Rochester Colonial began in 1947 as Laquig Colonial, a manufacturer of storm windows. In 1960 Sam Gionta purchased the company, then located on College Street, and renamed it Rochester Colonial. It remained primarily a manufacturer and distributor of aluminum windows and doors for home and commercial renovation projects until the 1980s, when it entered the vinyl and wood window business. Some historical highlights:

 

1963- The company moves to West Main Street and opens its first retail showroom

 

1967- Rochester Colonial builds new facility at 1794 Lyell Avenue. (This location, having undergone multiple expansions, remains the company’s main facility)

 

1975- Rochester Colonial opens a new insulated glass manufacturing facility across Lyell Avenue.

 

 

1983-1985 Rochester Colonial purchases and renovates the 450,000 square foot Yawman & Erbe facility on Jay Street, immediately adjacent to Interstate 490. After two years of renovation the facility is christened “Water Tower Park” after the imposing water tower that was located on the grounds (since removed).

 

"Rochester Mayor Thomas Ryan honors Sam Gionta and Rochester Colonial for the multi-year renovation of the abandoned Yawman & Erbe plant on Jay Street, rechristened "Water Tower Park."

 

1984- Rochester Colonial enters the residential new construction market, selling wood windows to area homebuilders. The company also begins to manufacture vinyl replacement windows.

 

1987- Rochester Colonial begins to manufacture custom-shaped wood windows.

 

 

 1989- A second showroom opens on Jefferson Road.

 

1990-1996- Multiple additions are made to warehouse and manufacturing facilities.

 

1998- Lyell Avenue showroom undergoes complete renovation, including new façade.

 

2004- The Henrietta store moves further east on Jefferson Road to a spectacular new showroom in Frontier Plaza.

 

 

2013- Rochester Colonial invents a new type of window that folds in and up (patent pending), sold under the trade name “FoldUp”™.

 

 

Today Rochester Colonial Mfg. Corp. employs over 100 men and women working in nearly 300,000 square feet of showroom, warehouse, manufacturing and office space. The company fleet numbers over 50 vehicles.