Two new businesses join downtown Ithaca

Ceremonies set for March 4 at Shoji Arts and The Greenhouse Cafe and Cocktail Lounge

ITHACA, NY MARCH 2, 2021 — The City of Ithaca and Downtown Ithaca Alliance will host a pair of ceremonies Thursday, March 4 to celebrate the opening of

Licensed Massage Therapist Shayna Grajo

Licensed Massage Therapist Shayna Grajo offers Shiatsu and Thai massage services at Shoji Arts on Aurora Street in downtown Ithaca. The City of Ithaca and Downtown Ithaca Alliance will welcome this new business to the community on March 4.

two new businesses in the downtown community.

The first ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at Shoji Arts, 120 Aurora St., and immediately followed by a ceremony at The Greenhouse Cafe and Cocktail Lounge, 320 E. State St., across the street from City Centre.

Shoji Arts is owned by licensed massage therapist Shayna Grajo. She specializes in Shiatsu and Thai massage, each is a holistic, intuitive style of healing from the East. Grajo uses

her hands and feet, supported by her bodyweight, to apply broad pressure and directed pressure at acupressure points.

“These forms of massage encourage the flow of energy through the receiver’s body along energy channels established by ancient medicine,” says Grajo.

At The Greenhouse Cafe and Cocktail Lounge, diners may enjoy vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free cuisine made with locally sourced produce and spices along with specialty cocktails made with top-shelf liquors. Plus, it serves a selection of high-quality wines from New York, France, and Italy. The cafe is co-owned by Tim Gammons, former general manager at Colivare, and Cornell University alumna Jacky Falkenberg who owned the former Nikki Green restaurant that closed in 2019.

“The idea behind the Greenhouse Cafe is to remind people that vegetables are good for us to eat on a regular basis. Our freshly prepared plant-based meals are a delicious option to help people enjoy eating vegetables,” says Gammons.

DIA Executive Director Gary Ferguson says, “We look forward to welcoming these two new businesses to our community. Both businesses have made a serious commitment to our community by investing in bricks-and-mortar locations here in the heart of Downtown. They deserve our thanks, best wishes, and most of all, our patronage and support.”

For more information about downtown businesses and other offerings, visit downtownithaca.com.

The new Greenhouse Cafe and Cocktail Lounge on E. Green Street in Downtown Ithaca is a farm-to-table restaurant offering a selection of plant-based, gluten-free cuisine. The City of Ithaca and Downtown Ithaca Alliance will welcome this new eatery to the community on March 4.

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