Apple Fest faces new responsibilities and challenges in their 27th year

Apple Fest faces new responsibilities and challenges in their 27^th year

By Samuel J. Fanburg

Ithaca--Almost as recognizable as the first leaf falling or the first cold snap that hits the South Hill this autumn is the Apple Festival that takes place in the Ithaca Commons every year. Filled with apple products, apple drinks, an Iron Chef Competition, a Dunk Tank, and an Apple Pie Contest, the festival has grown from a way to do bring business to the downtown area to a community event that brings people from all walks of life together. This year however, with the slumping economy and the Swine Flu epidemic hitting Western New York, there are added pressures and responsibilities for this year’s Apple Fest.

“I’d be lying”, stated Gary Ferguson, Program Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, “If I told you the business community was not relying on this years Apple Fest for a little boost in their overall sales. Apple Fest has always been a way to jumpstart business for Ithaca stores, and with the slumping economy, stores are looking towards us to help them out.”

Characteristic of the total New York area, the unemployment rate according to the New York State Department of Labor has reached new highs at 9.0%, Ithaca has experienced effects of the economic downturn with several stores including a restaurant closing in the last 6 months. “No wants to be that next store,” said Abdul Razak Sheikh, owner of House of Shalimar. “Over the last 6 months, I think we have all realized how real this economic crisis is. It really hits home when stores that you have seen around here for years start closing.”

The amount of new participants in the festival is ‘overwhelming’ according to Ferguson as 50% more restaurants and stores have requested merchant passes to be involved in this year’s event. This is not only a logistical nightmare on where to put all these vendors, but a health concern as there are 723 cases of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu in the Tompkins County area. As the disease is spread through human-to-human contact, a festival, which consists a large group of people eating food in a small area, could seem problematic.

“We are planning for the worst,” explained Vicki Taylor, Director of Marketing & Events. “In preparation of the event we have acquired hand sanitizer that will be placed at each booth, with masks. And of course we will have an education both that will discuss the realities of the disease with people. There are so many misconceptions.”

Even amid such organizational difficulties, the Ithaca community seems generally excited for what is to be Ithaca’s 27^th Apple Fest, Ithaca College senior Zack Heyman exclaimed, “Of course I’m excited for this years Apple Fest, where else can I find kettle corn?” While Ithaca resident Kate Bush also explained, “I know about swine flu, but I still think I will go. It means a lot to be together as a community, and especially so during difficult economic times.”

Gary Ferguson had a similar outlook on the situation, as he seemed hopeful for a successful Apple Fest, “Since when has the Ithaca community not come together? I don’t anything will stop the community from enjoying this years Apple Fest. Not even rained has stopped them in the past."

Ithaca Restaurants Expand and Open Despite Economy

by Alex Palombo
(Photo at Right: Simeon's Owner Dean Zevros at the bar in his restaurant)

ITHACA, N.Y. - The Economy is spiralling around the state and around the country, and it is more risky than ever to open a restaurant. But Scott Miller, owner of Madeline's and now Wildfire Grill, noticed that Ithaca's food scene has been relatively unaffected.

"If you go to any other small city, you cannot find this number of restaurants," Miller said. "We have a disproportionate number of restaurants for the population."

If anything, the restaurants' vitality and variety have only helped the town attract more hungry customers. Ithaca resident Tanya Reynolds said she loved eating in the Commons for its dozens of options.

"Whatever you're in the mood for, you can find here," Reynolds said. You can have Thai, you can have a bar, you can have Chinese, you can have a sub or a salad. I like the diversity."

The Commons are about to become even more diverse with the opening of Wildfire Grill on South Cayuga Street, where the Lost Dog Cafe was located before closing. Miller said the grill will maintain Lost Dog's popular lounge and live entertainment, while featuring a "sophisticated comfort food" menu. He believes that his restaurant will actually help others in the area by attracting more customers.

"Good restaurants only help good restaurants," he said. "It brings more people downtown."

(Photo at left: The new Wildfire Restaurant dining area, still under renovation)

Reynolds was excited about the economic possibilities of the new and expanding restaurants.

"I think it's fantastic, especially if it gives people the opportunity to hire more local staff and students," she said. "And it encourages people to go out.”

Sammy Chafee, the owner of Sammy's Pizzeria on the Commons, said that the people coming downtown from both Cornell University and Ithaca College are who keep him in business - and the people making it possible for him to expand into a buffet restaurant in the coming months.

"I think because of both schools, we aren't as affected by the economy," Chafee said. "I think we are doing better than we were before.”

Simeon's owner Dean Zevros agreed. He said that most of his business comes from families visiting their student children and taking them out for lunch or dinner, citing Parents' Weekend as a busy time for his newly expanded bistro. He did say, however, that business is not always easy.

"New York State does not make it easy for individuals and small businesses to really grow," Zevros said. "There's a small margin for profit and a lot of taxes.

In addition to the higher taxes and stricter regulation, Chamber of Commerce President Jean McPheeters said that opening restaurants in the area is still difficult because of the lending industry.

"This is a difficult time, because lending hasn't tightened up here, so it's hard to get loans," she said. "There's a higher failure rate for restaurants. I think the big difference here is that there aren't many chains around here. There's a thriving independent restaurant community."

McPheeters also said that most of the Commons' most successful restaurants are on South Aurora Street, where Madeline's and Simeon's are both located. Despite this, Miller seems optimistic about Wildfire's new home on South Cayuga Street.

"There's so much room to grow," he said.
(Below: We asked people around the Commons - including restaurateur Scott Miller - what their favorite restaurants were in Ithaca)

Local Alternative Business Models Find Success Despite Recession

by Jacquie Simone

ITHACA - The conservatively dressed staff and lively lute music at the Mate Factor in the Commons make it apparent that it is not a typical café. Less obvious, however, is that it is one of several local companies that utilize an alternative business model by distributing funds equally.

As many local businesses are struggling to survive in an unstable economy, alternative companies, such as co-ops, have been thriving in Ithaca.

“I think people are looking for a community feel for things, and that’s part of the co-op model,” said Pete Meyers, the coordinator of the Tompkins County Workers’ Center.

A co-operative, or co-op, is an enterprise that is jointly owned by members. These members also participate in the company through democratic means, such as voting on important decisions. This differs from the conventional business model, in which a single owner or board of directors makes all decisions.

GreenStar Co-op has been one of the most prominent local examples of this model since it opened in 1971 as the Ithaca Real Food Co-op. GreenStar currently has over 7,000 members. These members all have an equal say in company decisions and elect a 15-member board every year. This board appoints a general manager, who chooses 20 to 25 people to fill administrative positions. (Below: A sign advertising a meeting for members of the GreenStar Co-op)

In addition to participating in company decisions, members work at either the main GreenStar location at 701 W. Buffalo St. or the smaller GreenStar Oasis in the Dewitt Mall. General members receive a 2 percent discount on purchases, members who work two hours at one of the stores each month receive a 10 percent discount, and “super-workers,” or members who work at least two hours each week, receive a 17.5 percent discount.

Despite the economic crisis last year, Joe Romano, the GreenStar marketing manager, said the company exceeded its projections and experienced 5 to 8 percent growth in the last year. He said he thought that people continued to shop at GreenStar regardless of the economic downturn because traditional corporate structures and greed were partially to blame for the recession.

“Americans continued to allow businesses to make record profits for a tiny handful of individuals who held onto the money, and the country almost went down as a result,” Romano said. “In the cooperative model, you don’t have any one person making the money.”

However, GreenStar has experienced some criticism for the prices of its products. Romano said that the company is committed to paying its employees a living wage and selling fairly traded and local food, which can sometimes make prices slightly higher than competitors with less equitable policies.

“It’s very difficult to run a co-op, because they have to compete,” Meyers, of the Workers’ Center, said. “GreenStar has a hard time competing in some ways because people perceive it as more expensive, and the fact that they pay a living wage doesn’t help that.”

However, Romano says he has observed that people are still devoted to GreenStar because of its contributions to the local economy. GreenStar sells local produce and, through the co-op membership, employs many community members. (Below: The West End GreenStar location)


“I do believe that people realize that to keep the town viable, you have to support your local economy,” Romano said. “I believe that there isn’t a business in town that does that better than we do.”

The Mate Factor is not technically a co-op, but operates on similar business principles. The café is owned and operated by the Twelve Tribes. The approximately 50 members of this community live together and share all of their material goods, including profits from the café. The café has endured economic uncertainties since opening in January 2004, but the dedication of its members and loyal customer base have contributed to its continued success.

“We’re not really that concerned about the economy,” Jonathan Jedd, a Mate Factor manager, said. “We’re pretty secure because of how our business functions. We’re run by volunteers who are willing to strain through hard times and still make it.”

Heather Dube, a junior economics major at Ithaca College, makes an effort to support local businesses like Mate Factor and GreenStar so that they can grow despite the national economic crisis.

“You know that when you give your money to local businesses, you can see the effects of your contribution directly,” Dube said. “When you don’t have a typical management structure, it’s even more evident because the small-end workers receive a lot more for their time and their effort, and it goes back into the community.”

(Below: We talked to GreenStar cashier Pat Sewell about what it's like to be part of a local co-op)

Co-What?

All co-ops, including GreenStar, share a creed called the "Co-op Principles." These seven principles were originally developed in the middle of the 19th century and were endorsed by the International Cooperative Alliance in 1995 as a means of ensuring that members of co-ops maintain democratic control. The principles are as follows:

1. Voluntary and open membership
2. Democratic member control
3. Member economic participation
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training and information
6. Co-operation among co-operatives
7. Concern for community