http://www.ithaca.com/opinion/building-downtown-in-praise-of-merchants/article_07cb3d7a-5ad0-11e4-8ff8-4b31253f8eeb.html

On Thursday, October 23, 2014, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and Mayor Svante Myrick will hold ribbon cutting ceremonies for three expanded businesses in downtown Ithaca.

At 5:15 PM, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Community Dispute Resolution Center in Center Ithaca, 171 The Commons (Suite 105-1, next to Acting Out New York in the upper atrium). The ribbon cutting will be a part of an open house at their new offices from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Says Amber Driscoll, Case Manager at CDRC, “Please stop by and see our bright new accessible location while enjoying snacks and local wines! For over 30 years now, CDRC has been supporting constructive responses to conflict throughout the many communities in Tompkins County. Our staff and skilled volunteer mediators provide the expertise and support to support people from all walks of life who find themselves being compromised by negative conflict interaction in often very difficult situations. In the words of our founding director, Judy Saul, we are changing the world one conversation at a time.” For more information, please visit: http://www.cdrc.org.

At 5:30 PM, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for One World Market, also in Center Ithaca (enter on the Commons between The Art and Found and Jillian’s Drawers). Says proprietor Curtis Bayer, “One World Market used to be called Ten Thousand Villages. We changed our name as part of the process of becoming an independent fair trade store. Our mission is to build sustainable, long-term trade relationships with artisans and strive to ensure fairness in all aspects of our work. We choose handcrafted products that reflect and reinforce rich cultural traditions that are environmentally sustainable and that appeal to the customer. As an independent store, we can work with even more small fair trade companies, thus helping a greater number of people. Our store has been on the Commons for 15 years now, and we have enjoyed the strong support of the downtown Ithaca community!” For more information, please visit: http://www.owmithaca.com.

At 5:45 PM, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for Toko Imports in the Dewitt Mall, 215 North Cayuga Street (next to Sola Gallery). Says new owner Polly Wood, “I’m very thankful to Tom Kozlowski for building and keeping Toko alive for over 30 years, and I’m excited to honor what he’s built while bringing in fresh, new energy. Toko will continue to be your local stop for drums, percussion, and world music instruments as well as outstanding variety of hats for all seasons. Although Toko has long been an import store, some of the instruments and hats are made by local artisans as well. What’s new to Toko is a growing assortment of multicultural statues and gifts, including museum reproductions of ancient mother goddesses, folk-craft deities, and contemporary art of the sacred feminine. We also want to hold more community classes and special events.” For more information, please visit: http://www.toko-imports.com.

On Thursday, October 16, 2014, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and Mayor Svante Myrick will hold ribbon cutting ceremonies for two new businesses.

 At 4:00 PM, there will be a ribbon cutting for Caravan Serai Tea at 124 The Commons. This international tea shop will offer high-quality, organic tea from China, England, Russia, and all around the world and provide tea accessories, exotic décor, and fresh baked goods in a relaxing atmosphere. Says proprietor Chris Bonn, “We chose downtown Ithaca as the location for our first store because of the unique and vibrant culture here. The Commons is bustling with all types of people from all over the world, and we believe our business would add something special to an already special place.” For more information, visit: http://www.caravanseraitea.com.

 At 4:15 PM, there will be a ribbon cutting for Van Houten Law Office on the second floor of Clinton Hall, 104-114 North Cayuga Street, Suite 6. Matt Van Houten has nineteen years of experience in the areas of bankruptcy, landlord/tenant law, family court and divorce, real estate, and civil and criminal litigation. Says Van Houten, “It was an easy decision to open my new office in downtown Ithaca. The central location, together with all of the new development taking place, make it the obvious choice for a new business location. I’m excited to see what downtown Ithaca looks like in the near future and I’m excited to be a part of it.” For more information, visit: http://www.v-h-law.com.

All of Downtown Ithaca’s ribbon cuttings are free and open to the public and members of the press.