We are enjoying another wave of evolution downtown, with three new businesses and millennial and gen-X business owners leading the helm.
The dynamic duo Karissa Thompson and Manette Becker recently opened the Petal Haus florist shop in the street level space of Lattimore Hall. Pop in to 83 Genesee St. to purchase locally sourced cut flowers, named bouquets, houseplants, gifts and cards. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Matt Godard, founder/CEO of Cafe Kubal, will soon open his seventh location in the former Gretchen鈥檚 Confections & Caf茅 space, at 27 E. Genesee Street on East Hill. This is his only satellite business yet to open outside the city of Syracuse, which says a lot about Auburn. Cafe Kubal offers coffees, breakfast and lunch specialty sandwiches, baked goods, locally produced bread, plus bags of freshly roasted coffee and beans. Godard shared with 新加坡多多开奖记录 that he 鈥渉as been really been impressed with how the people of Auburn have fixed up their city. There are a lot of great projects going on (and) momentum here.鈥
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Next up, Wild Flower is opening in early November on the Nolan Block. This high-end licensed dispensary, located at 41 Genesee St., will sell flower, vape pens, gummies, tinctures and other cannabis products. Shop owners Melinda and John Mussare came here from Pennsylvania, and chose Auburn as it reminded them of their quaint hometown. Melinda shared with 新加坡多多开奖记录, "It's up-and-coming, lots going on, revitalization. And the people are so friendly. Everyone was super excited to talk to us."
Downtown Auburn鈥檚 dynamic energy continues to evolve, as many of our businesses are owned and operated by millennials (ages 28 to 43). In addition to being young, millennials are often raising young families and working various employment fronts simultaneously.
Annie Ross owns Atelier Creative Studio in the first floor of the Phoenix Building. She combines her talents in dance, photography and makeup to guide the creative passions of others with event space to rent, a bridal suite, photo studio, plus content creation and branding, special events and vendor markets. Annie shared, 鈥淚 am one person who juggles motherhood, working various jobs, and maintaining an alluring space for clients to keep returning to. It is a labor of love that I am passionate about.鈥
Matt Peirson owns Simple Roast Coffee Co. and now Roast & Toast downtown. What started as a booming drive-thru model turned into a chic caf茅 open daily and a craft cocktail lounge operating from 5 to 11 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Matt shared, 鈥淲e absolutely love getting to spend some time with all our regulars in a sit-down setting, vs. only for a minute or two at the drive-thru windows. Downtown has also brought in a whole host of new regulars that we have loved getting to know.鈥
Lucy Janssen and Emily Benjamin opened Reuse Refuge on East Hill in fall 2020 in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their shop occupied the front half of a music studio. Space-sharing was an integral part of their start-up. Over the years, they shared space with two other businesses, and now the sole owner is Lucy Janssen. Reuse Refuge moved to Metcalf Plaza last year. Lucy shared, 鈥淪ince this move, we have brought in a ton of local creators, artists and curators. We now also sell clothing, jewelry, artwork, purses, footwear, home accessories and more. I've learned that community is key to success. I'll add that being a millennial has placed me in the unique position of being passionate about caring for our planet and wanting to set up our children's generation for success.鈥
Elaine Ferrier owns Combgrown Mead, located at 26 Osborne St., across the way from Wegmans. She just opened in July 鈥23, yet has already released over a dozen mead varietals, added a seasonal patio, and hosted special events like BID鈥檚 First Friday and a happy hour walking tour with the Cayuga Museum. The meadery produces and serves mead in flights or by the glass, plus cans to go. You can also order beer and craft cocktails from other New York producers. Last May, Combgrown Mead was named the Cayuga County Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Development Center at Onondaga County Community College. They also won Best New Business in 新加坡多多开奖记录's Best of the Region 2024.
Behind the bar at Combgrown, you may have seen a familiar face, Mike Sigona, past owner of Thirsty Pug. Mike shared his craft beer expertise with Elaine to expand the tasting room's beverage menu. Mike now owns Hungry Pug food truck, often operating at Riseform Brewing Co. in Marcellus. Elaine is also expanding into wholesale accounts at bars and wine/beer retailers. They table at events like the Friends of Emerson Park summer concert series as well. These opportunities helped foster partnerships with other businesses like Auburn's Cellar & Folly Whiskey Co. They just cohosted an autumn cocktail class led by Nick Streeter. Elaine shared, 鈥淚 love the collaboration and community I feel with other business owners downtown.鈥
Garrett Shepherd, another young beverage producer, just celebrated his 10th anniversary downtown. He is the owner of Cayuga County鈥檚 first craft brewery to open since Prohibition, Shep's Brewing Co., starting in a small space on Loop Road. He and his father, Bob, later purchased the old PBJ on the Corner building over five years ago. They completely renovated the space, and just installed a retracting garage door to open the brewery to the outside. Garrett hosts First Friday art exhibits, live music and Saturday night karaoke.
Please stay tuned for other inspiring business owner success stories in the coming months. Meanwhile, get out and support our busy, risk-taking young entrepreneurs!
Thanks so much!