A popular East End restaurant in Rochester is closing, at least for now. A notice on the website for City Grill, at the corner of East Avenue and Alexander Street, says the restaurant will be closing its doors on Thursday, after what the notice says was a “beautiful 5 year run.”
The note says that the decision was made by the owners and management because of complications related to the construction of a new hotel, at what is now the East Avenue Inn and Suites.
Developers are planning a new Courtyard by Marriott at that site. They broke ground on the project in October, with completion expected in October 2020.
The owners of City Grill say that they hope to eventually be able to re-open next to the new hotel.
The event spaces at Ballroom 384 will continue to be active. The note from City Grill says they are hoping that the renovation work at that corner will be a catalyst for the re-branding of the East Ave. and Alexander St. area.
A statement from City Hall spokesman Justin Roj, said that, "We eagerly await the reopening of the City Grill upon completion of the Marriott hotel on the adjacent property. We understand that the ongoing construction has greatly impacted the restaurant's parking and access to the site. However, the ownership team's investment in the new hotel and their plans to reopen the restaurant demonstrate the continued economic growth in the East End and throughout Downtown Rochester."
Roj also said that the City of Rochester issued a loan in 2011 to the owners of the City Grill that was paid off in full in 2017.
