Tops celebrates 25 years in Rochester, New York, with a renovated store

Tops Friendly Markets celebrated a quarter century of being in the Rochester, New York, community with a $500,000 renovation of its store at 285 Upper Falls Blvd., the grocer announced Tuesday.

The company said it has “reinvested in the community” with the updated store that is located in the heart of the city near The University of Rochester Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Educational Opportunity Center, The Eastman School of Music and the George Eastman House.

Tops has updated more than two dozen stores recently “with a new look and a renewed focus on fresh departments,” said the company.

“We have an extensive capital investment plan that makes this remodel the 26th since the inception with over a dozen more on the horizon, the next being our store in Greece, New York, on November 1,” said a Tops Friendly Markets spokesperson, adding that the company’s remodels will stretch well into 2023 and beyond.

In August, Tops completed a $2.7 million renovation of its Cheektowaga, New York, store. The remodel was a full renovation of the 80,542-square-foot site.

The Rochester store has been refreshed, and now includes a repaved parking lot, renovated lobby and restrooms, LED lighting both inside and out, solar-powered efficiencies, an M&T Bank, new self-check outs, new interior décor, as well as an expanded assortment of products.

“When it comes to freshness, convenience and variety, you'll find everything here at your newly remodeled Rochester store,” said Store Manager Steve Geer in a statement.

Tops’ Rochester store has expanded select departments, including specialty cheeses, soups and pastas, and a bakery that offers an assortment of freshly baked breads, pastries, specialty cakes, frozen cake varieties, sweets and breakfast items such as danishes, bagels and muffins. There’s also a fresh cake case, pies, cupcakes, pound cakes and brownies.

“Among the changes we’re proudest of is our new bakery, which offers specialty cakes and freshly baked breads. We’re also offering customers a wider selection of domestic and imported cheeses and fresh, custom cut meats by real butchers,” said Geer.

The store’s expanded produce area includes fresh-cut vegetables, fruit and prepared trays. Tops partners with over 500 local produce and dairy farmers. The company is also a supporter of products grown by New York State farmers “who adhere to the New York State Grown and Certified program’s requirements, which includes verification of safe food handling practices and participation in environmental sustainability programs,” according to a release.

Geer said he and his team are “working hard every day to make life easier for their shoppers by focusing on affordable, easy-to-prepare meal options as well as providing some new additions.”

Tops Markest is based in Williamsville, New York, and currently operates 150 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.