CAZENOVIA — Throughout the past year, members of the local business community have welcomed new establishments, expanded their operations, received regional and national recognition, given back to the Cazenovia area and beyond, and demonstrated determination when faced with the news of Cazenovia College’s upcoming closure.

Here is a selection of news surrounding local businesses in 2022:

New Businesses

Last winter, Debbie Tillson opened “Purpose Coffee Co.” — a full-service coffee house with a mission — in the Common Grounds space at 35 Albany St.

The business offers USDA-certified organic coffee and espresso roasted by Skytop Coffee in Manlius, lattes, chai, specialty drinks, baked goods, and a small merchandise shop.

Prior to opening, Tillson said she aims to not only provide the community with high-quality, locally roasted coffee, but also to brew it in a setting that fosters inclusion and purpose.

“I am dedicated to creating a space where everyone that walks through the door feels welcomed regardless of [their] differences,” she explained. “The Purpose Coffee Co. mission is simple; we aim to brew inclusion, one cup at a time. You are wanted here, you are welcomed here, and you have purpose.”

With help from local contractors, Tillson renovated the Common Grounds space in hopes of creating a fresh environment while also preserving the historic character of the space.

“It’s just so fun and warm and inviting; there’s a new energy,” she said. “The warm glow of the neon above the fireplace says it all. . . ‘This must be the place.’ We hope that it truly is ‘the place’ for many, many years to come.”

Purpose Coffee Co. officially opened on Feb. 14.

“The community response has been so much more than I could have even hoped for,” said Tillson on Feb. 15. “We have had so many people come in and say, ‘Thank you for doing this, our community needed you here.’ On opening day, we were showered with flowers and gifts from the community and local business owners. The outpouring of support has filled my heart. We’re so thankful. At one point during opening day, I looked up and had to just pause for a moment. Every seat was filled, there were moms and dads with their little ones, people cozied up by the fire with a book, friends laughing, people of all generations sitting in one space enjoying a good cup of coffee. That right there was my vision.”

Updates, specials, and additional information can be found on the Purpose Coffee Co. Instagram page at Purposecoffeecaz and on Facebook.

Over the summer, Otis + Matilda New York — a specialty women’s and men’s footwear, accessories, and home brand — opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 65 Albany St. in the space that was occupied by P.E. Mulligan’s for the last 126 years.

“The Otis + Matilda target customers are professionals who have an elevated taste level for both casual and dress wear,” said Derek Clark, who co-owns the business with his partner, Jason Johnson. “Our customer has an appreciation for branded footwear and accessories, and they enjoy shopping in an upscale environment and feeling good about their experience.”

Clark added that he envisions Otis + Matilda evolving into a lifestyle brand that encompasses women’s footwear, accessories, and ready-to-wear alongside men’s footwear, accessories, and casual wear.

Clark has over 30 years of experience building and branding wholesale and retail companies. He held senior executive positions with Macy’s West & Federated Department Stores in San Francisco and with designers Steve Madden and Perry Ellis in New York City. He also served as senior vice president of wholesale & retail financial planning, merchandise planning & production planning for the global fashion brand Elie Tahari in New York City.

“My experience within the wholesale and retail sector coupled with Jason’s experience within retail and corporate accounting made creating a brand that parallels both our careers a natural progression,” said Clark.

Clark and Johnson scouted several locations for their first store and ultimately fell in love with Cazenovia and the historic building at 65 Albany St.

“The old Mulligan’s space checked every box within our vision,” said Clark. “It has 152 years of history and beautiful interior details. The bones of the building are special. The beauty of the building allowed us to achieve our goal [of creating] a brand that is representative of great product, great pricing, and [a space] that’s elegant, visually appealing, and inviting to everyone. We want every customer to feel special when they visit Otis + Matilda. Whether they purchase on their first visit or in the future, we want to make sure they know we appreciate them, their business, and their time spent in the store.”

Otis + Matilda officially opened in August and launched its e-commerce website, otisandmatilda.com, in September.

On Nov. 3, Clark said being part of the downtown business community has been a wonderful experience so far, due in large part to a welcoming customer base.

He also remarked on his positive experiences working with and learning from some of the “real merchants” within the local retail community.

“Anyone can open or operate a store, but a merchant succeeds at it,” he said. “For example, Cazenovia Abroad has succeeded in Cazenovia for fifty-plus years. That’s an accomplishment few retailers will ever get to experience. We look forward to being a part of Cazenovia’s growing retail footprint, supporting our neighboring businesses, and giving back to the community that has supported us and future causes. I hope Cazenovia is proud of their downtown village. It is very special. Think big, support small.”

On Nov. 8, the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce named Otis + Matilda as its “New Business of the Year” during its annual dinner at the Hampton Inn & Suites.

For more information on Otis + Matilda, visit otisandmatilda.com.

On Aug. 15, local nurse practitioner Jessica Colby, MSN, WHNP-C launched Revive Vitamin & Hydration Infusion Lounge at 3227 US-20 in Nelson.

The business specializes in intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy, a treatment that delivers vitamins and minerals directly to the bloodstream.

According to the Revive website, the technique bypasses the digestive system, ensuring that all dosed supplements are immediately available on a cellular level.

“With traditional oral supplements, the digestive system metabolizes these nutrients significantly, reducing the absorption rate to anywhere from 8-40%,” the website states. “IV delivery leads to 99.9% absorption, allowing for maximum impact and minimal waste. Restoring, optimizing and maintaining vitamin and nutrient levels this way improves the body’s state of health and overall well-being.”

The website advertises that IV therapy can help increase energy levels, promote faster weight loss, relieve hangovers, treat certain nutrient deficiencies, cleanse the body of toxins and free radicals, promote cardiovascular health, ease anxiety and promote relaxation, increase wellness, relieve pregnancy symptoms, help with DNA repair, support addiction recovery, reduce acne, promote hydration, help manage autoimmune disease symptoms, effectively deliver immune-boosting antioxidants, accelerate wound healing, reduce symptoms of migraines, help with age management, improve athletic performance and recovery, and enhance beauty.

“You’re treating symptoms with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and micronutrients that your body either produces on its own — but sometimes, for whatever reason, is not producing enough of — or requires from your diet,” said Colby. “Our diets are usually deficient in these types of things, no matter how well we eat, because the majority of us have some type of digestive malfunction where we are not absorbing to our maximum capacity. [IV therapy] works around that and gets those vitamins to a cellular level.”

Upon each client’s arrival, Colby takes time to collect a brief health history and discuss their individual goals and symptoms to determine the most suitable infusion mix and treatment frequency.

The infusions are then administered in a space that Colby described as quiet, calm, and relaxing.

Revive also offers subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12 for energy and vitamin D3 for helping to regulate mood in the winter months.

Colby said she always aspired to own a business but for many years was unsure of how best to incorporate her clinical skills, education, and strengths.

She was introduced to IV vitamin therapy by a friend and fellow nurse practitioner who opened a vitamin and hydration infusion lounge a couple of hours away during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Colby, who has multiple autoimmune disorders, said her interest in the technique was inspired not only by the benefits she personally experienced but also by the potential she saw in it for helping others.

For the entrepreneur, who has resided in Cazenovia for the past four years, starting her business within her own community was important. Not only did she believe her services could benefit the population, but she was also eager to get to know people better after two years of the pandemic and a year of self-isolation due to her health.

To learn more about Revive and its offerings, visit revive-iv-infusion.com.

This past fall, the Cazenovia community gained its own 24/7 car wash at 2567 Rt. 20 East.

The new business, Caz Car Wash, has four bays that offer two self-service manual washes, one automatic “soft-touch” wash, and one automatic “touch-free laser” wash. Both automatic washes offer four packages — basic, deluxe, works, and ultimate.

The car wash also has two vacuum islands with vacuums, shampoo, and fragrance for cleaning vehicle interiors.

The owners of the new business are brothers-in-law and life-long Cazenovia residents Don Ballway and Clay Coleman. Ballway owns AquaLogics Systems, Inc. of Syracuse, and Coleman owns Coleman Lawn Service of Cazenovia.

Karie Ballway, who is Ballway’s wife and Coleman’s sister, and Linda Coleman, who is Coleman’s wife, assisted with the promotion of the car wash and are active in its day-to-day operations.

“Knowing that Cazenovia has not had a car wash in almost two decades, [Don and Clay] felt this would be a service well-received by the community,” said Karie on Oct. 19.

The owners received approval from the Town of Cazenovia to move forward with their project in Feb. 2020.

According to Karie, the initial site prep/foundation work began in the fall of 2021, and the building construction took place in 2022.

The car wash is possible due to the Town of Cazenovia/Town of Nelson Route 20 Water District Improvements project, which extended public water from the Village of Cazenovia Public Water System to businesses and residential properties along Route 20. The water line extension project, which was completed in mid-2021, was the result of collaboration between the Town and Village of Cazenovia and the Town of Nelson.

“Without the Water District Improvements project, we would not have been able to operate the car wash,” said Karie. “We selected the site knowing the water district was forthcoming. The site also had all other utilities required to operate a Car Wash, [such as] electric, gas, and sewer.”

For more information on Caz Car Wash, visit cazcarwash.com.

Business Expansion/Growth

In April 2021, Travis Barr and Alex Altomonte opened H. Grey Supply Co., a modern-day general store and outfitter at 53 Albany St. in Cazenovia.

Last summer, the entrepreneurs expanded their business into the space next door that previously housed the home furnishing retail showroom J.D. Hunter/home.

The expansion, which they named H. Grey Social, offered espresso drinks and handmade mocktails, comfortable seating, and thoughtfully curated products from independent brands and small batch makers from around the U.S. As of Sept. 6, available items included cheeses from Murray’s Cheese, chocolate and cinnamon babka from Carnegie Deli, The Meatball Shop tomato sauces, Momofoku noodles, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Rancho Gordo beans, Olympia Provisions meats, and specialty flavored maple syrups made in the Adirondacks.

According to Barr, the expansion has enabled him and Altomonte to make their original vision for H. Grey Supply Co. a reality.

Pre-pandemic, the couple came up with the idea of opening a boutique department store where shoppers could check out multiple categories of items and stop by a “Bevvy Bar” for a drink to sip while looking around or lounging in an inviting and safe space.

“Our core concept from the start has been inclusivity, diversity, and community, and that is exactly what you get at H. Grey Social,” said Barr. “This includes our staff that has organically come together as a motley crew of creative, caring, and hardworking members of our community. [They] each have their own outside dreams and endeavors that we hope H. Grey can be a resource for.”

Since acquiring their new space in May 2022, Barr and Altomonte have painted the ceiling and storefront H. Grey’s signature “Moscow midnight” (dark teal) color, redone the floors, and added a custom barista bar. They also took down a section of wall to allow for better flow between H. Grey Social and Supply Co., where shoppers can pick up sustainably made clothing from Marine Layer and Richer Poorer, up-cycled clothing from Found Ephemeral (a brand by H. Grey team member and Cazenovia College graduate Nick Lanza), plant-based skincare from Three Ships Beauty, hand-made jewelry, PETA-approved vegan leather handbags and purses, cult favorite room scents and candles by P.F. Candle Co., a line of greeting cards designed by Barr, and more.

In addition to offering private shopping opportunities (call 315-815-5016), H. Grey can also host private events, like gatherings for birthdays or showers. Additionally, community members and visitors can book in-person skincare and beauty tutorials with Barr or schedule group readings with “Alex the Medium.”

In September, Barr and Altomonte were working to schedule in-store events/pop-ups and to book guest artists to display their work as part of the “Grey Gallery.”

The business owners hope to eventually expand their space even further.

“We [have] this amazing back room with gorgeous tin walls and ceiling that we hope to incorporate in phase 2,” said Barr.

After “casually” opening H. Grey Social on Sunday, Aug. 7, Barr and Altomonte received positive input from locals and visitors.

“[People have] been really excited when they see the space and the products we are offering,” said Barr. “We have been very conscious of what products are easily available in our area, with the goal of supporting and complimenting what is here as well as offering products that are new and different. We are also committed to our ongoing efforts of contributing to Cazenovia and the families in the surrounding area, whether it’s offering a safe space for students to come after school, in-store events with speakers and local talent, [or] continuing to organize and plan “Cazenovia Pride” events.”

For more information, follow @HGreySupplyCo on social media or visit HGreySupplyCo.com.

In June, Erieville’s co-op style artisan marketplace, The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed, celebrated five years of business.

Located at 3402 Old State Rd., the 20,000 square foot store is home to over 55 local artists and vendors offering an eclectic selection of items, including jewelry, glass, women’s clothing, candy, toys, cat and dog products, vintage housewares, artwork, antiques, furniture, garden items, and vinyl records.

The vendors lease space in the store but are not required to be present to sell their goods.

“This makes being a vendor at Johnny Appleseed easier and more accessible for the enterprising individual who is still working a traditional job but wants a creative outlet for their product,” explained Erica Gilmore, who owns The Shoppes with her husband, Patrick Gilmore, and mother-in-law, Florence Gilmore.

On weekends, Patrick, who is the youngest of the eight Gilmore boys, runs The Apple Kitchen, an on-site eatery that serves a selection of homemade soups, grilled sandwiches, and desserts, like carrot cake and apple crisp. The eatery also offers New York State craft brews and Finger Lake wines.

Visitors to the store and eatery are invited to take a walk along the farm trail that encircles the family’s 80-acre property.

Florence and her husband, Owen, originally opened Johnny Appleseed in the 1960s as a working apple orchard. Eventually, they added a furniture store to the site to diversify the business.

The family-run store was a Madison County fixture and a shopping destination for customers throughout the northeast for decades before closing its doors several years ago.

After sitting empty for three years, the store reopened in June 2017 with a new name and a vision of providing a space for a like-minded community of creatives to market their unique wares.

“Looking back to that first day, it feels surreal but also satisfying to know how far we have come and all that has been accomplished in five short years,” said Erica on May 24.

According to Florence, the most satisfying part of running a business is seeing an idea take shape.

“When we opened, we had just four vendors,” she recalled. “Over the course of the next year, it increased to 24, and by the end of our second year, we had over fifty. We have seen so much improvement in the merchandise, and we have a better idea now of how we want to appeal to our growing demographic.”

In 2022, The Shoppes added more jewelers, fused and stained glass artists, and a furniture manufacturer from Syracuse.

The Gilmores are continually striving to evolve and expand their business and offer more to the community.

“Our vision for the future involves watching The Shoppes continue to reshape and flourish with each new and different vendor,” Patrick said in May. “We plan to utilize the Apple Kitchen for parties, banquets, and catering opportunities. The Apple Kitchen is an indoor/outdoor eating space with spacious seating and a fantastic country setting that can accommodate up to sixty people.”

For more information on The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed, visit johnnyshoppes.com.

Awards/Recognition

In 2022, Community Bank, N.A. awarded its Cazenovia office the annual Branch Community Award, which recognizes one branch in each region for its unparalleled service to the local community.

The Cazenovia office was selected from more than 40 branches in the Central Region.

“Giving back to the communities we live and work in is what I feel sets us apart in this community,” said Community Bank Senior District Manager Barbara Houghton. “This is the first time the Cazenovia office has been chosen for this award. As an employee, this is a such a great honor . . .”

The Cazenovia staff decided to use its award to fund a $1,000 donation to Community Resources for Independent Seniors (CRIS), a local nonprofit that serves individuals 55 and older in the Cazenovia, Nelson, and Fenner areas.

The CRIS mission is to develop and coordinate supportive services that help seniors to preserve their independence, remain active and engaged in the community, and live safely and comfortably in their homes for as long as possible.

Houghton presented the donation check to CRIS Executive Director Karisha Solomon and the organization’s board of directors on March 9.

“I know that as a small organization [CRIS can get] overlooked,” said Houghton. “In times like this, our donation can really help the people that need it the most, which makes us all very proud to have chosen them.”

According to Solomon, the funds were put towards helping CRIS to continue offering supportive services and engaging opportunities for seniors.

Last spring, Cazenovia’s 20|EAST farm store at 85 Albany St. was named “Madison County Small Business of the Year” by the Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College (SBDC).

The SBDC offers no-cost, confidential business advisement services to individuals and companies throughout Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, and Seneca counties. In celebration of National Small Business Week (May 1-7), the center presented “Small Business of The Year” awards to one business in each of the six counties it serves.

20|EAST is owned and operated by McKenzie Houseman, who also runs her family business, Cazenovia Cut Block, out of the same space.

Houseman and her late brother, self-taught woodworker Tim Hughes, launched Cazenovia Cut Block at the local farmers’ market in 2009.

Soon, customers started calling in the middle of the week to order items for pick-up at the market. They also began requesting expanded offerings, such as custom countertops, tables, and butcher block islands.

In 2010, the Cazenovia Cut Block showroom opened at 4157 Midstate Ln., just off Route 20 East, and in 2015, production moved to a warehouse at the same location.

In addition to selling cutting boards, bowls, wood islands, countertops, tables, and other custom pieces, the showroom also started carrying other items produced by local artisans and craftsmen.

When Houseman opened 20|EAST on Albany Street in 2017, she further expanded her offerings to include gifts, art, artisan products, fresh flowers, and numerous food items from all over Central New York.

“My vision for 20|EAST and Cazenovia Cut Block is to continue to support as many local businesses as I can,” said Houseman on May 31. “I want to continue to find new and interesting items to always have something exciting for my customers. I will continue to be a ‘Collector of Stories’ for all the food and gifts that are made by talented artists and makers. These stories are what make us special and make the buyer so excited to give their gift or keep it for themselves.”

Houseman also said she is excited to continue to be part of the local business community.

“We have all gotten together to create ‘The pulse of Caz’ page on Instagram and Facebook,” she said. “It is called Eat Shop Play Caz. Our goal is to encourage people to come spend a day or weekend checking out everything we have to offer. There is so much.”

SBDC Regional Director Bob Griffin and Paul Brooks, a certified business advisor for SBDC, presented the Madison County Small Business of the Year award to Houseman at her shop on May 3.

“I was completely blown away [by the news],” Houseman recalled. “I did not even know I was being considered. It seemed extra special as it is my five-year anniversary on Main Street. I have also been receiving treatment for my second go around with breast cancer since November 2021. I have not been able to work as much as I would like, and receiving the award meant so much.”

According to Brooks, SBDC based its decision on the business’ growth and sustainability, as well as its impact on the community.

“Five years in business and [20|EAST] has become the go-to business in the community for almost whatever you need,” said Brooks. “We were also impressed with McKenzie’s outstanding use of social media and digital resources to promote.”

To learn more about 20|EAST and Cazenovia Cut Block, visit 20-east.com.

The Cazenovia-headquartered company One Health Group, Inc. (OHG) was included on Pepperdine Graziadio Business School’s fifth annual “Most Fundable Companies” list.

Competing against more than 4,000 early-stage US companies, OHG was one of 16 start-ups to be included on the list and one of only three to achieve the Platinum designation, the highest recognition attainable.

OHG is a medical innovation company that works at the intersection of animal and human health. It is the developer of “Voyce,” a pet wearable technology intended to transform healthcare for animals, including companion animals, production animals, equines, and service animals.

“Leading with our extensively patented, proven, and unique animal health data acquisition, data analytics diagnostic platform called Voyce, users can know and manage the health and wellbeing of animals in their care — anywhere, at any time,” said OHG Co-founder, President, and Chief Innovation Officer Albert Di Rienzo, who is a Cazenovia resident.

Di Rienzo explained that Voyce was developed by experienced founders in collaboration with animal health professionals to collect, analyze, and communicate a wide variety of accurate, context-based biomedical health data via a small, safe, noncontact ultra-wideband radar sensor, a mobile app for displaying health status and alerts, and a cloud-based dashboard with predictive analytics that is founded on over a million hours of animal data.

The Most Fundable Companies initiative was launched as a free resource to help entrepreneurs assess their readiness for private investment. All startups that complete the program’s pre-screen and qualifier surveys receive a customized report with feedback on how to structure and position their business to improve investment opportunities.

Participants are evaluated on several variables, including financial projections, market opportunity, intellectual property, competitive advantage, and management-team expertise. According to a press release announcing the winners, these variables are then used “to generate objective and customized feedback and scoring to improve readiness for funding.”

Di Rienzo founded OHG in July 2017 with Mark Frazer, Jeremey Junnila, Paul Tupin, and Michael Stanfield. Although the company is headquartered in Cazenovia, the team works virtually with personnel in North Carolina, New York, and Virginia.

On Oct. 13, 2022, Di Rienzo accepted the award at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School in Malibu, California.

“[Being selected as a Platinum company] means One Health Group is the Most Fundable and has excellent potential for market success, is derisked compared to other possible investments, and has great potential to return significant value to its investors,” Di Rienzo said.

To learn more about OHG, visit onehealthgroup.com.

Giving back

On Feb. 12 and 13, Pewter Spoon Café and Eatery in Cazenovia presented a weekend fundraiser to benefit Médecins Sans Frontières (aka Doctors Without Borders).

The business donated 50 percent of all drink sales directly to the international, independent medical humanitarian organization, which is best known for providing medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.

Located at 87 Albany St., Pewter Spoon is owned by Pat Carmeli and managed by her daughters Ava and Dana.

According to Dana, the café raised $571 for Médecins Sans Frontières through its fundraiser.

“During Covid, we weren’t able to do our weekend fundraisers as we have in the past, but we’re very excited to be able to get back into it and give back to other communities,” said Dana on Feb. 9.

The Carmelis organized their first weekend fundraiser several years ago. Since then, they have raised money for multiple organizations, including UNICEF and Campaign Zero, a project of the non-profit organization WeTheProtesters.

“The last fundraiser we held was for [Campaign Zero], which was raising money for specific police de-escalation training, [especially] in response to the murder of George Floyd by police officers in the summer of 2020,” said Dana leading up to the February fundraiser. “We raised $506 that weekend, which was amazing considering we were still completely takeout-only and contactless pickup that summer.”

In 2019, Pewter Spoon raised $527 for the International Rescue Committee, which helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

According to Dana, the Carmelis considered multiple organizations before deciding on Médecins Sans Frontières for their February fundraiser.

“We settled on [this organization] because of their excellent rating — 92.25 rating on charitynavigator.org — and because their work is really tangible,” she said. “They are using the donated money to provide medical supplies and healthcare to people in need around the world. I think people appreciate donating to an organization when they can really see what their money goes towards.”

In October, Pewter Spoon celebrated 10 years of business.

The Carmelis have strived to make Pewter Spoon a community gathering spot that is focused on more than just coffee and food since day one. However, the family’s activism and dedication to supporting humanitarian work arose long before the café opened its doors.

“Our family lived in Israel for 12 years,” said Dana. “And for the first few years, my mom, Pat, talks about how blissfully ignorant she was to the world around her. It’s when she started taking a closer look that she started to become aware of the injustices and discrimination against our Palestinian neighbors. By attending frequent demonstrations, it awoke an activist spirit within her, one that derived from the principles of peace and fairness that she was raised with. Running a business demands a lot of time, so when we may not have the time to devote to social justice work, we think it’s important to put our money where our mouth is and donate to organizations doing incredible work.”

For more information on Pewter Spoon, visit pewter-spoon-cafe.square.site.

Matthew Maggio launched the Cazenovia-based landscaping company Scholars Landscaping, LLC, with a unique mission to support and fund young entrepreneurs and tradespeople in their pursuits of owning their own businesses.

The company provides scheduled mowing, weeding and brush removal, pruning and plant care, edging and trimming, and seasonal clean-up to the communities of Manlius, Fayetteville, Cazenovia, Canastota, Oneida, Pompey, and East Syracuse.

The startup completed its first season in business in 2022.

Rather than own the company by himself and hire employees, Maggio has opted to partner with young adults and high-school students and make them shareholders in the business.

“They share in the profits [of] the business as an owner,” Maggio said. “. . . They don’t work for me; they work for themselves. They have the right to sell their shares back to the company at the end of the year or continue on as an owner into the future.”

According to Maggio, the partners gain many of the skills required to own a business, such as setting schedules, managing time and expenses, communicating, forming interpersonal and customer relationships, and developing a good work ethic.

In addition to mentoring and providing opportunities to young people, the business is also donating 25 percent of its profits to a school district within its service area each year to help fund business classes and scholarships.

On Nov. 17, Scholars Landscaping made its first donation, totaling $1,000, to the Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD).

According to Maggio, the donation to CCSD will be put toward a scholarship for a high school graduate pursuing education in the trades and entering a career path outside that of the traditional collegiate route.

“In my opinion, we do not support or give enough emphasis to young, motivated people to pursue entrepreneurship,” he said. “There is always the pressure to excel in school with a sole focus [on] college and higher learning. It is rare that an alternative is offered to successfully learn and pursue a trade [or own] your own business. I wanted to bridge that gap and create that pathway.”

Maggio, who resides on a small farm outside Cazenovia, has worked in the animal health sector for 20 years. He is also the owner of M-Z Securities, LLC, and an owner/partner in Mad Tacos, a restaurant on Route 20 East in Nelson.

To learn more about Scholars Landscaping, visit scholarslandscape.com.

At the start of the school year, Mad Tacos at Nelson Corners teamed up with Cazenovia High School students to raise funds for the Class of 2024.

The business is sponsoring a taco fundraiser on the 24th day of every month through June 2024.

For every taco purchased at the restaurant from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mad Tacos will donate $1 to the class.

“Months where we are closed on the 24th, or Christmas/Thanksgiving falls on the 24th/25th, we’re moving it to the 25th or 26th respectively,” explained Mad Tacos General Manager Jonny Haines leading up to the October fundraiser.

According to Claire Marris, vice president of the Class of 2024, the funds raised will go towards Junior Prom and some other events for the class and high school.

“After reaching out to Mad Tacos for a possible partnership for a fundraiser, we met in person with Jonny to discuss the details,” said Marris. “He came up with the long-term fundraising plan that benefited both our class and Mad Tacos.”

The first fundraiser was held on Sept. 24.

“We kicked it off strong, making $375 our first night,” said Marris. “We loved how many teachers and fellow students came out to support us.”

Mad Tacos is located at 3264 US-20 in Nelson. For more information, visit madcotacos.com.

In preparation for the holiday season, the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) and CazCares food pantry and clothing closet teamed up once again to support local families in need through the “Giving Tree” initiative.

Giving Trees were positioned at 11 participating businesses throughout the village. Each tree featured ornaments labeled with gift requests from children of all ages. Customers were encouraged to select an ornament, purchase the listed item, and donate it to help make a holiday wish come true.

Gift tags were available at 20|EAST, AmeriCU Credit Union, The Brae Loch Inn, Cazenovia Abroad, Cazenovia Jewelry, the Cazenovia Public Library & Museum, Community Bank, Lillie Bean, Miori Martial Arts, The Brewster Inn, and the GCACC Office.

Each year, the donated items are delivered to CazCares for distribution to local families.

“I know I say [it] every year, but this is my favorite event I volunteer for,” said Community Bank Senior District Manager and GCACC Giving Tree Chair Barbara Houghton on Nov. 8. “I feel like with the world the way it is, our community pulls together and makes a difference for local families. I am very proud to be a part of this.”

Other notable news in 2022

In August, Nelson Farms Country Store (3261 US-20) hosted the first annual Nelson Corners Festival in conjunction with the 13th Annual Mad Cow 5K.

Following the race, which supported local emergency service providers, runners and community members were invited to the Nelson Farms parking lot for a celebration featuring live music and food/beverages from local vendors, including Nelson Farms, Mad Tacos, Erieville Fire Department, Margie’s Hot Dog Cart, Meier’s Creek Brewing Company, Good Nature Brewing, Foothill Hops Farm Brewery, Grow Brewing Co., and ONCO Fermentations.

According to Race Director John Dunkle, the post-race party was introduced to keep people in town after the race and support local businesses.

This year’s race shirts, which were designed by Mad Tacos General Manager Jonny Haines, were printed by the Cazenovia-based business CazGear, LLC.

According to Haines, the design was inspired by the “Four Corners” formed at the intersection of Nelson Road, Erieville Road, and Route 20 East.

“[There’s also] a playful cow crossing the street,” said Haines on July 19. “We show the logos of the Nelson-based businesses on the front to pay homage to the people who are helping to make Nelson a great place to live and work.”

On the third weekend of August, the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) presented its fifth annual Caz Block Fest weekend to show its support for local businesses and the community.

Leading up to the celebration, Block Fest Chairperson Barbara Houghton said the celebration would kick off on Saturday with the traditional Farmers’ Market on the Village Green, sidewalk sales (held throughout the weekend), “Shred Fest,” and “Rock Fest.”

Sponsored by Community Bank, N.A. to help safeguard against identity theft and fraud, Shred Fest was an opportunity for the public to have any sensitive materials shredded at no cost in the bank parking lot.

During Rock Fest, children painted rocks in Telephone Park to be sold for donations to CazCares food pantry and clothing closet. The event was sponsored by the Eat/Shop/Play Committee, a relatively new group made up of both GCACC members and non-members.

“In the past, the chamber had a very similar committee that planned events for the downtown shopping district, such as sidewalk sales [and] ladies’ and men’s night out,” said GCACC Executive Director Anna Marie Neuland on July 27. “This is a new and very active group that is taking over the planning and coordination of many of the events that the chamber has done in the past with our support. It is very exciting, and the chamber wants to support all of them.”

“Shopping Passports” were available all weekend to coincide with the sidewalk sales. Shoppers were encouraged to visit a participating business and make a purchase to receive a stamp. Depending on the number of stores visited, customers were entered into a raffle for tier-based prizes.

Block Fest, the main event of the weekend, was held on Sunday on Lincklaen Street between Albany Street and the post office.

The Cazenovia Lodge No. 616, Free & Accepted Masons, barbequed and sold ice cream from Nelson Creamery. The Lincklaen House served pizza and lemonade, Meier’s Creek Brewing Company sold beverages, and Summit Church provided a bounce house, games, and face painting for the kids. The event also featured performances by the “Twin Magicians” and the Ponytail James band.

Goodie bags were also provided for kids.

Each year, Caz Block Fest is presented as a free community event. The GCACC only asks for donations to help further its mission of benefitting the local economy and enhancing the community’s quality of life.

“We live in such a great community, and the chamber appreciates all the local businesses and how hard the last couple of years have been for everyone,” said Houghton before the event. “We want people to come out and enjoy a weekend of fun events, good food, great music, and, most of all, our neighbors.”

The 2022 event was organized by a committee made up of representatives from the GCACC, Cazenovia College, the Albany Street shopping district, Community Bank, and AmeriCU Credit Union.

For more information on the GCACC, visit cazenovia.com.

On Nov. 15, Cazenovia’s historic Lincklaen House at 79 Albany St. was put up for sale via an online auction. Two days later, the auction concluded without producing a suitable buyer.

The property includes a 23-room colonial-style boutique hotel, an event space, and three restaurants — the “casual fine dining” Lincklaen House, the Seven Stone Steps tavern, and Due Passi Pizzeria.

The auction was conducted by Todd Wenzel of WYZE Commercial Real Estate in conjunction with the Ten-X online commercial real estate exchange. The starting bid was $700,000.

According to Dan Kuper, who owns the Lincklaen House with his wife, Mary Margaret, the bidding reached $2.3 million before the auction ended.

“That price included 79-83 Albany St. and the two parking lots with all furniture, fixtures, and equipment, so basically [a] turnkey business,” said Kuper. “. . . “We were concerned about the bidder being a good fit for the community and meeting the reserve.”

Leading up to the auction, Kuper explained that his focus was on uncovering the business’s next owner/operator and making sure there would be no interruption in business at any point. He also said there was no guarantee that he would find a buyer through the process.

For now, the Lincklaen House will continue operating under its current ownership.

To learn more about the Lincklaen House and its history, visit lincklaenhouse.com.

On Dec. 7, the Cazenovia College Board of Trustees announced its decision to permanently close the college following the spring 2023 semester due to financial concerns.

Founded in 1824, Cazenovia College is the eighth-oldest private, independent college in New York State and the 28th-oldest independent college/university in the United States.

According to the college, the financial challenges facing the institution have included a shrinking population of college-aged individuals; skyrocketing inflation; decreased enrollment and increased expenditures during the global pandemic; and recent uncertainty in the bond and stock markets, which made it exceedingly difficult to refinance the college’s bond debt, which came due in September.

The institution has an estimated $55 million of annual economic impact in the region, according to Cazenovia College President David Bergh, and the local business community is expected to feel its loss.

Following the college’s announcement, Anna Marie Neuland, executive director of the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce, remarked that closing the college could mean a loss of both help and customers for some local businesses.

“The community is certainly going to miss the many interns that have worked with our businesses for many years,” she said. “The businesses will no doubt be coming up with ways to address the loss that they may or may not suffer next year without the college students and their parents shopping and dining in our village.”

According to Dr. Thad Yorks, professor of biology and environmental biology, a few popular downtown destinations for students are Les Pâtes et Les Nouilles for Thai food, Kinney Drugs, and McCarthy’s Irish Pub.

“I literally never, after work, go to my vehicle parked at the health center without seeing at least one, usually more than one, group of students on their way to or from the downtown area,” he said.

Pat Carmeli, owner of Pewter Spoon Café and Eatery at 87 Albany St., said the news of the institution’s closing came to her from a tearful Cazenovia College professor and long-time customer as he was leaving the café.

According to Carmeli, Pewter Spoon will survive without the college, but the business is sure to make fewer sales during such times as graduation, move-in days, parents’ weekends, and orientations.

“But that’s not what is on my mind right now,” she said on Dec. 8. “Rather, it’s the teachers and administrators at the college who come in to share a coffee and a chat with co-workers, [and] the students that come in to study for exams or grab a quick caffeinated drink as they head to class. These folks are now scrambling mentally, right before the holidays, to consider their next moves in an economy that is fraught with uncertainty. In our 10 years of business, we’ve employed quite a few Caz College students and graduates, each with their own stories about how much the college and the friends that they’ve made there have meant to them. Many have chosen to make Cazenovia their home post-graduation because they fell in love with our quaint and close community. Cazenovia [will] survive, albeit with a major hole in its very heart.”

McKenzie Houseman, owner of 20|EAST farm store (85 Albany St.), also mourned the loss of the college and expressed her determination to help the local business community continue to thrive and adapt to the changes to come.

“The college always made sure to keep things local by buying flowers from me, introducing incoming classes and their families to the community, and having parties at local restaurants,” said Houseman. “It cannot be denied that this will definitely be felt by the businesses. My hope is that someday something wonderful can happen with the college campus. Our community is resilient, and we will persevere but never forget the beauty of Cazenovia College.”