Homer, New York: Of course I’ll tarry with you awhile!
I used to love road trips: packing up the car, grabbing a thermos full of coffee, and taking off on yet-to-be-determined adventures. Of course, as any parent knows, nothing kills the thrill of the open road quite like the not-so-dulcet tones of an antsy child asking, “Are we there yet?”
Since motherhood has limited my road tripping options, I’ve got to take my opportunities where I can get them. This is why I offered to go explore Homer, NY, site of Mama Goose’s newest sister stores, as a guest blogger. Off I went with my two little girls and Cat, babysitter extraordinaire and Mama Goose Ithaca sales associate, in tow.
Who can resist a town with a sense of humor?
Our road trip took place on a Saturday, which everyone knows is the best day for adventuring, and, true to Phipps family form, we left two hours later than planned. Luckily, Homer really isn’t that far away — 40 minutes at most, no matter which route you take. (The general directions to Homer are easy, it’s right on the way to Syracuse! Leave Ithaca heading north to Dryden, turn left to Cortland, go straight-ish to Homer. If “ish” isn’t specific enough for you, check out directions here). For those of you who cannot hit the road without knowing where your next source of caffeine might be, I am delighted to inform you that not only are there three Dunkin’ Donuts between Ithaca and Homer, but three locations of the local coffee shop, Coffee Mania, as well.
Driving into Homer feels a little bit like wandering onto the set of It’s a Wonderful Life. Main Street is lined with trees, American flags, and adorable storefronts. (Noticing the many star-spangled banners, one of my girls announced, “Look, Mama! We’re in America!” I’m not exactly sure where she thinks we were before…) We passed by home decor and gift shop Olde Homer House, ladies boutique Lilly Lanetree, and Bev & Co, which also has a sister store in Ithaca. The two newest jewels in the Mama Goose crown, Mama Goose Homer and Liv’s Trading Company, are located on the right side of the street in a beautiful historic building known as the “Homer Exchange.” This building also houses a women’s clothing and gifts boutique, Empire 41, and a full-service salon, Prima Studio.
William Sherman originally built the Homer Exchange in 1827 right next door to his home. He ran a successful mercantile there for nearly three decades. Many incarnations of the building have past between then and now, including a long period of housing the Homer Laundry, before Liv’s and Mama’s made their home in it.
In addition to a parking lot beside the building, street parking is abundant and meter-free. Eager to put an end to their torturous time in the car, my girls bounded up a couple of wooden stairs and across a deck towards the familiar Mama Goose easel. It turns out that deck was a brand new addition to the building (just built that morning). A smiling woman stepped out of the salon and congratulated my girls on being some of the first people to walk on it. To see their reactions, you would have thought my girls had walked on the moon.
Off into the “other” Mama Goose we went, eager to see what this new but familiar place would have in store. (Hee! Store! Blog puns!) Now, I am not the most flexible person in the world. I hate change. Hate it. Hate it with a fiery passion. So, I am happy to report to all of you regular Mama Goose Ithaca customers that Mama Goose Homer has exactly the right blend of new and familiar to make the store exciting but not awaken my inner curmudgeon. (They changed smoothie recipes at the Wegman’s Coffee Shop about 4 years ago and I’m still grumbling about it).
We were greeted by warm and friendly Homer goslings Lauren and Shannon. My girls got to work adventuring through the toy and book sections while Shannon did my buy and I perused the inventory. I always pretend I’m trying to determine whether I’ll be taking store credit or cash. But in the end, as always, store credit won out. One girl left the Homer Goose in a new pair of sneakers, the other in a new ninja costume. For those who know my daughters, I bet you can guess which one got which.
Next door at Liv’s, I was amazed at how such a modest-sized store could hold so many things I wanted. Scarves! Dresses! Adorable socks! Jewelry! Shoes! Give me ALL OF THE THINGS. Working the counter was a familiar face, Heidi, Dryden resident and former Ithaca Goose sales associate. As Heidi expertly assessed the clothes I’d brought to sell, I popped back and forth between stores, soaking in the Homer goodness. Eventually, my Liv’s buy was completed, and I was so overwhelmed by choices that I actually chose cash. Check out some of the cuteness I couldn’t choose between below.
The wisest socks I’ve ever seen, available at Liv’s!
Perusing the extensive shoe selection while perched on this adorable green ottoman makes you feel like a Homer Cinderella. (Ottoman not for sale. And if ever it is, DIBS.)
Liv’s even has a little something for your nails.
Liv’s store credit is transferable to either Goose location!
Before I knew it, at least an hour had passed, and we were ready to continue exploring. We strolled back down Main Street and popped in to Homer Men and Boy’s (which sells women’s and children’s wear as well). We contemplated visiting Dasher’s Pub, where Mama Goose owner, Kelly, likes to eat when she visits Homer with her family. We might have stopped in, except that my girls were full from the gas station snacks I used to distract them from ripping each others’ hair out on the car ride up. Instead we bought juice from the little Homer market, finished up our stroll, and climbed back into the car.
Our Homer trip might have lasted longer, except for one thing. Many of the local businesses aside from Mama’s and Liv’s seemed to close by mid-afternoon, and so this sleepy small town was even sleepier than usual. I was particularly disappointed to have missed local health food store, Oh My Goodness, and would also have liked to visit Edgewood Bakery. As we drove back to Ithaca, I vowed that on my next trip out, I would make sure to arrive in the morning.
Lucky for me and you, we all have a fantastic reason to make an upcoming trip to Homer! On Saturday, October 18th, both Homer stores will be having their official grand opening. There will be a magic show, refreshments, marble draw discounts (coat sale style!) and other giveaways. If for some reason you’re otherwise engaged on that date, don’t worry! All Saturdays in October are Cider Saturdays at Liv’s courtesy of Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill in Cortland. Sipping cider during Saturday shopping? Sublime.
In the end, it doesn’t really matter when you decide to make the trip — just go! It’s only a hop, skip and a jump away and, believe me, that hopskipjumping is totally worth it! The perfect blend out of the norm and close to home, it’s not a vacation, not a stay-cation, but a 40 minutes away-cation! I look forward to going back and seeing what else this charming community has to offer.
Author’s Update: Of course, my perpetual lateness caused me to miss yet another awesome aspect of Homer: the Homer Farmers’ Market! From May to October, this market runs from 9am to 1pm on the Village Green on Saturdays. In the winter, it moves indoors and is held the 3rd Saturday of every month in the basement of the Phillips Free Library, which means we all have the opportunity year-round to sample local produce, meats, baked goods and crafts.
