Al's Stand Closes after 76 Years
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: November 21, 2012
A little bit of neighborhood history is coming to a close in Rochester.
The family-owned restaurant known as Al's Stand has been open since the 1930's. On Wednesday, the business on the city's Northwest side served up its last meal.
Al's Stand is a small food joint that's been a big anchor in the neighborhood around Jefferson High. Back in the day, kids from the school spent their days and nights there.
"I first walked into this place in 1956. We played sports and we use to come here. It was better than "Happy Days" or was. We are still here. That's the best part," said Ange Mastrosimone.
Now after 76 years, the restaurant is closing. Joe Lucchese, who runs the place, says a family lawsuit is forcing him to close the restaurant his grandfather started.
"It's my family's restaurant. We been here about 80 years now. My grandfather started it and he got it through the depression and all the hard times and I just can't get through this lawsuit," said Lucchese.
On Wednesday, customers, young and old, stopped at Al's Stand to see the restaurant one last time. It was an emotional afternoon for many old timers.
"You could not get in the door to get lunch. That's how crowded it was. From the back to the front, from side to side, just hundreds every single day, every single day," said Frank Umbrino.
Frank Umbrino met his wife in the back booth of Al's. They have been married for 44 years.
"I walked up to the counter to order and I looked at her and I looked at my buddy and I said that's the girl I am going to marry and that is the honest truth," said Umbrino.
Al Lucchese was known for his homemade Italian sausage and a secret hot sauce, but Al's Stand provided much more than just good food.
"I mean this place meant everything to all of us but it's just our time I guess," said Lucchese.
"Unbelievable. It's an era gone. Boy, a lot of memories," said Doug Richards.
The family-owned restaurant known as Al's Stand has been open since the 1930's. On Wednesday, the business on the city's Northwest side served up its last meal.
Al's Stand is a small food joint that's been a big anchor in the neighborhood around Jefferson High. Back in the day, kids from the school spent their days and nights there.
"I first walked into this place in 1956. We played sports and we use to come here. It was better than "Happy Days" or was. We are still here. That's the best part," said Ange Mastrosimone.
Now after 76 years, the restaurant is closing. Joe Lucchese, who runs the place, says a family lawsuit is forcing him to close the restaurant his grandfather started.
"It's my family's restaurant. We been here about 80 years now. My grandfather started it and he got it through the depression and all the hard times and I just can't get through this lawsuit," said Lucchese.
On Wednesday, customers, young and old, stopped at Al's Stand to see the restaurant one last time. It was an emotional afternoon for many old timers.
"You could not get in the door to get lunch. That's how crowded it was. From the back to the front, from side to side, just hundreds every single day, every single day," said Frank Umbrino.
Frank Umbrino met his wife in the back booth of Al's. They have been married for 44 years.
"I walked up to the counter to order and I looked at her and I looked at my buddy and I said that's the girl I am going to marry and that is the honest truth," said Umbrino.
Al Lucchese was known for his homemade Italian sausage and a secret hot sauce, but Al's Stand provided much more than just good food.
"I mean this place meant everything to all of us but it's just our time I guess," said Lucchese.
"Unbelievable. It's an era gone. Boy, a lot of memories," said Doug Richards.
