Archive: Business & Technology

(Ithaca, NY) Downtown Ithaca is about to be the recipient of five new or expanded businesses. Three downtown Ithaca businesses are moving into larger quarters… one of them into a building the owners just purchased, a locally-owned business is expanding into downtown, and one new business is set to soon open… all in the next few weeks. The businesses represent restaurants, clothiers, sports/recreation and an art and gift gallery.

The news of these additions to downtown is especially welcome to Downtown Ithaca Alliance Executive Director Gary Ferguson, who says, “While downtown has experienced more vacancies this year than in the past, reflecting the soft national retail climate, the downtown economy remains surprisingly strong. This type of investment activity is an indicator that many entrepreneurs see downtown as a strong, vibrant location and a place where they can succeed. When locally owned businesses expand and when they move into larger quarters, these are indicators of the underlying strength of the downtown marketplace.”

Here’s an overview of the business activity:

Ameritalia Pizzeria is a new business at 111 The Commons and will offer a lunch and dinner fare that goes beyond pizza. The menu will be a traditional Italian cuisine and co-owner Aman Abdiani says Ameritalia Pizzeria will also offer a daily lunch special designed specifically to make sure that downtown workers are back at their desks before their lunch break is over. Abdiani and his partner chose downtown as the location for their restaurant because of the steady amount of foot and pedestrian traffic the area sees. Ameritalia Pizzeria has a target opening date of October 1st.

Shangri La Gifts is moving into a new, larger Commons storefront in Center Ithaca at 171 The Commons. Shangri La plans to open during the first week of September. Shangri La is a fixture on the Commons, known for its exquisite gift selection, fashions, and fine art and decorative pieces. An opening celebration is planned for Friday night, September 5th, which is also Gallery Night in downtown Ithaca The Shangri La Corporation, which owns Shangri La, is also one of 72 companies nationwide to win a 2006 Forbes Enterprise Award for fashion design. Shangri La was located across from Center Ithaca, at 156 The Commons, before taking up temporary residence at 210 W. State Street.

Petrune is moving to 126 The Commons. Owners Domenica Brodeman and Justin Hjortshoj are also purchasing the four-story building. Petrune sells high quality vintage clothing dating from the 1800’s to the 1980’s and ranging from tuxedos to casual wear. Brodeman says the company’s business plan has always called for it to own the building the business was located in, and when the opportunity to purchase 126 The Commons came up, she chose to move from their current location at 115 S. Cayuga Street. The new location will allow Petrune to expand its offerings to include new clothing and accessories. Brodeman also says the second floor of the building will be converted into an art gallery, with plans to eventually convert the top two floors into residential space. Petrune plans to open in its new location during the first week of September.

That Burrito Place is expanding into downtown Ithaca. The locally-owned company currently has one location in Ithaca’s collegetown and plans to open at 146 The Commons during the last week of September or first week of October. Owner Jess Mayer the success That Burrito Place has had in targeting the student population led him to look for a second location that not only draws students, but also has a good mix of permanent residents. Mayer also says That Burrito Place will take steps to ensure it is set up to serve food at the Apple Harvest Festival September 26-28.

Homegrown Boardshop in the Commons West Plaza at 103 The Commons is moving to larger quarters at 104 The Commons. Homegrown Boardshop sells skateboards, skateboard accessories and hardware and a clothing and shoe line that appeals to the skateboard community. Owner Andrew Douglas says the new location is currently being renovated to include new display fixtures and will allow Homegrown to offer more product lines. Homegrown Boardshop plans to move into the new location in October.

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