Southwedge.com is a website produced by the Business Association of the South Wedge Area (BASWA) and devoted to listing our local businesses and events.
The South Wedge neighborhood of Rochester, NY is nestled between downtown Rochester directly to the north; the lovely Olmsted-designed Highland Park to the south, the Genesee River and scenic Mt. Hope Cemetery to the west, and other vibrant southeast neighborhoods to the east, such as Monroe Avenue, Park Avenue and the Neighborhood of the Arts.
Home to many long-established specialty businesses such as Cheesy Eddie’s, Premier Pastry, Lux Lounge, Beale Street, and Historic Houseparts, the area has attracted a wealth of new specialty businesses over the past 5 years: Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, Eco-Bella Bakery, Boulder Coffee, Thread, Godiva’s, Open Face Sandwich Eatery, Mise En Place Market, John’s Tex-Mex, Tap & Mallet, Solera Wine Bar, Tango Dance Café, and several others. 42% of the commercial properties on South Avenue are owner-occupied, resulting in a community of business owners that care about their buildings, streetscape, and neighborhood.
The South Wedge area is also home to several major local employers including the University of Rochester and Strong Medical Center, Highland Hospital, Time Warner Cable, and ABVI. The neighborhood has the benefit of established, active neighborhood and business associations; the Business Association of the South Wedge Area (BASWA), and the South Wedge Planning Committee (SWPC). You’ll find that a significant number of customers are drawn to the South Wedge from surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs in addition to the South Wedge itself.
The South Wedge is a destination for many thanks in part to the many “Best of Rochester” and “Rochester’s Choice” businesses located in the commercial district. The area has a very low commercial vacancy rate, but also has a new mixed-use building currently under construction in the heart of the South Avenue commercial district. This multi-million dollar project will add 33 residential units and 4 new commercial units to South Avenue. This historic neighborhood features a variety of architectural styles from Greek Revival to Art Deco, and includes two local preservation districts and a national historic district.
The neighborhood boasts a well-maintained, compatible mix of residential and commercial properties. The South Wedge is in demand as a place to live yet still has an affordable range of prices and variety of housing options and the commercial district offers amenities that appeal to singles, young adults, college students, empty nesters, and families.
