After five years of cruising the streets in a food truck, The Hot Spot has officially parked itself at 27 Main St, bringing owner Stephen Thomas and his culinary creations to Brockport.
Thomas says he dreamed of owning his own restaurant since he was 12 years old and in 2019, that dream became a reality.
“We started with just a tent setup,” Thomas said. “We had just the bed of the truck, lifting up the grills every day, unloading it, popping the tent up and getting it going.”
The business quickly grew into a food trailer, where it became a staple for residents of Albion and often catered events at the Elks Lodge. But operating from a stationary trailer plugged into Upstate Bottle, with limited storage and refrigeration proved challenging. As demand grew, Thomas knew it was time to expand.
“I was going to Rochester three times a week to shop,” Thomas said. “There was about 10 hours just shopping and so I just was like, ‘Man, this is what I love doing. I don’t want to give up.’ It got to the point where I couldn’t keep up in Albion, so I just decided to take the leap. So far, it’s been absolutely worth it.”
No longer running out of fridge space or hitting his elbows on tight corners, Thomas can focus on his commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients.
“There’s just a real focus on quality. I have a meat sauce, not a grease sauce, like you get from most places. My burgers are always fresh quarter pounder patties. Even the chicken fingers, I’ll make sure I purchased that top tier,” Thomas said.
The restaurant’s fresh cheeseburgers quickly became a favorite of Pam Satkowski of Medina and Joe Barchet of Albion, who regularly visited The Hot Spot in Albion.
“Joe and I, we have gone a bunch of times this past summer to The Hot Spot,” Satkowski said. “It’s great, got the best cheeseburgers. Always fresh, that’s the best part.”
For Satkowski, the upgrade to a location with more space was a no brainer.
“It’s great, it’s a lot bigger. He’s got a lot more room than he did in that little truck to work around, poor guy,” Satkowski said.
Yet, relocating to Brockport wasn’t easy. Thomas faced numerous upgrades and code requirements, including moving exhaust hoods and updating the fire suppression system.
“This building has been a kitchen since the 80s. But when I came in, code enforcement wanted exhaust hoods moved from the sidewalk, on the side of the building up to the roof,” Thomas said.
Since the well-loved Jimmy Z’s closed its doors indefinitely Feb 29, 2024, Brockport residents have been missing their go-to spot for comfort food. Thomas’s new restaurant, The Hot Spot, might just fill that void.
Brockport locals have been counting down the days until a new establishment fills the vacant space on Main Street. Elba resident Deb Klink, who works in Brockport, noticed Thomas working on the building over the summer.
“I was walking by and happened to see him [Thomas] out working. I stopped to talk to him and found out a little bit more about it,” Klink said. “I think this will fit in perfect, especially with the loss of Jimmy Z’s. This will hopefully fill that niche that’s, you know, kind of an empty spot right now.”
Thomas considered other locations in Orleans and Monroe counties but felt an immediate connection to Brockport and its supportive community.
“As soon as I saw this place, I just fell in love with it,” Thomas said. “Jimmy Z’s was the place for a garbage plate for the longest time. For him to step down, he just left a big, big hole. I’m hoping to just fill his shoes, really.”
The new location has also resonated with Brockport’s college crowd, according to Thomas’s friend, Zach Bryce.
“I think it’s a better fit than Albion. Albion doesn’t have the population that Brockport has, especially with the college and everything,” Bryce said.
College towns like Brockport often drive spending power and generate demand through the students and faculty, which can benefit local businesses and contribute to the community’s overall activity.
Though still in a soft opening, The Hot Spot has already been met with enthusiasm from college students, families and other locals. Thomas has visions for the restaurant’s menu in the coming months.
“My full menu will actually come out around February, almost double in size,” Thomas said. “I’ll have my specialty burgers, a loaded fry section, ice cream, milkshakes, that type of stuff going as well. I just have all sorts of delicious flavors that I love. I’m a foodie at heart, for sure.”
The Hot Spot currently serves not only classic American food such as hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken fingers, but Rochesterian foods. This includes Rochester classic garbage plates and also ‘Fiz Cola’, Rochester’s only locally produced soda.
Thomas has big plans for The Hot Spot; everything from booth seating, big screen televisions, to adding artwork on the walls. Despite his plans, additional renovations are on hold until his financials stabilize. Selling his original food trailer to make the move was a sacrifice, but Thomas hopes to someday bring The Hot Spot back to Albion. For now, he’s focused on building a true community in Brockport, where his commitment to quality and a welcoming atmosphere could make The Hot Spot a new go-to destination for fresh flavors and local connection.
