ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Business owners along North Clinton Avenue in Rochester went to speak face to face with Rochester City Council after they were forced to close early or face consequences on the final day of the Puerto Rican Festival back in August.
Albert Algarian represents the business association which includes dozens of businesses along North Clinton Avenue. He says businesses received a letter from the city as in previous years, asking them to close at 4 p.m. on August 2, 2025 because of large crowds expected to gather on the final day of the Puerto Rican Festival. Algarian says if businesses failed to close they would face possible fines and arrest.
“So I’m here today to let city council know that this is not the right way to go,” Algarian said. “This law was a very powerful law. Merchants got concerned worried and intimidated. And we are here to let them know we need to sit down and talk about this.”…