Nearly 11 years after they opened in a downtown Ithaca storefront around the corner from the Ithaca Commons pedestrian plaza, the owners of Sunny Days say holiday sales “were not at all what they’ve been historically,” leaving them concerned about “the rough winter months.” They’re getting creative with an “investor tote bag” that lets fans help provide a cushion in return for a discount for life.
The drop in December sales was about “20% below expectation,” Sunny Days owner Deirdre Kurzweil tells 14850 Magazine. The shortfall leaves the store in a shaky position to get through the slow period that typically starts the year, before springtime brings more people out to the Ithaca Commons for casual strolling and shopping.
Now at 171 East State Street, near the playground on the Commons, Sunny Days offers a constantly changing array of local souvenirs, useful handmade winterwear, t-shirts, books, calendars, artwork, specialty foods, local sodas, and more, not to mention their sunny dispositions. “Every day, we get to see the smiles on people’s faces as they make declarations like, ‘This is so Ithaca!’ This reaction was exactly our goal, among others,” says Deirdre.
Over the years, the store has featured Ithaca Festival merchandise, live music, art and photo shows with openings on First Friday Gallery Night, Grateful Dead merch relating to the band’s iconic 5.8.77 show at Cornell’s Barton Hall, playing cards featuring local photos, Ithaca maps, playing cards and puzzles, and of course Ithaca is Gorges gear.
Many shops and restaurants try to sell lots of gift cards throughout the holidays, bringing in cash with little up-front expenditure, and Sunny Days offers those, too! As restaurants often do over the holidays, Sunny Days offers a bonus of $25 for those who purchase $100 in gift cards.
This year, Deirdre decided to offer “limited edition investor tote bags” to the shop’s fans. Using the tote bag used around town serves to promote the store, but the owner of the $50 bag also gets 10% off future purchases at Sunny Days, for life!
The Sunny Days limited edition investor tote bag. Photo by Double T courtesy Sunny Days.
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago,” says the Warren Buffett quote emblazoned on the bag. It’s a reference to the longterm investment Deirdre hopes customers will make in the store. Those who buy the bag are entitled to 10% off nearly everything in the store — the main exception is items being sold on consignment — both in person and online, “forever and ever.”
“When my friend and fellow business owner in Baltimore asked how my December sales were and I told her I was down 20%, she said she would have been happy with that,” Deirdre tells us. “Everyone’s struggling.”
“These are crazy, uncertain times and folks are being extra careful with their money,” she adds. “I respect this.” But she opened up to friends and customers knowing that many would be sad if the store went under rather than being able to continue “showcasing the awesomeness of our region, supporting local artists and makers, and spreading more joy in the world.”
“If you can’t help me,” Deirdre says, “please just try to shop small whenever and wherever you’re able.”
The Sunny Days limited edition investor tote bags and gift certificates are available at the shop on the Ithaca Commons, with the entrance right next to Center Ithaca, or online at sunnydays.com.
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