Titus Tavern: Irondequoit’s Cheers
By:
AJ Bonacci and Charles Pinkard
A popular local bar in Irondequoit is in the middle of a legal battle over the historical status of its building.
HENRIETTA, N.Y. – A legal battle is currently playing out over the historical status of a popular local bar with the community at odds with the building’s owner.
“It’s been 130 years since a historical building status has been changed back in New York,” said Jeff Bushorr, a bartender at Titus Tavern.
The Titus Tavern has been a popular local bar in Irondequoit since 2012. Jeff Reddish, the owner of Jeremiah's Tavern, a sports restaurant chain in Rochester, bought the building and surrounding area with big plans for the property. His plan was to demolish the current building where Titus Tavern is located and build a new Jeremiah's Tavern in its place. This led to backlash from the community; the group Helping Irondequoit Plan for Progress successfully led an effort petitioning the town to declare the over 100-year-old building a historic landmark. Reddish has sued over the decision and has taken his case to the New York State Supreme Court in hopes of overturning the decision.
“The town came together to make this place a historical landmark,” said Bushorr.
IRONDEQUOIT, NY – MARCH 27: The front of the 100-year-old building where Titus Tavern is located.
The lawsuit was filed in 2023 but many of the town residents have taken issue with the continued resistance towards the historical status ruling. According to Bushorr, the plan to demolish the area was not done with the proper consultation.
“They didn’t consult the town or file the correct zoning papers. They bought out the McGregors in Greece and tried to do the same thing there as well.”
A real estate agent from Jeremiah’s did a layout on the building, houses behind the building, and a house across the street. The current plan would be to construct a massive parking lot where the houses were behind an eventual Jeremiah’s Tavern. Reddish did not respond when we contacted him to comment on the situation.
Email sent out by Jeremiah’s
Jeriemah’s even tried to enlist the residents of Irondequoit to help fight back against the town’s decision. Emails were sent out about the case to many people. This was met with a mixed response as many members of the community did not know how to feel.
Many members of the community questioned whether the building was actually deserving of the historical landmark status but were very firm about not wanting Titus Tavern to be replaced by a chain restaurant.
After receiving feedback from the community, the town preservation commission voted to make the main building a historical landmark.
Reddish’s case to overturn the Town’s ruling is still unresolved as the New York State Supreme Court has yet to hand down a decision.
During this time the Titus Tavern has continued to operate as normal while leasing the building from Reddish.
John Giehl was the building’s original owner and sold it to Reddish in 2018. Giehl still owns Titus Tavern itself and comes in regularly to interact with customers. “People do not want to drive too far to socialize, if the bar left it would be a big loss for the community,” said Giehl.
He also owned the Cooper Deli right next to the old building where the bar currently resides. The deli was a popular local spot with the high school down the road but was unfortunately shut down on Dec. 1, 2022. According to Giehl, “the bar is the focal point of the historical status of the building.” Reddish could remove anything he wants from the property except the main building.
Keeping the Titus Tavern in business for over 12 years has been a representation of the community itself. Giehl has lived by six key principles of business ever since he opened the bar. “To run a successful business there are six things you need, “location, service, product, pricing, personality, and patrons.”
IRONDEQUOIT, NY – MARCH 27: John Giehl stands behind the bar during business hours helping customers.
The Titus Tavern has become a social quarter for a lot of Irondequoit residents who have started to work from home after the pandemic. Many customers once they’ve finished work come straight to the bar. “A lot of people who come here work from home and they need this place to socialize,” said Bushorr. “I usually know 90% of the people here and I’m very protective of regulars.”
Even with the ongoing legal battle, the bar is frequented by customers of all ages. Part of the uniqueness of this bar is the relationship between the bartenders and the customers.
“I’ve always appreciated businesses that take the time to get to know you when you’re a customer,” said Brendan Dzakowic. “This place works well for the local area and tearing down houses to build a parking lot is a bad idea. I didn’t like the idea the moment I found out even before I started coming to the bar.”
IRONDEQUOIT, NY – MARCH 27: Brendan Dzakowic (left) talks with another older patron he met at the bar.
Dzakowic has been coming to the bar for six months straight after turning 21, he even has
memories of going to the bar to play darts with his mother. Now, Dzakowic hangs out with the other customers at the bar, he also recalled once when he got pretty drunk and Bushorr drove him home.
“I pay attention to everything at the bar and stuff like making sure nobody is planning on drunk driving. I’ll drive them home myself if I have to” said Bushorr. “This is like a second home, when I go to a bar I come here. Says something that I come back to my place of work for a beer.”
IRONDEQUOIT, NY – MARCH 27: Jeff Bushorr serves a customer a drink while he is working.
According to Bushorr, the bar leaving would be a huge loss for the community. “I like to call this place the Irondequoit Cheers and we swear by the motto ‘there are no strangers here, just friends you haven’t met yet.”
Source List:
John Giehl, Owner of Titus Tavern,
Jeff, Bartender at Titus Tavern,
Brendan Dzakowic, Patron