News Release - Mayor Thomas S. Richards Helps Break Ground at El Pilon Criollo

City of Rochester

News Release

(Wednesday, April 24, 2013) – Mayor Thomas S. Richards, Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner R. Carlos Carballada, City Council President Lovely A. Warren and City Councilmember Jackie Ortiz joined with business owner Zury Brown today for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new location of El Pilon Criollo restaurant, at 973 N. Clinton Ave.

“It is always exciting to come to these events and celebrate the many new or expanded businesses and restaurants that add a rich flavor to our community—in this case, literally,” said Mayor Richards. “For business owners like Zury Brown—who started out at the Puerto Rican Festival as a vendor, moved into her current location only to quickly outgrow that space—hers is a story that we love to hear. We are thankful for her commitment to Rochester and we wish everyone at El Pilon Criollo well.”

El Pilon Criollo’s current location 1038 N. Clinton Ave opened in 2008 and is a 1,000 square feet, take-out only restaurant. Owner Zury Brown says soon after opening, the business soon began to outgrow the space and requests for catering increased. In 2011, Ms. Brown purchased land nearby— which had been vacant for more than 15 years—from the City via an RFP sale. She is now building a new, 1,300 square foot restaurant that will offer catering services and more parking. Set to open late this summer, this project is the first construction on N. Clinton Avenue in more than 12 years.

North Clinton Avenue, commonly referred to as “La Avenida” or “the Avenue,” serves as the commercial corridor of the surrounding residential neighborhood. Although several buildings have been abandoned or demolished along in recent years, the Avenue still represents a traditional neighborhood commercial and business center.

The total investment of the El Pilon Criollo project is $285,870, including a City loan in the amount of $114,000.

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News Media: For more information, contact Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner R. Carlos Carballada at (585) 428-8801.