EARLVILLE , N.Y.— After some renovation work, the Earlville Opera House (EOH) has a new tenant that will generate rental income for the organization.

The new shop called The 3 Olde Hags had its grand opening Dec. 5, per an EOH news release. It’s an arts and crafts variety store that has “everything you thought you never needed,” the store boasts.

The Earlville Opera House is located at 18 E. Main St. in Earlville.

The project served a “dual purpose” of preserving the 1892 EOH building while providing rental income to help sustain the EOH’s artistic mission. 

The EOH used $15,000 in grant funding to renovate one of the storefronts in its facility for its new tenant. The Pickert-Hickok Fund of Community Foundation for South Central NY provided the funding.

EOH used the grant money to restore the storefront to a rentable space, Michelle Connelly, executive director of the Earlville Opera House, told CNYBJ in an email.

The work included the installation of an electric heating system; replacing old plumbing; upgrading the electric system and circuits; new lighting; ceiling repair, floor finishing; and painting.

The project involved a local contractor who overhauled the electric system in the space, along with volunteers that included architects, electricians, plumbers, construction contractors, engineers and community planners, according to Connelly. 

About the Earlville Opera House

The EOH was founded in 1972 as a nonprofit, volunteer-based, community-service organization with a dual mission: to promote the arts in a rural region of Central New York by offering programs of cultural, educational, and historical significance; and to preserve and restore the architectural and historic integrity of the EOH, a unique second-story theater constructed in 1892. 

EOH programs include a wide range of eclectic culturally diverse visual and performing arts programs represented through rotating gallery exhibitions, a live-performance series, arts workshops, classes, and arts-education opportunities for all populations. 

The EOH was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the organization said.

ITHACA, N.Y. — Some Ithaca eateries and specialty shops are operating in temporary spaces in the downtown area under a program that the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) has created. 

The businesses are part of DIA’s new pop-up program, which is designed to provide short-term leases to help support local entrepreneurs seeking temporary spaces for their business. 

The pop-up program contracts are an “affordable option” for entrepreneurs, and the agreements vary from vendor to vendor depending on the building and the entrepreneur’s “circumstances,” DIA said. 

Center Cafe by Lou and FLX Bakes has opened in the Center Ithaca food court. The Bloomwell: A Modern Gift Shop holiday pop-up is setting up in a space next door to Alphabet Soup, and Sunshine’s Creative Designs opened a space in the Dewitt Mall in November. 

In addition, another eatery — Urban Blendz — is expected to open in Center Ithaca soon, per a DIA news release.

The businesses are part of DIA’s new pop-up program, which is designed to provide short-term leases to help support local entrepreneurs seeking temporary spaces for their business. The pop-up program contracts are an “affordable option” for entrepreneurs, and the agreements vary from vendor to vendor depending on the building and the entrepreneur’s “circumstances.” 

“Our pop-up program offers multiple benefits to the community. It helps businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic,” Scott Rougeau DIA special events director, said. “It provides an opportunity for seasonal, outdoor entrepreneurs like Lou to offer their services indoors during the colder months. It offers temporary spaces for businesses to test out the Ithaca market. Plus, it helps activate some vacant spaces downtown.” 

Rougeau helps recruit businesses to the program.

Participating businesses

Center Cafe by Lou serves to-go lunch and dinner options — grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and occasionally specialty sausages and soups — along with Caribbean and South American-style baked goods prepared by Adelaide Castillo, owner of FLX Bakes.

“I love this community, and I’m thrilled to be able to serve food in this location, and I love this opportunity to partner with talented people like Adelaide. Her baked goods are phenomenal,” says Lou Cassaniti, owner of Center Cafe by Lou and Lou’s Hot Dogs. Center Cafe by Lou is sharing its space with FLX Bakes. 

Sunshine’s Creative Designs offers crystals and stones from around the world, while the Bloomwell Modern Giftshop pop-up is this specialty shop’s second location. Its original location is at 111 West State St., adjacent to the State Theatre. 

The temporary pop-up location offers gift items that include puzzles, scented candles, organic skin-care products, non-alcoholic beverages, and chocolates. 

“We joined the pop-up program because it was fun in the past being a part of downtown’s craft fairs during the festivals. Having a spot in the Dewitt Mall is a good way to reach local customers,” Jim Marcy, owner of Sunshine Creative Designs, said. 

Dewitt Mall is also hosting a couple of its own pop-ups for the holiday season. 

Wide Awake Bakery and a group of three pottery makers are currently operating pop-up shops in the Buffalo Street Books reading room. Balance Aromatherapy, which carries products curated by licensed local aromatherapist Kash Wiggins, is available in Cat’s Pajamas, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance said.