Category: Businesses

Mr. Steak was a restaurant chain started in Colorado in 1962 by James Mather. At its peak, it operated nearly three hundred locations nationwide. The Greece location opened in 1967 and was located at 2700 Ridge Road West, near the corner of North Glen Drive. John Kendall and Richard LeBaer operated the Greece location as well as a location on Monroe Avenue in Rochester. The Greece location closed in the mid 1980's and the chain folded in the 1990's.

The west side of Sibley's in the Greece Towne Mall. Ground broke on construction of the mall in March 1966. Sibley, Lindsay and Curr were the leading developers of the mall. The Sibley's store was two levels and 116,000 square feet. Sibley's was a Rochester based department store chain that was purchased in the mid 1980's by May Department Stores. The May Company moved the store to the former McCurdy's location in the Long Ridge Mall and changed the name was eventually changed to Kaufmann's in 1990 and then Macy's in 2006.

The "On the Beach" sandcastle creation at Long Ridge Mall. It was located in the McCurdy's court area, July 1987.

Pictured is the Knobles family and an employee outside the Four Mile Grocery store around 1889. The Four Mile Grocery store was located on the canal at Ridgeway Avenue and Weiland Road beginning shortly after the Civil War. It was one of many stores that conducted business along the canal and was considered a "hard cider stop." It was called "Four Mile Grocery" because it was four miles outside the city. In 1904, thirty year old Frank Luitweiler of Greece mysteriously drowned in the canal just outside the store.

Woolworth's and W.T. Grant Co. stores in Ridgemont Plaza, 1966. Ridgemont Plaza was constructed in the late 1950's at a cost of $2 million. In 1960, the plaza was anchored by Wegmans Super Market, Woolworth's, Key Drugs and others.

Wegman's located on the SW corner of Ridge Road and Dewey Avenue, 1940's. It was located at 409 Ridge Road West. It opened March 29, 1934. Steak was on sale for $.15 a pound and swiss cheese cost $.25 a pound. Wegmans left this location in the early 1960's following several incidents of criminal activity, including the looting of the store safe of $400.

The SE corner of Ridge Road and Dewey Avenue, 1930's. The Wegmans can be seen in the center, which was located at 409 West Ridge Road. This Wegmans location was promoted as having "neighborhood convenience with all of the advantages of downtown variety and low prices."

The Manitou Express trolley parked in front of the Bartholomay Pavilion at Ontario Beach Park in the 1890's, likely delivering barrels of drink. The Bartholomay was owned by Henry Bartholomay and was a beer pavilion and entertainment center. It was one of the many "Coney Island of Western New York" attractions at the beach that included vaudeville acts, singing waiters, high wire acts and drinking. A fire in 1913 nearly burned it down and a subsequent fire in 1919 finished it off.

Kodak Park looking west. Greece can be seen in the distance. Kodak Park began operations in 1890 and covers 1300 acres and at one time employed 15,000 workers.

Phelp's General Store on the corner of Latta and North Greece Roads, looking west, late 1800's. The store was opened in the 1870's by Henry Phelps on what was then known as "Jenkin's Corner." The building still stands and currently houses an insurance agency.

The Holiday Inn Road, located at 1525 West Ridge Road. The hotel was the scene of a terrible arson fire on 26 November 1978 that resulted in 10 deaths. The crime was never solved. The sign commemorated Greece businessman and community activist Ralph Destephano. Mr. Destephano owned Buckman's bakery and ice cream shop and was instrumental in bringing ambulance services, a Rotary Club, a Chamber of Commerce and Park Ridge Hospital to Greece.

The inside counter of Wagg's Grocery & Provisions store. It was located on Lake and Pullman Avenues from the early 1900's until the 1960's. Pictured third from the left is Gilbert (Burt) Wagg. The store sold all manner of food product and household goods and at one time employed twenty eight people.

The inside of Wagg's Groceries & Provisions Store. It was located on the corners of Lake and Pullman Avenues. It operated from the early 1900's until 1964. The store sold food products and household goods and was founded by Gilbert Wagg; affectionately known as "Bert."

Maier's Waffle and Sandwich Shop, 1920's. The Maier's sandwich shop was located at 4454 Dewey Avenue. Eventually, the Maier's Hotel was constructed and attached to the shop.

Hiscock's Mill was located on Manitou Road at Braddock Bay. It was formerly known as the Clark & Atwell Mill until it was purchased by James O. Hiscock and his brother in law Oliver Bagley in the 1860's. Mr. Hiscock moved his existing blacksmith shop to the mill site. Mr. Hiscock was a well known leader in the community and his mill was famous for its "many enticing play spots."