ITHACA, N.Y. –– The owners of the Cellar D’or wine and cider boutique on the Ithaca Commons are having to repair their front entrance today as an early morning fire Monday in the flower box outside the store destroyed the entryway and display window.
“To the idiots who like to distinguish their cigarettes in our flower box, you lit our store on fire in the middle of the night,” store representatives wrote on social media.
The post goes on to say that the owners and employees are, “thankful for a good fire alarm system and the Ithaca FireDepartment for getting here quick enough to prevent more serious damage.”
And while it hasn’t been confirmed by store owners nor the IFD, many other locals chimed in on the post about the fire saying that while cigarettes are not allowed on the Commons, the rule isn’t strictly enforced and plant receptacles often act as ashtrays for late-night bar-goers.
Cellar D’or Owner Mark Grimaldi said they hope to, “be back up and running ASAP” but that they need to get the door fixed before customers can come in again.
“Our storefront is partially melted and glass is broken and the door is unable to be opened,” Grimaldi said.
The owners are also preparing to get the store professionally cleaned by a disaster company to “remove the smoke taint and soot.” Keep an eye on the store Facebook for updates.