City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren and City Councilmember Willie J. Lightfoot joined Chef Orlando Campbell II today to celebrate the grand opening of JackRabbits Chicken and Ice Cream restaurant in Willie W. Lightfoot Square on Jefferson Avenue.
“I am so happy that we are celebrating the arrival of a new tenant at Lightfoot Square with the opening of a restaurant that brings friends and families together and gives them a chance to count their blessings,” said Mayor Warren. “The opening of JackRabbits Chicken and Ice Cream is brings us one step closer to realizing the dream of the late Willie W. Lightfoot, who dedicated his life to bringing new vitality to Jefferson Avenue and Southwest Rochester. It is a great honor to witness his son, Willie J. Lightfoot, make such tremendous progress on his quest to fulfill that dream, which will help all of Rochester as we create more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities.”
“I am so excited to welcome JackRabbits Chicken and Ice Cream to Willie W. Lightfoot Square in the heart of Jefferson Avenue,” said Councilmember Lightfoot. “The addition of a new restaurant that will provide quality meal options in our neighborhood is transformative as it moves us closer to our goal of filling out the entire Jefferson Avenue business corridor,” said Councilmember Lightfoot. “I grew up on Jefferson Avenue, and anyone who knows my father – who knows the Lightfoot name – knows that this neighborhood is our passion. That’s why I am doing everything I can to invest in Jefferson Avenue and why I’m happy to partner with business owners to diversify restaurant and retail options here.”
“The inspiration for JackRabbits Chicken and Ice Cream comes from the tradition of feeding great food to everybody who comes through the door and transforming every meal into an occasion to be savored and shared,” said JackRabbits Chef Campbell. “We chose this neighborhood because we have great pride in our community and we want our restaurant to be an agent of progress. Great meals bring great joy, and good jobs change lives.”
JackRabbits Chicken and Ice Cream, 651 Jefferson Ave., is located in a mixed-use business center owned and operated by Councilmember Lightfoot. It is named in honor of his late father, a former County Legislator and community activist who founded the Southwest Area Neighborhood Association.
The restaurant is a quick-service take-out and delivery restaurant that specializes in southern fried chicken and traditional American comfort-food side dishes. An accompanying ice cream parlor will open in the spring. The vision for the restaurant is to bring a new, creative experience to Rochester casual dining scene with food that will attract the attention of area gourmets.
JackRabbits Chicken and Ice Cream is open from noon to 8 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. JackRabbits has three employees, two of whom live in the Jefferson Avenue neighborhood. The restaurant plans to hire more employees in the spring when the ice cream parlor opens.
The restaurant received a $5,000 Small Business Matching Grant from the City Department of Neighborhood and Business Development.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.