Rochester is a thriving community that offers a variety of businesses to satisfy many needs. However, there are a few businesses that residents would like to see come to Rochester. About nine years ago a Reddit poster asked the question what business would you like to see come to Rochester, and they received a whopping 800 replies with a bevy of responses. Some of those businesses did wind up in Rochester, but there are still some that have not made an appearance yet.
1. Expectations Fulfilled
That Reddit post had quite a few people requesting that Dave and Busters be built nearby, and evidently, the Dave and Buster Gods were listening because today there is one right on Miracle Mile. Other requests were received but did not pan out. For example, Skyline Chili, an Ohio eatery never quite made its way to Rochester. There are still five businesses that people in Rochester are hoping will make the scene.
2. Snowmobile Shop
REI is the go-to place for snowmobile equipment, but a little competition from small business owners would be appreciated. In 2021, 59,234 snowmobiles were sold in the US, which is roughly 9,000 more than the 50,567 that were sold in Canada. Perhaps more buying options from smaller dealers would entice even more sales.
Owning a snowmobile would ensure that the best could be made of snow days in Rochester. Maybe, someone is listening and will open up a shop for snowmobile repairs and sales.
3. A Roll of the Dice
People in Rochester want a casino. They want to be able to face the odds and hopefully walk away with a bag of loot. The argument for building a casino in Rochester is a valid argument. The tax base alone can help the city to raise the funds it needs to improve roads and other infrastructure. A casino would drive business to other businesses as well. Maybe, in the future, we may be rolling the dice right here in Rochester.
4. Ikea Still Longed For
Ikea the home goods giant has still not made it to Rochester, and a lot of people have some FOMO about it. There was some back and forth talk about Ikea making a home nearby but that never quite manifested. Residents are a little jealous that downstate has three Ikeas, and upstate sadly has none. There is definitely a market in Rochester for Ikea. Maybe a petition will get the job done.
5. More Manufacturing Opportunities
Manufacturers bring jobs, they also amp up local economies. Many people would like to see more manufacturers look to Rochester for their new home. Of course, there are some negative sides to manufacturing, such as the number of injuries that are reported by workers. Workers are often injured in manufacturing positions, and they only have 20 days from the accident to report the incident or they risk losing some of their compensation rights. Another issue with more manufacturers taking up space in Rochester is the waste that is generated by manufacturing.
However, bringing more employers to the area can far outweigh some of the negatives. It does take some wrangling and negotiating to get this done, but many residents feel it should be a priority.
6. More Computer Electronic Shops
A lot of Rochesterians would like to see small “fix it” type computers and electronic shops opening up. There is a push for people to start repairing instead of replacing broken electronics, and many people feel there are not enough options available to get computers and other electronics repaired. Most people want an expert to turn to for things like cybersecurity, which was recently addressed by the Department of Defense. The DoD recently released the following, ‘CMMC has, and will remain a priority for the Department, and will safeguard our enterprise against cyber theft losses that cost our Nation $100 billion annually, and $600 billion worldwide, equating to 1% of global GDP.’
Of course, it is not only large enterprises that are dealing with cybersecurity threats it is the little guy. A shop you can walk into that can clean out the threats on your laptop or desktop for you would be a great option. While you are there you can get all your equipment upgraded and repaired.
Rochester is growing and you never know what new business may show up. Get involved by attending municipal meetings open to the public.
