Downtown Rochester launches ‘Bill Lipuma Community Spirit Award’

The Rochester Downtown Development Authority honored the memory of former Lipuma’s Coney Island owner Bill Lipuma — pictured here with his son and current business owner Tony Lipuma — by accepting nominations for the first “Bill Lipuma Community Spirit Award.”

Nominations of downtown property or business owners, employees due Aug. 5

ROCHESTER — Do you know a property owner, business owner or employee in downtown Rochester who deserves to be recognized for their community spirit?

The Rochester Downtown Development Authority is seeking nominations for the inaugural Bill Lipuma Community Spirit Award.

The award, according to DDA Executive Director Kristi Trevarrow, seeks to recognize individuals in the downtown Rochester community who “embody the community pride, spirit and love of Rochester” demonstrated by Bill Lipuma.

“Bill Lipuma was an icon in our city for well over 50 years. Anyone who met him was forever changed,” Trevarrow said.

Lipuma founded Lipuma’s Coney Island in downtown Rochester in 1969. After about 30 years of operating his business, Bill passed Lipuma’s Coney Island on to his son, Tony Lipuma.

“It’s a huge honor to my father, and really, it’s a huge honor to the whole family,” Tony Lipuma said of the new award. “I tell ya, my dad loved this city. He loved serving the people of our city. He passed away 12 days before his 90th birthday, but he would still come to the coney every day. The people, they just loved that guy.”

“Everyone has an affection for Bill Lipuma,” Trevarrow added. ‘When we lost him a couple of years ago, it hit all of us hard, because he always made us feel like we were a part of his family.”

Nominations for the inaugural Bill Lipuma Community Spirit Award — which are due Aug. 5 — can be submitted online at downtownrochestermi.com/whats-happening.

All nominees must be a downtown stakeholder — either a property owner, business owner or downtown employee.

Tony Lipuma said he hopes the award goes to someone who has a spirit like his father.

“Someone who loves the town and keeps their place up, who treats the people with kindness and shows their true heart … someone with enthusiasm for the city,” he said.

The winning nominee will be recognized during a private party at Lipuma’s Coney Island and have their name listed on a plaque inside the restaurant.

For more information, email kristi@downtownrochestermi.com or call (248) 656-0060.