New micro-retail stores formally open in downtown Ithaca

ITHACA — The Downtown Ithaca Alliance and City of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick were set to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday to formally open Press Bay Alley, a downtown micro-retail venue. It also welcomes its first two tenants, Boxy Bikes and Amuse: Modern Cottage Industry.

Press Bay Alley is located at 118 West Green St. and is a project by Urban Core LLC, that provides small retail units (188 and 376 square feet) for startup businesses of all kinds. Each space has dedicated HVAC enabling year-round operation as well as modern overhead glass sectional doors that allow merchandise, tables, or other fixtures to extend into the pedestrian space in the alley during nice weather, according to a Downtown Ithaca Alliance news release.

The first new tenant, Boxy Bikes, was founded by Laurence Clarkberg in 2012. It sells and rents custom electric bikes with motors and batteries carefully selected for Ithaca’s hilly terrain. Boxy Bikes (www.boxybikes.com) have a top speed of 20 miles per hour and a range of 18 miles. The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store hosts special events most Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m.

The second tenant, Amuse: Modern Cottage Industry, is owned by Kristina Thelen of Funky Junk/Funky Fresh. Amuse (www.ithacaisamusing.com) features one-of-a-kind gifts under $50 for the whole family and showcases more than 50 American makers, 20 of which are from the Ithaca area, according to the release. Its hours are Monday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.