We are excited to start off the new year by honoring Irondequoit Pharmacy as our January Featured Business of the Month.  Dave and Kathryn Seelman own this awesome local pharmacy serving our community.  Check out this Q&A with Dave Seelman to learn more about Irondequoit Pharmacy:

How many years have you been in business?  We will be celebrating 6 years in 2025!

What type of business/services does Irondequoit Pharmacy offered?   We are a full-service independent pharmacy and are here for all of your prescription needs. We fill prescriptions, provide medical advice and counseling, and offer vaccinations. We have a full range of over-the-counter products, as well as professional lines of vitamins and supplements. We carry local products, including hot sauces and olive oils from Flower City Flavor Company, organic teas and Warmies stuffed animals. We also offer free prescription delivery.

How did your business come about?  What made you choose to open your business?  We always knew that we wanted to start a pharmacy. This was a dream almost 10 years in the making. The pharmacist and the local mom-and-pop pharmacy have been cornerstones of the community for decades. We want to share our passion for health and wellness with the people in our neighborhood and bring extraordinary patient care to our community.

Why choose Irondequoit for your business’ home:  We never really considered anywhere else! Kathryn was born and raised in Irondequoit and Dave has lived here for almost 15 years. Irondequoit is our home. This is where we have chosen to live and raise our family, and we want to be a part of the Irondequoit community.

How many employees does your business employ?  Are any local Irondequoit natives? We currently have 5 employees. Dave and Kathryn live here in West Irondequoit. One of our pharmacists, Liliana Yohonn, who works on Friday afternoons is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish. We felt it was important to have someone who could engage with everyone in our area and provide increased access to healthcare for underserved populations.

What do you want potential customers to know about your business?  We offer all of the conveniences of the big-box stores with a personalized touch. We know our customers by name and care about them personally. Pick up the phone and call us and you’ll right through. Stop in to see us and you won’t have to wait in line. We are not just dropping pills on your doorstep like the mail order pharmacies. We also use multiple different wholesalers for medication sources. Often times that means we can be competitive on prices if you have no insurance or can access hard to find medications.

We also own 12 Corners Apothecary, Rochester’s specialty compounding pharmacy on Monroe Avenue in Brighton. This unique pharmacy is a historic gem. Kathryn is certified in Functional, Anti-Aging and Metabolic Medicine, which makes her uniquely qualified to offer insight on treatments that go beyond the one-size-fits-all approach that you typically see in modern medicine.

We also would like everyone to know that we are accepting new patients. We know that changing a routine, of any kind, can be hard and we are here to do all the heavy lifting in getting your medications moved over to our pharmacy. All you need to do is tell us that you are ready to join the Irondequoit Pharmacy family and we will do the rest. All of our new patients are eligible to take part in our loyalty programs and free medication counseling. We look forward to seeing you soon!

What community service has your business been involved in or what organizations do you support/donate to?  We are active members in the St. Kateri parish and school. We are proud to sponsor local Irondequoit sports teams and events. We have sponsored Little League, hockey, marching bands, the 4th of July 10k/2 mile race, rotary club and many more! We are happy to give back to this town that has given us so much! Our goal is to support other small businesses with our front end. We carry hot sauces and olive oils from Flower City Flavor Company, who you may have seen at the Rochester Public Market. We are always looking for ways to support our community and are open to new ideas. If you have a product or service that you would like us to carry, please stop in anytime!

Are there any events you are hosting you wish to tell our community about? Representative Joe Morelle will be coming to visit our pharmacy on Friday, January 10th to discuss some of the issues that independent pharmacies and our community is facing. As many are aware, Walgreens on Pattonwood closed down a couple of months ago. We want to make sure our political leaders are aware of the issues facing our industry and how that impacts patient access to healthcare.

We are excited to honor Summit Federal Credit Union on Hudson Ave in Irondequoit.  We reached out and spoke to Tina Longwell, Sr. Business Relations Account Executive here in Rochester, please check out this Q&A:

How many years has Summit been in business?  The Summit was founded 1941 as the Rochester Telephone Federal Credit Union.  We have been in business for 83 years.

What type of business/services does Summit offer?   We believe life can be a little extra exciting for everyone. By offering more ways to save, expert banking advice, and our signature neighborly support, we pride ourselves on giving our members the tools to achieve their financial goals – big or small. At The Summit, your goals are our goals. Wherever you want to go in life, we’re with you – Elevating the ordinary™ every step of the way.  We strive to offer a wide range of financial products and services to meet our members needs. Checking accounts, savings and loan products just to name a few.

How did Summit come about?    The Summit Federal Credit Union was founded in 1941 as the Rochester Telephone Federal Credit Union by Rochester Telephone employees who wanted access to affordable banking services. In 1957 we moved into our first headquarters on the 11th floor of the Sibley Building in Downtown Rochester. By 1983 our membership had grown beyond this original member group, and we became The Summit Federal Credit Union. With over $1.3 billion in assets, The Summit has over 230 employees and provides a full range of affordable financial products and services to over 93,000 active members mainly in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Seneca Falls and Cortland. 

Why choose Irondequoit for your business’ home:   We have had a branch in Irondequoit for over 36 years. The first Irondequoit branch opened in 1988 and was located on Waring Rd. In 1993, it was moved to the plaza on Hudson Ave and Titus Avenue. In 2009, we built our current branch in the Wegmans Plaza, directly in front of our previous branch, to give our members greater access to a modern facility.

How many employees does your business employ? Are any local Irondequoit natives?  We employ over 230 people. Several of our staff are Irondequoit natives and residents.

What do you want potential customers to know about your business?   The credit union philosophy is “People Helping People.” In addition to offering great products and exceptional service, we support the communities that we serve through the donation of our time and talents as well as resources.  We believe that financial wellbeing and financial success go hand-in-hand and we are regularly out in schools working with young people and at community and senior centers helping adults navigate today’s financial landscape. One of our most successful recent initiatives has been a free seminar for seniors about fraud and scams, giving them the tools that they need to avoid becoming statistics.

What community service has your business been involved in? What organizations do you support/donate to?    The Summit is dedicated to the rich diversity of the communities that we serve. You will regularly see our staff out and about in the community supporting other not-for-profit organizations that share our mission and values. We support nearly 150 organizations and events annually throughout the regions that we serve, with a large focus on families and youth. In 2023, we raised and donated over $180,000 to organizations throughout our footprint and collectively spent 1,064 hours volunteering and participating in community events.

In Irondequoit, we sponsor The Market at I-Square, events with The Town of Irondequoit, and are a sponsor of The Seneca Park Zoo. In the Greater Rochester area, we support organizations such as the YWCA, Mary Cariola, Villa of Hope, the Center for Youth, Trillium Health, Rochester Regional Health’s Mobile Mammography Unit, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester, and many, many more.

Are there any events you are hosting you wish to tell our community about?   We are the title sponsor of Sean Kenney’s Animal Super Powers made with Lego™ bricks opening in September at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, a sponsor of the Seneca Park Zoo’s “Spooktacular” event in October, and the title sponsor of Sweet Creations Exhibition at the George Eastman Museum opening in November.

Summit Federal Credit Union is located at 2121 Hudson Ave.  Check them out online and follow them on facebook.

We are so excited honor IronChiro this month and introduce them to anyone who is unfamiliar with the practice.  IronChiro is not just an amazing medical wellness service they are also one of our Signature Members and have contributed to supporting the Irondequoit business community. Please take a moment to read this Q&A with owner Dr. Larry Peshkin:

How many years have you been in business? Established in Irondequoit in 1996 – 25+

What type of business/services do you offer? Chiropractic Care, Massage Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, Spinal Decompression, Whole Food Nutrition, BrainTap, and much more!

How did your business come about? What made you choose to open your business? As a young adult, I began experiencing chronic back pain due to a soccer injury. For nearly 15 years, I lived with constant discomfort, bouncing from back surgeons to different physical therapists, but nothing provided lasting relief. One week, while visiting Rochester, my girlfriend suggested I see her chiropractor. After just one week of treatment, my back pain finally subsided. With regular maintenance care, I no longer suffer from lower back pain.

Having studied martial arts for over 35 years, I have always been interested in biomechanics. Understanding how chiropractic adjustments impact the neuromusculoskeletal system allowed me to see a clear connection between the biomechanics of martial arts and chiropractic care. This realization inspired me to pursue a career as a chiropractor to help others experience the relief I had found.

In 2013, I was ready to begin my journey at ICC, bringing fresh energy and perspective to the practice. Since then, we have worked diligently to exceed the expectations of our community. Rebranding ICC to IronChiro was a natural evolution, and today, we are the highest-rated chiropractic office in Rochester, New York, known for patient satisfaction and exceptional clinical outcomes. At IronChiro, we are revolutionizing chiropractic care by shifting from a pain-based model to a lifetime wellness approach. We do not just focus on relieving pain; we aim to address the underlying stressors—whether environmental, physical, chemical, or emotional—that can lead to pain before it even begins. Using state-of-the-art technology and a deep understanding of the central nervous system, we have become pioneers in the chiropractic healthcare field.

Why choose Irondequoit for your business’ home: It was not just the fact that ICC was my chiropractic office that made it appealing to purchase; it was the strong presence it had already established in the community— a community I had fallen in love with and was eager to help thrive. The location in Irondequoit, close to the lake, the river, the zoo, I-Square, and its diversity and progressive mindset, has always drawn me in. My kids attend the West Irondequoit school district, and we are proud supporters of the Eagles. Living in the Winona Woods area, we experience a sense of neighborly love that is truly unique, unlike anywhere else I have ever lived.

How many employees does your business employ? Are any local Irondequoit natives? 16 employees with 10+ Irondequoit residents!

What do you want potential customers to know about your business? At IronChiro of Rochester, New York, our foremost goal is to get you out of pain, using every available means. We provide evidence-based chiropractic care combined with multiple modalities tailored to address your specific needs. Our treatments include various chiropractic adjustment techniques, spinal decompression, traction, and therapeutic massage that not only feels good but gets to the root of your problem. We also use cutting-edge technologies like the DNA Vibe, Piezowave2 Focused Shockwave (for conditions like tendonitis, sprains, strains, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis), Stimpods for neuropathy, and the WellnessPro Plus to ensure comprehensive pain management. No matter the source of your discomfort, we are committed to finding solutions that work for you. But our care does not stop there. We are just as focused on keeping you healthy as we are on relieving pain. We guide our patients with whole food nutrition, monitor stress levels using heart rate variability, and offer Braintap to help manage stress effectively. Additionally, we provide custom Foot Levelers orthotics, designed to support your entire body, not just your feet, ensuring that we enhance your overall well-being. At IronChiro, our mission is not only to bring you out of pain and back to neutral, but to unlock your full potential, optimizing both your body and mind.

What community service has your business been involved in? What organizations do you support/donate to?  We are large supporters of the health & wellness community here in Rochester. We participate in a variety of events every year that support to the medical community, a healthy lifestyle, nutritional education, and mental health.

Are there any events you are hosting you wish to tell our community about?  $50 off custom orthotic shoe inserts for all grade school, high school & collegiate faculty & staff – Expires Dec. 31, 2024

Ironchiro is located at 2164 Hudson Ave. Check them out online and follow them on facebook.

We are so excited to honor Tydings Automotive as our newest Featured Business.  Please help us congratulate them and check out this Q&A with owner, Kevin Tydings:

How many years have you been in business?  74 years.

What type of business/services do you offer?  Auto Repair

How did your business come about?  What made you choose to open your type of business?  My father, Joe Tydings, started the business in 1950.  I have been here for 55 years.  My dad’s brother Gerald Tydings was a Sunoco sales rep and provide my dad the opportunity to start his business.  It was the first gas station built in Monroe County after WWII.  We no longer sell gasoline but provide full auto repair.

Why choose Irondequoit for your business’ home:  My family has lived in Irondequoit for two generations. Irondequoit is a great place to raise a family and run a business. The Irondequoit community has been very good to us for years.

How many employees does your business employ? Are any local Irondequoit natives?  I have two employees that have been with me for over 25 years.  Tom and Tony are both Irondequoit natives.

What do you want potential customers to know about your business?  We are a full-service auto repair shop built on honesty.  We are certified technicians that continue training.  What we value the most is our relationships we have built with our customers.

What community service has your business been involved in? What organizations do you support/donate to?   We support St. Kateri Church and School, Bishop Kearney High School, East and West Irondequoit Schools, The Sunset House, Irondequoit Fire Department, Irondequoit Rotary, and Irondequoit Food Cupboard.

Tydings Automotive Services Station is located at 1968 East Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14622. 

We are so excited to honor Budget Blinds Northwest Rochester with our Featured Business recognition. Owner, Jessi Chichelli, has been an active community member, participating in chamber events for years.  Please help us congratulate her and check out this Q&A with Jessi:

How many years have you been in business?  8 years, 6 years with showroom in Irondequoit

What type of business/services do you offer?  Window Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Drapes, and Home Automation

How did your business come about?  What made you choose to open your type of business?  After 26 years working for Wegmans Food Markets, I decided to follow my passion for home décor and entrepreneurship. When I came across the opportunity to buy a Budget Blinds Franchise, it was the perfect fit.  I love to use my creativity and eye for design to help homeowners solve their window covering challenges. For me, functionality comes first, ensuring we select products that will help people enjoy their space and solve their window covering needs for many years after installation. Over the years, it’s been fulfilling to develop our team and become experts in everything “window treatments”.

Why choose Irondequoit for your business’ home:  I love Irondequoit customers. They are passionate about updating their homes and community while still respecting the original features and architecture this area has to offer. While there are so many people here, it somehow still feels like a village. There’s a neighborhood connectivity and strong support for local business here that can’t be beat!

How many employees does your business employ? Are any local Irondequoit natives?  We have 4 employees. Our customer service administrator, Lisa Dellefave, is an Irondequoit native.

What do you want potential customers to know about your business?  We really get to know and care about our customers. We always strive to exceed expectations, and when things don’t go as planned, we are there to make it right.

What community service has your business been involved in? What organizations do you support/donate to?   We support the local Rotaries and Chambers in the all three towns we service (Irondequoit, Greece, Spencerport). We also have supported sports teams, tournaments, school and scholarship programs.

Are there any events you are hosting you wish to tell our community about?   Coming soon! We will be introducing a new business to Irondequoit featuring Kitchen, Bath and Closet Design!

Budget Blinds Northwest Rochester is located at 882 East Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14621.  You can find them online and on social media like Facebook, Instagram and more. 

 We are thrilled to   recognize M&T Bank   (Hudson Ave.) as our   newest Featured   Business!  Check out our   Q&A with Commercial   Branch Manager, Joe   Wilson:

Business name:  M&T Bank

How many years has M&T been in business? 165 years. Irondequoit since 1992.

What type of business/services do you offer? Banking and financial services.

How did M&T come about? What made them choose to open their banking business?  To meet the need of the community regarding financial services.

Why choose Irondequoit for a business home?  To give our customers another location to do their banking.

How many employees does your business employ? Are any local Irondequoit natives?   The bank has 22,000 employees. The branch has 8 employees.

What do you want potential customers to know about your business? A community banking approach, this means decisions about loans and community activities are made locally by the people who live and work there too.

What community service has your business been involved in? What organizations do you support/donate to?   3,000 non-profit organizations across eight states.  M&T has provided $33.9 million in grants to more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations. We offer several products and solutions to meet the needs of low and moderate income costumers,

M&T is located at 2133 Hudson Ave in Irondequoit. You can get all of their contact info here. 

Congratulations on celebrating 60 iconic years in business! Our board members had a chance to stop by what locals call "The HOG" and chat with Bruce Schaubroeck. Brothers Armand and Bruce, of this 'World's Largest Guitar Store' have created something special and the establishment they have now has come a long way from their start in their mother's basement. Bruce shared some amazing stories of bands coming through the HOG and showed us some awesome memorabilia. It's not just a store, it's a music history museum! Read their story at: https://houseofguitars.com/history/ you won't be disappointed! If you're nearby, stop in a check out their awesome 60th Anniversary magazine as well!   

Instead of our traditional Q&A article, please watch our interview with Bruce here.

The House of Guitars is located at 645 Titus Ave, Rochester, NY 14617. You can find them online at https://houseofguitars.com or on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and Tik Tok. 

Directly across from Seabreeze Amusement Park is a local business that is anything but your typical pizzeria. Salty Bread Pizza Cafe became an instant favorite among many of our board members after we attended their ribbon cutting event a couple years ago.  Learn more about Salty Bread Pizza Cafe and what makes it unique in this brief Q&A with one of the owners Paul Padoleski.

Official business name?  Salty Bread Pizza Cafe

Any other owners of the business?  My family.

How many years have you been in business?  Two.

What type of business is Salty Bread Pizza Cafe?  We are a pizzeria meets cafe where we offer everything from pastries, soup, salad, sandwiches and of course pizza.  Our featured item is our salty french bread style pizzas.  

What made you open Salty Bread Pizza Cafe?  How did the idea come about?  I have been itching for years to get back in to the pizza business, when I found this location I was sold. 

What about the location? Why choose Irondequoit for your business?   I fell in love with the Sea Breeze area immediately and knew it would be the perfect place to start our business. Irondequoit is beautiful, scenic and extremely diverse.  The Sea Breeze area immediately felt like home. 

How many employees does your business employee and are any local Irondequoit natives?  Our business employees about fifteen, ten of which are Irondequoit natives. 

What do you want potential customers to know about your business? I want potential customers to know we are not your typical pizza shop.  We offer so much besides pizza and many items you will most likely never see anywhere else.  We take pride in every menu item we make.  There are zero disappointments on our menu. 

What community service has your business been involved in or organizations do you support? For any local event that requires donations our answer is always yes. We are strong supporters of first responders and offer a 10% discount to all of them. 

Lastly, are there any events you are hosting you wish to tell the community about?  Not currently on the schedule but we encourage everyone to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to see new and exciting items as well as upcoming events. Perhaps a two year anniversary event coming up in May...

 Salty Bread Pizza Cafe is located at 4615 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14622 and is open Wed - Sun 10am - 8pm.  They can be found online www.saltybreadpizzacafe.com.

This March the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize Jeff Riesenberger and Irondequoit Landscape as our Featured Business.  Since their establishment in 1987, Irondequoit landscape has gone from a maintenance only company to also providing landscape design and hardscapes.  While Irondequoit is still their backbone for service business like mowing, cleanups, pruning and maintenance, Irondequoit Landscape does travel throughout the eastern suburbs for larger construction projects.  Some of these projects include patios, walls, landscapes and design work. 

While Irondequoit Landscape is known for their beautiful work (check out their gallery) it is Riesenberger's dedication to the community that has received a lot of attention.  Irondequoit Landscape has a major focus on charitable work in town and throughout the county.  Riesenberger is locally involved with The Sunset House, Nature Center, Rotary projects, the school districts and special needs groups. 

"We still have a number of maintenance accounts we perform yearly work for free of charge," Riesenberger tells us,  "for people with extreme medical or financial needs". 

In May of 2019 Irondequoit Landscape suffered a devastating fire that resulted in a personal loss of over $750k.  After dealing with the loss and heartbreak, Riesenberger and his crew showed up at Invigorate Irondequoit the next morning with whatever mulch and supplies they still had to help because he didn't believe in breaking his commitment to his community.  It was that community that donated to a Go Fund Me started by a past tenant that helped get Irondequoit Landscape back on its feet after receiving almost no insurance payout.  

Shortly after, Covid had polar effects on the industry with demand increasing significantly and able-bodied workers hard to find.  This brought on a new challenge for Riesenberger after rebuilding and he is still looking for dedicated workers today.   

"Service trades are struggling to recruit new people who want to commit a lifetime to a vocation" Riesenberger says. "I am grateful to have tremendously loyal people in my office, our shop and in the field".  He urges any men or women interested in learning about the landscape business to go to the Irondequoit Landscape website and reach out about openings.

While the work has been financially rewarding, Riesenberger says it's really about the relationships he has formed over the last 37 years.  He involves his family in everything and says his co-workers are now considered family as well.   

"I have a loving and supportive family that provides me the energy to continue to peruse my passion". 

Please check out our video interview with Jeff Riesenberger located on our Facebook page.  

Irondequoit Landscape is located at 258 St. Joseph St. Rochester, NY 14617.  They can be found online at www.irondequoitlandscape.com and on Facebook. 

 With their strong community presence both local and regionally, it is hard to not recognize the orange "e" symbol of Evans Bank.  This December, the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize Evans Bank Irondequoit as our newest Featured Business and share with everyone a little more about their role in our community and what they offer as a business.  Check out this Q&A with AVP/Senior Branch Manager Brighid Simonds:

How many years has Evans Bank been in business?

The Evans Bank Irondequoit Branch has been operating for 16 years. Prior to becoming Evans Bank, it was a branch of Fairport Savings Bank.

What type of business/services does Evans Bank offered?

As a full-service commercial bank, Evans Bank has a strong track record of serving business clients in Rochester, through its team of experienced and respected commercial bankers. Evans serves businesses of all sizes, with an emphasis on Commercial and Industrial Lending, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Equipment Financing, Mergers and Acquisitions Financing and Cash Management.

Evans’ experienced Community Development Banking team is a valued partner for non-profit development as well as other projects that have a community benefit.

Evans Government Banking team has the experience and expertise to understand the statutes governing public entities and provides a flexible, locally serviced suite of financial solutions, including collateralized depository services, Cash Management services and government insurance.

Through its strong retail operation with 18 branches throughout Western New York, Evans Bank provides high-touch and personalized customer service experience with all the expertise and products available at the big banks. The Evans brand focuses on a great customer experience as a differentiator and competitive advantage.

Evans Bank provides mortgage and consumer lending, offering personal loans, mortgages and home equity lines of credit with a special focus on affordable homeownership programs and programs for first-time homebuyers in underserved neighborhoods.

Evans Bancorp's wholly owned insurance subsidiary, The Evans Agency, LLC, provides life insurance, employee benefits, and property and casualty insurance.

Evans Investment Services provides non-deposit investment products, such as annuities and mutual funds.

How did Evans Bank come about? What made Evans Bank choose to open?

In 2020, Evans Bank acquired Fairport Saving Bank and has quickly become an active and visible part of the Rochester and Irondequoit communities. Our Irondequoit branch, located at 2118 Hudson Avenue has been operating since 2007, and is an integral part of our Rochester operation and serves as the center of our activity in the Irondequoit community.

Why choose Irondequoit for your business’ home?

We are very proud of our Irondequoit branch, which is a hub of activity for retail banking, mortgage lending, small business banking, community development, insurance and investments.

How many employees does your business employ? Are any local Irondequoit natives?

Evans has approximately 375 employees in Western New York and more than 30 in our Rochester region. Our Rochester team members have deep roots in the community and are active on a number of nonprofit boards and organizations including but not limited to The Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce, Penfield Business Chamber, The Fairport/Perinton Merchant’s Association, The Rochester Women’s Network, NYSCAR, The Center for Youth, Bivona Child Advocacy Center, C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association, and the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

What do you want potential customers to know about your business?

Since entering the Rochester market in May 2020, Evans Bank has quickly become a major presence in the financial services sector and in the community through the work of our experienced and dedicated associates. Our success is tied to relationships and to how well we understand our clients, their businesses and the competition. That depth of knowledge helps us better prepare our clients to navigate future challenges.

What community service has Evans Bank been involved in? 

As a values-driven organization, Evans Bank believes in making significant contributions to the growth and development of the communities it serves, sponsoring and supporting numerous philanthropic endeavors through financial contributions and employee volunteerism. The Bank has also been an active community partner, sponsoring such events as the Rochester Lilac Festival, Fairport Canal Days, Fairport Oktoberfest, and the Darien Lake Concert Series. Evans also supports community development initiatives through partnerships with the Greater Rochester Housing Partnership, LISC, NeighborWorks Community Partners and Pathstone. Our Financial Fitness team is passionate about the financial health of our clients and community. We serve community members, non-profits, and businesses by providing customizable and personalized educational workshops about finance related topics.

Evans Bank Irondequoit is located at 2118 Hudson Ave, Rochester, NY 14617.  You can find them on Facebook or online at evansbank.com.