The week Rochester fought to stay itself

From the blog · Adam Stetzer

This week, Rochester keeps showing up for itself — a town moving to hold its mall through eminent domain, a court turning back a federal lawsuit over sanctuary policy, a century-old brewery in new hands with 700 workers watching closely. There's also a homegrown app that started here and quietly landed in farm stands across 33 states, which is the kind of thing that gets lost in a heavy news cycle. And a public health heads-up out of the train station that Monroe County residents should see.

Victor Moves to Claim Eastview Mall Parcels and Keep Them Local

Victor's Town Board voted unanimously on August 24 to begin eminent domain proceedings on five Eastview Mall parcels — the underlying land that keeps the whole property functional, not the anchor stores.

Genesee Brewery Sold: What the Saothair Capital Deal Means for 700 Rochester Workers

FIFCO USA, parent of the Genesee Brewery, was sold to Saothair Capital Partners of Wayne, Pennsylvania — a private equity firm that specializes in industrial manufacturing, not consumer brands.

Rochester Train Station Measles Exposure — What Monroe County Residents Need to Know

A measles-positive traveler passed through the Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Train Station on August 29 — they were not a Monroe County resident and were only passing through.

Stands By Me: The Rochester App That Found Farm Stands in 33 States

Stands By Me launched in Rochester on August 11, 2026, and expanded to 33 states in three weeks — unusually fast growth for a consumer app without a major marketing campaign behind it.

Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Rochester's Sanctuary City Policy

A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration's Rochester sanctuary city lawsuit with prejudice on September 2, 2026, permanently closing the door on refiling in this court.

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