The Ithaca Guitar Works music store was opened by John Ellis in 1968 originally under the name The Guitar Work Shop, in Ithaca by Cornell University. In 1972 John relocated the store downtown into the Dewitt mall. Paul Meisenzahl Purchased the Store from John Ellis in 1978 and changed the name to Ithaca Guitar Works. In 1981 Chris Broadwell and Eric Aceto bought the store from Paul. In 1989 instrument builder Dan Hoffman joined the team at the Guitar Works and a separate instrument building and repair facility was established in Trumansburg, NY. This is where collaboration began on the Oneida guitar and Mandolect as well as many unique custom instruments. The  Aceto Violect violin and other acoustic and acoustic/electric instruments of Aceto/Hoffman design are made there today. In 1995 The Ithaca Guitar Works expanded to double their space in the Dewitt Building by including the rooms on the first floor directly above the store which is located on the ground floor.  The on site repair shop, office and storage area were moved upstairs and lesson rooms were added.  In 1996 wishing to spend more time performing and building instruments, Eric Aceto and Dan Hoffman left to dedicate their attention to what is now Ithaca Stringed Instruments at the Trumansburg location.

Circa 2017 Chris Broadwell is still the proprietor of Ithaca Guitar Works, which now deals with sales & repairs only, and works with his wife/bookkeeper Heather, two sons Ashley and Rylan.

Source: Ithaca Guitar Works website