Yet another collegetown bar bites the dust

The tower is (was) Crosley Tower in Cincinnati. I assume as in Crosley Field, the precursor to Riverfront Stadium. Fun fact: Crosley brought mass production to radios so something is his fault, I'm not sure what; maybe mass stupidity.

Trotsky
Brutalism is a long way to go for a joke, and those Cyclopean Stalinist structures only look good from a distance, if that.

19406222_23552f4bb3_b.jpg

Though to be fair this is so spectacularly stupid it's kind of enjoyable:

icelandchurchstephenpadre.jpg

"The North's gonna do it again!" They should put that fucker in Potsdam.

Yeah sorry. I like that cathedral. It works for Reykjavik.

Yep. The Lief Erikson statue in front of Hallgrímskirsja. Once I saw Reykjavik, I remembered right away.

Not a bar, or even a restaurant, but an iconic food establishment: Ithaca Voice reports that the Cornell Orchards retail store is closing after almost 70 years of operation.

David Harding
Not a bar, or even a restaurant, but an iconic food establishment: Ithaca Voice reports that the Cornell Orchards retail store is closing after almost 70 years of operation.

That sucks. The annual visit last winter was apparently my last. I'm fortunate that there is a nitrogen purge equipped store near my home.

The varieties available at Cornell were great and so was the unpasteurized cider until that disappeared years ago.

Scersk '97
To be honest, something in me likes some of the Stalinist architecture from the 40s and 50s…

%D0%9C%D0%93%D0%A3._%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%B4_%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%B7%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5..jpg

I'm probably attracted by the exuberance of ornamentation, something that became anathema in the west because the Nazis loved it and we had to be darn sure to prove we weren't Nazis. Or Socialists.

I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back. For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting. The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale. You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance. IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby. I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

jtwcornell91
I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back. For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting. The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale. You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance. IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby. I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

Bah, decadent Westerners and their dedication to the humanist urge. Clearly you need to re-forge the iron in your soul to the appropriate Soviet scale!

(Yeah, I do note now just how much tarmac we're talking about here. They did seemingly love their car-oriented grand entrances.)

Scersk '97

jtwcornell91
I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back. For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting. The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale. You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance. IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby. I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

Bah, decadent Westerners and their dedication to the humanist urge. Clearly you need to re-forge the iron in your soul to the appropriate Soviet scale!

(Yeah, I do note now just how much tarmac we're talking about here. They did seemingly love their car-oriented grand entrances.)

It's the Orthodox translation of Orientalist gargantuism. Or something.

They're bad because they intimidated their courtiers. We're good because we stocked Versailles with booze and whores. Ignore the Gothic as it doesn't fit the narrative.

Trotsky

Scersk '97

jtwcornell91
I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back. For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting. The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale. You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance. IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby. I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

Bah, decadent Westerners and their dedication to the humanist urge. Clearly you need to re-forge the iron in your soul to the appropriate Soviet scale!

(Yeah, I do note now just how much tarmac we're talking about here. They did seemingly love their car-oriented grand entrances.)

It's the Orthodox translation of Orientalist gargantuism. Or something.

They're bad because they intimidated their courtiers. We're good because we stocked Versailles with booze and whores. Ignore the Gothic as it doesn't fit the narrative.

Actually, the pic is Moscow State University. You reminded me I've been in the one in Warsaw, too, but only for the view. Skipped the one in Riga, tho.

Cornell is pretty good at killing traditions.

Jeff Hopkins '82

Trotsky

Scersk '97

jtwcornell91
I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back. For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting. The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale. You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance. IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby. I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

Bah, decadent Westerners and their dedication to the humanist urge. Clearly you need to re-forge the iron in your soul to the appropriate Soviet scale!

(Yeah, I do note now just how much tarmac we're talking about here. They did seemingly love their car-oriented grand entrances.)

It's the Orthodox translation of Orientalist gargantuism. Or something.

They're bad because they intimidated their courtiers. We're good because we stocked Versailles with booze and whores. Ignore the Gothic as it doesn't fit the narrative.

Actually, the pic is Moscow State University. You reminded me I've been in the one in Warsaw, too, but only for the view. Skipped the one in Riga, tho.

Did they build them all to the same plan or something?

Jeff Hopkins '82
Actually, the pic is Moscow State University. You reminded me I've been in the one in Warsaw, too, but only for the view. Skipped the one in Riga, tho.

Well, they had changed chefs...

Not a bar and not Collegetown, but sort of in the same vein: Denny's has closed, leaving Ithaca with no 24-hour sit-down dining options:

[www.14850.com]

I have to say I did not realize until the discussion on mha's facebook feed that Manos had closed, or that the State Street Diner is no longer open 24 hours.

jtwcornell91
I have to say I did not realize until the discussion on mha's facebook feed that Manos had closed, or that the State Street Diner is no longer open 24 hours.

Well, the State should go back to 24 then!

Scersk '97

jtwcornell91
I have to say I did not realize until the discussion on mha's facebook feed that Manos had closed, or that the State Street Diner is no longer open 24 hours.

Well, the State should go back to 24 then!

I didn't realize it ever stopped. John's post really threw me and for a second I thought State was dead!

BTW, I swear every time I go there State has gotten even farther west. I expect it to wind up in Mecklenburg.

Trotsky
BTW, I swear every time I go there State has gotten even farther west. I expect it to wind up in Mecklenburg.

I frequented the State more as a townie than as a student or expatriate. But it was always nice to know it (and Manos) were there late at night if necessary.

Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

Scersk '97
Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

No. Manos closed in 2014, 13 years after the smoking ban. Bill Manos was 76, tired after 52 years, and got a sweet payday when freaking Marriott decided it wanted his location. It's as simple as that.

This article is remarkably in-depth: [ithacavoice.com]

RichH

Scersk '97
Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

No. Manos closed in 2014, 13 years after the smoking ban. Bill Manos was 76, tired after 52 years, and got a sweet payday when freaking Marriott decided it wanted his location. It's as simple as that.

This article is remarkably in-depth: [ithacavoice.com]

truly, the hands of fate

ugarte

RichH

Scersk '97
Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

No. Manos closed in 2014, 13 years after the smoking ban. Bill Manos was 76, tired after 52 years, and got a sweet payday when freaking Marriott decided it wanted his location. It's as simple as that.

This article is remarkably in-depth: [ithacavoice.com]

truly, the hands of fate

But who will watch the place when the Master is away?

I meant the demise of the 24-hour diner, not Manos specifically. Cigarettes keep you awake, you know.

Scersk '97
I meant the demise of the 24-hour diner, not Manos specifically. Cigarettes keep you awake, you know.

ugarte

RichH

Scersk '97
Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

No. Manos closed in 2014, 13 years after the smoking ban. Bill Manos was 76, tired after 52 years, and got a sweet payday when freaking Marriott decided it wanted his location. It's as simple as that.

This article is remarkably in-depth: [ithacavoice.com]

truly, the hands of fate

+1

David Harding
Not a bar, or even a restaurant, but an iconic food establishment: Ithaca Voice reports that the Cornell Orchards retail store is closing after almost 70 years of operation.

OH no. when I was a grad student, my lab was in BTI - across the street from the orchard. They had apples for sale through February. I used to go every friday or saturday to get apples for my weekend baking adventures. I still have recipes and "know your apples" cheat sheets from the 90's.

As I go to the local supermarket in SWFL to get apples for my "football sunday apple pie" (yup - some habits do not die) I remember the Cornell Orchards. I hate change.

Rita

David Harding
Not a bar, or even a restaurant, but an iconic food establishment: Ithaca Voice reports that the Cornell Orchards retail store is closing after almost 70 years of operation.

OH no.... I remember the Cornell Orchards. I hate change.

Where else could one fill the belly with delicious FREE samples?

marty
Where else could one fill the belly with delicious FREE samples?

Wegmans.

Trotsky

marty
Where else could one fill the belly with delicious FREE samples?

Wegmans.

Siddharth and I invented a weekly Wegmans event called "tasting Saturday".

I think Bjs is the best place for free samples

marty

Rita

David Harding
Not a bar, or even a restaurant, but an iconic food establishment: Ithaca Voice reports that the Cornell Orchards retail store is closing after almost 70 years of operation.

OH no.... I remember the Cornell Orchards. I hate change.

Where else could one fill the belly with delicious healthy FREE samples?

FMP

David Harding
[ithacavoice.com]

Collegetown Bagels will move across the street to the Cornell-owned Sheldon Court where they get a 10-year lease. Ruloff's is still up in the air. The nominal end date for both Collegetown Bagels in their current location and for Rulloff's is June 1. The owners are in discussion with their landlord, Student Agencies, for a one week extension to allow big parties with alumni in town for reunions.

More details on the new CTB space Mark Anbinder in 14850.com. It sounds like a nice step up for them.

I had no idea that was the original space for Triangle Books.

David Harding

David Harding
[ithacavoice.com]

Collegetown Bagels will move across the street to the Cornell-owned Sheldon Court where they get a 10-year lease. Ruloff's is still up in the air. The nominal end date for both Collegetown Bagels in their current location and for Rulloff's is June 1. The owners are in discussion with their landlord, Student Agencies, for a one week extension to allow big parties with alumni in town for reunions.

More details on the new CTB space Mark Anbinder in 14850.com. It sounds like a nice step up for them.

downside is no outdoor space. i'm not wrong in remembering outdoor space, right? at least when it was oliver's. i'm not wrong in remembering that it was previously oliver's, right?

ugarte

David Harding

David Harding
[ithacavoice.com]

Collegetown Bagels will move across the street to the Cornell-owned Sheldon Court where they get a 10-year lease. Ruloff's is still up in the air. The nominal end date for both Collegetown Bagels in their current location and for Rulloff's is June 1. The owners are in discussion with their landlord, Student Agencies, for a one week extension to allow big parties with alumni in town for reunions.

More details on the new CTB space Mark Anbinder in 14850.com. It sounds like a nice step up for them.

downside is no outdoor space. i'm not wrong in remembering outdoor space, right? at least when it was oliver's. i'm not wrong in remembering that it was previously oliver's, right?

The article said the new location would have outdoor space. The original location on College Ave. didn't.

Jeff Hopkins '82

ugarte

David Harding

David Harding
[ithacavoice.com]

Collegetown Bagels will move across the street to the Cornell-owned Sheldon Court where they get a 10-year lease. Ruloff's is still up in the air. The nominal end date for both Collegetown Bagels in their current location and for Rulloff's is June 1. The owners are in discussion with their landlord, Student Agencies, for a one week extension to allow big parties with alumni in town for reunions.

More details on the new CTB space Mark Anbinder in 14850.com. It sounds like a nice step up for them.

downside is no outdoor space. i'm not wrong in remembering outdoor space, right? at least when it was oliver's. i'm not wrong in remembering that it was previously oliver's, right?

The article said the new location would have outdoor space. The original location on College Ave. didn't.

I worked in the original location. the second location did though. I didn't catch the mention of outdoor space in Sheldon Court, so thanks for that.

ugarte

Jeff Hopkins '82

ugarte

David Harding

David Harding
[ithacavoice.com]

Collegetown Bagels will move across the street to the Cornell-owned Sheldon Court where they get a 10-year lease. Ruloff's is still up in the air. The nominal end date for both Collegetown Bagels in their current location and for Rulloff's is June 1. The owners are in discussion with their landlord, Student Agencies, for a one week extension to allow big parties with alumni in town for reunions.

More details on the new CTB space Mark Anbinder in 14850.com. It sounds like a nice step up for them.

downside is no outdoor space. i'm not wrong in remembering outdoor space, right? at least when it was oliver's. i'm not wrong in remembering that it was previously oliver's, right?

The article said the new location would have outdoor space. The original location on College Ave. didn't.

I worked in the original location. the second location did though. I didn't catch the mention of outdoor space in Sheldon Court, so thanks for that.

Here's Google Maps Streetview of the new location.

The Haunt will be moving in the face of development along Cayuga Inlet [cornellsun.com]

does this have any effect on the golf course?

upprdeck
does this have any effect on the golf course?

There's a 2019 Waterfront Plan that includes a Newman [as in golf course] District at the north end. The Haunt and the development that will replace it are in the Newman District, but the golf course is outside the plan area, forming its northern border. There might well be more business for the course with housing close by. You can see the course in the background of this rendering.

I cant imagine how that road/intersection handles that much more load on the northern end.

David Harding
The Haunt will be moving in the face of development along Cayuga Inlet [cornellsun.com]

It never made much sense to me that The Haunt (*) had moved out of downtown into such a remote (from the colleges) location.

(*) where I attended a Dead Milkmen concert first semester freshman year, and a classmate of mine--who, despite being a Physics major, hung out with artsie types in the basement of Sibley--saw me there and commented that he didn't expect to find me at an event like that, with the obvious subtext that I was too much of a dork to listen to anything remotely punk-like.

jtwcornell91
(*) where I attended a Dead Milkmen concert first semester freshman year, and a classmate of mine--who, despite being a Physics major, hung out with artsie types in the basement of Sibley--saw me there and commented that he didn't expect to find me at an event like that, with the obvious subtext that I was too much of a dork to listen to anything remotely punk-like.

That makes no sense. The two staple college punk demos are Risley artsies and hard SF STEMies. (Note: these also make the best cross-pollinating couples. INTJ in the streets, ENTP in the sheets.)

Your classmate was an idiot. Also, if there is an Ur-Dead Milkman fan, John, it's you. Fun fact: this was Dr. Mrs.' & my first dance song.

Trotsky
The two staple college punk demos are Risley artsies and hard SF STEMies. (Note: these also make the best cross-pollinating couples.

INTJ in the streets,
ENTP in the sheets.)

This is poetry. In the sixties it was "Hey, Hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?" Which devolved to "Par-TAY!" then "Hey, that's my Uber not yours!" You've brought something back to discourse and learned commentary.

billhoward

Trotsky
The two staple college punk demos are Risley artsies and hard SF STEMies. (Note: these also make the best cross-pollinating couples.

INTJ in the streets,
ENTP in the sheets.)

This is poetry. In the sixties it was "Hey, Hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?" Which devolved to "Par-TAY!" then "Hey, that's my Uber not yours!" You've brought something back to discourse and learned commentary.

I'd like to thank Lester Bangs and John Peele.

A Cornell Sun reviewers pans CTB bagels. [cornellsun.com]

CTB’s main business relies on pedaling a product that relies on sentimentality, and not pure quality. In short, people don’t buy these bagels for their outstanding taste or texture, but to relieve the experiences that they’ve had at CTB.
...
One student described them most eloquently as “Bread formed into the shape of a bagel,” and another as “a small, sad, overpriced lump.”.

David Harding
A Cornell Sun reviewers pans CTB bagels. [cornellsun.com]

CTB’s main business relies on pedaling a product that relies on sentimentality, and not pure quality. In short, people don’t buy these bagels for their outstanding taste or texture, but to relieve the experiences that they’ve had at CTB.
...
One student described them most eloquently as “Bread formed into the shape of a bagel,” and another as “a small, sad, overpriced lump.”.

"Pedaling" and "relieve" are why you can't rely on spellchecking software in lieu of actual editors and proofreaders.

But this student's writing would still be terrible even if spelled perfectly.

David Harding
A Cornell Sun reviewers pans CTB bagels. [cornellsun.com]

CTB’s main business relies on pedaling a product that relies on sentimentality, and not pure quality. In short, people don’t buy these bagels for their outstanding taste or texture, but to relieve the experiences that they’ve had at CTB.
...
One student described them most eloquently as “Bread formed into the shape of a bagel,” and another as “a small, sad, overpriced lump.”.

That's not why CTB sucks.

CTB sucks because (1) bagels suck and (2) it replaced Olivers.

So is Ithaca Pasta thats moving into the old Joes space a new eating place or just an extension of the catering service they offer?

David Harding
A Cornell Sun reviewers pans CTB bagels. [cornellsun.com]

CTB’s main business relies on pedaling a product that relies on sentimentality, and not pure quality. In short, people don’t buy these bagels for their outstanding taste or texture, but to relieve the experiences that they’ve had at CTB.
...
One student described them most eloquently as “Bread formed into the shape of a bagel,” and another as “a small, sad, overpriced lump.”.

Counterpoint in the Sun.

Gabe Schiffer’s column on Collegetown Bagels is extraordinarily colorful and eloquent. Unfortunately, it misses the larger picture about this iconic, decades-old, family-run local business.

Pizza hut closes its final Ithaca location.. had 4 for awhile years ago.
with their closing and the Scale house 2 of the best priced lunch pizza options are gone.



But also brings up a question.. has anyone in town stepped up to take on the Nines Deep dish void?

Does the greater Ithaca area still have eleventy Friendly's?

Down to 1, I think across the mall has managed to survive so far.. downtown became a Dennys and then it failed and will be come a Byrne Dairy any day now..

Breakfast choices very limited now if you dont want fast food.

Every time I go up there the town has bifurcated more into crap or the kind of place hipsters take pictures of their food.

The only ones serving actual food are Cornell Dining.

upprdeck
Down to 1, I think across the mall has managed to survive so far.. downtown became a Dennys and then it failed and will be come a Byrne Dairy any day now..

Breakfast choices very limited now if you dont want fast food.

But what of the one *in* the mall?!

the mall location left a few yrs ago, its now a mexican place, if its still open.

upprdeck
the mall location left a few yrs ago, its now a mexican place, if its still open.

[getyarn.io]

About the best news one could hope for regarding the Oliver’s/CTB corner:

Ithaca Beer Co. is opening a satellite restaurant in Cornell's college town neighborhood, on the corner of College and Oak Ave. Opening is scheduled for August 2021.

@14850today @ithacavoice @cornellsun @VisitIthaca @NYScraftbeer @BeerAdvocate @Brewbound @craftbeer pic.twitter.com/qyH9pnXerc

— Ithaca Beer Co. (@ithacabeer) March 8, 2021

I hope the patio will be awesome and will clash completely with the glass-box monstrosity behind it. I call for as many umbrellas and festive lights as possible, so as to reclaim that space for humanity.

RichH
About the best news one could hope for regarding the Oliver’s/CTB corner:

The Sun expands on the story. [cornellsun.com]

Ithaca Ghost Kitchen [cornellsun.com] Across the street from where the Chapter House should be.

This is actually GREAT news! I now have a new place to eat before games! Maybe even after, depending on how late they will stay open. It has always sucked how early Ithaca downtown rolls up the sidewalks, not that there are many options if you don't want to tweet pics of your food.

David Harding
Ithaca Ghost Kitchen [cornellsun.com] Across the street from where the Chapter House should be.

Well said, sir.

I see Cornell Giving Day Thursday did not extend to crowdfunding a new Chapter House lease and management.

Scersk '97
I hope the patio will be awesome and will clash completely with the glass-box monstrosity behind it. I call for as many umbrellas and festive lights as possible, so as to reclaim that space for humanity.

Second worst is the best any such glass box monstrosity can be since 1973, when Uris "the Cor-Ten rusts quickly to form a fine patina" Hall opened.

billhoward

Scersk '97
I hope the patio will be awesome and will clash completely with the glass-box monstrosity behind it. I call for as many umbrellas and festive lights as possible, so as to reclaim that space for humanity.

Second worst is the best any such glass box monstrosity can be since 1973, when Uris "the Cor-Ten rusts quickly to form a fine patina" Hall opened.

Third worst, in fact, if we are considering any ol' architectural mistake, given Boardman Hall's untimely demise (1958) for Olin (1961).

Scersk '97

billhoward

Scersk '97
I hope the patio will be awesome and will clash completely with the glass-box monstrosity behind it. I call for as many umbrellas and festive lights as possible, so as to reclaim that space for humanity.

Second worst is the best any such glass box monstrosity can be since 1973, when Uris "the Cor-Ten rusts quickly to form a fine patina" Hall opened.

Third worst, in fact, if we are considering any ol' architectural mistake, given Boardman Hall's untimely demise (1958) for Olin (1961).

Whereas the glass-heavy arts-quad addition to Goldwin Smith Hall works well, is exactly the kind of space students want and use, and IMO Klarman Hall looks okay as a new addition to an old, old building.

Still trying to understand How cortland gets KFC and Chick fil now to come into town but Ithaca cant support them or ponderosa or pizza hut or burger kings but we have multiple dunkins and sub-ways and macdonalds.

upprdeck
Still trying to understand How cortland gets KFC and Chick fil now to come into town but Ithaca cant support them or ponderosa or pizza hut or burger kings but we have multiple dunkins and sub-ways and macdonalds.

Last I knew, there was a Pizza Hut at Triphammer. Has it closed?

upprdeck
Still trying to understand How cortland gets KFC and Chick fil now to come into town but Ithaca cant support them or ponderosa or pizza hut or burger kings but we have multiple dunkins and sub-ways and macdonalds.

Didn't Ithaca vote to zone the fast food garbage out at one time? Or was that just C'Town (since violated).

yea it closed awhile ago.. not clear if its forever or short term.

upprdeck
Still trying to understand How cortland gets KFC and Chick fil now to come into town but Ithaca cant support them or ponderosa or pizza hut or burger kings but we have multiple dunkins and sub-ways and macdonalds.

A lot of chains make proximity to a major highway a huge factor in selecting a location. Grabbing the many folks who are just passing through can outweigh the local demographics.

upprdeck
Still trying to understand How cortland gets KFC and Chick fil now to come into town but Ithaca cant support them or ponderosa or pizza hut or burger kings but we have multiple dunkins and sub-ways and macdonalds.

Chick-fil-a Cortland likely was a hoax.

that makes more sense.. cortland seemed the wrong market size to get one anyway with so few up here.

Big real estate transaction on Eddy St, but it sounds as though it won't drive any immediate changes on the ground floor. [ithacavoice.com] We can hope that the new owner doesn't try to squeeze the restaurant owners for more rent, just the apartment tenants.

Not exactly a bar, but I just saw on Google today that the Hillside Inn has closed. When did that happen? And what's there now?

jtwcornell91
Not exactly a bar, but I just saw on Google today that the Hillside Inn has closed. When did that happen? And what's there now?

Whatever it is, it's haunted.

jtwcornell91
Not exactly a bar, but I just saw on Google today that the Hillside Inn has closed. When did that happen? And what's there now?

Here's an article from 2019. [www.tompkinsweekly.com] The story says that the gutted and rebuilt hotel was going to open in March 2020. That doesn't sound auspicious, but they have a live web site. [thedormhotel.com]

David Harding

jtwcornell91
Not exactly a bar, but I just saw on Google today that the Hillside Inn has closed. When did that happen? And what's there now?

Here's an article from 2019. [www.tompkinsweekly.com] The story says that the gutted and rebuilt hotel was going to open in March 2020. That doesn't sound auspicious, but they have a live web site. [thedormhotel.com]

5 stars on TripAdvisor, though small sample size.
[www.tripadvisor.com]

David Harding

jtwcornell91
Not exactly a bar, but I just saw on Google today that the Hillside Inn has closed. When did that happen? And what's there now?

Here's an article from 2019. [www.tompkinsweekly.com] The story says that the gutted and rebuilt hotel was going to open in March 2020. That doesn't sound auspicious, but they have a live web site. [thedormhotel.com]

As historic as Sage Hall. Good bones but not quite like Sage's stone facade.

OK that's a really cool idea...

That seems like it turned out a lot better than it could have. Certainly a better fate than most of the late lamented watering holes...

David Harding

jtwcornell91
Not exactly a bar, but I just saw on Google today that the Hillside Inn has closed. When did that happen? And what's there now?

Here's an article from 2019. [www.tompkinsweekly.com] The story says that the gutted and rebuilt hotel was going to open in March 2020. That doesn't sound auspicious, but they have a live web site. [thedormhotel.com]

Delayed by COVID perhaps?

so is any place actually doing any Italian food any more in the city? 25 yrs ago you had half a dozen places. Bing/aub/Syr still have many places doing well but in Ithaca its gone away

There's always Joe's...

joes has been gone for years.

upprdeck
joes has been gone for years.

When Joe's came back, it wasn't the restaurant it once was. Or the level and variety of Ithaca dining has gone way up and Joe's suffered in comparison. We ate there maybe three times in the years before the 2019 closing and it just wasn't the same.

[www.14850.com]

billhoward

upprdeck
joes has been gone for years.

When Joe's came back, it wasn't the restaurant it once was. Or the level and variety of Ithaca dining has gone way up and Joe's suffered in comparison. We ate there maybe three times in the years before the 2019 closing and it just wasn't the same.

[www.14850.com]

Agreed. My wife used to occasionally dream about a grilled tuna entree special that she ordered at the original Joe's. No nightmares due to the second coming of Joe's, but the decline was a testament to the work ethic (and recipes) at the original joint.

not a lot of good choices left in town. choi/boatyard i guess but both are pricey for the quantity/quality of the food.

upprdeck
not a lot of good choices left in town. choi/boatyard i guess but both are pricey for the quantity/quality of the food.

I just enjoyed a Boatyard meal and Janice liked her small plate. Coffee coming. On to warm-ups.

upprdeck
not a lot of good (affordable) [FYP] choices left in town. choi/boatyard i guess but both are pricey for the quantity/quality of the food.

Last century, a lot of decent cheap eats in Collegetown this at a time when Collegetown was not yet home to the New Young Gentry. Now, there are many good restaurants downtown that you can afford maybe once a month as a student.

It is hard to imagine Collegetown with, what, zero or one Italian restaurants?

billhoward

upprdeck
not a lot of good (affordable) [FYP] choices left in town. choi/boatyard i guess but both are pricey for the quantity/quality of the food.

Last century, a lot of decent cheap eats in Collegetown this at a time when Collegetown was not yet home to the New Young Gentry. Now, there are many good restaurants downtown that you can afford maybe once a month as a student.

It is hard to imagine Collegetown with, what, zero or one Italian restaurants?

There's a Youtube celeb, Michael Fremer who mentioned working at Record Runner in the late 60's in his review of the new Beatles box sets.

I'm curious if the space that Record Runner vacated when they closed was home to the short lived Steak Aroma.

marty

billhoward

upprdeck
not a lot of good (affordable) [FYP] choices left in town. choi/boatyard i guess but both are pricey for the quantity/quality of the food.

Last century, a lot of decent cheap eats in Collegetown this at a time when Collegetown was not yet home to the New Young Gentry. Now, there are many good restaurants downtown that you can afford maybe once a month as a student.

It is hard to imagine Collegetown with, what, zero or one Italian restaurants?

There's a Youtube celeb, Michael Fremer who mentioned working at Record Runner in the late 60's in his review of the new Beatles box sets.

I'm curious if the space that Record Runner vacated when they closed was home to the short lived Steak Aroma.

From what I can see below (TLDR), I think that Steak Aroma was probably adjacent to Road Runner Records in the same building, but evidence is conflicting.

I confess to never having paid any attention to either establishment, despite lived just a few blocks away through that period. I can offer Ithaca Journal articles identifying the address of Road Runner as 406 College Ave and Steak Aroma as 408 College Ave.

Poking around a little more in the Ithaca City Directories:
1969 Record Runner at 406 College and both Hill Drug Store and Pete's Luncheonette at 408 College.
1970 Same
1971 Same
1972 The Fire Light at 406 and Flamboyan Restaurant sharing 408 with Hill Drug.
1973 406 and the restaurant slot at 408 were both listed as vacant.
1974-1975 Steak Aroma Four at 406 and nothing but Hill Drug at 408.
1976 same
1977 same
1978 406 is vacant and Hill Drug remains at 408.
1979 both vacant.

Checking the Cornell Sun digital archive, I find Steak Aroma ads starting in September listing the address as 408 College Ave. Help wanted ads (dishwasher) in 1976 say apply at 408 College.

25 July 1977 The place burned on 25 Jul 1977. The Ithaca Journal article reported that the building housed Steak Aroma, Hill Drug, and an empty storefront. The photo might trigger memories.

Thank you, David!

standing outside the burning Steak Aroma and yelling "I said RARE"

ugarte
standing outside the burning Steak Aroma and yelling "I said RARE"

too soon

Not a bar and it hasn't bitten the dust. Purity Ice Cream has changed hands apparently without missing a beat. [cornellsun.com]

At some point this will be a dead forum because how many bars remain in Collegetown that can still go under?

billhoward
At some point this will be a dead forum because how many bars remain in Collegetown that can still go under?

Hardly any. I was there last month visiting a friend in grad school and all the spots I had in my head (i.e. Ruloff's) were gone. We actually had to go somewhere downtown for a relaxing place that wasn't an undergrad hangout spot. It's really too bad that bars such as Chapter House and the Nines no longer exist

Iceberg

billhoward
At some point this will be a dead forum because how many bars remain in Collegetown that can still go under?

Hardly any. I was there last month visiting a friend in grad school and all the spots I had in my head (i.e. Ruloff's) were gone. We actually had to go somewhere downtown for a relaxing place that wasn't an undergrad hangout spot. It's really too bad that bars such as Chapter House and the Nines no longer exist

At some point given retail rents in Ithaca it makes more sense to operate a bar downtown, which is still close enough to a good amount of Cornell undergrads and much closer to grad students, IC students and many locals — along with the folks who stay in downtown hotels.

Iceberg

billhoward
At some point this will be a dead forum because how many bars remain in Collegetown that can still go under?

Hardly any. I was there last month visiting a friend in grad school and all the spots I had in my head (i.e. Ruloff's) were gone. We actually had to go somewhere downtown for a relaxing place that wasn't an undergrad hangout spot. It's really too bad that bars such as Chapter House and the Nines no longer exist

As an alum who wants to do well by Cornell students and improve student life: How much would you need to spend to keep a good Collegetown bar afloat -- ten grand a month? Even if it's not tax deductible, it's the kind of beloved, grand gesture that'd make you want to redo the lyrics to Davy.

billhoward

Iceberg

billhoward
At some point this will be a dead forum because how many bars remain in Collegetown that can still go under?

Hardly any. I was there last month visiting a friend in grad school and all the spots I had in my head (i.e. Ruloff's) were gone. We actually had to go somewhere downtown for a relaxing place that wasn't an undergrad hangout spot. It's really too bad that bars such as Chapter House and the Nines no longer exist

As an alum who wants to do well by Cornell students and improve student life: How much would you need to spend to keep a good Collegetown bar afloat -- ten grand a month? Even if it's not tax deductible, it's the kind of beloved, grand gesture that'd make you want to redo the lyrics to Davy.

You could buy the old Carriage House for $1,095,000. [commercial.century21.com]
Johnny's location is available to rent, but they don't say how much. [www.loopnet.com]

I see a big sold sign on the Joes corner.. anyone heard whats happening down there?

billhoward

David Harding
Ithaca Ghost Kitchen [cornellsun.com] Across the street from where the Chapter House should be.

Well said, sir.

I see Cornell Giving Day Thursday did not extend to crowdfunding a new Chapter House lease and management.

The photo has nothing to do with the article,but here's a current shot of the replacement buildings.