Member Story: Jose Trochez, Poutine Plus

Jose Trochez was looking for something more to do with his life. 

Since 2019, shortly after moving back to Plattsburgh to be closer to his grandmother, the Marine Corps veteran had worked as a food delivery driver. He tried getting into real estate, but couldn’t pull together the finances to break into the field. 

Then late this winter, on his way back from a delivery for a Chinese restaurant, he saw a “For Sale” sign in the window of a poutine shop next door. Owner financing available, the sign said. 

And almost overnight, that’s how Jose went from delivering food to owning his own place, Poutine Plus (334 Cornelia St., Plattsburgh).

He’s been a member of Adirondack Regional FCU for just as long. Earlier this summer, he dished out free poutine to 25 credit union members for one of our member-appreciation events. As fate would have it, a lot of what we pride ourselves on doing best—great customer service, there when you need us—are also the traits Jose has leaned into to navigate his first foray into business ownership.

“In the beginning, it felt scary,” said Jose, who had never operated a restaurant before. “It was daunting, balancing being a full-time father, a grandson and then a business owner.”

At first, he planned to focus on Latin American cuisine. But after three weeks of customers coming in, looking for the old menu, and leaving without buying anything, he pivoted quickly back to poutine. 

That decision has paid off (though, in a nod to Jose’s original plan, you can still get birria poutine). Just as important has been leaning on his military background—four years of active duty, plus another four inactive and three in the reserves—for guidance. “Just show up,” he said. “That’s all you need to do. Doesn’t matter if you don’t get any sales, just show up. Be there on time. Do what you’ve got to do. Just clean the tables, clean the kitchen, clean the dishes. Be consistent, be patient, have a smile on your face, even if people don’t buy anything, give them great customer service.” 

So far, working with the credit union, he’s grown accustomed to that kind of friendliness every time he comes into the Plattsburgh branch. Jose is glad to work with a local business, just like his. And while his days are long—and as the only full-time employee, a lot falls on his shoulders—“it feels good to know that this is mine,” he said.