City of Rochester
News Release
Note to editors: Meet the members of the New Joseph Avenue Business Association
(Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011) – Hundreds of residents are expected to come out Sat., August 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to enjoy the first annual Joseph Avenue Revitalization Celebration at the Upper Room Family Worship Center, 831 Joseph Ave. The event is sponsored by the new Joseph Avenue Business Association and will feature music and dance performances, raffles, games and family activities. Children from the neighborhood can enjoy the Seneca Park Zoomobile, a bounce house, face painting and hot dogs and cotton candy.
“I am happy to support the efforts of the Joseph Avenue Business Association,” said City Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner R. Carlos Carballada. “All successful revitalization efforts begin at the grass roots and we are looking forward to building a successful partnership with the Association members who care so much about their community.”
“The festival is our way of introducing the new Joseph Avenue Business Association to the community,” said Bryan Johnson, owner of Weave Express and a member of the Association. “This group has been meeting for the last eight months and has received assistance from the City, Group 14621 and Action for a Better Community.”
“We are inviting the neighborhood to come out and meet each other, showcase our local businesses, meet public safety officials and provide a safe environment for families to enjoy a Saturday afternoon together,” said Mark Simmons, Chairman of the Upper Room Family Worship Center Trustee Board.
“We are part of this community and wish we could do more,” said Wafik Al Tawel, owner of Little Brooklyn. Sherman Dickerson, of Dickerson’s Barbershop said, “The group is working to bridge the gap between business and the community. This is our way of giving back. It is a way for people to get to know us on a personal level.”
Joseph Avenue Business Association President and owner of A&J’s Ice Cream, Jesse Gamble, reflecting on the mission of the business association: “We want to work with City Hall to support community revitalization and entice commercial development. We envision Joseph Avenue as a thriving commercial district serving the needs of the community.”
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News Media: For more information, contact Sherman Dickerson 413-6514.