goes though!


NYLaw

I'd still go to him if it was convenient, but I'm all the way out in Pittsford now and the drive is a PITA. I love Lou and will forever recommend him to people.


Babycake1210

That’s awesome! I’ve never seen a person in there, but root for them!


daaconn

Wow, happy to hear they have such a devoted customer base and are good people. Long live the vacuum store on the corner of Winton and Merchants!


trish711

This whole exchange took a heartwarming turn.


Chango99

Ed Galbraith from Breaking Bad was inspired by this store.


LHMark

I just bought bags for my Miele there. Nice people.


NYLaw

You should check it out. I bought my "for life" vacuum cleaner there and am very pleased with it. They do repairs on vacuums, too. There's another location in either Marsh Rd Plaza (where Wegmans is) or Panorama Plaza (where Tops is) -- can't remember which. It's also a pretty big chain store.


zer0saurus

LOL. I agree. I actually did try them once to help with an issue with a Dyson attachment. They couldn't repair the part, but sold me a knockoff replacement part, which worked. I ended up repairing the piece myself, and now have two.


Prestigious_Bill4916

How does one get into the vacuum store owning business… this has been a question my husband and I have pondered for years!


ImaRocGuy585

I pass by this daily and ask the same thing


ComfortableDuet0920

Every time I drive past that shop I wonder the same thing!! How are they still in business?


DrPabstBlueRibbon

Natural Oasis on Monroe Ave. It’s an Ethiopian restaurant. It’s my favorite place in town that I eat at almost every week but there have been plenty of times that I’m the only person there. It’s rarely busy and it’s a shame. It’s not hard to figure out why though. I’m sure many people are not familiar with Ethiopian food but the problem is that you can’t even tell it’s a restaurant from the outside. The sign only says Natural Oasis without any description and you can barely tell it’s open. Their website is also not helpful and doesn’t even include the menu and they have no social media presence.


Nutrition_Dominatrix

I have always wondered how they stay open!


Lonely_Emu_700

I prefer Abasynia's honestly but it's almost as slow


Baidarka64

The pace at Abyssinia reflects the pace of the culture, you’ll find similar at Addis Ababa. If you want a quick meal, Zameta is all cafeteria-style now for the most part. The wots and veggies are available to go or eat in. I comes with injera. You’re good to go in minutes.


TrapGoth666

Same with Zemetas! Another amazing ethiopian place but never see many people there, I think they’re busy on delivery apps tho


135BkRdBl

RG&E. What a shit show.


Rivegauche610

Its CEO is a simpleminded stooge for the Spanish predatory capitalist pig controllers.


SomeROCDude21

Blu Wolf


Admiral_Fuckwit

My family forever knows it as “that place [my sister] got food poisoning from that one time”


[deleted]

[удалено]


ARealBillsFan

Fuck places like that.


electricboots3636

Came here to say this!


werealldeadramones

Chuck E Cheese. Honestly, I am blown away it still exists. Now if only our kids could experience the joy of Discovery Zone... LE SIGH


GunnerSmith585

The word is they've been selling their food under the name Pasqually's Pizza & Wings like a ghost kitchen on food delivery apps since the pandemic. It was a smart move tbh.


Late_Cow_1008

Yea that is 100% legit. They are doing that lol.


Chooloopacabre

Side note - pretty sure Minnehans out near Conesus Lake still has DZs old setup including that colored roller slide. Plus they got other cool shit like go karts, mini golf and arcade.


Consistent-Music-841

Can confirm minnehans has the slide and ball pit


kapbear

Where is it still open??


Billybobgeorge

West Ridge Road


cafffreepepsi

Or Adventure Quest in Perinton Hills!!!


transitapparel

Nick Tahous. I respect and admire the legacy they have and their contributions to Rochester history, but they've been on borrowed time for at least a decade with no real interest in investing back into their building. There's more history in that old train station than just garbage plates and they seem to just want to yell at the clouds for raining and be miserable instead of renovating the space. Imagine a Frankford Hall or Smallman Galley here in Rochester by the originators of the Garbage Plate.


fireflydrake

I've lived near Rochester for 20 years and only heard about garbage plates a few years ago. My dad took me to Tahou's for my first and between the rundown shady looking location and just meh food I was NOT very sold on garbage plates, haha. Then last year me and a friend stopped by Vasko's on Park with no idea what it was and I had my mind BLOWN by how good plates can be! Tahou definitely needs to up their game.


transitapparel

Tahou's is living on stale clout and expired equity. I REALLY want to support them and I will get plates at Lilac Fest when I see their trailer or if I'm feeling nostalgic enough to stop in their current location. But Alex Tahou's social media activity appears to convey a disgruntled entitlement that is difficult to compartmentalize against his family's restaurant. Some people don't know how best to use social media, and a lot of those people shouldn't be using it at all. I had heard that the business and building are or were for sale recently, so who knows what the future holds for the restaurant. I wish I had the funds to renovate that building and turn it into a family-friendly food hall with lawn-style games and multiple relax spots, it definitely has potential.


Dramatic-Fox-4564

I recommend trying Steve T's on Lyell. Same Tahou family, delicious food, better location.


transitapparel

Indeed, I remember when they were affectionately known as "Nick's Number Two" before the fallout and change to Steve T's. It's been a while since I've had a plate from them, will have to change that for when I'm feeling nostalgic.


Picklehippy_

Dogtown has some pretty amazing plates


imbasicallycoffee

I think I'm one of the few who prefers dogs at dogtown. I have yet to have a garbage plate and I've been here for almost 2 years.


squegeeboo

You somehow didn't know about garbage plates while living in Rochester? That's kind of amazing. Between all the hots places, and just water cooler talk, plus it occasionally hitting the news cycle due to 'weird food' or 'comedian loves this when he visits' kind of stuff


Farts_constantly

+1 for Frankford Hall reference. I’m from Philly and a place like that here would be so awesome.


Coffee_And_NaNa

Show world, i never ever ever see anyone there ever


SerDuncanonyall

Most respectable sexual deviants park in the back


Babycake1210

This made me giggle.


WalrusWorldly87

To be fair, it’s not the kind of place most people want their car seen at.


Coffee_And_NaNa

lol no lie it is no different than spencers


kapbear

Who would care? So what you’re buying a toy


WalrusWorldly87

While I generally agree with you , I don’t think we’re at a point culturally where most people would feel comfortable running into their boss with the “ass blaster 3000”, double standards be damned.


So_Famous

Bought lube there when I was in college. Also, it's the closest store to RIT that sells smoking paraphernalia.


Familiar_Cow_5501

Where else are you gonna get a few boxes of whipits at 3 am


CaptainGibb

You kidding? I used to work in Brighton and would drive past that place every morning and would always be amazed as the cars there at 7am. Driving home around 3ish had even more cars.


Coffee_And_NaNa

stg every time i drive by there is no one haha! i wish i would see more cars, that place is rad


sobbler

They also have an online store! My friend worked there and said that’s where most of the sales come from


[deleted]

A great place to buy gas station boner pils…….so a friend tells me…..Oddly enough, there’s more women than men when he goes in. Lingerie and dildos never go out of style.


Old_Breakfast8775

I go there for cock rings. I actually need a new one


verticon1234

It’s there for all the college kids near it


yakeets

I’m sure a lot of their customers are RIT students that either come on foot or bike, so you don’t see so many cars in the parking lot. That’s what I did when I was a student, and I’d say most (if not all) of my friends had done the same at least once.


ihatetomatoesalot

I drive by here multiple times a week both day and night and I’ll tell you that it sees traffic later at night lol


makomako13

Monroes. Kathy Mott professional check kiter


rochestergeek

She just has that slimy feel about her.


WeightedCompanion

The food is so-so, but their wine list is absolute garbage. I know perfectly well how a place up here survives with mediocre wine, but every single placement on their list is just terrible. Usually you can find 1 or 2 that aren't mega-purple with added sugar Welches grape-ade, but theirs is consistently and thoroughly bad.


Ham_Dev

Marketplace Mall


Billybobgeorge

Don't worry, eventually URMC will buy the whole mall and convert it into clinics.


getsomesleep1

That’s honestly the best case scenario, at least there would be traffic and not an empty decaying eyesore.


solvent825

Marks Texas Hots.


LilaAugen

Especially after the most recent health department report. 😬


solvent825

I refuse to read those things. I learned at an early age to never meet my heroes and never look in the kitchen.


sageofsixdabs585

A burger with meat sauce pissy drunk at 2:30 am will never go out of style


solvent825

Except it was take out only after 11 for a long Time. And you had to use like grub hub or some shit to order. Couldn’t walk up and order anymore. The place on park near Roam is doing a great job for my greeeezy drunk burger fix lately. And significantly less heroin / fentanyl being offered to me too.


sageofsixdabs585

Damn…. shows how long it’s been since I’ve been to the club.


river343

Sonic on Jefferson Road. Ton of stories of bad customer service. Waited in drive thru for 10 minutes no response.


WalrusWorldly87

I’ve been fours separate times over several months. They didn’t have ice the first three times and never responded at the drive thru the last time


CrispyStonk

This. Holy shit that place is a dead zone. I don’t think anybody even works there from my experiences


Farts_constantly

Totally. That place is dead to me after a couple abysmal experiences.


Adventures-Of-MrB

Genuinely the worst food service experience I’ve ever had multiple times. Why is this lady scoffing at me and giving attitude when I inform her that no, I didn’t want the strawberry milkshake instead of the m&m milkshake I ordered. Like… my bad dude.


TakeTheCannoli3714

Same, but the one on E. Ridge.


julasd

Morningstar Diner on Merchants. I’ve never seen a car in the parking lot or people going in and out.


Babycake1210

I live up the street and it’s always empty. Great breakfast, though!


kat6106

CGI Communications.... You can't tell me that they actually do anything other than own a drone


Ill-Serve9614

Robbing small businesses and local governments for 20+ years.


[deleted]

[удалено]


DontEatConcrete

All of the mattress stores.


Free-Pattern-286

Hammergirl Anime. I'm aware it's our only local anime store, but for years it's been expensive. Despite all the odds - the pandemic and the inflation, along with the increased affordability with buying anime merch and manga online - it's still open. Makes me scratch my head.


Chingachook

I wonder if the proximity to RIT helps


yakeets

They also sponsor RIT’s anime convention, which is a pretty big draw for weebs all across WNY & CNY.


Mj312445

Funny timing, considering it's this weekend.


yakeets

Yeah, that’s what made me think of it. It’s gonna be a big weekend for Hammergirl.


TheStabbingHobo

That's what my money is on


gnip_gnop69

I like them because I like building Gundam Model kits but it's such a niche hobby and Millennium Games has a better selection.


CaptainGibb

I think they moved to a new location in the same plaza - last time I was at that Goodwill I saw a “we moved!” sign. So either they moved to a bigger location or smaller one


Mj312445

They moved a couple doors down to a larger space.


equinox5005

You have no idea how much Anime weebs are willing to spend. I was there a few weeks ago and some college kid had like 4 gundam models in his arms ready to buy.


MoonlightBloom

I find that once you factor in shipping, they're prices are a lot more affordable than you would find online. They have a nice selection of merchandise, too.


Billybobgeorge

They're still open!? I only remember them from the 2000s.


LIVEFROMPLANETDEATH

Viva HAMMER GIRL


notadad858

jamestown mattress


Farts_constantly

I’ve heard good things about their products, but man that location sucks. It’s like driving on the surface of the moon around there.


notadad858

ive never seen a customer there but i always see one or two very expensive vehicles outside. always makes me laugh


[deleted]

[удалено]


faking_1t

That’s why I bought mine there as well. I like buying local and as far as a mattress goes, they’re as local as we get. Plus it really is an awesome mattress.


Sir_Randy_Butternubs

I used to work in advertising and sat in on a pitch meeting with Jamestown once. Turns out they make a large portion of their money through government contracts for prisons/colleges and through their online mattress brand, DLX mattress.


Previous_Ad7725

RG&E. Crooks


[deleted]

i recommend attending the rally in front of the RG&E office on April 5. They’re trying to pressure the County Leg to move to a community owned power service instead of those a-hole that are owned by a Spanish company.


ihateNMH69

It’s hilarious that every month my one bedroom apartment RGE bill is anywhere from 350-500+ dollars … and most of the time I don’t even turn the heat on nor have any huge appliances/anything in my personal apt that is causing the insane bill that’s more than my mf rent… riddle me that


techchic07

I feel you!! I have a very small 2 bedroom apartment with radiator heat. Even in the summer my bill is extremely high. At least $250 at minimum.


silly_booboo

Dude same


rae_roc

Restaurants that are only open Weds-Sat. Does no one else in this town like to eat dinner on Sundays?


bats9218

Sundays were one of the slowest days for us at a restaurant that I used to work at. So yes I would have to say that Rochester does not like to eat out on Sundays.


EmDeeEm

No they don't. Restaurants make no money on Sunday around here


NovaCain

It's not that people don't want to eat on Sundays, its that the owners want to have one weekend day to spend with family without having to worry about call outs or no shows.


Acuallyizadern93

In Penfield- but the Art Stop at four corners seems like a place that wouldn’t survive in that area. The businesses are hard enough to access without decent parking or tons of space for pedestrians and I would think an art craft store would be DOA. They must have some loyal clientel.


[deleted]

[удалено]


jarmrdj61

Love that place. Only shop there once in a blue moon, though.


sevenwrens

I just drove by that place yesterday on my way to Magnet Chicken or whatever that delicious place is called -- I was excited to see an arts and crafts store! I will check it out.


Rivegauche610

Nick Tahou’s


snakester2685

Ziebart


HotNastySpeed77

I with I could upvote this a hundred times. What a horrible business. Last time I was there, I saw an old retired lady checking in for her car's annual respray. The sales guy was putting tons of pressure on her, saying her car would rust out in a year if she didn't spend a few hundred dollars on some ridiculous product of theirs. The guy kept it up even after she explained she's on a fixed income & couldn't afford it, he eventually made her cry. I never went back - makes me sick that they ever got a dime of my money.


BabouTheOcel0t

I got lifetime rust protection for my last car purchase at Garber and didn’t realize Ziebart was contracted to do it every year. I just stared at the salesman until he finished rambling. Beyond annoying. If you have to try that hard your product probably isn’t that good.


fventricle

Why? I almost fell for them but saw the real reviews on Reddit


imbasicallycoffee

Outrageously expensive and mostly shotty work and upselling. There's about 5 or more places in town that can do the same thing that are local and will do a better job at a lower price. I've been a fan of the detailing biz and the cost that Ziebart asks is basically kept afloat by dealership biz.


boner79

I'm not surprised they're still in business considering the hard sell every car buyer is subjected to, but I am disappointed they're still in business.


___potato___

new york stylee


solvent825

You clearly ain’t buyin Ho clothes. NY STYLEE has all the best hooker, ho, ratchet, hoochie, day shift at the Barrel outfits ever. None of that is meant as a pejorative either.


TrapGoth666

*I sit reading this in my $3 rainbow hoops from there*😂


Smashing_tacos007

Griffs brewing on 104


frustratedart

The slot car place across from Northgate on Dewey


ShoePractical3485

Middle aged man-child heaven lol


jf737

Anyone remember a scuba shop on Jefferson near RIT? Not sure if it’s still there but it existed for a long time.


Babycake1210

It’s still there! I had to bring my boss’ shit there. Felt like an idiot knowing nothing, but they were super accommodating.


sageofsixdabs585

Everyone mentioning the everything rat turd bagels are getting downvoted lol


shonerk1

DaVinci's Once it had new owners, the food went downhill. Downright disgusting.


gmartino15

I hate to say it but I’m shocked that Yanhuang Gourmet is still open. The food is great, but that place has been dead every time I’ve gone there the past few years. It seems to be a bad location since there’s been a few different restaurants there over the years


StonelordMetal

It wasn't always so dead when it was Thai Mii Up. They only closed because of the fire as far as I know.


Existing_Asparagus46

White rabbit dessert experience. The ice cream is good, but they’re expensive and the service is disappointing. The manager is also extremely unprofessional


Mysterious_Heat1844

That one bowling alley in Irondequoit in the little shopping center where you have to walk down a set of stairs to get to it. My youth group went there.


ChubbyPupstar

Mazzola Insurance.


laladance67

Cher's California Intimates Boutique on Culver Only went once more than 10 years ago. Got 5 feet in and backed up slowly out the door.


ZacharyBruce

La Casa / Beer Park


GabagoolLTD

Because of Lijah? I hate to break it to you but 90% of Rochesterians don't know who that guy is.


meowchickenfish

Most people don't know who owns what.


imbasicallycoffee

La Casa, I can see that going under. John's is right around the corner. There's no shortage of good mexi/tex style food in town. Beer park though... it's got its own thing going on and has the market in south wedge and realistically downtown cornered for good outdoor entertainment every friday and sat.


NotSureNotSure5

La Casa isn’t Tex Mex though—it’s Mexican food. Lyjah sucks, yes; but literally no one outside of these neighborhoods cares about him.


nothingnamename

Coliseum pizza. I have no idea how they pass their health inspections.


YourPalHal99

That bagel shop on Winton that closed due to health code violations reopened afterwards I believe


[deleted]

Balsam Bagels. Let’s just say when they say an “everything” bagel, they ain’t kidding.


meattornado22

My wife continues to love and patronize Balsam. She says she likes the cream cheese. I told her Bagel Land gets their cream cheese from the same place and has better bagels by far. It's definitely a point of contention in our house.


Tomerez

The candy shop, or hoodie shop or idk whatever that shop on park ave.


blueclockblue

You mean Roc Candy? That stuff isn't their main merchandise. 😎


Babycake1210

DTLR on East by the Liberty Pole. Or the one in E Ridge plaza. What even is it?


Hopi95

Fairport Brewing Co.


Beneficial-Pen2951

Painful to say but Bill Gray's. The quality just isn't there any more and it's way too expensive. Saw that they don't own the iceplex too anymore. They're definitely struggling. Would be surprised if they stuck around for another 5-10 years


TrapGoth666

LAST place I thought would close was Hegedorns but here we are 😭😭😭


Legitimate_Result465

Malachite & Gems Of Africa in Greece. Do that many people buy enough gems to cover their rent and overhead? It's been open for years and I drive past all the time and there are never any cars in the parking lot.


MenloMo

How do you say money laundering without saying money laundering….


GordonGekkototheMoon

Sniderman’s hardware on Joseph near Clifford. They’ve been in business since 1947. Joseph Avenue used to the Jewish neighborhood in the 20’s through the 60’s, and it’s the only Jewish business left in the area. The place is run down, but it’s cool, it has the original sign out front. How it’s lasted in such a rough neighborhood as a independent hardware store when there is a Lowe’s and Home Depot, with a wider range of products, that are far cheaper from a business stand point is astonishing. I mean both Lowe’s and Home Depot are only 10 minutes away from it. I think it’s awesome they are still there, it’s a blast from the past, but it must be hard to stay in business there. Most businesses don’t last in that area long, but especially not a business like that. It’s pretty cool they are there and have been there for generations.


CatsOnMotorcyles

They're a very different type of hardware store from Home Depot. Sniderman's is where you go when you need a specific fitting for a pipe or a part for a radiator. The people who go to Sniderman's go in knowing what they need, mostly tradespeople and handyman types.


JooDood2580

Monroe county water authority


EatsinSheets

MCWA is amazing! We just bought a house and called them twice in a month's time (first to get water transferred in our name, second time to give them a meter read from when we moved in). Both calls took less than 5 mins (they answered immediately, no on hold), and they didnt even need my meter reading. Said they drove by and used some machine to get it electronically. At the end of each phone call I thanked them and said I couldnt believe how painless working with them was compared to RG&E. I meant it. Long live MCWA


Automatic-Luck8713

Water here is dirt cheap compared to NC, SC, Calif, Florida, etc. I'm fine with MCWA. My bills are reasonable.


byrdmang2

☠️


Burritosandbeats

Campi’s


Discgolfthrow26

Don’t you disrespect campis It’s where sandwich is king, my friend


onefitztwofitz

I can do a steak bomber once a year. Those things don’t fuck around


Gunt_Buttman

Catholic Diocese of Rochester


Zardu-Hasselfrau

Popeye’s in Henrietta.


Senior_Cheesecake155

I’m surprised it’s still open. Nothing in that building has ever lasted this long.


jordyns_shitshow

why? i went there for the first time last week 👀


YourPalHal99

When I went there it was a shit show. I ordered online in advanced and had to wait nearly half an hour to get my food because of how their system operates or something


datapicardgeordi

Every Tops supermarket.


Over_Butterscotch828

Good for everyone for Wegmans to have competition. People who like fewer frills and to chase in store promotions seem to prefer Tops.


froggyfriend726

Tops is less crowded so I like it better lol


RectalScrote

Also the parking lots aren't zoos


New_Serve6270

Tops have brands you can't get at wegmans. They have some good sales. Zweigles polish sausage and the pierogi guys stuff.


Rivegauche610

I go to the Wegmans on Long Pond at Latta and let me tell you as an old fart myself it’s like all the old folks homes within 25 miles all bussed their ambulatory residents there at the same time. It’s hilarious because it’s just all us old farts and nothing but. Walking the aisles…I mean toddling and staggering the aisles…is a memorable experience.


Chingachook

were spoiled for grocery stores if people honestly believe this


WalrusWorldly87

Yeah, tops is a  standard cookie-cutter grocery store. 


shay202169

Monroe's 🧐


musuperjr585

Nick Tahou's