Rochester businesses ‘hit hard’ during $7M roadway project

ROCHESTER, Pa. — When The Hilltop restaurant reopened in February 2025, it marked the return of a beloved Rochester staple.

“There were times on the weekend, there was a wait for like a good hour to even get in here,” said Christina Law, one of the owners of The Hilltop.

She said they had a great first year, but a little more than a month after their first anniversary, a major $7 million construction project on Adams Street changed everything. And they’re not even on that street.

“It was instant; like the day that they blocked the roundabout up, we were hit hard from then, and it has not let up,” Law told Channel 11’s Andrew Havranek.

Law said they’ve lost almost all of their business.

“We’re looking at about 75% decrease of our business,” she said.

They’re not the only business in the area hurting.

“It has been a major hit for everybody in Rochester,” Law said.

Nesmith Diner and Catering told Channel 11 off camera that they’ve lost a lot of business during the construction. Philly Pretzel Factory permanently closed its location on Adams Street.

Pamela Coratto’s Beauty Salon is also feeling the hurt.

“A lot of people used to park on the street because they were either handicapped or needed to be dropped off, and that has really slowed up,” owner Pamela Coratto said. “So, we noticed the impact on that.”

PennDOT said the original plan was to finish the construction work in November. But they now say they are ahead of schedule.

“They’re shooting for Labor Day, and we hope that that happens,” Coratto said.

In a statement, PennDOT told Channel 11, “Due to recent inclement weather, they are not expecting to reopen the road by Labor Day. However, they are anticipating the week following Labor Day, which is still ahead of the originally noted timeframe of mid-November. Crews are currently working on concrete curb and utility hole adjustments and expect to conduct final paving of the wearing course in the coming weeks within the closed section of Adams Street. There will be minor work to occur after the reopening, but this will not require any full closures.”

In the meantime — these businesses are urging people to come out to their restaurants and shops as soon as possible.

“There’s a lot of different businesses, like The Hilltop, that really need your support,” Coratto said. “And so, if you want to frequent them, I’d say come on out and really give them your all.”

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