07/27/2026
Some traditions become family.
For more than 20 years, this incredible group has gathered every Thursday evening at Victoria’s. Over the years, spouses and friends have joined the table. Together they’ve celebrated birthdays, milestones, retirements, and life’s everyday moments. They’ve also said goodbye to a few dear friends along the way.
A few weeks ago, one of the Thursday night crew unexpectedly passed away following what was supposed to be a routine surgery. She had no immediate family, only the family she had built around this table.
Without hesitation, this remarkable group stepped in. They cleaned out her apartment, organized a beautiful celebration of her life, and then returned to the place where so many memories were made—Victoria’s—for dinner, served by the same server who has taken care of them every Thursday for the past two decades.
It’s a powerful reminder that family isn’t always defined by blood. Sometimes it’s built through years of laughter, shared meals, unwavering loyalty, and simply showing up for one another.🩵
Thank you Olive Juice Studios for capturing this memory! !
Rochester Downtown Alliance
