The federal government labeled the College Town and Mount Hope Avenue a "food desert" because of the lack of a full-service grocer.
Senator Charles Schumer says that's all changed now with the opening this week of Cleveland-based Constantino's Market.
Schumer took the media on a tour of the 21-thousand square foot store today.
He says a grocery store in that area was desperately needed since the Wegmans store on Mount Hope Avenue closed a decade ago.
Working in conjunction with Action for a Better Community, Constantino's and the U of R, Schumer helped secure over 740-thousand dollars in federal funds to jump-start construction of the store.
COO and Constantino's partner, Andrew Revy, says they'll be catering to students and staff, visitors to Strong Hospital, and the Mt Hope neighborhood.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, who says her first job was at that Mount Hope Wegmans which closed 10 years ago, says this new grocery store is very important for the neighborhood, and for those working at Strong Memorial Hospital.
She says having the new store here is not only a convenience, it's a source of pride.
Constantino's Market opens its doors to the public Thursday, April 9th at 7 am.
Here's Senator Charles Schumer with some opening remarks at today's event at the store: