Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published August 23, 2019.

Where are you from? How did you end up in Rochester?

I’m from the former Yugoslavia; the country went through a nasty civil war. After it was done, we lost everything. My mom brought us here with only $700 in her pocket. We were refugees; we picked Rochester because my aunt was here. I was only 18 years old.

What were your first impressions of Rochester?

After being in a camp for so long, you get used to the only light you see being the little ones you have on your table. I came from such a little town. When I got here, all I could see was light. Driving down 390, there were all these lights, and I felt like I’d arrived somewhere where it would be peaceful. I was just so in awe of those lights. When you leave a place that’s been dark for so long, you feel like it’s the beginning of a new life and something so exciting.

How did you get acclimated when you first arrived?

English was my fourth language at that point, I didn’t speak it when I came here. My mom signed us up for the Catholic Family Center. It was pretty tough. In our prior life, we were familiar with the area and knew lots of people, but when we came here, we didn’t know the area and only knew our own family. I tried to learn as fast as I could. I ended up going to MCC, which helped me connect with more people, and I studied Liberal Arts there.

What is your favorite part of living in Rochester?

The arts and culture in Rochester. I always enjoy visiting the MAG, the Eastman Museum, and the Eastman Theatre. I remember attending a James Bond event at the Eastman Museum and that was great. I absolutely love all the small businesses we have in town. I’m also a big foodie, so I love our restaurants. 

What are some hidden gems you've discovered around Rochester? 

Atlas Eats is so good, and so off the beaten path. I absolutely love their kimchi pancakes. They’re known for both their brunch and their dinners. The Good Luck burger is my favorite in Rochester. I love Rocco--you have to get their charred bread with ricotta, and for dessert, the butterscotch pudding with warm caramel and salty almonds. The contrast between the cold pudding and the warm sauce is just so good. 

Maria’s in Webster, in the basement of a church, is another great hidden gem. It’s a Mexican place; I’ve been going there for years. I always get a margarita, their holy mole guacamole, and the enchiladas. You can drink the enchilada sauce, it’s so good!

I enjoy exploring the wineries in the Finger Lakes, too. I found this hidden gem recently, a by-appointment-only winery called Kemmeter Wines, in the Seneca area, and they’re putting a dumpling place in next to it soon. It’s run by a German and Chinese couple. She’s a scientist, and his family owns a winery in Germany. They’re going to make this big! I’m excited for them.

What are some of your favorite nonprofits to support? 

Lollypop Farm and Sojourner Home are two big ones. Through my work at my salon, a couple years in a row, we supported a girls’ home in Pune, India for girls who have been trafficked. They feed, clothe, and help with their education. We’re in the works now trying to pick a local cause to support for future years, perhaps for missing and exploited children.

What's your favorite neighborhood in the city? 

Park Ave--I love the feel of it. It reminds me of back home. Where I come from, Rochester is a big city. Park Ave gave me that sense of home feel. There are shops, restaurants, and people out and about. People eat outside like they do in Europe, and you can walk everywhere. 

What's the best place to get a garbage plate? 

Dogtown is my all-time favorite. I’m a pretty healthy eater, but I have to get them every once in awhile.

What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather?

I like to be outdoors. I go snowshoeing or sledding, even when it’s really cold out. Sometimes we’ll fill up our travel mugs and spike it before we head out sledding at Cobbs Hill or Highland Park.

What makes Rochester unique?

The number of different cultures and relative openness to each other. We have a sense of community at our many festivals. Rochester is a true melting pot. It’s such a wonderful little city. There’s so much potential here. We have four seasons, the beautiful Finger Lakes, and a thriving food scene. If you’re bored, you haven’t explored enough. There’s something for everyone.

Tell me a little bit about your business, Salon Marcé, and how you got started.

My husband inspired me to do it. I had worked at an upscale salon in Victor, and moved to be closer to the city. I rented at another place for awhile, but I realizd that in order to create happiness for myself, my team, and my clients, I needed to go out on my own and create my own culture. I’ve been doing it for three years now, and I can honestly say that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. It’s been the best thing, even with the challenges of owning a business that come up along the way.

If Rochester was an animal, what would it be?

It would be a Maltese. I have one! They can withstand this weather. I’m a dog lover, and I love this city. They’re resilient and so is Rochester.