Shopkeeper's Corner

The inside guide to shopping in Downtown Ithaca

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Mark Zaharis opened Narrative Space (213 North Aurora Street) this past May. It’s a classically inspired barbershop and lifestyle store where you’ll find American and heritage brands for your home and body. They are open M-Th 11-7, F-Sa 11-8, and Su 11-6. For more information, visit www.narrativespaceny.com

What do you love about Downtown Ithaca? Seeing friendly faces of local business owners and old friends everywhere I go.

What is your most popular item this holiday season? Woolrich parkas and boots from Redwing and Wolverine.

What is your favorite holiday tradition in Ithaca? Serving mulled cider in the store on cold days.

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Kate Clemons has managed Sarah’s Patisserie (130 East Seneca Street) since July. Serving up “all things French and all things sweet” for over a decade, Sarah’s is open  M-T 12-10 and W-Su 9-10. For more information, visit www.sarahspatisserie.com

What brought you to Ithaca? I came to study at Ithaca College, and now I can't imagine leaving. 

What do you love about your job? I love when people take a bite of our delicious chocolates or pastries and their faces just light right up. It's nice to be able to give someone a little moment of happiness in their day.

What is the best kept secret or deal in your shop? Our hot chocolate! Made from whole milk, homemade chocolate ganache, and homemade whipped cream, it really doesn't get any better. It's like a meal in a cup. 

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Jennifer Engel has owned The Cat's Pajamas (215 North Cayuga Street) for 35 years. A toy store that’s "fun to visit no matter how old you are,” they are open M-Th 10-6, F 10-7, Sa 10-6, and Sun 12-6. For more information, visit www.catspajamasithaca.com

What do you love about Downtown Ithaca? It’s a wonderful playground of sights and smells and sounds and opportunities to mingle with an amazing array of folks, each one with a unique skill, knowledge base, and passion.

What is your most popular item this holiday season? We are famous for our eclectic array of unique stocking stuffers. And we have free gift wrapping!

What is the best kept secret in your shop? Our best kept secret is our location -- the Dewitt Mall! It’s an incredible gem, hidden in plain sight, chock-a-block full of delightful, longtime owner-operated shops and restaurants all under one roof of pure Ithaca and timeless architectural genius.

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Deirdre Kurzweil has owned Sunny Days of Ithaca (123 South Cayuga Street) for almost two years. Check out their diverse selection of gifts daily 10-8. For more information, visit www.sunnydaysny.com

What brought you to Ithaca? I grew up in Aurora and my family moved to Ithaca when I was in college. I always dreamed of coming home, and after being away for about 20 years, I finally came back 11 years ago to raise my son here.

What do you love about your job? The happy vibe, and being surrounded by the beauty and creativity of our vendors!

Why should someone shop in your store this holiday season? At Sunny Days, we try to make the holiday shopping experience a positive one by offering free button making to entertain the kids a little while you look around, free gift wrapping, a wide range of price options to choose from, and a warm and inviting environment. Gift-giving should be fun, including the process of finding just the right thing for the people in your life.

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Joe Nolan is the owner of Home Green Home (215 The Commons), "taking organic beyond the kitchen” since 2007. Check out their sustainable goods and furnishings M-Sa 10-8 and Sun 11-6. For more information, visit www.homegreenhome.com

What do you love about Downtown Ithaca? The lively street scene; people strolling and chatting.

What do you love about your job? Seeing new customers fall in love with our eclectic mix of organic, recycled, and local items.

What is the best kept secret or deal in your shop? We have the most comfortable mattresses in Upstate New York.

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Holly Green has owned and operated Norabloom (132 The Commons) for two years. Norabloom is downtown Ithaca’s holistic beauty lounge offering facials, massage therapy, waxing, makeup, and natural nail care. Book an appointment daily 9-6. For more information, visit www.norabloom.com

Why should someone shop in your store this holiday season? We love what we do and it shows. 

What is your most popular gift or item or service you sell this holiday season? Gift cards and holiday spa boxes -- a chemical free approach to beauty and wellness.

What is the best kept secret or deal in your shop? We do private spa parties!

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Mark and Jessica Leonard (pictured here with their newborn son Gareth) purchased Ithaca Sheepskin, an Ithaca favorite for 36 years, last year and moved into a downtown retail space (134 The Commons) just this past summer. Stop in, meet the family, and check out their fine sheepskin apparel and gifts this holiday season Tu-W 12-6, Th-Sa 12-8, and Su 12-6. For more information, visit www.ithacasheepskin.com What do you love about your job? Telling people who are admiring our products that we made them in the back workshop, and having them be excited to not only covet a beautiful thing, but also to meet the artisan. What is your most popular item this holiday season? Warm, beautiful, unique sheepskin hats! What do you want for the holidays? To keep feeling as welcome and appreciated as our customers have been making us feel since the day we opened our shop!

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Joe Wetmore is the owner of Autumn Leaves Used Books (115 The Commons), downtown’s go-to store for bibliophiles since 1993. They are open Mo-Sa 10-9 and Su 11-6. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/Autumn-Leaves-Used-Books-345065755653/?fref=ts

What do you love about your store or job?

I get the most enjoyment out of someone finding a book that changes their life.

What is the best kept secret or deal in your shop? We have a huge selection of biographies on the second floor.

What is your favorite holiday tradition in Ithaca? Ice sculptures.

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Jan Rhodes Norman has been in business locally for 38 years and opened Ithacamade five years ago; the store moved downtown (215 North Cayuga Street in the Dewitt Mall) just this fall. Ithacamade carries a tremendously diverse selection of locally-produced arts and crafts. Check them out this holiday season M-Sa 10-6 and Su 10-2 (Su 10-4 until 12/19). For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ithacamade

What do you love about Downtown Ithaca? Walkability! I live four blocks from my store. It's great to be able to leave the car at home and do what needs to be done on foot. I also love the fact that we have maintained a vibrant, historic downtown core. That is unique in upstate New York!

Why should someone shop in your store this holiday season? Ithacamade is more than just a store selling wonderful local products. We’re a hub for bringing locally made goods to the community and building our local economy!

What is the best kept secret or deal in your shop? The best deal is the Silk Oak coupon in the 2015 Guide to Being Local. Use the coupon at Ithacamade and get $10.00 off your purchase of Silk Oak of $20.00 or more.

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Laurence Clarkberg has owned Boxy Bikes (118 West Green Street on Press Bay Alley) for three years. His shop specializes in electric bikes. They are open M-Th 9-4 and F-Su 9-6. For more information, visit www.boxybikes.com

What do you love about your job? I love that I am selling a cutting-edge product that always makes people smile the first time they use it and that they say changed their life after they have been using it for a few months.

Why should someone shop in your store this holiday season? I carry a wide range of bicycling accessories—lights, locks, bells and baskets—that make perfect stocking stuffers for the bicyclist in your life.

What do you want for the holidays? A climate less changed.

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Jack Goldman founded The Bookery, which buys and sells used books, 40 years ago. Their hours this holiday season are M-Sa 10-5:30 and Su 12-4. For more information, visit www.thebookery.com

What do you love about your store or job? We love our strong, local presence in an ever-changing medium, in an increasingly digital world. And we love helping connect our customers with new books, new authors, and ideas or helping them in their search for a special book that has eluded them for years.

Why should someone shop in your store this holiday season? The gift of reading is a very personal and wonderful thing to give. A good book is a gift that comes from the heart.

What do you want for the holidays? Peace in the world.

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Doreen Culver-Foss has owned Bool’s Flower Shop since 2006. Bool’s, a downtown Ithaca fixture since 1894, has aimed to provide outstanding customer service and top quality floral products that enhance the lives and express the feeling of their customers. Their regular hours are M-F 8:30-6 and Sa 8:30-5; they will be open until 8 on 12/11 and 12/12. For more information, visit www.boolsflowershop.net

What do you love about your store or job? I get to be surrounded by beautiful flowers and people! There are unique creative opportunities every day and we help people to express their emotions when words aren't enough.

Why should someone shop in your store this holiday season? We have affordable gifts for your loved ones of all ages and we deliver! We will deliver personally anywhere in Tompkins County. If you need something delivered out of our range, we can send via Teleflora or FTD anywhere in the world.

What is your favorite holiday tradition in Ithaca? The Ice Festival has become a must-see event. I'm amazed at what it has grown into. The ice sculptors are so talented and it's a great way to enjoy the cold weather.

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Lisa Holt has managed Finger Lakes Running and Triathlon Company (215 The Commons) for the last two years. The store offers a complete line of running shoes, accessories, apparel, and nutritional items as well as bike and triathlon accessories. This holiday season, they’ll be open M-Th 10-7, F 10-8, Sa 10-6, and Su 12-5. For more information, visit www.flrtc.com

What do you love about your store or job? Being able to help people be pain free and active.

What is your most popular gift or item or service you sell this holiday season? Running shoes.

What is the best kept secret or deal in your shop? We have a frequent buyer program: for every $150 spent in the shop, a customer will receive a $15 credit towards their next purchase.

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Kristina Thelen is the owner of Amuse: Modern Cottage Industry (Press Bay Alley – 118 W. Green St.), dedicated to the newest perspective of Handmade in America in small, accessible, exciting packages. The store has been open for a year and a half. Their hours this holiday season are M-W 11-5, Th-Sa 11-8, and Su 11-4. For more information, visit www.ithacaisamusing.com 

What brought you to Ithaca? We moved to Ithaca from the west coast six years ago. My husband attended Cornell for grad school in Urban Planning. We loved it so much here we stayed.  

What is your most popular gift or item or service you sell this holiday season? The exclusive greeting cards I carry. I have the most colorful and entertaining cards for every occasion including holiday themes. With our card club punch card, buy 10 cards and you get the 11th card free!

What is the best kept secret or deal in your shop? Not everyone can readily see that they are buying USA made, ethically produced, sustainable, and mostly handmade products. Each product has been chosen for its high quality, affordable price, and great packaging. A consumer doesn't have to choose to buy the right thing for the right reason. It is just easy to shop local, handmade, ethical when each product has been created with so much heart, great design, and charming presentation.

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Draya Koschmann is the proprietor of Thrive Ethical Fashion (112 N. Cayuga St.) Opened this past August, Thrive is a mission-driven boutique specializing in ethically produced women’s fashion and handmade accessories by American artists. This holiday season, they’ll be open M-Th 12-6; F 12-8; Sa 11-7; Su 1-6. For more information, visit www.shopthriveny.com.

What do you love about downtown Ithaca? I don't own a car, so for me it is essential to live and work in downtown Ithaca. I love that it is the artistic and cultural heart of our community.

What do you love about your job? I am crazy about fashion and I love shopping! I am also deeply committed to the rights of factory and farm workers around the world. I love that I can combine those two passions by supporting ethical companies dedicated to fair wages and working conditions in cotton agriculture and apparel manufacturing.

What is your most popular item this holiday season? My own jewelry line, Draya Designs, is always a hot seller for the holidays. This year, in addition to all of our beautiful and ethically-made gifts for women (think handmade jewelry, handbags, and winter accessories), we will have a special section of gifts for men! We make it easy to buy the man in your life the perfect gift by stocking a carefully curated collection of handmade belts, wallets, key chains, snap-backs, beanies, and even beard oil.

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Peter Parkes is the proprietor of Benjamin Peters (120 The Commons), specializing in men’s clothing and footwear for men and women for over 20 years. Their hours are M-W & Sa-Su 10-6 and Th-F 10-8. For more information, visit www.benjaminpeters.com.

What is your most popular item this holiday season? Wool shirts and sweaters from Pendleton.

What is the best kept secret or deal in your shop? Our rewards program—come check it out! We also offer free tailoring, gift wrapping, and one free hour of parking throughout the holiday season.

What is your favorite holiday tradition in Ithaca? Creating fabulous holiday store windows for all to enjoy.

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Asha Sanaker has managed Buffalo Street Books (215 N. Cayuga St.) for almost three years. Cooperatively run by nearly 700 members of the community, BSB offers the best selection of new books in downtown Ithaca. Go and take a look around M-F 10-7 and Su 12-5. For more information, visit www.buffalostreetbooks.com.

What do you love about downtown Ithaca? The incredible diversity of local options for gifts and services. You really can do all your holiday shopping on foot, see friends everywhere you turn, and then get delicious food to reward yourself when you’re done.

Why should someone shop in your store this holiday season? Our staff are friendly and passionate about books. We pay a livable wage and work extensively with the schools and libraries to encourage literacy throughout Tompkins County.

What is your favorite holiday tradition in Ithaca? When Santa rappels down to the Commons from the roof of Center Ithaca.

Buffalo Street Books Celebrates Small Business Saturday & Indies First

Stop by Buffalo Street Books on Nov. 28 for Small Business Saturday.  BSB will be participating in a national effort, Indies First, encouraging shoppers to shop at their local independent bookstore this holiday season.  

From 1-3 PM four great local authors will be in the store handselling their favorite books to customers.  Come down and talk to them about their own books and what they and you should be reading and gifting this holiday season.

Meet the following local authors:

Bob Proehl: Gilded Palace of Sin, A Hundred Thousand Worlds (releasing nationally Spring 2016)

Megan Shull: Yours Truly, Skye's the Limit, Amazing Grace, The Swap

Leslie Daniels:  Cleaning Nabokov's House

J. Robert Lennon:  See You In Paradise, Pieces for the Left Hand, Familiar, Castle