City of Rochester
News Release
(Tuesday, May 29, 2019) – The Port of Rochester continues to flourish with the addition of a new Bill Gray’s Restaurant and Tap Room in the terminal building, an occasion for celebration today as Mayor Lovely A. Warren, corporate leaders John Gonzalez, Dan Gray, Rich Mastin, Jonathan Gonzalez and Melissa DiLuglio, and operation leaders George Bernhard, Crystal VanHoover and Sam Singleton, from Bill Gray’s, conducted an official ribbon cutting.
“This is an iconic Rochester spot, right by the pier, and a great place for families to come for Bill Gray’s famous cheeseburgers after spending time together in Charlotte,” said Mayor Warren. “I can’t think of a better fit than Bill Gray’s and the Port of Rochester – and I’m glad Bill Gray’s agreed to open their newest location here in our beautiful terminal building, adding yet another reason for families and visitors to relax and have fun at our lakefront.”
The restaurant is Bill Gray’s 15th and includes the affiliated Tap Room, the sixth in the Rochester area. It offers both outdoor and indoor seating. The company has already hired almost 50 new workers and plans to hire another dozen or more as the summer season heats up.
“We are thrilled to have an opportunity to bring Bill Gray’s to the Port of Rochester. There is such a great energy here, and we are excited to be a part of it. We feel the World’s Greatest Cheeseburger, large selection of draft beer and a beautiful view of the water is a natural fit,” said Jonathan Gonzalez, vice president of finance for Bill Gray’s.
Bill Gray’s restaurants started in 1938 when Bill Gray, a Kodak employee, started selling hot dogs and soda from a roadside stand on weekends. Four years later, he opened his first restaurant with his wife, Alberta, and the local family-owned business has grown ever since.
Bill Gray’s will be joining Abbott’s Frozen Custard, California Rollin II, Jetty at the Port and Arbor at the Port at the terminal building, recently named after former Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. The terminal building is located alongside the Port of Rochester Marina, the City’s state-of-the-art public marina near the outlet of the Genesee River.
The City invested over $26 million into the revitalization of the Port, including the marina, which is now fully leased with an extensive waiting list. The terminal building has become a popular destination with its restaurants, live music and event venue. In addition to the Wednesday night Concerts by the Shore series, a tall ship will be docked at the terminal building at the end of June and boat parade is planned for July 13.
The Bill Gray’s Restaurant and Tap Room there will be open year round, seven days a week. For more information, including hours and menu, go to www.billgrays.com.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.