Our Town

Manlius

BY AMY BLEIER LONG

Known for its swan pond, retro ice cream stand and high-achieving school district, Manlius is a popular suburb for families. It also has history: The village had the county’s first newspaper, first pottery, first distillery and first gun factory. Predominantly a bedroom community, there are still manufacturers present, including internationally known Stickley Furniture, whose Arts and Crafts style will heavily influence a coming aesthetic refresh for the village.

Shop local

Stay on trend with fashions from Boutique Joycé. The Dazzle Store’s clothing, accessories and lifestyle items make great gifts. Spruce up your home and garden with finds from The Station 603. Repurposed furniture, clay-based paint and décor are on display at Sparrow & Key. Select custom frames and works of art at St. Laurent Framing & Ironstone Gallery. Tarn’s Place also specializes in custom framing. Spera’s and Sons Meat Market features fresh meats, deli sandwiches and Columbus bread. Side Hill Farmers co-op brings the bounty of local meat, produce, dairy and eggs to one place. Pick up stunning bouquets and houseplants at Simply Fresh Flowers. Clean up with a new or refurbished vacuum from Empire Vac LLC. Head to True Value for parts, paint and help with a project. Put on something special from Manlius Jewelry and Repair. Mother Nature Pet Supply has all your fur baby’s needs. Buy, sell and trade new, used and retro games at Voltage Video Games. Musicians will find plenty to play at Beat Street Music. Athletes gear up at Scholastic Sports Sales.

Have a drink

SkyTop Coffee

features organic, fair trade coffees and delicious breakfast options. The Cracked Bean Roastery, open on Saturdays only, offers whole bean fresh-roasted coffee, cold brew and pastries. Café Kubal brought brews and bites to its first suburban location. Buffoons II offers a pool table and outdoor deck. Orange Crate Express is an intimate spot to get drinks with friends. Sit at Seneca St. Brew Pub’s upstairs bar, taproom and patio and enjoy craft beers and ciders. A.W. Wander’s new location brings craft beer together with wood-fired pizzas. For hundreds of wines from around the world and weekly tastings, visit The Wine House. Cork Monkey has an extensive selection of wines and spirits.

Get outside

Take a stroll around the Swan Pond and Centre Pond and watch the birds, including swans Faye and Manny. At Mill Run Park, have fun on the playground, walk the trails, view the original dam that powered 1800s mills or rent the pavilion for a gathering. Perry Springs Park and Fish Hatchery features hiking trails and a pond, apply for a permit to fish. On the west side of the village, a recreation area offers a baseball/ softball diamond, basketball hoop, pavilion to rent, open space and picnic tables. Young children will enjoy the playground near the village offices. Bicentennial Park offers a quiet green space; a few blocks away, the gazebo is a pretty, sheltered spot to sit. Walk along the path in the new Limestone Creek Nature Preserve. At CNY Land Trust’s Three Falls Woods there are 60 acres to explore and five waterfalls to enjoy, especially in the spring and summer. The village is developing new pocket parks.

Annual events

Little girls and their father figures can bond at the Daddy Daughter Dance. Have bagels and bunny fun at the Easter Egg Hunt. Honor the fallen at the Memorial Day Parade. In the spring and fall, fishing derbies take place at Perry Springs Park and Hatchery and Lower Swan Pond. Hundreds of kids participate in the summer playground program. The village’s Fourth of July event includes a parade, carnival, food trucks and fireworks. Take in the Manlius Car Club’s Weekly Cruise next to Sno Top on Mondays in the summer. Get creative at the Trunk or Treat Halloween event. Find or sell gently used equipment and outerwear at the Ski and Skate Sale. The holiday Tree Lighting includes a children’s story time, crafts, games, children’s choir and refreshments.

Things to do

Sign up for a drawing class or browse local art at Gabriel Contemporary. Learn to sculpt at Feats of Clay. Get drop-in or private tutoring at MathmatiCUSE. Stay fit and reduce stress at Impact Martial Arts, Metabolic Manlius, Rampage Fitness and Manlius Cuse Camp. Feel stronger and restored with a session at Vyana Yoga & PolariTea. Yuki’s Day Spa, Cherry Blossom Spa and Eva Relaxation Spa provide relaxation. The Dance Studio CNY instructs a variety of dance styles, including adult jazz and tap. The Manlius YMCA offers a variety of programs and has an indoor turf field and tennis court. Take in a concert or outdoor movie at the Village Amphitheater. Front Row Players takes the stage at the village auditorium. Catch the latest indie film at the 100-year-old Manlius Art Cinema. Rent baking supplies, view local art for sale and participate in programs through the Manlius Library. Visit the Manlius Historical Society’s museum and Cheney House Research Center to view a vast collection related to local history. The Senior Center runs programs for 22,000 people annually.

“Raising our family in the village has been a wonderful experience, and running our business out of the historic train station helped us learn the area’s rich history.”

JANICE ABDO-ROTT, VILLAGE TRUSTEE AND OWNER OF CREATIVE LANDSCAPES LLC AND THE STATION 603