Hi everyone, <div><br></div><div>I'm pleased to announce that a new business I co-own is open. Please read our press release and consider joining us for a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, December 5 at 11:30!</div><div><br>
</div><div>Thanks,</div><div>McKenzie</div><div><br></div><div><p class="">
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<br clear="ALL">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<p></p>
<p class="">Contact: McKenzie Jones-Rounds </p><p class="">Tel: 607-272-2012</p>
<p class="">Cell: 717-903-4871</p>
<p class="">Email: <a href="mailto:mckenzie@bloominithaca.com">mckenzie@bloominithaca.com</a></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="" align="center" style="text-align:center">BLOOM NOW OPEN ON
ITHACA COMMONS</p>
<p class="" align="center" style="text-align:center">Family Focused Store
Offers Ethical Clothing And Toys For Children and Women, Plans Underway To
Expand Artful Play Place By New Year</p>
<p class="" align="center" style="text-align:center"> </p>
<p class="">The Ithaca community
welcomes Bloom in Ithaca, LLC, a new family centered business to the Commons.
Located at 134 East State Street, Bloom employs a unique business model by
combining a retail store with a play area for children. All of the clothing and
toys found in Bloom, which are targeted toward 2-8 year old boys and girls, are
either made in America, fair trade, organic, recycled, or handmade. Responsible
sourcing of merchandise is a priority for business owners Draya Koschmann and
McKenzie Jones-Rounds, both mothers to young children. The store also offers a
selection of women’s clothing that is ethically produced and appropriate for
before, during, and after pregnancy.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Bloom was created in
early 2012 as a response to the Downtown Ithaca Alliance’s Race for the Space
competition. Koschmann and Jones-Rounds, with the help of friends, family, and
professionals, developed the idea and an accompanying business plan after years
of wishing that Ithaca could host an indoor playground that is walkable for
downtown residents, aesthetically and developmentally pleasing to caregivers,
and fun for children. Bloom was chosen as a finalist in the Race for the Space
and received invaluable support from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance during the
set-up of the new business. Mary Kane, the property owner, and Gary Ferguson,
the executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, have agreed to a
matching rent subsidy for several months. Koschmann and Jones-Rounds are very
grateful for the support that they have received from local professionals and
the community at large.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Black Friday was the
first day that Bloom opened its doors to the public and shoppers were pleased
with the new store. The play place, which incorporates an indoor playground
made by a small company in Maine, is set to be open near the beginning of 2013.
While January is often a slow time for retail, Bloom owners expect that the
play place will generate a lot of excitement when it is complete after the holidays.
Koschmann and Jones-Rounds anticipate that the two components of the store will
complement each other well. Similar to other stay-and-play models seen around
the country, caregivers will be able to pay a small fee for their children to
enter the play area. Adults are welcome to shop while children play or instead
relax in the play place and enjoy wifi and coffee or tea. Healthy, prepackaged
snacks will be available for purchase. Bloom is intended to be a comprehensive
family gathering space that is comfortable and enjoyable for children and
adults alike. Art lessons, music classes, birthday parties, and homeschool
gatherings are just some of the events that Koschmann and Jones-Rounds
anticipate Bloom hosting. The ultimate goal of the play place is to create a
gathering space for families with young children who are interested in an
artful and comprehensive play experience. The play place at Bloom will be the
only one of its kind in downtown Ithaca. </p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">The new business has
already garnered public enthusiasm and support and will become a destination
for downtown families and visitors. Fans of Bloom on Facebook express that the
store looks “awesome” and “amazing.” Some customers have already expressed
interest in cyber shopping with Bloom. While the owners are currently focusing
on the physical presence of the business, they do anticipate becoming an online
marketplace for beautiful, responsible, high quality play clothes and things in
the future.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Koschmann and
Jones-Rounds are excited for this new venture and hope to provide the Ithaca
area with valuable products and services. They are honored to be in the company
of such well respected children’s stores as Mama Goose, Alphabet Soup, Cat’s
Pajamas, and Jillian’s Drawers. Bloom intends to offer a business environment
that fills a void not otherwise being met in Ithaca with new clothes and toys for older children that
are sustainably and ethically produced. Bloom will maintain holiday hours
through December. Please visit <a href="http://www.bloominithaca.com">www.bloominithaca.com</a> for details.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="" align="center" style="text-align:center">###</p>
<p class="" align="center" style="text-align:center"> </p>
<p class="">If you would like
more information about Bloom, or to schedule an interview with McKenzie
Jones-Rounds, please call McKenzie at 717-903-4871 or email
<a href="mailto:mckenzie@bloominithaca.com">mckenzie@bloominithaca.com</a>.</p>
<p class="">-- <br></p>McKenzie Jones-Rounds, MS<div><br></div><div><a href="http://ithacabiodiesel.org" target="_blank">Ithaca Biodiesel Cooperative, Inc.</a> President<br><div><div><a href="http://newearthliving.net/what-we-do/aurora-dwelling-circle/" target="_blank">Aurora Pocket Neighborhood, Inc.</a> President</div>
<div><a href="http://bloominithaca.com" target="_blank">Bloom in Ithaca, LLC</a> Co-owner</div><div><a href="http://www.ci.ithaca.ny.us/boardscommittees/pdb/index.cfm" target="_blank">City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board</a> Member</div>
</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>713 N Cayuga St</div><div>Ithaca, NY 14850</div></div><div><div><div>717-903-4871</div><div><a href="mailto:grasswriter@gmail.com" target="_blank">grasswriter@gmail.com</a></div></div>
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