On Monday, March 2, 2015, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and City of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick will welcome two new businesses to the urban core.

At 11:00 AM, there will be a ribbon cutting for Bramble, located on Press Bay Alley, 118 West Green Street. The latest addition to Urban Core LLC’s innovative micro-retail environment in the former Ithaca Journal lot, Bramble is a collectively owned and operated store that offers bulk herbs and spices, medicinal supplies, and locally handcrafted products. It is also a community space offering herbal health consultations, a lending library, and special classes and events. Says co-founder Amanda David, “We believe that a healthy community requires access to sustainable local healthcare. We chose to be in downtown Ithaca in order to be more accessible to all members of the area and to be a part of the thriving network of downtown businesses.”

At 11:15 AM, there will be a ribbon cutting for Taitem Engineering, located at 109 South Albany Street. Founded in 1989, Taitem undertakes consulting services in the areas of engineering, commissioning, LEED, energy modeling, sustainability, and energy studies. They also offer specialty contracting services including solar PV installation and Aeroseal duct sealing. Their new downtown office building was acquired to accommodate a growing solar design and duct sealing crew. Says President Lou Vogel. “We have grown steadily over the past two years and we’re looking forward to continued growth that supports our local economy, reduces greenhouse gases, and provides a positive work environment.” Adds founder Ian Shapiro, “We like having our office downtown because we can walk and bike to work.”

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