Greater ROC

🌟 #GreaterROC is a place for innovators. 🌟 Did you know the iconic hoodie was invented right here in Rochester, NY? 🏆 Founded on May 6, 1919, as Knickerbocker Knitting Mills, Champion, the legendary American athletic wear brand, created the hoodie in Rochester, NY. From the sidelines to the streets, this game-changing piece of apparel has stood the test of time. Champion has been designing innovative gear for over a century. It's still a staple in sports, style, and culture today! 🙌 #RochesterNY #ROC #Champion #FLX Image courtesy of Democrat & Chronicle | March 6, 2015

#GreaterROC is the home of changemakers. Civil rights pioneer, Susan B. Anthony, played a pivotal role in securing women’s right to vote in Rochester, NY. Her bold action in 1872 was a significant moment in the fight for women's suffrage. This election day, we remember her courage and determination which paved the way for future generations. #ROC #RochesterNY #ElectionDay 

Sean and Amber Walker searched everywhere north of Washington DC, to find a place that felt best to raise their son, Nico. They found their perfect home in Greater ROC! 🏠 Greater ROC and its natural beauty drew them in and won them over. From art, music and our scenic riverwalk to affordability, less congestion and easy accessibility downtown, these aspects (and more) played into their decision to transplant here. 💖 As native Upstate New Yorkers—they wanted to be closer to family, and Rochester made that possible. Plus, it’s a great base for adventures to Letchworth State Park, the Finger Lakes, and even Toronto! 🌱 With a strong vegan community, the Walkers appreciate the progressive lifestyle Rochester promotes. The South Wedge's neighborly vibe and walkable streets make family outings easy and safe. Amber loves the supportive resources, like library programs and subsidized universal pre-K, saying, “To free up that income is one of the most welcoming things.” 🏙️ “Where you form memories is where your hometown truly is. This is the place that we’re going to stay. It just fits us really well”, said Sean. Tell us how our community has impacted your life. 👇 #GreaterROC #FamilyFriendly #ROC #FLX

“This is a city that lifts you up when you’re down and recognizes talent. When I look at my community, I can’t help but be proud of where I come from.” Meet #GreaterROC Champion Kiree Robinson. *** What’s up, Rochester! My name is Kiree Robinson and I’m a stand-up comedian. 🎤 After nearly a decade in marketing, a recent layoff pushed me to fully embrace my passion for comedy. While I’m still open to marketing opportunities, I’ve found joy in making people laugh, and I’m excited to share a bit about my journey.  I grew up in the inner city on the west side of Rochester and have always called this city home. I went to Wilson Magnet High School, where incredible teachers saw my talent beyond my circumstances. Their encouragement led me to the University of Rochester and later to St. John Fisher University for my communications degree. Storytelling fuels my passion. I believe that marketing and stand-up comedy are two sides of the same coin. In both, I get to share stories—whether it’s a client’s narrative through ads or my own on stage—connecting with audiences and amplifying voices like mine that often go unheard. Rochester feels like a quaint, small town but with a big-city attitude. We have talent, kindness and vibrant culture—all within reach. There are so many opportunities to create art in Greater Rochester. There is an unbelievable amount of talent here and, per capita, I’m sure we rival cities like New York, Chicago and San Francisco. As a creative, Rochester is such a perfect place to be and I’m excited to see more people realizing what Rochester has to offer. The local comedy community has done so much for me in so many ways. Places like Comedy @ the Carlson have given me the chance to perform in front of larger audiences. When times are hard, sitting down in a room full of strangers and having a genuine laugh can be so therapeutic. As a comedian, I get anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes with these strangers, and not only do we get to laugh together, but I’m the one making them laugh. I’ve been able to create spaces where people can genuinely laugh and feel safe at the same time. It means a lot to me to be able to do that. When I am not on stage, I love catching indie films at The Little Theatre, brunching at Local’s Only, dining at Rocky’s or Redd, having a drink at Lux and grabbing coffee at Boulder Coffee (where you can also find my comedy open mic every Monday at 7pm!). If you’ve ever thought about trying stand-up, come out to a comedy open mic! We’re super welcoming to newcomers. Let’s laugh together, Rochester! 🎤❤️ *** Do you know someone we should highlight? Send us a message or tell us in the comments! Read the full Q&A here: https://shorturl.at/tU4Vs #ROC #RochesterNY #FLX #FingerLakes #ChampionSpotlight

If this doesn’t make you want to cozy up with a good book and a PSL, we don’t know what will. 🍁☕️ #GreaterROC #ROC #FLX

South Ave. = the ultimate funky street party in the heart of the South Wedge Neighborhood! Located within walking distance of Highland Park, this #GreaterROC gem is steeped in rich history, from community activism to jazz, and today it bursts with art, shops, bars. ✨ #ROC #FLX #RochesterNY #SouthWedge

🎉Exciting news, #GreaterROC! Thrillist has named Rochester one of the Best College Towns in the US! 🎓 We’re proud to be ranked alongside amazing college towns like Clemson, Ann Arbor, Bloomington and State College. Here’s why Rochester ranks in the top 20: ✨ Vibrant student life ✨ Iconic garbage plate ✨ Cultural fun ✨ Thriving brewery scene ✨ Stunning nature What a flex for our fantastic college community! Read more https://shorturl.at/Goy30. #RochesterNY #ROC #FLX #FingerLakes #CollegeTown

#GreaterROC is about to get even greener! High Falls State Park is on its way to the heart of the ROC the Riverway initiative downtown. 🌳 🌊 With an $8 million investment, this project aims to revitalize our Genesee River waterfront, providing recreational opportunities and celebrating our city’s rich history. 🏞️💚 The park will reclaim an area long off-limits, providing access to its natural beauty and historical significance for the first time in over a century. 🗓️ Mark your calendars: A public meeting where you can share your ideas and help shape the future of High Falls State Park will be held November 13 at Monroe Community College. Construction is expected to start around 2026-2027. #HighFallsStatePark #ROCTheRiverway #RochesterNY

🌍✨ Save the Earth, Buy Vintage! #GreaterROC is home of The Lucky Flea Market, a vintage market for local creatives and curators. What's #greater than a treasure trove filled with retro gems? Share your favorite flea finds. ⬇️ #Rochester #ROC #BuyVintage #FleaFinds #FleaMarket

“I think we can put Rochester on the radar for the pizza scene, not just nationally, but globally. There’s so much potential.” A Pizza Garage that sources local. 🍕 Luis Perez is a passionate pizza chef and owner of @peelsonwheelspizza. Originally from the Bronx, Perez has spent nearly 15 years making Rochester his home, and he’s on a mission to share his love for pizza with the community. From an early age, Luis was captivated by New York’s pizza culture, leading him to pursue a career where every job seemed to involve his favorite food. In 2019, he took a leap of faith, launching pop-up events with his portable pizza oven. When the pandemic hit, he embraced the challenge and transformed his passion into a beloved food truck, and now, a brick-and-mortar location, the Peels on Wheels Pizza Garage. What keeps him rooted in Rochester? The city's rich diversity, supportive locals, and a thriving food scene that prioritizes fresh, local ingredients. Luis is dedicated to sourcing locally and connecting with the community, ensuring that every slice not only tastes great but also supports local farmers. Peels on Wheels isn’t just about great pizza—it’s about community. Luis is excited to see Rochester grow and shine on the pizza map! 🍕❤️ “There’s a lot of love in this city, a lot of pride in this city. One of the cool things about Rochester is we were originally known as the Flour City for the wheat grain. The flour that left and came through here for pizza and pasta. Rochester, NY, LOVES pizza. Now we’re known as the Flower City because of the lilacs. Did you know that about 20% of local restaurants in Rochester feature pizza? We should bring back the awareness that we are known for pizza, too." . . . . #GreaterROC #RochesterNY #FLX #Pizza #PeelsOnWheels #RochesterNY #SupportLocal #EatLocal