Rochester's Business Closures: What Residents Need To Know

It's been one heartbreaking note after another for businesses in the Med City. Last week, we heard that Schmitt's Stride Rite made the difficult choice to close its doors after serving the Rochester community for 40+ years. About the same time, the national retailer 'At Home' published a list of 26 stores closing in the United States. Sadly, the Rochester location was on it. This week, Glynner's Pub shared the news with the public that they too were closing for good.

My head was spinning and full of thoughts and emotions when the news about Glynner's Pub showed up on my phone. Samm Adams on Quick Country 96.5 sent me a text about it as soon as the news hit Facebook. At that moment, I knew how I felt about the struggles our local businesses were feeling but the words were absent.

One business owner in Rochester found the words that I was missing.

emrah_oztas ThinkStock

Rochester Business Owner Shares Emotional Response To Glynner's Pub Closing

Just this morning, I was sitting on Floor 14 of the Gonda Building at Mayo Clinic. One of the patients sitting near us flew in for her appointments, and because of the construction and delays it caused, her driver didn't get her to the appointments on time. She was supposed to have all of her appointments done today, but now her flights had to be changed. She was staying another day. She let the person on the other end of the phone know how irritated she was and had a few choice words about the construction in Rochester.

A few weeks ago, I was trying to get to my husband who was in the E.R. at St. Mary's. I work in downtown Rochester in the Townsquare Media building (the pinpoint in the photo) and I know our downtown roads very well. I had 20 minutes to get to my husband before he was taken into surgery, and I knew all of the back roads to get to the parking ramps at St. Mary's (the star in the photo) as efficiently as possible. I encountered 5 different sections of roads that were either under construction or closed in that short distance...and I arrived as they were wheeling him away.

Google

While construction may not be the overall reason why Glynner's Pub is closing, it isn't helping. One of the employees at Glynner's Pub, Christine Hayek, shared the following plea on June 12th on her Facebook page:

🚧As some of you know I work at Glynner's Pub! 🚧The city of Rochester has decided to do a lengthy road construction project on north Broadway blocking the main entrance to the shoppingg center. It is making a huge impact on the businesses! I have included a map of the secret ways to get into the shopping center that many of you may not know about.
-north entrance from Elton Hills Drive
-south entrance close to Starbucks!
These entrances appear closed until you are closeup but they are in fact open!
Please help support these businesses along this strip if you are able to because they need you right now!

Jessica On The Radio - TSM

I drive on Broadway, through this construction every day...to work and back. While I understand the reason for these improvements, it is a nightmare. Our family is at Hunt Drug at least once a week to pick up medications, and there were times during the peak of this construction season when I could count on one hand how many cars were in that parking lot.

Our local businesses are hurting now more than ever and the owner at Refashion Consigned Furniture and Clothing shared her own emotional response:

Google

Another one gone. 💔 Glynner’s Pub—our neighbors—just announced they’re closing this Sunday. This one hurts. Homemade, delicious food. Local jobs. Fundraisers. A true community hub—gone. And meanwhile, I hear it all the time: “There’s nothing to do in Rochester.” But here’s the truth: The places we do have are barely holding on. And when they close, we act surprised. Our parking lot used to be full. Now it’s nearly empty. And we just lost one of the best. Before you scroll past—pause. ✨ Think of your favorite local spot. Now imagine it with a “For Lease” sign. Lights off. Doors locked. This is what happens when great businesses aren’t supported. Not because they weren’t amazing— But because people stopped showing up. Small businesses don’t need sympathy. We need cash in the register. Not someday. Now. 👉 Let’s give Glynner’s their best week in business—ever. Go eat. Take your friends. Tip big. This crew deserves to feel the love on their way out. I’m so sick over this. Let’s not let another one fade out quietly. Show up, #rochestermn💔 - Refashion Consigned Furniture and Clothing Facebook page

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You can reach me at jessica.williams@townsquaremedia.com and I'll share this bit of good news on my local radio show on Y-105FM, Rochester's Best Variety. Turn the dial and listen to 104.9 FM or 105.3 FM or anywhere on our free app.