Trick or Treating Set for October 28

OCTOBER 2022 — Calling all costumed characters, ghouls, goblins, witches, superheroes, and everyone in between. Head to downtown Ithaca from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, to enjoy family-friendly Halloween activities. Guests are welcome to join the community costume parade and store-to-store trick-or-treating at participating locations (look for a “Halloween in Downtown” poster prominently displayed in their storefront … Read More

We’re Hosting An Inaugural PRIDE Week

Pride Week graphic with list of our sponsors in rainbow colors

MAY 24, 2022 — As part of PRIDE Month in June, Downtown Ithaca is preparing to host its inaugural Pride Week. From June 26 through July 3, come enjoy a variety of educational and fun activities that are crafted to celebrate and support Ithaca’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQAI+) community.  Events will include live performances from LGBTQIA+ groups at the Bernie … Read More

Meet Suzanne and Mockingbird Paperie

  We spoke with Suzanne Loesch, owner of Mockingbird Paperie on the Commons, to learn about her interests and her business.  What year did your Mockinbird Paperie Open? * 2012 How long have you owned/managed this business? How many years of experience do you have in your line of work? * I’ve owned and operated the business since 2012. I … Read More

11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off happening Saturday, Dec. 4

Competition features multiple chowder options prepared by top chefs from various downtown and local restaurants, beer & wine tastings, and more  ITHACA, NY NOV. 30, 2021 — Get your palates ready for Downtown Ithaca’s 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off happening this Saturday, Dec. 4, on and around the Commons. From 12 to 4 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy a … Read More

Dog Friendly

Green dog waste bag station on the Commons to make Commons a more pet friendly community

To make the dog walking experience on the Commons even more enjoyable, four new dog waste bag stations are now available on the pedestrian walkway. The green dispensers contain compostable bags, making it more convenient for dog-walkers to clean up after their pets. It’s an initiative that will help keep the Commons clean of animal feces. This initiative is meant to … Read More

Pop-up program brings multiple businesses to community

Center Cafe by Lou, FLX Bakes, The Bloomwell Modern Giftshop Popup, and Sunshine’s Creative Designs open for the holidays ITHACA NY DECEMBER 11, 2020 — Some new eateries and specialty shops are temporarily joining the downtown community for the winter thanks to a new program created by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance. Center Cafe by Lou and Finger Lakes Bakes is opened … Read More

Meet Curt Bayer and Bethany Baker at One World Market

Curt Bayer and Bethany Baker at One World Market

Meet Curt Bayer and Bethany Baker at One World Market One World Market is one of downtown’s most fascinating and unique shops on the Commons. When you step inside this specialty store, you are in for a worldly experience.  As you browse through two floors of hundreds of items, you’ll find many fair-trade, cultural crafts & housewares handcrafted by artisan … Read More

Downtown Ithaca honors essential workers 


Commons banners showcase the community’s local heroes ITHACA NY, AUGUST 6, 2020 — Downtown Ithaca is going the extra mile to salute its essential workers. The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) has installed a series of 12 banners on the light poles on the Commons pedestrian mall featuring images of essential workers printed on them.   DIA Executive Director Gary Ferson says the essential workers’ … Read More