In a previous life, we bought manufacturing equipment from closed down Rochester firms for nickels on the dollar. Eastman Kodak, Xerox and other big name companies once had a strong presence here.
I grew up just east of Rochester, it has some neat aspects and history but is overall a dump. Better to visit than live there with the taxes, NYS laws, dirt bag cops, and lake effect winters.
Anyone can replicate Nick Tahou’s Garbage Plate, the bar isn’t that high.