Commons Cash Mob

Commons Cash Mob - Please Join Us!
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014

As many in the community are aware, the multi-year Commons project in downtown Ithaca is making progress—but has seen some delays. Businesses on the Commons give mixed feedback regarding the project’s impact on their bottom line. Many businesses seem to be thriving, others seem to be struggling. Our Downtown Visitors Center has seen a steady increase in visitors this year. Some newer businesses have relayed that they’re doing great—which is fantastic—but admittedly have no prior year sales to compare their success to. 

One thing we know for certain is that many individuals working downtown who have historically supported the Commons for lunch or casual shopping have been avoiding the Commons; visitors to the area who typically would have patronized the local attraction that is “The Commons” are less likely to do so; students and their families are less likely to visit a construction site than a “clean, tidy” business location which requires finagling and detours. 

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance and Chamber, along with other community partners such as the County Tourism Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension, have continued to invest in beautification, clean-up efforts, and maintenance on the Commons during each phase of the project to make your dining and shopping experiences as pleasant as possible during the transition. And yet, the Commons needs your business. Retail and restaurant businesses thrive on constant cash flow. Your dollars spent, however few, could make a HUGE difference for some of these small businesses. 

So, to stimulate our Chamber members, their employees, and the community as a whole to support the Commons retailers and restaurants, the Tompkins Chamber is partnering with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and Visit Ithaca to host an event on Thursday, September 25^th called the “Commons Cash Mob.”

We ask you to join us from 5:00 - 7:30 PM for an evening of networking, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and shopping the commons! Check in at Center Ithaca with your receipt dated September 25^th from any downtown business or restaurant valued at $15 or higher, and you’ll gain free entry to our event. You will also be entered to win one of 10 Downtown Ithaca shopping spree prizes. Please ask your friends, relatives, and employees to join us as well.