Meet Christopher DelCollo at The Brain Shoppe

If you love challenging your mind while simultaneously having fun, then you’ll enjoy what’s in store for you at The Brain Shoppe, one of downtown Ithaca’s newest stores.

Located on the Commons (look for the giant green brain on the storefront window) since July 2019, The Brain Shoppe offers a grand selection of wooden and metal puzzles, code games, STEM kits, windup toys and much more for children and adults. There’s even a puzzle table where you can sample the different games and puzzles that are available in the shop.

Local web developer Christopher DelCollo is The Brain Shoppe’s founder.

“I wanted to create a destination and experience that tourists will remember, and that locals will appreciate,” says DelCollo. “It’s so fun to see the burst of joy people get when solving one of our demo puzzles. This happens every day.”

Christopher DelCollo, owner of The Brain Shoppe, demonstrates how to figure out one of the puzzles in the specialty store.

DelCollo hails from New Jersey and came to the Ithaca area in 1994 to study communications at Ithaca College (IC). After graduating from IC, he decided to stay in the area because he was impressed and inspired by the number of intelligent individuals who live in and visit downtown.

“I couldn’t imagine locating the Brain Shoppe anywhere but the Commons. Ithaca is a smart city and all the action is happening downtown. It’s such a lively place and I love meeting the interesting people who live in and visit the area.

When DelCollo isn’t busy selling brainteasers, he can be found developing websites at Ancient Wisdom Productions (AWP), a web design and marketing company, also located in downtown Ithaca. DelCollo is the president of this company and founded the businesses 15 years ago. He also enjoys spending time with his family.

For more information about Christoper DelCollo and The Brain Shoppe, you can visit the store at 210 The Commons or check out the shop’s website at thebrainshoppe.com. You can also find The Brain Shoppe on Facebook at facebook.com/thebrainshoppe/ and on Instagram.

The Faces of Downtown Ithaca

Some say the best referrals come from trusted family and friends. In Downtown Ithaca, quality recommendations often come from speaking directly to our hospitable downtown business owners and managers. Afterall, who knows their business best than the business owner themselves.

Welcome to Faces of Downtown Ithaca where we’ll give you an insider’s look at downtown’s shops, let you meet your shopkeepers, and restaurateurs who provide this area with some of the finest shopping, dining, and attractions that the Finger Lakes Region has to offer.

Not only do these folks work here, but they also dine, shop, and play here. Many of them also live here, too! This is their Downtown Ithaca and now, they are sharing some of their histories with you.