How many more 'Legendary' nights does Rochester have left?
Last call at Legends Bar & Grill could be just months away.
The downtown bar has reached an agreement with the City of Rochester, which owns the Temple Labor Building, to extend its lease through May 31. What happens after that date depends on the progress of a proposed $200 million waterfront development by Bloom International Realty.
"The City is intending to sell the property to Bloom International Realty as part of the proposed riverfront redevelopment project," says a city memo. "Based upon the status of the project planning and negotiations, the Bloom representatives feel that a lease extension from the City to the building tenants is reasonable."
Legends owner Jeff Fieseler has met with city officials about the site's future. Given the uncertainty regarding Bloom's timeline, Fieseler said it is possible the bar could remain open for as little as a few more months or as long as another year or two. Either way, once Legends closes, it will close for good.
"Legends will someday go away," Fieseler said Tuesday by phone. The business first opened in 2012. "There is no opportunity to buy the building. There is a bigger plan for the area, which I understand. I just want to keep it going as long as I can and go out on a good note with the city."
With time expiring on Legends, Fieseler said he is now working on a new business concept. While he declined to provide details, he said it will be a "completely unique" experience for Rochester. He is now looking for a location and hopes to have the business up and running by May.
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(Cover photo: Med City Beat)
