Economy Motor Sales / Personal Best Brewing

“Purchase of property at 319 W. State St. by the Economy Motor Sales, was announced today by Herman C. Smith, manager and one of the proprietors. The concern was formerly located at 110 W Green St., and for the last 3 years the business has been operated at the Inlet Valley Rd.

According to plans, the frame building will be demolished a modern one-story cinder block garage building erected on the lot which is described as 66 x 132.”

“Motor Company Buys Property,” Ithaca Journal, October 24, 1944, 3.

“Formal opening of the new Economy Motor Sales Garage at 319 W. State St. was announced today by Mr. and Mr. Herman C. Smith, owners and authorized dealers in Pontiac sales and service.

The new building is not entirely completed, but is sufficiently along for the opening, the display of two new models, and the operation of the servicing department in the rear which will be in charge of George Beach, who formerly operated a garage of his own in Newfield.

Four mechanics are already on the job and the latest automotive equipment for servicing cars of any make has been installed, including a paint booth, brake lining machinery, motor check-up racks, valve-grinding equipment, and other items.

The owners have held the Pontiac franchise for Ithaca since 1940, and the garage was then located at 110 W. Green St. During the war a temporary service was conducted at a garage on the Inlet Valley Rd.

Smith has been in the automobile business since 1916, except for a little more than 2 years that he served overseas in World War I.

He is a member of the Finger Lakes Post 961, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and has donated the use of the garage to the members of the Drum and Bugle Corps for a benefit dance Friday night.”

“New Garage Opens,” Ithaca Journal, January 3, 1946, 3.

Economy Motor Sales, Herman C. Smith, proprietor, Pontiac sales and service, used cars, 319 W State St

H. A. Manning Co, Schenectady, NY

Economy Motor Sales, Herman C. Smith and Cecile L. Smith, proprietors C R Stimson manager, Pontiac sales and service used cars, 319 W State St

H. A. Manning Co, Schenectady, NY

Studebaker Lark Agency, William R. Carnavino, proprietor, 319 W State St

H. A. Manning Co, Schenectady, NY

Charles Boykin’s Body Shop, Charles L. Boykin, proprietor, 319 W State St

H. A. Manning Co, Schenectady, NY

Boykin’s Body Shop, 319 W State St

Doug’s Bargain Shop, 319 W State St

A-1 Charley’s Automotive Service, 321 W State St

H. A. Manning Co., Publishers, Bellows Falls, VT

“Instead of car bodies being put back in shape at Charlie Boykin’s garage, humans are getting their bodies back in shape art 319 W. State St.

Boykin’s cavernous old body shop is being converted into a health club and exercise studio.

The Studio at City Health Club, which opened in early June, and City Health Club, scheduled to open Sept. 1, are fledgling businesses of Henry Cesari, his wife Valeria Hill Kremer, and his sister, Antonia Cesari.”

Helen Mundell, “Human bodies, not car bodies, get tune-ups at old garage,” Ithaca Journal, July 5, 1983, 3.

“A monument to the fitness craze of the 1980s and 1990s is going to be renovated into a monument of the current nationwide brewery trend.

The City Health Club building at 402 West Green Street in downtown Ithaca is slated to be redeveloped into a brewpub, named Personal Best Brewing, with construction finishing sometime in the next year or two if all approvals are acquired. The development of the bar is being led by Michael and Anthony Cesari, and operated by Anthony. Several redevelopment plans for the building were discussed before finally settling upon a bar. Michael Cesari, who’s originally from Elmira, has been working on this for some time and sees a great deal of long-term potential for the site….”

Edwin J. Viera, “From health to hops: Former City Health Club site to become new brewpub,” November 13, 2018