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Think you want to start a business? Read what the experts say. page 20
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January 2013
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n Biz Tech n NNY Snapshot n Small Business n Business Scene $2.95
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n 20 Questions: Center for Sight’s Dr. Noaman Sanni p. 26
Northern New York’s Premier Business Monthly Vol. 3 Issue 2 | www.nnybizmag.com
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NNY Business | January 2013
January 2013 | NNY Business
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1291 Faichney Drive, Watertown, NY 13601 315-755-2250 jcall@guilfoyleems.com
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NNY Business | January 2013
>> Inside JANUARY 2012 16
15
22 23 |
COVER |
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SMALL BIZ STARTUP |
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16 OUTLOOK 2013 Despite frustrations, north country is likely to see steady economic gains this year. |
15 BREAKING NEW BREAD Vito’s Gourmet adds new flavor, flair to Watertown’s historic Paddock Arcade. |
CONSTRUCTION |
22 PUBLIC WORKS PRIZES Bernier, Carr projects in Champion, LeRay, Evans Mills, take industry honors.
SMALL BUSINESS |
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AGRI-BUSINESS |
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REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP |
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20 LAUNCHING A BUSINESS? Several experts weigh in on what it takes to plan for a successful small biz venture. 23 A PACT WITH PANERA A national bakery chain has begun a partnership with a north country flour mill. |
44
24 AND THE WINNER IS ... The Jefferson-Lewis County Board of Realtors named its 2012 Realtor of the Year.
REAL ESTATE |
25 JEFFERSON COUNTY Property sales topped $4.5m during a five-day stretch of December. BUSINESS HISTORY |
44 BETTING ON BUTTER 1850s railroad connected Ogdensburg with Boston was a key shipping route. WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE? |
46 FRAZER COMPUTING A Canton software developer is investing in its growth with a $450k office expansion.
January 2013 | NNY Business
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CONTRIBUTORS
BusIness www.nnybizmag.com
Publishers
John B. Johnson Jr. Harold B. Johnson II Michelle L. Capone is regional development director for DANC. She shares some advice for young leaders and reflects on our annual 20 Under 40 awards program. (p. 30)
Larry Covell is a professor of business at SUNY Jefferson and an attorney. He explains how shareholders can be personally liable for unpaid employee wages. (p. 31)
Lynn Pietroski is president and CEO of the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce. She shares some valuable resources for small businesses. (p. 32)
General Manager John B. Johnson
Executive Editor Bert Gault
Managing Editor Robert D. Gorman
Magazine Editor
Kenneth J. Eysaman
Associate Magazine Editor Kyle R. Hayes
Advertising Directors
Jay Matteson is the agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corp. He explains how the ag industry is headed for uncertain times in the year ahead. (p. 33)
Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 25-year IT veteran. She looks ahead at some business tech trends likely to take shape in 2013. (p. 34)
Sarah O’Connell is an advisor for the state Small Business Development Center at SUNY Jefferson. She urges businesses to complete the 2013 Economic Census (p. 35)
Karen K. Romeo | Tammy S. Beaudin
Magazine Advertising Manager Matthew Costantino
Circulation Director Mary Sawyer
Photography
Norm Johnston, Justin Sorensen, Jason Hunter, Melanie Kimbler-Lago, Amanda Morrison
Ad Graphics, Design
Rick Gaskin, Brian Mitchell, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules Lance M. Evans is executive officer for the Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. He shares some history behind the 100-year-old Realtor Code of Ethics. (p. 24)
Kyle Hayes is associate magazine editor for NNY Business. In our cover story, he writes about the economic outlook for NNY in the year ahead. He also shares some tips to start a business. (p. 16, 20)
Ted Booker is a Johnson Newspapers staff writer. He writes about public works projects that garnered acclaim and a partnership between Panera Bread and North Country Farms. (p. 22, 23)
MARKETPLACE AmeriCU …..…..…..…..…..…..….…..…...... 7 Ameriprise Financial ….…..…..….…..….. 25 Beardsley Design ….….….….….….….…. 46 Bernier, Carr & Associates …..….….….... 38 Bond, Schoeneck & King …...................... 3 Center for Sight ...................................….. 48 Clarence Henry Coach …....................... 41 Clayton Dental Office ….......................... 10 First Class Auto Glass …........................... 39 Foy Agency Inc. …................................... 10 Guilfoyle Ambulance …............................ 4 GWNC Chamber Speaker Series ........….. 9 Handmade by Linda Gibbs …................ 10 HighTower Advisor …................................ 29 Howard Orthopedics …............................ 30 Innovative Physical Therapy ..............…. 31 Ives Hill Retirement Community ..........….. 8 JCIDA ...................................................….. 45 Krafft Cleaning Services ....................….. 40
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NNY Business | January 2013
Lofink Ford Mercury ...........................….. 42 LTI Trucking ..........................................….. 34 MR Gaebel Inc. ...................................….. 14 Macars ..................................................…. 11 NNY Business .................................….. 28, 43 NNY Community Foundation ............….. 21 Northstar Auto Sales .............................… 36 Pain Solutions Management ...............….. 2 SeaComm Federal Credit Union .......….. 32 ShredCon .............................................….. 35 Sideline Promotions .............................…. 10 Slack Chemical Co. …............................. 33 Three C Limousine …................................ 44 Thousand Islands Realty …...................... 25 Watertown Daily Times …........................ 45 Watertown Local Development Corp. ................................ 24 Watertown Savings Bank …..................... 18 WWTI-ABC50 ........................................….. 47
NNY Business (ISSN 2159-6115), is published monthly by Northern New York Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. © 2010-2013. All material submitted to NNY Business becomes property of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.
Subscription Rates
12 issues are $15 a year and 24 issues are $25 a year. Call 315-782-1000 to subscribe.
Submissions Send all editorial correspondence to keysaman@wdt.net Advertising For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email mcostantino@wdt.net, or call 315-661-2305 In St. Lawrence County, e-mail tbeaudin@ogd.com, or call 315-661-2512 Printed with pride in U.S.A. at Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, N.Y., a Forest Stewardship Certified facility. Please recycle this magazine.
January 2013 | NNY Business
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NNY Business | January 2013
| INTERVIEW |
| ABOUT THE COVER |
26 A LASER-FOCUSED VISION Center for Sight’s Dr. Noaman Sanni opened his first office in Watertown nearly 15 years ago. Since, he’s grown to six offices in three counties. We sat down with him to learn what’s behind it all. | COLUMNS |
30 ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING 31 BUSINESS LAW 32 COMMERCE CORNER
33 AGRI-BUSINESS 34 BUSINESS TECH BYTES 35 SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS
| DEPARTMENTS |
10 11 12 13 24
EDITOR’S NOTE PEOPLE ON THE MOVE ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT BUSINESS BRIEFCASE REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP
37 38 42 44 46
CALENDAR BUSINESS SCENE DINING GUIDE BUSINESS HISTORY WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE?
Johnson Newspapers Graphic Artist Todd Soules created this month’s cover to ring in the new year for our 2013 economic outlook feature. His charge was to fashion something that invoked a sense of class and money. From tourism to agriculture, flip to page 16 to find out what the north country can expect to see in the coming months.
January 2013 | NNY Business
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EDITOR’S NOTE
F
or the most part, north country people are an optimistic lot. Case in point: the outlook for our regional economy. As progress to avoid the “fiscal cliff” continues to stall in Washington and lawmakers in Albany consider another minimum wage debate, optimism appears to be the most common answer for what we should expect to see in 2013. I’m all for a glass-half-full forecast, but at some point we should ask what it is that our elected leaders are pouring into our glasses in the first place. In this month’s cover story, you’ll read about sectors of our economy that performed well in 2012 and Ken Eysaman others that are expected to shine well into the new year. With 700-plus housing units now in development in Jefferson County, construction is seeing a positive rebound. Tourism also is a bright spot, with related economic activity on pace to improve still some more this year. What you won’t read is how the lack of leadership from within the ranks of our government is an impediment to even greater economic success. If our businesses took a government-styled approach to problem solving, we’d all be working for Uncle Sam, and that scenario doesn’t hold much optimism. BUSINESS SCENE — This month’s Scene section, which begins on page 38, features 41 faces from nearly three-dozen organizations and businesses across the north country. On Dec. 6, we joined the Paul G. and
Kathleen E. Carr Foundation, as well as Bernier, Carr & Associates for the 18th Annual Children’s Christmas Gift and Fund Drive. The one-night event succeeded in raising more than $28,000 in toys and cash contributions for children in our communities who are less fortunate. Participation in the annual effort was up this year as was evidenced by an impressive turnout at the Black River Valley Club. On Dec. 13, we hosted our annual 20 Under 40 Luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn where more than 215 people from Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties gathered to honor our 2012 class of emerging leaders. The response and enthusiasm for this program is humbling. We look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come. Later that same day, we joined our colleagues at the Lowville Journal and Republican as they hosted Business After Hours for the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to managing editor Jeremiah Papineau for a fun and professional evening of networking. Finally, On Dec. 19, we joined the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce for December’s Business After Hours at the Paddock Club in Watertown’s historic Paddock Arcade. By some estimates more than 300 people packed the arcade for an evening of holiday cheer. THANK YOU — One final thank you to our 20 Under 40 event sponsors: Watertown Savings Bank, the Northern New York Community Foundation, the Greater Watertown Jaycees, Timeless Frames, Décor and Expressions and the Watertown Daily Times. Yours in business,
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NNY Business | January 2013
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Earns advisor credentials
Steve Yelle of the Northwestern Mutual Greater Watertown Group has earned his chartered advisor for senior living designation from the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pa., an institution that educates and trains professionals in the financial services industry. Yelle With a CASL designation, Mr. Yelle has completed curriculum that addresses the many financial and lifestyle considerations affecting seniors in retirement and individuals planning for retirement.
Named law firm partner
Attorney Karen S. Southwick has been named a partner at the Olinsky Law Group, Syracuse. Ms. Southwick’s primary practice areas are social security disability and long-term disability cases at the federal court level. She is the lead attorney for Southwick the Federal Court Practice Group, which exclusively handles disability cases in federal court. Ms. Southwick was selected to serve on the board of trustees for the Federal Court Bar Association for the northern district of New York state. Before joining Olinsky Law Group,
Ms. Southwick was a judicial law clerk to United States Magistrate Judge George H. Lowe. She is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, where she was lead articles editor of the Syracuse Law Review.
Malone businesswoman honored at industry expo
Janine Paddock, co-owner of Deer River Campsite, Malone, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Campground Owners of New York at the 49th annual CONY Exposition for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry on Nov. 3 at Six Flags Great Escape Paddock Lodge and Indoor Waterpark, Lake George. Mrs. Paddock has owned and operated the campsite with her husband, Gil, since 1982, when she also joined CONY. She served as CONY president from 2001 to 2007 and had also served as vice president of the board, CONY Region 8 director and CONY conference chairperson. Mrs. Paddock attended Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, for dental hygiene and the Champlain Valley School of Nursing, Plattsburgh, for nursing. She worked in both the dental and medical professions from 1972 to 2004. Mrs. Paddock has served as a Red Cross certified instructor trainer in advanced first aid, a volunteer member and past chief of the Duane Fire Department, volunteer coach for Franklin Academy’s speech and
Got business milestones? n Share your business milestones with NNY
Business. Email news releases and photos (.jpg/300 dpi) to editor Ken Eysaman at keysaman@wdt.net. The deadline for submissions is the 10th of the month for the following month’s issue. Photos that don’t appear in print may be posted on our Facebook page.
debate team, Malone, and chairperson of the Franklin Academy High School Improvement Committee.
Bowers and Co. news
Bowers and Co. CPAs, with offices in Syracuse and Watertown, have announced the hiring of Chantel Price. Ms. Price is a native of Washington and graduated from Washington State University, Pullman, in May 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in English and business and received a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting and finance in August 2003 from Regis University, Denver. She previously worked as a senior auditor with Ryan, Gunsauls and O’Donnell P.C. in Denver from 2006 to 2010, when she moved to Watertown. Libbie Wheeler, who has worked with Bowers and Co. for two years, has completed the requirements of the Certified Public Accountant exam. She is a north country native who graduated from Indian River Central School in 2005 as salutatorian and graduated summa cum laude from the State University at Albany with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in December 2008. Ms. Wheeler earned a master’s degree
Please see People, page 29
MACAR’S • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Flooring • Lighting
161 Coleman Avenue
www.macarsinteriors.com
Watertown • 788-3732 January 2013 | NNY Business
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NNY
Economic indicators Average per-gallon milk price paid to N.Y. dairy farmers Nov. 2012 $1.98 Oct. 2012 $1.82 Nov. 2011 $1.79
10.6%
ECON SNAPSHOT
Vehicles crossing the Thousand Islands, OgdensburgPrescott and Seaway International (Massena) bridges
Source: NYS Department of Agriculture
411,040 in Nov. 2012 425,914 in Oct. 2012 400,277 in Nov. 2011
Average NNY price for gallon of regular unleaded gas
Source: T.I. Bridge Authority, Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority, Seaway International Bridge Corp.
Nov. 2012 $3.86 Oct. 2012 $4.04 Nov. 2011 $3.59
U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate (Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar)
7.5%
Average NNY price for gallon of home heating oil
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(Percent gains and losses are over 12 months)
Nov. 2012 $3.94 Oct. 2012 $3.92 Nov. 2011 $3.85
2.3%
2.7%
$0.99 on Nov. 23, 2012 $0.99 on Oct. 26, 2012 $1.05 on Nov. 25, 2011
5.7%
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y.
Average NNY price for gallon of residential propane
Nonagriculture jobs in the Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence counties area, not including military positions
Nov. 2012 $2.96 Oct. 2012 $2.96 Nov. 2011 $3.34
91,400 in Nov. 2012 91,800 in Oct. 2012 91,300 in Nov. 2011
11.4%
0.1%
Source: NYS Energy Research and Development Authority
Source: NYS Department of Labor
Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors single-family home sales
St. Lawrence Board of Realtors single-family home sales
116, median price $144,250 in Nov. 2012 102, median price $155,100 in Oct. 2012 78, median price $126,000 in Nov. 2011
56, median price $78,750 in Nov. 2012 61, median price $74,000 in Oct. 2012 43, median price $83,500 in Nov. 2011
48.7% Sales
14.5% Price
Source: Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors Inc.
30.2% Sales
5.7% Price
Source: St. Lawrence Board of Realtors Inc.
Real estate sales The following property sales were recorded in the Jefferson County clerk’s office. All sales are for the City of Watertown:
Residential Inc., Coppell, Texas $88,000
Dec. 14
n 671 Grant St., Waller Painting Inc., Ava, sold to Christopher Chin, Felts Mills $135,000
n 0.336 acre, TenEyck Street, Timothy D. Robinson and Monica Y. Robinson, Huntsville, Ala., sold to Nhung H. Nguyen, Watertown $258,000
n Lawrence Street, Brenda Clancy, Evans Mills, sold to Elyda B. Lehman and Thomas C. Lehman, Watertown $107,000
n Cross Street, Michael Smith Jr., Clay, sold to Kenneth G. Conway and Sally M. Conway, Adams $42,500
n 0.124 acre, 318 Flower Ave. E., Michael J. Fief and Amanda M. Fief, Watertown, sold to Lonny Lynn Douthit and Luciana B. Douthit, Fayetteville, N.C. $155,000
Dec. 11
n Two parcels, Flower Avenue East, Jeffrey Windsor Oneyear and Kristine Stacey Oneyear, Watertown, sold to Trevor G. Davis and Rita R. Davis, Evans Mills $133,000
Dec. 10
n 0.20 acre, 224 Winslow St., James A. Smith Jr., Fayetteville, N.C., sold to Sean P. Kyle and Roxanne Kyle, Watertown $148,500
n 0.230 acre, Pawling Street, Steven C. Ossola and Jennifer H. Ossola, Watertown, sold to Scott R. Daniels, Fort Lee, Va. $153,500
n 454 Portage St., Nancy S. Booth, Watertown, sold to Abu S.M. Nurunnabi, Watertown $30,000
n Prospect Street, Philip C. Priolo, Dexter, sold to Kenneth Bodah and Beth Bodah, Watertown $55,000
n 1412 Loomus Drive, Kevin Patrick Kane and Allison Beth Kane, Watertown, sold to John B. Johnson Jr. and Susan M. Johnson, Watertown $295,000
n Two parcels, Sherman Street, Jessica A. Ballew, attorney in fact for Asher J. Ballew, Clearwater, Fla., sold to Jana L. Sanford, Watertown $185,000
Dec. 13
n 176 Duffy St. (foreclosure), Steven Grant Munson, Watertown, referee, Jason D. Morgan and Lisa A. Morgan, sold to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., trustee, c/o Homeward
Dec. 12
n Holcomb Street, Warren R. Bonney, Watertown, sold to Kenneth G. Bodah, Watertown $100,000 n 0.115 acre, Ward Street, Richard West, Watertown, sold to David E. See and Meredith R. See, Watertown $185,000
$2,070,500 City real estate sales recorded over a five-day period, Dec. 10-14.
Note: Due to updates in some “Econ. Snapshot” categories, numbers may differ from previously published prior month and year figures.
NNY Business | January 2013
NNY
Economic indicators New automobiles (cars and trucks) registered in Jefferson County Cars 379 in Nov. 2012 439 in Oct. 2012 292 in Nov. 2011
29.8%
Trucks 106 in Nov. 2012 122 in Oct. 2012 111 in Nov. 2011
4.5%
Source: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
Passengers at Watertown International Airport
Open welfare cases in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties
3,035 inbound and outbound in Nov. 2012 3,164 inbound and outbound in Oct. 2012 1,113 inbound and outbound in Nov. 2011
1,969 in Nov. 2012 1,972 in Oct. 2012 1,918 in Nov. 2011
2.7%
172.7% Source: Jefferson County Board of Legislators
DBA (doing business under an assumed name) certificates filed at the Jefferson County Clerk’s office in December. For a complete list of DBAs filed in past months, visit us on the Web at WWW.NNYBIZMAG.COM.
Dec. 21: Fielding Decoys, 200 Washington St., Suite 206, Watertown, Matthew Eggleston, 4238 Mill St., Redwood, Bartholemew S. Bonner, 23967 County Route 67, Watertown. Dec. 20: Bully Pride Services, 514 Clay St., Watertown, Ryan M. Terry, 514 Clay St., Watertown. Dec. 19: Brian Lister Fine Art, 12254 County Route 125, Chaumont, Brian Lister, 12254 County Route 125, Chaumont. Dec. 18: Tim’s Sugar Shack, 5300 County Route 97, Adams, Timothy Jay Kurtz, 5300 County Route 97, Adams Uncle Luke’s Roofing and Siding, 23268 Knowlesville Road, Watertown, Luke Kampnich, 23268 Knowlesville Road, Watertown. Dec. 17: Polar Bear Hockey, 22245 Knowlesville Road, Watertown, Thomas J. Dutton, 22245 Knowlesville Road, Watertown. I.W.T.O. Technology Services, 32547 County Route 179, Depauville, James J. Hasner, 32547 County Route 179, P.O. Box 152, Depauville. Dec. 14: Lil Sapphires Photography, 143 N. Hamilton St., Watertown, Tosha L. Murray, 143 N. Hamilton St., Watertown. Johnston Management Services, 520 Broadway St., Cape Vincent, Brooks J. Bragdon, 520 W. Broadway St., P.O. Box 695, Cape Vincent.
resa St., Clayton/37002 Pelo Road, Clayton. C&C Cleaning, 2713 County Route 2, Richland, Cory A. Hall, 2713 County Route 2, Richland. Dec. 10: R.J.S. Estate Construction, 44475 County Route 100A, Wellesley Island, Ricchd J. Schwander, 45513 Route 37, Redwood. Dec. 7: Cristina’s Cleaning, 21639 Heather Acres, Apt. 8B, Watertown, Cristina Thompson, 21639 Heather Acres, Apt. 8B, Watertown. Terry Teague Photography, 11724A Woodland Drive, Watertown, Terry Teague, 11724A Woodland Drive, Watertown. Dec. 6: C&J Dispensing, 26862 Anable Ave., Evans Mills, Curtis Kendall Blount Jr., 26862 Anable Ave., Evans Mills. Dec. 5: Odds and Ends,273 State St., Watertown, Charles R. Skellen, 510 Lansing St., Watertown. Comet Music Studio, 515 Snell St., Watertown, Jason D. Comet, 515 Snell St., Watertown. Dec. 4: KS Kreations, 20663 Slater Road, Watertown, Ronald A. Mackey, 20663 Slater Road, Watertown. Mackey’s Mr. FixIt, 20663 Slater Road, Watertown, Ronald A. Mackey, 20663 Slater Road, Watertown. Back 2 Black, 730 Leray St., Watertown, Jason P. Foley, 730 Leray St., Watertown.
Dec. 12: Kitto Flooring, 24517 Mullin Road, Dexter, David James Kitto and Lori Ann Kitto, 24517 Mullin Road, Dexter.
Dec. 3: Green Leaf Mechanicals, 38047 Windward Cliffs Lane, Clayton, Dorian B. Ladd and David W. Podkowka, 38047 Windward Cliffs Lane, Clayton.
Dec. 11: Torn Souls Veterans Motorcycle Club New York, 216 Park Drive W., Watertown, Phillip Hunter, 24996 State Route 126, Watertown, William J. Ryan, 216 Park Drive W., Watertown.
Allen Consulting, 329 Clay St., Apt. B, Watertown, Sean Allen, 329 Clay St., Watertown.
Magic Moments Photography, 17949 Comstock Road, Adams, Shalene Dillin, 17949 Comstock Road, Adams.
n Unemployment rates by county, provided by the state Department of Labor, were unavailable at press time. For updated unemployment statistics and a complete list of DBAs filed in December, visit WWW.NNYBIZMAG.COM where numbers are updated as information becomes available.
North Country Business Solutions/NCBS, 44951 County Road 191, Wellesley Island, Amber M. Brown, 511 The-
Limited data release
TRANSACTIONS
DBAs
Source: Social Service Depts. of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties
January 2013 | NNY Business
| 13
BUSINESS BRIEFCASE T.I. businesses cite confidence in tourism
Survey says: Optimism among Thousand Islands-area business is growing. According to a recent survey on tourism, gathered by the 1000 Islands International Tourism Council 65 percent of U.S. and Canadian business owners predicted that the tourism industry would improve over the next five years; only 8 percent anticipated a decline. Findings were based on 170 “usable” responses from business owners. Fortyseven percent of respondents predicted an improvement, 36 percent believed the status quo would prevail and 12 percent had a negative outlook on growth of the Thousand Islands region. Low water levels and high gas prices largely drew negative comments from area business owners, but 77 percent said the dry and sunny summer weather had a positive impact on the region’s tourism.
Watertown may be declared metro area
The U.S. Census Bureau has declared the greater Watertown area, which includes parts of Dexter, LeRay and Carthage, as an urbanized area with a population of 57,840. That designation may have an impact on federal funding and economic development, according to a report by the Watertown Daily Times. If the Watertown urbanized area is declared a metropolitan area in June 2013, it could attract site developers for business and industry. Not only will the area become more attractive to potential business investors, it will affect transportation methods. On March 23, the greater Watertown area will have its own Metropolitan Planning Organization, which will be responsible for coordinating state and federal funding of highway and
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NNY Business | January 2013
bridge projects, as well as public transit.
NNY businesses, groups aid in Sandy Relief effort
In an effort to help more than 30,000 New Yorkers who were left without power in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, employees of Watertown’s Slack Chemical took 66 pallets of bottled water to the town of Liberty, Sullivan County. With the help of Blue Mountain Spring Water, Watertown, two Slack Chemical drivers volunteered to make the delivery. The drivers picked up water at Sam’s Club, Watertown, and Nirvana Water, Boonville. Also aiding in the relief effort were Rande S. Richardson, executive director of the Northern New York Community Foundation, Joseph L. Rich and the Disabled Persons Action Organization, Douglas Anderson, a retiree of the Jefferson County Department of Social Services, and David C. Shampine, a Watertown Daily Times reporter. Together they launched the “We Remember” campaign, aimed at providing relief in Nassau County, which provided personnel and equipment from 21 of its fire companies during the 1998 ice storm that wreaked havoc in Jefferson County. The “We Remember” continutes to collect cleaning materials, diapers, baby wear, toys and drinks for the Long Beach Fire Department. Barry L. Waite, owner of Waite Toyota, offered a truck and driver to make one of the initial trips on Dec. 15.
Two convenience stores open doors in Lowville
Two new convenience stores are expanding options for Lowville customers. A Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppe with gas pumps opened in late December at the site of the former Lighthouse Restaurant and Motel on Utica Boulevard, according to Edward J. Valentine, who is develop-
Got business news?
n Share your business news with NNY Business. Email news releases and photos (.jpg/300 dpi) to nnybusiness@wdt.net. The deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month for the following month’s issue. Photos that don’t appear in print may be posted on our Facebook page.
ing the store with his brother, John. The Lighthouse closed after a Dec. 20, 2011, fire. Fastrac Market at East State Street and Shady Avenue, which closed in September for renovations, also opened in late December. The old store was razed and replaced with a larger facility.
FiberMark announces Specifier Awards
FiberMark, a manufacturer of fiberbased specialty covering materials based in West Springfield, Mass., with offices in Brownville, has announced the winners of the annual Specifier Awards competition. The FiberMark Specifier Awards competition began in 1992 to celebrate the best of color, texture, pattern and design innovation across a wide array of packaging, publishing, office products, graphic arts and industrial applications. Among this year’s top winners were: a Gold Award for an “Audi C/D Segment Welcome Kit” submitted by Megan Henretta at RTC, designed by Rebecca Mabie and Paul Henkel; a Silver Award for a “Play Off Diaries” submitted by Yasuhiro Tokimoto, president at Jakeutsu Printing Company Ltd.; a Bronze Award for an “Organicept Deskset,” submitted by Leo Wasmer at Promocion Precisa SA DE CV, designed by Monica L. Yuen; and a Green Award for a “Lincoln Catalog,” submitted by Jack Dorsey at Latcha & Associates, designed by Amy Turnnen.
S M A L L B I Z S TA R T U P BUSINESS
Vito’s Gourmet THE INITIAL IDEA
To bring new life to downtown Watertown’s Public Square, Todd V. Tarzia decided to renovate a space just outside of the Paddock Arcade into a hip sandwich shop. With its bright colors, huge chalkboard menus and plentiful seating, Vito’s Gourmet, Mr. Tarzia’s shop, might just be the injection of life that the Square needed.
TARGET CLIENTELE
Working professionals who are looking for something quick and homemade for breakfast or lunch at a reasonable price. Also, any coffee connoisseur looking for a handcrafted latte, tea or coffee. “My goal is to move people in and out and still give them a quality product that’s made fresh,” Mr. Tarzia said. “You can pour your own soup, grab a salad and you’re ready to go.”
THE JOURNEY
With a mix of merchants occupying the Paddock Arcade, like the always-popular Paddock Club, Paddock Art and Antiques and the Beauty Bar, Mr. Tarzia struck while the iron was hot and became part of the revival of the downtown landmark. “[The Paddock Arcade] is starting to get a more upscale, city vibe,” he said. Mr. Tarzia grew up visiting stores in the downtown area and said that the business outlook for the area is “trending upward.” “There are still a lot of people who come in and say they didn’t know we’re here,” he said. “We still have a long way to go.” That problem is quickly changing. Word of Vito’s Gourmet spread quickly in the weeks following its late November opening. When Mr. Tarzia brought in Trudy M. Dean, who previously operated the Paddock Coffee House, local coffee lovers rejoiced. Vito’s Gourmet now offers more than 10 gourmet sandwiches, a selection of homemade soups, salads and fresh fruit alongside the coffee bar where Ms. Dean handcrafts brewed and flavored coffees, teas, lattes, cappuccinos and specialty drinks. “I’m trying to jack it up in terms of what
NORM JOHNSTON | NNY BUSINESS
“My goal is to move people in and out and still give them a quality product that’s made fresh.” — Todd V. Tarzia, Owner, Vito’s Gourmet you get for flavor,” Mr. Tarzia said of his culinary offerings. He hopes the restaurant will appeal to downtown customers by offering zesty gourmet sandwiches they can’t get elsewhere, and allowing them to get their food quickly if they need to scoot back to work. Vito is Mr. Tarzia’s middle name, inspired by his late grandfather, Vito Tarzia, a second-generation Italian who planted his roots in Watertown. Mr. Tarzia modeled the deli’s service style off a similar business he owned in the 1990s when he lived in Tampa, Fla. “I cook a lot at home and am never making the same thing twice, always tweaking it,” Mr. Tarzia said. “But I’m going to keep some of the same basic things on the menu for customers.” His 1,500-square-foot restaurant seats more than 20 people.
IN FIVE YEARS
Mr. Tarzia is leasing the space for Vito’s from Watertown investment group Watertown RX LLC, managed by Donald G.M. Coon III, who also manages the properties in the adjoining portion of the Paddock Arcade. “The arcade is kind of an incubator for new businesses,” Mr. Coon said. “It took time to fill the spaces up, but we want to have ten ongoing business in there.” With the initial success, and crowds that packed Vito’s during its opening days, Mr. Coon is optimistic for the future of the Arcade, and the deli. “All things being equal, five years from now we’ll have the same tenants.”
OPEN
7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. — Ted Booker and Kyle R. Hayes
WHERE Watertown | FOUNDED 2012 | WEB www.facebook.com/VitosGourmet
January 2013 | NNY Business
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OUTLOOK 2013
SEARCHING for some
SILVER LININGS NORTHERN NEW YORK ECONOMY LIKELY TO SEE STEADY, CALCULATED GAINS AS UNCERTAINTY LOOMS OVER POLICIES THAT IMPACT JOBS BY KYLE R. HAYES
and
KEN EYSAMAN | NNY BUSINESS
UNCERTAINTY IN WASHINGTON OVER WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE NATION’S FISCAL HOUSE HAS CAST A PALL OVER ECONOMIC optimism like a wet blanket. Add a myriad of unknowns on how federal health care reform will impact job creation and a Congress content with inaction on a farm bill and many are left to wonder how optimism is even possible. And, as if that’s not enough, Albany is abuzz with talk about increasing New York’s minimum wage while also trying to market the Empire State as a businessfriendly oasis for innovation and entrepreneurship. If this all sounds like a bad political thriller, welcome to 2013. Still, no matter the action — or lack thereof — in either capital city, Northern New York is poised to see some bright spots in the year ahead. n n n From a regional perspective, expect big topics like health care costs and job growth to capture a great deal of debate and discussion in the coming year, said Kevin Schwab, CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity’s vice president of marketing and communications. “Changes to health care are an important issue across the region and we think that the issue will become clearer as the year progresses,” Mr. Schwab said. “We recently held a health care seminar that 57 different businesses attended. We expect that businesses will become better posi-
tioned going into 2014 when a number of changes take effect.” Mr. Schwab said that the region added jobs in 2012 and CenterState CEO expects that trend to continue into the new year. “We do anticipate continued growth in the health care and higher education sectors for 2013,” he said. Capital investment in the region was one of the areas of largest growth in 2012, something that also will continue, according to Mr. Schwab. In its 2012 economic forecast that CenterState CEO released last January, 83 percent of forecasters
believed there would be an increase in capital investment. “Across the region, from housing developments in Watertown to the more than $1.4 billion in projects under way in the Syracuse area, capital investment was a big part of 2012. In downtown Syracuse alone there is $265 million of capital investment under way; we have nine cranes in the air at the moment.” In the Watertown area alone, more than 700 residential dwellings are in varying stages of construction with the $38 million, 296-unit Beaver Meadows January 2013 | NNY Business
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OUTLOOK 2013 behind Towne Center Plaza in the town of Watertown on pace to begin leasing in the spring. To call the housing build-up progress for a market that has long faced a significant deficit is an understatement. Just last February, a study completed by GAR Associates, Amherst, and commissioned by Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, estimated that Watertown and the area surrounding Fort Drum was short 955 housing units. Investments in construction, housing and infrastruc-
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NNY Business | January 2013
ture in the past year alone have given the region more than a few reasons for optimism to percolate. Higher education continues to be a tremendous draw for New York’s central and northern regions. In the 12 counties that make up CenterState’s service area — which includes Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence — there are 35 colleges and universities with more than 140,000 students enrolled. “Colleges and universities will continue to be leaders in our economy and magnets
for talent. We have a work force here that is 20 percent more educated than the rest of the country. That is a tremendous asset for businesses developing new projects.” Mr. Schwab said that the region boasts a growing population, with businesses and stable jobs attracting people from around the world to live and work here. Still, it is important for the area to retain talent from the 35 colleges throughout its 12-county region. “[Retaining a talented work force] is something we at CenterState are con-
OUTLOOK 2013 stantly working on,” Mr. Schwab said. percent of U.S. business owners predicted huge. It impacts hotel stays, and the win“We are working to get students into that business would improve slightly. eries and other industry in the area.” internships with companies because one Fifty-one percent of Canadian business In the agriculture sector, a positive in three students get and accept job offers owners in the Thousand Islands region regional outlook for 2013 is tempered from companies they’ve interned for. We believed the same. some by frustration over legislative inacwant to attract those students and retain Where Canadian and American busition. Despite the Congress at loggerheads those students.” ness owners diverged was in current over a farm bill and the accompanying Last year was a big year for tourbusiness satisfaction, based on the past uncertainty it creates for dairy policy, ism, Mr. Schwab said. Agritourism saw summer tourism season. Canadians Jefferson County Agriculture Coordinagrowth as well as an increase in Canaproved less optimistic than their Ameritor Jay Matteson said the north country dian traffic, which likely will continue can counterparts. is well positioned to capitalize on new into 2013. A strong or on-par Canadian “[Canadians feeling less optimistic] opportunities. dollar and easing restrictions at the worries us on a few levels,” Mr. DeYoung “There’s opportunity now,” Mr. Matteborder in terms of what Canadians could said. “The Canadian media is putting son said. “According to industry projecbring back with them worked favorably a bigger focus on keeping spending in tions, the demand for milk by New York to influence Canadian spending to nearCanada. They’ve even started doing dairy producers will increase by four record levels, Mr. Schwab said. Black Friday sales even though they don’t billion pounds over the next 24 months.” “Watertown has obviously seen a celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time But before farmers start expanding huge impact with the influx of Canadian Americans do. People are seeing that senproduction, Mr. Matteson said lawmakers spending. Much of that has must enact some measure to control been retail spending but price volatility. there also is the draw of the “When you look at the growth in Watertown International dairy, there’s room for milk,” he said. Airport and American Eagle “But it’s a mixed bag right now.” service to Chicago’s O’Hare. On the one hand, the forecast for “One reason American dairy farmers is “decent” as milk Jay Matteson, agricultural coordinator, Eagle was likely drawn to is presently expected to fetch $20 Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency per hundred-weight. But unless come to Watertown was the proximity to Canadians Congress irons out farm legislation who would take advantage of that,” Mr. sitive retail spending coming across the as it inches closer to falling over the fiscal Schwab said. border into the U.S. side, so they will try cliff, it only will serve as a short-term gain Mr. Schwab also said that in a recent to retain that on their side of the border.” for dairy operators. conversation with officials at Syracuse’s Mr. DeYoung puts his confidence in Without getting weighed down in detail Destiny USA shopping center it was noted cross-border partnerships that will conover what might happen, Mr. Matteson that one in four visits to the shopping cen- tinue to promote the region as a whole. noted several positives to follow in the ter’s website came from computers that In his position, Mr. DeYoung works to incoming year. were sitting in Canada. crease tourism on both sides of the border. Look for continued growth in the north “That’s 25 percent of Web traffic they The Tourism Council’s survey notes country’s wine and spirits industry as a are seeing. That’s an area of tremendous that, as usual, July and August perforpair of distilleries begin production early potential looking forward.” mance was strong for the majority of busiin 2013. The uptick in Canadian tourism is a ness respondents. However, early and late “Our grape product will continue to segment that both Mr. Schwab and Gary season business fared better in 2012 than flourish,” Mr. Matteson said. S. DeYoung, executive director of the 1000 any time in recent years. Also on the horizon is a niche cheeseIslands International Tourism Council, are “That will continue to grow into the making operation that is expected to start putting increased confidence in for 2013. tourism season for 2013, with more of our up on a local farm. “Weather was good for the summer seasonal businesses turning into year On the innovation front, several farms season in 2012, Canadian traffic remains round businesses,” Mr. DeYoung said. are working to develop high-tunnel stable and increasing and strong spend“The Clayton Opera House is a good growing operations that would signifiing has returned to the Thousand Islands example. They’re working to bring people region,” Mr. DeYoung said. “That’s been here in the spring and late fall with their cantly extend their seasons while others good news here. I’m reading between the programming.” are investing in irrigation systems and lines, but I believe that people are more With two distilleries slated to open in techniques to bring moisture to crops positive now about the future and that the area, boutique lodging becoming more more efficiently. things must improve. Customers are seewidespread and the Thousand Islands “Aside from our federal government ing the new stores open, a possible new Seaway Wine Trail continuing to grow, screwing things up, I’m very optimistic hotel in Clayton, new wineries, and their Mr. DeYoung said he believes that tourists looking ahead,” Mr. Matteson said. confidence is being restored.” will see even more attractive reasons to In a recently released survey conducted visit the Thousand Islands in 2013. n KYLE R. HAYES is associate magazine editor by the Tourism Council, U.S. business “What’s one industry that we expect to for NNY Business. Contact him at khayes@wdt. owners expressed a growing optimism see continued success in for the upcoming net or 661-2381. Ken Eysaman is editor for for coming tourism seasons. When asked year? Weddings. The wedding industry NNY Business. Contact him at keysaman@wdt. about the next five years in business, 56 will continue to grow, and that will be net or 661-2399.
“
Aside from our federal government government screwing things up, I’m very optimistic looking ahead. —
January 2013 | NNY Business
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SMALL BUSINESS
A few key rules to start a business
n Experts agree: For those who want to launch,
preparation, building team critical to success By KYLE R. HAYES
F
Associate Editor
ollowing a period of holiday bliss, the New Year is a time when reality sinks in. One begins to ask what resolutions will be most attainable in the coming months. Is it losing that extra five pounds? Maybe it’s sleeping a full eight hours every night? Or perhaps just reading more, instead of spending so much time in front of the television. For business owners, the New Year is a time to set new goals. Paint the storefront for some added curb appeal. Keep better records of business spending. Freshen up the advertising campaign in an effort to draw in new customers. But what about those who are looking to get into business for themselves? There’s quite a bit that goes into becoming a small business owner. It takes more than a solid idea and a little extra pocket change. If you are looking to get into the the small business game this year, here are some essentials to keep in mind for a successful start, straight from local experts.
START WITH A BUSINESS PLAN
A business plan is a roadmap to a business’s future success. Not only is a business plan almost always necessary for dealing with lending institutions and organizations like the Small Business Development Center or the Small Business Administration, but it is the first step in the process that allows a new business owner to become familiar with their prospective business. “I always recommend that my clients start at a Small Business Development Center, but quickly develop a relationship with a banker if they are seeking funding,” said Deborah H. McAtee, vice president of business and professional lending at M&T Bank in Watertown. “It’s OK to start a discussion early, and we can work closely with the prospective business owner and their SBDC adviser
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NNY Business | January 2013
throughout the process.” son Community College and commercial Mrs. McAtee stresses that a business real estate sales classes to Realtors in the plan is a necessity, but it doesn’t need to past. Taking classes that explain all facets be concrete from the very beginning. She advises her clients to get all of their initial ideas on paper, but realize that things will change and Michelle Collins, certified business advisor grow throughout Small Business Development Center, SUNY Canton the process. Some ideas may work, some ideas might not, she said. of owning a business will better prepare “Something we really look for in a busi- a prospective entrepreneur for the comness plan is the owner’s background,” she mitment they’re headed for. said. “It’s difficult for someone as a startup business owner to have no history in ESTABLISH A TEAM the industry. It’s a hard sell to finance a Mrs. McAtee has an acronym for the startup with no industry background. If team that should be behind every business they had no background, I would expect owner: B.A.I.L, which stands for banker, them to do a lot of research in their busiaccountant, insurance agent and lawyer. ness plan.” “Each one of those people should be Business advisers will stress one point there to bail you out. You should have in creating a business plan: be honest. It’s each one of those people as part of your always better to be truthful and admit team to offer advice and guidance no when problems arise in the early stages matter what stage you’re at in a busiof building a business rather than when ness’s life,” she said. real money, and time, is invested. She stresses the importance of finding a team that works well together that can MAKE THE PERSONAL INVESTMENT be trusted. “I don’t think people are always pre “If when you’re first meeting a banker pared for the amount of work and hours and they don’t seem to be that partner, owning their own business requires,” Miit’s just not going to work going forchelle Collins, a certified business adviser at ward,” Mrs. McAtee said. “You need the New York State Small Business Develyour B.A.I.L. team to be good resources opment Center at SUNY Canton, said. in the early stages and into the future.” Ms. Collins reminds her clients how important it is to take a look at their perLOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE sonal life and realize how much time and Any new small business owner should effort a business operation will take away look to where the business climate in the from other commitments. region is headed. How will outside factors To become better acquainted and comin 2013 help or hurt your efforts to estabfortable with routine business practices lish a viable business? What is coming like payroll, accounting and inventory, down the pipeline that could be an area of Mrs. McAtee recommends taking educagrowth or a threat to your business? tional courses geared toward entrepre “I think in the coming year, a lot of neurs. She has taught segments of the businesses in our area are going to start Entrepreneurial Training Course at Jeffer- seeing potential in government contract-
“
I don’t think people are always prepared for the amount of work and hours owning their own business requires. —
SMALL BUSINESS Helpful resources SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER www.nyssbdc.org U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION www.sba.gov SCORE Counselors to America’s Small Business www.score.org OPAL Online permit assistance and licensing www.nys-permits.org
who have been in business 20 years will come in and we’ll ask what numbers on their profit and loss analysis means and they’ll say their accountant handles all that. If you don’t know what your numbers mean, I’m concerned.” As for the current lending environment, Mrs. McAtee is hopeful that small business financing will grow in 2013. M&T is a Small Business Administration preferred lender, which means it has in-house representatives who handle all facets of small business backing with the SBA.
“In 2012 we had a lot of new business, and particularly because we do so much SBA-backed lending,” Mrs. McAtee said. That trend, she said, is likely to continue heading into the new year. “I see the number of small business loans in 2013 growing because people are finding themselves unemployed or underemployed. People are taking that opportunity to explore other ventures.” n KYLE R. HAYES is associate magazine editor for NNY Business. Contact him at khayes@wdt. net or 661-2381.
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF SMALL BUSINESS www.nylovessmallbiz.com IRS SMALL BUSINESS AND SELF-EMPLOYED TAX CENTER www.irs.gov/Businesses
ing,” Ms. Collins said. “There’s a big push from government agencies looking to expand the list of service providers they work with and more assistance is out there than ever before.” While government contracting isn’t for everyone, there are two things that Ms. Collins said a lot of business owners are looking out for: energy efficiency and health care. “A lot of new and existing businesses are looking for ways to cut costs, and energy efficiency and being greener is one way to do that,” she said. “I think in the coming year business owners should certainly want to look into that.” As for health care, “it will be an issue in the future, but there are a lot of questions that are unanswered at this point,” she continued.
KNOW THAT TIMES HAVE CHANGED
Whether you’re starting a business with your own seed money, or looking to obtain financing through a bank or government program, the business climate is nothing like it was five or 10 years ago. “Before the economic downturn, banks made decisions much differently than they do now,” Mrs. McAtee said. “Before, we might use a year-old tax return as basis for a new loan. Today, that’s not the case.” The best thing any business owner, new or existing, can do for themselves is keep good records and know what each number and line item means, Mrs. McAtee said. “You have to be able to understand and produce a profit and loss sheet and a balance sheet,” she said. “Some people
January 2013 | NNY Business
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CONSTRUCTION
Association lauds local projects
n LeRay, Evans Mills, Champion garner public works awards By TED BOOKER
S
NNY Business
erving 520 households, the town of LeRay’s Water District 4 project completed this fall was nominated as a 2012 Environmental Project of the Year at the Central New York American Public Works Association’s annual awards banquet in November. Other north country municipal projects that garnered awards included the town of Champion’s consolidated water supply project, and the expansion of the CREDO Community Center in Evans Mills to be used for a rehabilitation program for young men at the residential facility. Designed by Watertown engineering firm Bernier, Carr & Associates, the massive $7.7 million project was approved by voters in 2009 and completed this fall. Bordering Fort Drum property and the commercial district along Route 11, the water distribution traverses multiple town, county and state roads in the town to create a more efficient and sustainable system, said town engineer Kris D. Dimmick from Bernier, Carr & Associates. The town acquired a $2 million grant BOVA PHOTOGRAPHY | SPECIAL TO NNY BUSINESS from the state Environmental Facilities Town of LeRay Supervisor Ronald C. Taylor accepts a project of the year award from Joseph Wisinksi at Corp. for the project. the Central New York American Public Works Association annual awards banquet last fall. “The project literally connected the town’s 20-year-old water district on Route Bernier, Car & Associates, the expansion As the largest water district in LeRay, 11 with the major commercial corridor will be used by young men at the center. the system was built using more than Work included expanded dining services, out to Fort Drum,” he said. “It’s inter85,000 lineal feet of water mains and over connected so that everyone gets a better 58,000 linear feet of water services. “If you more office space, complete septic system replacement, exterior water supply using a improvements, and the adredundant system. It dition of a large room to be gives operators more used for instructional and flexibility to operrecreational activities. ate, and from a user In addition, the Town standpoint if there are of Champion was named a problems with one Kris K. Dimmick, engineer, Bernier, Carr & Associates 2012 Environmental Project area, you can get water of the Year for its consolidated water supfrom another.” took the total length of the trenches built, ply project, which included the construc Because of the system’s efficient design, it would stretch from the town of Evans tion of two new groundwater sources, Mr. Dimmick said, the town will also save Mills to the lighthouse on Tibbetts Point transmission piping and a treatment money by using more of its well water Lighthouse in Cape Vincent,” he said. building to serve three water districts that rather than buying water from the city. Be- The expansion of the Credo Comencompass about 200 households in total. fore the system was built, most residents munity Center, a residential facility in in the district used drilled wells for their Evans Mills for those who need substance n TED BOOKER is a Johnson Newspapers domestic water supply that needed to be abuse treatment, was selected as a 2012 staff writer. Contact him at tbooker@wdt.net or routinely serviced. Facilities Project of the Year. Designed by 661-2371.
“
The project literally connected the town’s 20-year-old water district on Route 11 with a major commercial corridor out to Fort Drum. —
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NNY Business | January 2013
AGRI-BUSINESS
Local flour mill rises to occasion
North Country Farms product used in Panera Bread offering
By TED BOOKER
K
NNY Business
evin L. Richardson, president of North Country Farms, Watertown, has learned that huge business deals sometimes need only a small spark to be set in motion. For Mr. Richardson, the spark was made by sending a casual email to Scott G. Davis, chief concept officer for Panera Bread. Mr. Richardson, who’d just read a newspaper article about Mr. Davis and was surprised to learn his office was in Syracuse, was casting a line to see whether Panera might be interested in using the mill’s natural whole-wheat flour to bake its bread. Some 18 months after that email was sent, Mr. Richardson received a call from Panera announcing that its whole wheat bread made with the mill’s flour is ready to hit the shelves at about 30 cafes, stretching from Watertown to the Syracuse and Albany areas. The whole wheat bread, which Panera advertises on its website, can be pre-ordered by customers who are enrolled in its customer rewards program called MyPanera. Mr. Richardson tasted the “New York State Baker’s Reserve” bread for the first time in November along with other customers who made orders. Meanwhile, he’s digesting what this partnership could mean for the growth of his business, which was launched in 2008. “Who would have thought that a small-scale business like us would be partners with a large-scale franchise like Panera Bread? We’re so happy that such a well-known company likes our product,” he said. The mill, at 24685 Route 37 in the town of Pamelia, may look diminutive compared to the state’s largest plants, Mr. Richardson said, but Panera employees who toured the facility in the summer of 2011 were impressed. For one thing, unlike flour producers that burn wheat at high temperatures and thereby sacrifice its nutrients, the small mill grinds its wheat with revolving stones at lower heat levels. The whole wheat flour preserves its high protein content and natural ingredients as a result, and it doesn’t include a long list of additives.
General manager F. Marshall Weir moves a bag of freshly ground flour to a scale at North Country Farms last fall. The mill recently began a partnership with Panera Bread.
AMANDA MORRISON | NNY BUSINESS
After touring the site, Mr. Davis remarked on the flour’s quality and developed a plan to launch a bread made only with ingredients from New York state farms. So while the national chain typically partners only with larger-scale wheat producers, he said, it made an exception to that rule by entering into an agreement with the small business. According to the business partnership, Panera will pick up flour with its delivery trucks in Watertown after it drops off fresh dough in the morning. The flour then will be taken to a regional production plant in Boston, where fresh dough is made before it is shipped to regional locations. “We see this as an experiment,” Mr. Davis said. “For someone like Kevin from North Country Farms, it wasn’t likely we’d use their flour for bread because they don’t have much capacity. But we saw they had some great stuff, and we thought that since we were already delivering dough, we could bring it back to make bread offered regionally.” Panera already has taken in a 2,500-pound batch of flour from North Country Farms. It will continue ordering more, Mr. Davis said, as long as customers continue to buy it. He said the franchise now is focused on spreading the message about the local whole wheat bread to its customers. “It’s a test of ways to become more localized inside of a large-scale bakery cafe,” he said. And for North Country Farms, it will be a test to see whether customers like
the bread enough to keep buying more. If the bread sells well, it could be offered in states across the Northeast. General manager F. Marshall Weir III, who’s worked as a full-time business partner with Mr. Richardson since 2010, said he hopes the bread’s quality will speak for itself among customers. “People now like the idea of local, quality food,” he said. “I think the ‘made in New York state’ aspect of this bread flies, and we hope it sells well because it tastes great. Eventually, we’d like to see it offered on menus at locations outside the state because customers love it.” The Panera Bread deal illustrates the small business’s success offering locally produced products that are distinguished from others lining shelves of grocery stores, Mr. Weir said. Along with selling its wheat flour on the wholesale market in New York City and several Northeastern states, the business sells white flour, pancake mix, honey and maple syrup on the retail market to local grocery stores in the north country and Central New York. “When people see the North Country Farms brand, we want them to think it’s a healthy, quality product,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what the product is; we want to make sure it’s at the highest possible quality.” n TED BOOKER is a Johnson Newspapers staff writer. Contact him at tbooker@wdt.net or 661-2371. January 2013 | NNY Business
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R E A L E S TAT E R O U N D U P
Code of ethics: a century at work
O
ne difference between a real estate licensee who is a Realtor and other licensees is that Realtors subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Adopted in 1913, the code turns 100 this year. While it has evolved with the industry during the past century, it still contains the core values and commitments to excellence that all Realtors aspire to meet. Moe Veissi, 2012 National Association of Realtors president, recently explained the difference between a Realtor and a real estate agent this way: “The term Realtor is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR),” said Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., Miami. “Only members of NAR can call themselves Realtors, and as a condition of membership, Realtors subscribe to NAR’s strict code of ethics. Realtors are the heart of the deal, and the code of ethics is our guiding principle.” All Realtors must complete continuing education classes in ethics at least every four years as a condition of membership. In fact, 2012 marked the end of the latest quadrennial cycle. During the training, Realtors learn about how the code identifies professional responsibilities owed to clients, customers, other Realtors and the general public and how it is applies in real-world situations. NAR was the second trade or business group in the country to adopt mandatory ethical standards. At the time, there were
no real estate license laws. The code formed the basis for many state license laws and regulations. It continues to be a cited as a standard today. Some 100 years later, a Lance Evans variety of laws and regulations govern real estate at the local, state and national levels. Gary Thomas, 2013 NAR president was asked why he feels that the code of ethics is still relevant. He replied, “The code is a living document. Real estate is a dynamic business and I believe the law and regulation will never replace the code. So long as we, as Realtors, remain firm in our commitment to serve the public, the code will evolve and remain significant.” A copy of the ethics code can be found at www.realtor.org/code-of-ethics.
On Dec. 13, the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors held a recognition and awards ceremony during its annual holiday party at the Black River Valley Club. A highlight was when Lori Gervera, brokerowner of Lori Gervera Real Estate, was named Realtor of the Year. This is the association’s top honor with nominations solicited from membership. Lori began her career in real estate in 1983 as a licensed saleswoman with
Hopkins Homes, Watertown. She briefly left real estate, working as a mortgage originator for Key Bank, before returning in 1987 with Coldwell Banker Rimada Realty. She earned an Associate Broker’s License in 1990 and started Lori Gervera Real Estate in 1993, adding Lori Gervera Productions, a home staging company, in 2006. She holds three designations: Accredited Buyer’s Representative, Graduate Realtors Institute, and Accredited Staging Professional. She serves on the association’s Multiple Listing Service Committee, and has been on its board of directors and a variety of committees throughout the years as well as being a member of the Tri-County Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors. She sits on the Watertown City Planning Board, is a member of the local chapter of Business Networking International, volunteers at Immaculate Heart Central Schools, and serves on the flower committee at Rodman’s Fairview Cemetery. In nominating her, members from other real estate offices described her as “a class act, professional, intelligent, a motivator,” and “someone who has an excitement for the real estate profession.” A mother of three, Lori commented that she felt this was the highest honor she could receive short of mother of the year. n LANCE M. EVANS is the executive officer of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors and the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. He has lived in the north country since 1985. Contact him at levans@nnymls.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.
CONTACT WLDC TODAY - GROW YOUR BUSINESS TOMORROW! NOW LEASING “CLASS A” OFFICE SPACE - FRANKLIN BUILDING, DOWNTOWN WATERTOWN Financing options and incentives through the WLDC:
■ Fixed - interest loans for real estate, machinery and equipment ■ Working Capitol financing ■ Leasehold improvement financing ■ Assists in securing primary financing through commercial banks
For help with expanding or relocating your business to the City of Watertown Contact: Donald W. Rutherford CEO
Watertown Local Development Corporation (WLDC) 82 Public Square Watertown, NY 13601 24 |
NNY Business | January 2013
Phone: 315.786.3494 Fax: 315.786.3495 email: don@watertownldc.com
R E A L E S TAT E / J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y The following property sales were recorded in the St. Lawrence County Clerk’s office: DEC. 14: Town of Lyme: 4.12 acres, Pine Woods Road, Duane C. Hazelton and Cynthia L. Hazelton, Clayton, sold to Dale Lehmer and Sophie Lehmer, Gouverneur $25,000 n Hamlet of Felts Mills: 0.465 acre, County Route 143 (School Street), George H. McManaman, Felts Mills, and Linda M. Gill, Felts Mills, sold to Joshua D. Hardwood-Thomas, Watertown $106,000 n Town of LeRay: 0.475 acre, Cullen Drive, Steven J. Hall General Contractor Inc., Cape Vincent, sold to M. Kathryn Buchanan, Watertown $50,000 n Village of Philadelphia: Two parcels, 61 Main St.; 0.29 acre, 59 Main St., Laurie E. Smith, Philadelphia, sold to village of Philadelphia, Philadelphia $42,000 n Town of Orleans: Two parcels, 200 acres, 2.96 acres, no addresses given, John R. Jerome, Clay, sold to Kenneth A. McArdle, Watertown $79,000 DEC. 13: Town of Ellisburg: Two parcels, 1.24 acres, 0.10 acre, County Route 85, Robert J. Rogers and Elaine M. Rogers, Adams, sold to Gary J. Berry and Tamera F. Berry, Adams $170,000 n Town of Alexandria: Two parcels, each 0.2 acre, Dingman Point Road, Robert T. Edwards and Melva L. Edwards, trustees, the Edwards Family Trust, Sun Lakes, Ariz., sold to Scott J. Adamowski and Rowena K. Adamowski, Walled Lake, Mich. $522,000 n Town of Ellisburg: Two parcels, 6.12 acres, Staplin Road; 5 acres, no address given, Barry L. Parker, Belleville, sold to Joshua P. Norris and Lorri A. Norris, Adams Center $175,000 n Village of Philadelphia: 0.21 acre, Sand Street, Daniel A. Witmer and Rebecca L. Witmer, Philadelphia, sold to Jason L. Welch, Fort Polk, La. $168,500 n Town of Pamelia: 1.28 acres, Lot 3, Allen Meadows Subdivision, Scott Richard Gregg and Sara Beth Gregg, Watertown, sold to Edward J. Steinberger, APO, AE $255,000 n Town of Watertown: 3.12 acres, 17251 Sandy Creek Valley Road, Michael J. Alteri, Watertown, individually and as surviving tenant by the entirety of Julie P. Alteri, deceased, sold to John A. Lemmon, Fort Drum $255,000 n Town of LeRay: 0.311 acre, Twin Oaks Drive, Kristin E. Monroe and Kylee J. Monroe, Philadelphia, sold to Christopher L. Harvey and Georgdina A. Harvey, Watertown $172,000
ton, sold to Gary Hampson and Donna M. Hampson, Waukegan, Ill. $135,000
On the Web n Visit us at WWW.NNYBIZMAG.COM for current real estate sales from Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, updated weekly. Click on ‘Data Center’ to access transactions. Clay, sold to Joseph D. Duprey and Pamela D. Duprey, trustees, Duprey Living Trust, Kirkville $92,000 n Town of Ellisburg: Four parcels, 0.12 acre, 0.12 acre, 0.33 acre, no acreage given, north branch of Big Sandy Creek, John R. Galavotti and Nadine Galavotti, Canastota, sold to Irvin Willix and Linda Willix, Henderson $80,000
n Town of Hounsfield: 6.143 acres, state Route 180, James T. Hogancamp Sr. and Ernestine E. Hogancamp, Sackets Harbor, sold to Yekaterina Denishchich and Annuta Nekoz, both of Watertown $160,000 n Town of LeRay: 0.596 acre, Sanfords Corners Road, Thomas E. Haskell and Bonnie L. Haskell, Georgetown, Texas, sold to Randy D. Criss Jr. and Brittany M. Criss, Niceville, Fla. $193,000 n Town of Ellisburg: 2.43 acres, County Route 75, Jeffrey T. Mosier and Jean L. Mosier, Adams, sold to Lyndon E. Eash and Melody J. Eash, Woodville $133,500
n Town of Alexandria: Three parcels, Poplar Street, Westminster Park, Wellesley Island, James Kiernan and Judith Kiernan, Equity Trust, Rome, sold to Poplar Point Properties LLC, Jamesville $215,000
n Village of Clayton: Unit No. 12, Building No. 4, Island View Village, Dennis G. Weller and Cheryl M. Roe, both of Syracuse, sold to R. Thomas Keller, Kingman, Ariz. $212,000
n Hamlet of Adams Center: 1.45 acres, North Street, Genevieve E. Tuttle, individually and as surviving joint tenant of Douglas J. Tuttle, Adams Center, sold to Robert A. Bacon, Adams Center $30,000
n Town of Rutland: Part of subdivision No. 2 of Lot 4, Sandra Ames, Black River, executor, estate of Helena M. Ames, sold to Thomas B. Carreira, Black River $54,000
n Village of Alexandria Bay: Church Street, Bruce A. Carhart, Alexandria Bay, sold to Dark Island Spirits Inc., Hammond $265,000
n Town of Wilna: 20 acres, County Route 36, Great Bend Construction Corp., Carthage, sold to Terry N. Groff, Copenhagen $125,000
DEC. 11: Village of Carthage: State Street, Jane T. Rich, individually, Carthage, and R. Thomas Rich and Kevin Allen Rich, trustees, Carthage, sold to Zachary R. Glathar and Amy Glathar, Fort Drum $190,000
n Town of Orleans: Three parcels, 0.20 acre, 0.07 acre, 0.02 acres, 19301 Marshall Drive, Robert C. Arnold, North Chili, sold to Elaine L. Berg, Albion $30,000
n Village of Sackets Harbor: 0.12 acre, Ambrose Street, James J. Caster, Sackets Harbor, sold to William A. Franklin, Erieville $55,000 n Town of Alexandria: 1.01 acres, shoreline of Butterfield Lake, Felder’s Roofing and General Construction Corp., Redwood, sold to Kyle Felder and Carrie Felder, Plessis $55,000 n Town of Pamelia: U.S. Route 11, Helen H. Amo, Calcium, sold to Helen H. Amo, Calcium; William A. Patterson and Anna M. Patterson, Calcium, life use, and William A. Patterson and Anna M. Patterson, as remainder men and tenants by the entirety $150,000 n Village of Deferiet: Two parcels, 1) no acreage given, 2) 0.137 acre, Anderson Avenue, the Rev. John J. Cosmic, aka Father John J. Cosmic, individually and as trustee, Father John J. Cosmic Trust, Deferiet, sold to Stefano Magro and Mariantonia Magro, Carthage $65,000
n Town of LeRay: 5.804 acres, Kiser Road, Michael A. Savino and Monica Savino, Evans Mills, sold to Jonathan C. Meagher, Fort Drum $199,000
n Town of Adams: 2.74 acres, County Route 76, Myrna L. Thompson, Adams Center, sold to Nicole M. Hainline and Jesse P. Vance, both of Adams Center $120,000
DEC. 12: Town of Alexandria: 0.4 acre, shoreline of Mud Lake, Chris Diliberto and Judy Diliberto,
DEC. 10: Town of Clayton: 0.54 acre, state Route 12E, George A. Thayer and Linda J. Thayer, Clay-
$4,578,000 County real estate sales recorded over 5-day period, Dec. 10-14, 2012
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January 2013 | NNY Business
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20 QUESTIONS
NORM JOHNSTON | NNY BUSINESS
A VISION TO INNOVATE
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early 15 years ago, Center for Sight’s Dr. Noaman Sanni opened his first office in Watertown. Since, he’s expanded to three counties, growing his practice to six offices across the north country, adding locations in Massena, Potsdam, Ogdensburg, Gouverneur and Lowville. A skilled eye surgeon, his latest innovation is a medispa, a veritable one-stop-shop for cosmetic procedures.
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NNYB: You are originally from Pakistan and attended school in the Midwest, what brought you to Northern New York? SANNI: I graduated from medical school in Pakistan and came to Berkeley, Calif., where my younger brother was going to school and I decided to do my medical equivalency exams and decided to stay here. After I finished exams, I went to New York and did a residency there and then moved to Chicago. I was approached for a position here [in Northern New York], so I said, ‘Let me try Watertown.’ After that I was director of a laser center in Manhattan but then I decided not to follow through with that. I enjoyed the patients here more than I did in New York City. I thought I could offer a lot more here. Even though we were just a one-person practice here, we had five employees and a small office.
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NNYB: What keeps you doing business in Northern New York? SANNI: What I liked here was the patient population and the quality of life. I wanted to enjoy medicine; I didn’t want to be in an environment where you had to fight every day. This was a good environment where patients were appreciative; I could perform and do a lot of surgeries, which is important as you finish your residency that you can be in a place where you can get
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NNY Business | January 2013
n Dr. Noaman Sanni, Center for Sight founder, always seeks to improve care
more experience. It was a good opportunity.
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NNYB: You’ve invested a lot in your practices in Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties. What about these areas do you find attractive from a business perspective? SANNI: There was a demand. A lot of patients were coming from there. The problem with ophthalmology is that for the older demographic it’s hard for them to commute. Some people were going to Plattsburgh or Canada for surgeries. In terms of providing service, for example, there was no one doing glaucoma surgery in all of St. Lawrence County. No one was doing plastics in St. Lawrence County or corneal transplantation. We bring all of that to the area and opened up offices there. We have staff and we built a 15,000-square-foot new building in Ogdensburg. We had three optical stores. I think it all helped the community.
about six other full-time optometrists, which are active not only in the community but in the field.
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NNYB: How many people do you employ across all of your offices? SANNI: We have about 75 employees and we’ve grown so much in this location [in Watertown] that we need to expand. We have to be cautious with the current state of health care. Like with any business, you don’t know whether to expand because of where government and the health care bill are going. There are so many variables. We’d like to add surgeries, but you have to be cautious. Ophthalmology and plastics need a lot of investment and equipment.
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NNYB: How challenging is it for you to recruit and retain quality professional and medical staff?
NNYB: You were one of the first surgeons to perform Lasik and Intacs in the Syracuse and Watertown areas. Since, you have sought to keep your practices on the cutting edge, employing upto-date technologies and performing procedures that rival major metro markets. What challenges come with that?
SANNI: It’s tough. It’s hard to attract good people to Northern New York. We were lucky with Dr. Koloms, she is well trained and likes to work hard. This is a demanding place, especially for younger people and it’s tough to recruit younger people here. They like it but their spouses don’t like it. We hired one of the ophthalmologists early this year. He is in Ogdensburg. We have just signed on another physician who just moved in last week, Dr. William Crane. Then we have
SANNI: There are always pressures from the insurance companies; the whole sentiment in health care is whether the revenues will support the effort to stay at the cutting edge. We can upgrade, get more equipment, but we have to be very cautious. There is more stuff I want to do, for example, like a new laser that is available that LenSx, for cataract surgery. We easily could go and invest $500,000 to buy the machinery but we risk not knowing what
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20 QUESTIONS the cataract reimbursements will be. When I started practicing in the 1980s, you would get $3,000 for cataract surgery. Now the reimbursement is less than $600. Also, the cost of running a practice keeps going up, malpractice insurance goes up, all the costs are rising but reimbursements are going down and patients are becoming more demanding.
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NNYB: How do you maintain the balance? SANNI: You have to enjoy what you do. I know physicians in their 50s in New York City that are unable to keep their doors open as an ophthalmologist. It’s not working for them. Small ophthalmologists in the city cannot survive and stay open. The cost of opening the doors is much higher. To counter that, you much offer new services. Also, you must provide good service so patients seek you out. You can’t be mediocre this day and age and still be cutting edge. You won’t have the revenue to support the technology.
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NNYB: You seeded a scholarship program for Immaculate Heart Central Schools. What prompted that? SANNI: In this day and age, if you don’t pay attention to education you’re going to lose in the long run, especially in the U.S. In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh they are producing 2.2 million engineers a year. They are prioritizing education. The concentration of highly educated people is moving out east. Here education is cost prohibitive, even to middle class families. We’re doing a huge disservice to the future of this country. This country, with such means, is neglecting education. We can find money for highways and roads, but not schools. I met with Father Don Robinson and I said let’s get 100 people from the community to give some scholarships. I like the discipline toward education [at IHC], you go to school to go to school, not to socialize.
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NNYB: Why is it important for you to be philanthropically involved in your communities? SANNI: I think everyone needs to do something in their community. It is a responsibility to give back. That was the main reason why when Samaritan was expanding, we tried to support them. NNYB: You created the not-for-profit corporation “Humanity Without Borders,” that raises money for physicians to perform charitable medical services overseas for people who can’t afford it. How did that effort get its start and what are some of the highlights? SANNI: That was started about 10 years ago. What I tried to do every time I went to Pakistan or I go away, is to join health care camps or eye camps and do as much as I can. I also finance a school where we started with 20 students and now we have about 280 students from first through sixth grade in Karachi. Now we are trying to give scholarships to parents to keep the students in the school.
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NNYB: As a businessman, you have sought in recent time to diversify your practices, specifically expanding the medi-spa part of your practices. Why pair a successful eye practice with cosmetic surgery? SANNI: My training is in cornea and refractive
NORM JOHNSTON | NNY BUSINESS
Dr. Noaman Sanni talks about his growing practice in the new Medispa at Center for Sight’s Watertown location, 1815 State St. surgery, which is LASIK, but the demand here was more toward general ophthalmology. I do all of the general ophthalmology from exams to glaucoma surgery, cosmetic surgery, LASIK, pediatric surgery. The first big service that we started was LASIK and refractive surgery and were the first to do so here. I’ve always liked plastics and cosmetics. We had two great RNs and we had some of the best technology in terms of laser technology that can do all facial resurfacing and we can do all kinds of vascular treatment, tattoo removal, hair removal. Ophthalmology has been evolving. Liposuction was started by gynecologists not plastic surgeons. Botox was used by ophthalmologists, not plastic surgeons. We have always done plastic surgery around the eyes. The field has evolved.
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NNYB: Where do you see the practice in five, 10 years? SANNI: I think we need to hire more physicians. We are committed to the area. That is our first challenge. Also, to be in the top one percent of the practices in the country. In so many ways I think we are. One thing I do have in store for next year is clinical trials. We’ve been so inundated with expansions and hiring staff and providers, I think now we are in a better situation to get involved with major clinical trials. There are a few areas, one is in glaucoma and efficacy of medications and surgery.
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NNYB: What do you do to unwind? SANNI: I work out three or four days a week, on the weekends I have a trainer. I try to drive other people crazy, so I don’t get stressed. I am able to compartmentalize. I don’t let one part of the day flow into the next part of the day. I compress by the hour. I also like art, I go to a lot of museums. I do paint. I’m also taking flying lessons. NNYB: What’s the best advice you have ever followed?
The Dr. Noaman Sanni file JOB: Ophthalmologist, surgeon; founder and principal, Center for Sight of Northern New York with offices in Watertown, Lowville, Gouverneur, Ogdensburg, Potsdam and Massena. AGE: 52 FAMILY: Single HOMETOWN: Pakistan native; presently lives in Sackets Harbor. EDUCATION: Dow Medical College, Pakistan, where he studied internal medicine; completed ophthalmology residency and was chief resident, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine; completed fellowship in corneal and refractive surgery in St. Louis, Mo. Board certified ophthalmologist with a specialty in corneal and refractive surgeries and a member of the American Society of Cosmetic Surgeons. LAST BOOK READ: “The Charge: Activating the 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive,” by Brendon Buchard; “Be Excellent at Anything: The Four Keys to Transforming the Way we Work and Live,” by Tony Schwartz, Jean Gomes and Catherine McCarthy.
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SANNI: One of the best pieces of advice is enjoy the process. Don’t be so goal oriented. If you enjoy the process I feel whether you get to the goal or not, you’re a success story. NNYB: What does 2013 have in store for Center for Sight? SANNI: I would like to duplicate the business model from Watertown in Ogdensburg and Potsdam, in the smaller markets. It’s a good fit and I’ve always been interested in cosmetics. Ophthalmologists in big cities have cosmetic practices. Then we also plan to get some general surgeons on board, for deep vein and January 2013 | NNY Business
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20 QUESTIONS varicose vein procedures. People are becoming more self-aware with exercise and health, we might be a little behind but the national trend is the baby boomers and younger population are much more aware of their appearances. We are at the tail end of the national trend.
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NNYB: In many ways you are an innovator. While your business is in the medical sector, what can people in other businesses learn from your constant push to innovate? SANNI: One thing is that this area has a lot of advantages. I think the cost of doing business here is lower than anywhere else in the state. You can take more chances. The other thing is don’t sell yourself short with new ideas. Before we renovated this building people were asking why we were wasting money. Six or seven years down the road, we’re short of space. Same thing with the medi-spa. The population is evolving; people’s needs are increasing. There is always a sector that you find you enjoy that is where the needs are, and you’ll be fine.
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NNYB: You most recently joined the American Society of Cosmetic Surgeons? What’s next for you professionally? SANNI: I would like to get into corneal prosthetics and implantation of prosthetic corneas for patients who have had multiple rejections in corneal transplantations. That is one thing on my list. Another thing is to open up an eye bank in Pakistan. I would like to use corneal prosthetics in Pakistan. Pakistan is soon going to be the sixth most populous country in the world and there is not a single place that does corneal prosthetic work. There are a number of people who are blind due to multiple surgeries that cause scarring. That is one area that I think I could be very helpful.
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NNYB: Your practices are becoming widely recognizable and constantly growing, what is setting you apart? SANNI: We brought LASIK here, the surgeons that were here never did it. The same with the glaucoma surgery. Not one of the eye surgeons did invasive glaucoma surgery. We were the ones putting in the most advanced drainage devices and corneal transplants and doing highly specialized corneal surgery. No one did that.
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NNYB: How do you stay current? SANNI: Continuing education and I go to a lot of academy meetings and I get recertified. I think it’s important for physicians to get recertified. You have to attend conferences. I try and do three or four courses a year to see what’s out there and what’s new.
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NNYB: How do you keep up with yourself? SANNI: I enjoy everything I do. I have a lot of energy so I utilize my time well. Personal growth is important to me, and I think you have to be at peace. I try to do everything to the best of my ability and have fun with it. — Interview by Ken Eysaman, edited for length and clarity. Do you know a person who we should feature in 20 Questions? Contact us at keysaman@wdt.net
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in business administration with a concentration in accounting information systems in May 2010. She previously interned with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in the summer of 2009.
JCC instructor honored
Longtime continuing education workshop instructor Katherine Doe Johnson, Watertown, recently received an Outstanding Continuing Education Instructor Award from the Continuing Education Association of New York at its annual conference in Saratoga Springs. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated innovation in teaching, student centered approach to teaching, ability to impact students’ lives and dedication to lifelong learning. Ms. Johnson began teaching workshops in 1989 about the Internet, email, Lotus, microcomputers, personal computers and various technology growth and adaptation workshops.
Mr. Brown will be presented with the award during a dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1290 Arsenal St.
Capital Corridor director announces retirement
W. Howard Kelly, director of the Capital Corridor Trade and Tourism Initiative, retired on late December, citing personal health concerns. Mr. Kelly left his position after five years on the job. Capital Corridor is a 500mile transportation network that links the national capitals of Washington, D.C., and
Ottawa, Ontario. It is a joint venture of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority and the Federal Bridge Corp., its Canadian counterpart. Mr. Kelly lived in Kingston, Ont., before moving to Watertown, where he previously served as executive director of the AmeriKelly can Red Cross of Northern New York. He was appointed to lead the Capital Corridor in October 2007.
Chamber announces Shapiro Award winner
The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce has announced that Bernard H. “Bernie” Brown Jr., CEO of Bernier, Carr & Associates, Watertown, is the recipient of the 61st annual Israel A. Shapiro Citizenship Award. Mr. Brown has Brown worked at Bernier, Carr since 1984 and was nominated by Daniel J. Villa, who won the 2008 Shapiro Award. Mr. Brown is an Army veteran, and was awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service, has served as chairman of the American Heart Association Heart Walk, where he continues to serve as an executive leadership team member, and also served as president of the Northern New York Community Foundation’s board of directors. The Shapiro Award was established in 1952 by Arnold I. Shapiro to honor the memory of his father, a longtime business leader in the community. Nominees are selected based on outstanding citizenship or for outstanding contribution in civic or social welfare activity.
We are proud to announce The Morgia Group of HighTower Advisors has moved to a new location at 151 Mullin Street in Watertown, New York. Integrity. Excellence. Trust. Honesty. Hard Work. These seemingly simple principles are what The Morgia Group has been built on since 1968. Our mission is to deliver quality investment advice, and act in the best interest of our clients, without exception. We encourage you to contact Tony Morgia, Mike Morgia, or PJ Banazek to discover the benefits of having a true fiduciary working with you towards your goals. 151 Mullin Street Watertown, NY 13601 TEL 315.222.7148 TOLL FREE 888.369.8880 Securities are offered through HighTower Securities, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB HighTower Advisors, LLC is a SEC registered investment advisor.
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E C O N O M I C A L LY S P E A K I N G
Celebrate region’s young leaders
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n Dec. 13 I was fortunate to attend NNY Business magazine’s annual 20 Under 40 awards luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown. The magazine recognized 20 leaders — including one couple — younger than 40 who exemplify leadership in business and in their communities. It was very good to see so many community leaders in attendance to recognize these individuals. The event reminded me of an article that I read on the characteristics of good leaders. It also reminded me that we need quality leaders both in businesses and in our communities. The article I refer to is titled, “10 Leadership Lessons from the IBM Executive School,” printed March 2, 2012, in Forbes magazine, which I reference for this column from the Forbes website. The article is interesting because IBM, one of America’s most successful businesses, commissioned a study in 1955 to determine the traits of quality leaders so that it could “turn out” a pipeline of executives for its firm. The results of the study showed that what “successful executives shared were not skills and knowledge, but values and attitudes.” This study revolutionized how IBM groomed its executives, and the 10 leadership traits below lend to how we groom future leaders in our businesses and communities. 1) Great leaders thrive on ambiguity. While most of us like black-and-white decisions, successful leaders are able to see through the grey and use their skills and knowledge to come up with innovative ideas. They thrive on this challenge. 2) Great leaders love blank sheets of paper. A great leader relishes the chance to “think things through” from scratch. 3) Great leaders are secure people. Successful executives thrive on differences of
opinion. They surround themselves with the best people they can find: people strong enough to hold a contrary opinion and argue vociferously for it. Great leaders crave challenges, and this means hiring the most Michelle Capone challenging people they can find with no regard for whether today’s challenger might be tomorrow’s rival. 4) Great leaders want options. Great leaders constantly demand diverse options from their team and use these options to produce creative decisions. 5) Great leaders are tough enough to face facts. Successful executives face facts, and this means being open to the truth even when it is not what we want to hear. 6) Great leaders stick their necks out. Great leaders want to be measured and evaluated. They continually look for ways to measure things that may seem immeasurable, and they cheerfully accept the blame when they are wrong or fail to deliver. 7) Great leaders believe in themselves. While great leaders crave advice, options, and strong colleagues, they all share a profound belief in themselves and their judgment. 8) Great leaders are deep thinkers. Great leaders know that the answers they are seeking will probably emerge from outside business and from disciplines that may seem utterly unrelated. 9) Great leaders are ruthlessly honest with themselves. Self-knowledge is
perhaps the most critical trait that all great leaders share. 10) Great leaders are passionate. They may be loudly charismatic or quietly intense, but all great leaders care deeply about what they are doing and why they are doing it. Perhaps most importantly they care about people. These traits are not something you can train in a person, but are inherent to these professionals and I believe you will find them in many of our own business and community leaders. It is important that we, as a community, continue to support and nurture the talents of the individuals who lead our businesses and support our communities because they are our future. Our communities need leaders like those recognized by NNY Business because they will guide our region to future success. Organizations like the Greater Watertown Jaycees and Thousand Islands Young Leaders Organization promote networking, community service, and professional development for young professionals in the region. Other civic clubs like Kiwanis, Rotary and not-for-profit organizations have needs to fill board positions. Those recognized last month are leaders. As a community we must continue to recognize and foster leadership traits in our young professionals to ensure a bright future for the north country. The entire Forbes article can be found at http://www.forbes.com/sites/ augustturak/2012/03/02/10-leadershiplessons-from-the-ibm-executive-school. n MICHELLE L. CAPONE is regional development director for the Development Authority of the North Country. Contact her at mcapone@ danc.org. She is a member of the Greater Watertown Jaycees and Sunrise Rotary
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B U S I N E S S L AW
Shareholders liable for unpaid wages
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any state and local agencies tout what a great place New York is to start a small business. That may be true, but on closer examination of their advertising brochures, one small but important piece of the information is probably left out. The key information is Section 630 of New York Business Corporation Law. This section makes the top 10 shareholders of a corporation personally liable for the unpaid wages of the corporation. New York may be the only state in the country that has such a provision. The purpose of the statute is to protect the unpaid employees from being without a legal recourse for past-due salaries and benefits of an insolvent corporation. This section is in conflict with the general legal rule that shareholders are not liable for the debts of the corporation. The law views the corporation as a separate legal entity from its owners, the shareholders. A corporation is a taxable entity, can own property in its name, and can sue and be sued. A corporation, in certain circumstances, even has many Constitutional protections that a natural person has. Section 630 of Business Corporation Law provides for shareholder liability and the procedures that unpaid employees must follow. First, the corporation must be incorporated in New York State, not registered under the “Investment Company Act of 1940” and whose shares are not sold on any stock exchange. These re-
quirements rule out the largest corporations and generally effective small businesses. Small businesses are more vulnerable to financial and economic facLarry Covell tors resulting in insolvency or bankruptcy than larger publicly traded corporations. The statute provides that the 10 largest shareholders, as determined by the fair value of their beneficial interest as of the beginning of the period during which
The notice must be given within 180 days after the employee’s termination. In addition, an unpaid employee can even demand an examination of the corporation’s books. Section 630 of the Business Corporation Law provides for a broad definition of wages and benefits. It means all compensation and benefits that includes salaries, overtime, vacation, holiday and severance pay. It also includes any employer contributions for insurances, pension or annuity funds or any other moneys due. Business owners have legal options to avoid liability for unpaid wages. First, instead of organizing the business as a corporation, owners may want to form a limited liability company. The Limited Liability Company Law of New York does not have a comparable version of Section 630 of Business Corporation Law. If small business owners insist on forming a corporation, then a corporation should be organized in another state such as Delaware. A Delaware-based corporation can get a “certification of authorization” to engage in business in New York. In either situation, the members of the New York Limited Liability Company or shareholders of a Delaware corporation would not be otherwise liable for unpaid wages of employees in the event the business became insolvent.
Business owners have legal options to avoid liability for unpaid wages. Instead of organizing the business as a corporation, owners may want to form a limited liability company. unpaid services were rendered, are jointly and severally liable. Joint and several liability means that unpaid employees may seek payment against any one, any combination of 10 largest shareholders, several liability, or all 10 of the largest shareholders, joint liability. Before an unpaid employee can begin a lawsuit against a shareholder, they must file written notice on the shareholders that the unpaid employee intends to hold the shareholder liable for the unpaid wages.
n LARRY COVELL is a professor of business at SUNY Jefferson and an attorney. Contact him at lcovell@sunyjefferson.edu. His column appears every other month in NNY Business.
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COMMERCE CORNER
Small biz resources you must know
T
he United State Small Business Administration defines a small business as one that is independently owned and operated, is organized for profit and is not dominant in its field. However, in many people’s opinion, this definition is vague and does not substantiate what the SBA sets forth as standards that were originally established by the North American Industry Classification. Within these classifications are the most extensive definitions of small businesses found in its “Table of Size Standards.” The federal history of small business traces its roots to just after World War II with the establishment of the Smaller War Plants Corporation. In 1953, the Small Business Administration was created to aid and assist small business concerns and, through federal legislation, allowed the SBA to define small business size standards from one industry to the next. The complexity of determining eligibility of a small business depends on its industry and the average number of employees for the preceding 12 months or on sales volume averaged over a three-year period. The mission of the SBA is to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interest of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. Information provided by the SBA can be overwhelming and often intimidating, as can dealing with any level of government. However, the SBA was created to help establish small businesses, provide guidelines, support and financial options to ensure the economic success, which, as result, can have a contagious effect on the business community.
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NNY Business | January 2013
Aside from the SBA, there are several local resources that can help individuals who are exploring a new business venture or looking for costeffective ways to improve their Lynn Pietroski business. SCORE is a non-profit organization that aids and mentors small business through an array of services, such as workshops, counseling, networking, business templates and other online tools. There is minimal to no cost and it has more than 50 years experience. Small Business Development Centers are affiliated with the SBA and offer assistance to small businesses that includes business plan development, identifying alternative sources of funding, drafting marketing plans, education on regulatory compliance and links and referrals to many other resources. These services are offered at no cost. We are fortunate to have this service in Watertown, hosted by Jefferson Community College, in Canton, hosted by SUNY Canton, and in Oswego, hosted at SUNY Oswego. The New York Business Development Corporation describes itself as a complement to conventional banking, working in partnership with banks to provide defined term loans for businesses that may not meet traditional funding requirements. The agency works closely with the SBA to facilitate the SBA 504 Loan Program. The mission of the NYBDC is to
offer credit opportunities not otherwise available to small business in order to facilitate access to capital in support of economic development, job development or preservation, expansion and modernization of New York’s small business. There are many resources available to current and prospective small business owners. The Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce works closely will several service providers in our community and its surrounding areas. These organizations provide a wealth of knowledge and seamlessly connect clients with other resources. The Small Business Administration has been hosting its National Small Business Week Conference since 1963, which recognizes the special impact that outstanding American entrepreneurs and small business owners make. There are several award categories, including: Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Exporter of the Year, SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneurial Success, Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Small Business, Small Business Champions of the Year, Women in Business Champion, Minority Small Business Champion, Veteran Small Business Champion, Financial Services Champion, Home-Based Business Champion. There are a documented 2.7 million small business registered in the United States. If you know a small business that deserves recognition, visit the SBA website and help show that small businesses are a crucial part of our local, state and national economy.
n LYNN PIETROSKI is president and CEO of the Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at ceo@watertownny. com. Her column appears monthly.
AGRI-BUSINESS
What are the rules of the game?
I
am sitting at my desk on Friday, Dec. 21, writing this agricultural outlook for 2013. First, we survived the end of the world, or at least so far; that’s the good news. However, the bigger question is, will we survive our federal government? I’m not sure, at least not today. This is unfortunate because our farms could be in a fantastic position to grow their businesses. As I look at agriculture from a local, regional, national and global perspective, I see great opportunities for growth locally and across the country. Our global population is dramatically growing. As the world’s wealth grows, it creates customers for our agricultural products. Looking at the dairy industry alone, we are exporting 16 percent of what we produce overseas. This has tremendously helped our dairy industry. Awareness and demand for local foods help provide our smaller farms with more opportunities to expand. I met with a group of vegetable farmers last month and heard stories about expanding their growing seasons to nearly a year. They are excited to be able to offer fresh local produce, or at least certain varieties, to their customers for a longer period. Farmers, too, are excited to see their businesses and profits grow, which helps our local economies. The entrepreneurial spirit of farmers in America and in the north country is helping to grow businesses, jobs and our economy. But, how does anyone who owns or manages a business try to grow when they have no idea what will happen with the burden the federal government
places on all of us? As of today, the elected officials of the federal government, members of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the president have succeeded only in demJay Matteson onstrating that they are seeking a win-lose outcome. The outcome, it seems, must create a win for their party and a loss for the other, with no regards as to whether it’s actually good for the people. We hear about compromise. Compromise means working together to find something mutually agreeable. Each side gives until a solution that will work is reached. It’s time they solved this problem so our businesses know what to expect. In addition to the “fiscal cliff” mess, the Congress and the president have failed to agree on a “Farm Bill.” Where is this leading us? Looking at the dairy industry, in a few short days our national policy on dairy pricing reverts back to policies of 1949. Is this a good thing? No. Impacts will not be immediate because structures must be put in place within the federal government to operate like it is 1949. Once they are in place, the federal government will begin purchasing dairy products at what’s called “parity pricing.” Parity pricing will result in farmers receiving a much higher price; some say
double the price they are paid for their milk today. For a short amount of time, farmers may be able to make a great profit — which is needed — from the sale of their milk. The public will see supermarket prices rise for dairy products. If this continues for any length of time, we are concerned that consumer demand for dairy products will drop, significantly resulting in a drop in the amount paid to farmers and, it may take a long time for consumer demand to rebound. At a time when we have manufacturers building new dairy plants in New York, our federal government should focus on opening doors for greater growth and prosperity. Instead, we get lack of action, political infighting, and a waste of our time and money. Because the Farm Bill has significant impacts on our agricultural industry, it is important for our farmers to know what to expect so they can plan accordingly for their business. It will literally make or break some farms. I hope by the time you read this, the Farm Bill will be acted upon and somehow Congress and the president will have resolved the “fiscal cliff” crisis. If so, then maybe, if our federal government hasn’t made matters worse, our farms and manufacturers will have a good outlook for 2013. The opportunity is there, we just need to know the rules of the game.
n JAY M. MATTESON is agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency. He is a lifelong Northern New York resident who lives in Lorraine. Contact him at coordinator@comefarmwithus.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.
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BUSINESS TECH BYTES
Looking ahead for tech innovation
I
nformation technology spending is expected to rise as 2013 begins. While more businesses employ new technologies to stay competitive, a promise for a great year for business technology is sure to follow. No matter what business you are in, the more you know about what the future will hold for technology the better off your business will be. Email is just one case and point. For years, it has been the corporate standard for most communication, but that tide is quickly turning as social networking gives way to more immediate interactions that are increasingly performed on personal, not corporate, devices. Does your company have a Mobile Device Management strategy? As the number of devices and applications in the marketplace increases so do the security, productivity and maintenance issues. With plenty of MDM providers available to help with mobility management, offering out-of-the box cross-platform features like automatic updates, device tracking, remote wipe capabilities and expense management, you can be well on your way to securing corporate data easily and economically. Is your business growing, causing you to look for a scalable and flexible information technology infrastructure? In 2013 cloud computing and virtualization will continue to demonstrate their potentials to ultimately reduce the cost of IT maintenance and management while improving employee collaboration and productivity. A recent study by Savvis states that three out of five business and IT decisionmakers believe that owning and operating in-house IT infrastructure is a waste of
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NNY Business | January 2013
time, money and resources. Bill Fathers, President of Savvis said the “study reveals a significant shift in the way organizations analyze and approach IT services. InformaJill Van Hoesen tion technology departments are now looking to strengthen collaboration, efficiency and competitive agility — and they’re turning to secure, outsourced environments and cloud computing to help meet their objectives.” Virtualization technology is finally beginning to gain popularity with smaller businesses. As more IT professionals become familiar with virtualization and cloud computing capabilities, smaller businesses will begin to be availed the benefits that only a few years ago were reserved for large enterprises. A dramatic increase in cloud outsourcing is also predicted for 2013, as many first adopters will continue to move in this direction. As Internet spoofing attacks become more and more commonplace and sophisticated, 2013 could be the beginning of the end of the password as we now know it. Though biometric security has been around for the past decade or more, it has never really taken hold. But as society begins to realize just how easily passwords are hacked, we will finally begin to move into the age of better authentication through the use of your body, like the iris
of your eye, voice or fingerprint. Another trend that will impact all computer users will be the slow decline in skeupmorhic interface styling. Skeupmorhic interface styling, are applications that are designed to have elements of them that look or behave like their real-world counterparts. Long used by Apple in applications such as iCal and iBooks, experts believe the introduction of Windows 8 and its Metro design language with simpler user interfaces and big interaction areas with text that uses size to differentiate importance will begin to influence application development. Other technology trends that will make headlines in 2013 will include three-dimensional printing. This will be driven by lower cost of ownership and the avalanche of applications readily available. Television as we know it also will continue its transformation that began years ago. In 2012 many people only watched television via Netflix on an Xbox 360, which was virtually unheard of even five years ago. “But the trend will finally hit full stride, says Himanshu Sareen, CEO of IT service provider Icreon Tech, “because of the process of curating. What works so well for Pinterest will work the same for television.” One trend in business technology has not changed and will continue well into 2013 and beyond: what we know today about technology is going to continue to change. Is your business ready to adapt and change with it? n JILL VAN HOESEN is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 25-year IT veteran. Contact her at jvanhoesen@wdt.net. Her column appears monthly in NNY Business.
SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS
Make your business count in 2013
I
t’s that time again. No, I’m not talking about coming up with New Year’s resolutions or doing your federal and state income taxes. Right now, small businesses across the country are in the process of being surveyed for the 2012 Economic Survey the U.S. Census Bureau conducts. Some things you should know about the Economic Census, if your business is fairly new and has not been required to participate before: FREQUENCY — How often is the Economic Census conducted? It is completed every five years, so the last one was in 2007. It goes out every year that ends in a two or a seven. Historically the first business-related questions were included in the 1810 decennial census; it has been in its present, separate five-year form since 1967.
PARTICIPATION — As a small business owner, do I have to participate if I receive a questionnaire? Yes, just as with the decennial census, participation is mandatory. Most businesses with at least four employees will receive a form; smaller businesses may receive a questionnaire through a random selection process. If you are part of a company with multiple locations, only the main office will be surveyed. If you receive a form, you must complete and return it. According to United States Code, Title 13, your personally identifying information is kept confidential and rules restrict who can see it or use it. When the Economic Census is publicly presented, it contains only “aggregated statistics that combine information from many businesses” and does not include
details about individual responses that might identify a specific business.
QUESTIONS — What kind of questions are asked? You’ll be asked questions about your Sarah O’Connell location, employment and payroll and revenue. This year there are some new categories for energy-related businesses. All businesses are classified according to the North American Industrial Classification System, which was just updated this year. RESULTS — Who looks at these data? Well, for starters, we advisors at the Small Business Development Center do when we help you with your marketing plan or financial proposal. Data can be used to prepare a business plan, determine your level of competition or plan a marketing strategy. Business analysts, the media, trade associations and other groups use the information to look at how different industries are growing or shrinking and to complete economic forecasting. Government agencies from local, state and federal levels use the statistics to develop or evaluate economic development programs, legislation and regulations. WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE? — So, why is it important for me to participate? From the top agencies in U.S. government down to your local town
council or business banker, people make plans and decisions about your business based on statistics collected during the Economic Census. You should ensure you are included. Some interesting facts about the 2012 Economic Census: New with this version is the option for single-location businesses to file quickly and easily online. Multiple-location businesses will have a spreadsheet to complete that they can then upload to the Census Bureau website. In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to eliminate both the Economic Census and the American Community Survey, which annually update the 10-year full Census by surveying one in six households for data on age, race, income, veteran status and disability. We advisors use the community survey all the time as well. It was initiated in the 1990s when the Census Bureau decided that 10 years was just too long to wait for information that was needed to make important economic and policy decisions. Many policy-making groups, economists and business forecasters reacted strongly against this plan, and the Senate did not pass the bill. Data will start becoming available next December. Read more about the 2012 Economic Census at http://www.census.gov/econ/ census. n SARAH O’CONNELL is a certified business advisor with the New York State Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College. She is a former small business owner and lifelong Northern New York resident. Contact her at soconnell@sunyjefferson.edu. Her column appears bi-monthly in NNY Business.
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CHAMBER / WEB DIRECTORY
NNY CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
n CLAYTON 517 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY 13624; 686-3771, www.1000islands-clayton.com
n ALEXANDRIA BAY 7 Market St., Alexandria Bay, NY 13607; 482-9531, www.visitalexbay.org
n GREATER WATERTOWNNORTH COUNTRY 1241 Coffeen St., Watertown, NY 13601; 788-4400, www.watertownny.com
n BOONVILLE 122 Main St., P.O. Box 163, Boonville, NY 13309; 942-6823, www.boonvillechamber.com
n GOUVERNEUR 214 E. Main St., Gouverneur, NY 13642; 287-0331, www.gouverneurchamber.net
n CARTHAGE AREA 120 S. Mechanic St., Carthage, NY 13619; 493-3590, www.carthageny.com n CENTERSTATE CEO 572 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13202; 470-1800, www.centerstateceo.com n CHAUMONT-THREE MILE BAY P.O. Box 24, Three Mile Bay, NY 13693; 649-3404, www.chaumontchamber.com
BIZ WEB DIRECTORY
CLARKSON UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE NORTH COUNTRY www.danc.org
LEWIS COUNTY IDA www.lcida.org
n MALONE 497 East Main St., Malone, NY 12953; 1(518) 483-3760, www.visitmalone.com
n TRI-TOWN 907 Route 11 C, P.O. Box 297, Brasher Falls, NY 13613; 389-4800, www.tritownchamberofcommerce.com
n OGDENSBURG 1 Bridge Plaza, Ogdensburg, NY 13669; 393-3620, www.ogdensburgny.com
n WADDINGTON 38 Main St., P.O. Box 291, Waddington, NY 13694; 388-4079, www.waddingtonny.com
n OLD FORGE 3140 Route 28, P.O. Box 68
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY IDA www.slcida.com
www.jcjdc.net
www.citec.org
www.helpmysmallbusinesstoday.com www.facebook.com/CUEntrepCtr www.twitter.com/CUEntrepCtr
n ST. LAWRENCE 101 Main St., First Floor, Canton, NY 13617; 386-4000, www.northcountryguide.com
n MASSENA 16 Church St., Massena, NY 13662; 769-3525, www.massenachamber.com
JEFFERSON COUNTY JOB DEVELOPMENT CORP.
CITEC MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
ST. LAWRENCE RIVER VALLEY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
www.slrvra.com
www.northcountryptac.com
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT SUNY JEFFERSON www.watertown.nyssbdc.org www.facebook.com/WatertownSBDC
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT SUNY CANTON www.canton.edu/sbdc www.facebook.com/CantonSBDC www.twitter.com/NYS_SBDC
n PULASKI 3044 Route 13, P.O. Box 34, Pulaski, NY 13142; 298-2213, www.pulaskinychamber.com
n SOUTH JEFFERSON 14 E. Church St., Adams, NY 13605; 232-4215, www.southjeffchamber.org
n LEWIS COUNTY 7576 S. State St., Lowville, NY 13367; 376-2213, www.lewiscountychamber.org
n CAPE VINCENT 175 N. James St., P.O. Box 482, Cape Vincent, NY 13618; 654-2481, www.capevincent.org
n POTSDAM 1 Market St., Potsdam, NY 13676; 274-9000, www.potsdamchamber.com
n SACKETS HARBOR 304 W. Main St., P.O. Box 17, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685; 646-1700, www. sacketsharborchamberofcommerce.com
n HENDERSON HARBOR P.O. Box 468, Henderson Harbor, NY 13651; 938-5568, www.hendersonharborny.com
n CANTON 60 Main St., P.O. Box 369, Canton, NY 13617; 386-8255, www.cantonnychamber.org
Old Forge, NY 13420; 369-6983 www.oldforgeny.com
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
www.sba.gov www.facebook.com/SBAAtlantic www.twitter.com/SBAAtlantic
WATERTOWN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORP. www.watertownldc.com
WATERTOWN SCORE
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THURSDAY, JAN. 17
n Business With a Twist, 5 to 7 p.m., Clayton Opera House, 405 Riverside Drive. Sponsored by Clayton Chamber of Commerce. Admission: $3. Information, register: Clayton Chamber of Commerce, 686-3771.
SATURDAY, FEB. 2
n Winter Environmental Conference, noon, Clayton Opera House, 405 Riverside Drive. Sponsored by Save the River. Bringing together policy makers, scientists, elected officials and river residents to discuss the most critical issues impacting the St. Lawrence River. Information or to register: Kate Breheny, 686-2010 or kate@savetheriver.org.
THURSDAY, FEB. 7
n Business with a Twist, 5 to 7 p.m., Shear Expressions, 141 Mary St. Sponsored by Clayton Chamber of Commerce. Admission: $3. Information, register: Clayton Chamber of Commerce, 686-3771.
CROGHAN FRIDAY, JAN. 18 & SATURDAY, JAN. 19
n “Maple School,” 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, American Maple Museum, Main Street. The American Maple Museum teaches both beginners and experience maple producers the ins and outs of the business. For more information or to register, contact the museum at 346-1107 or email americanmaplemuseum@frontier.com.
LOWVILLE SATURDAY, JAN. 26
n Seventh Annual Lewis County Bridal Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lowville Elks Lodge, Shady Avenue. Sponsored by All Things Beautiful Photography and R&H Creations. Taste testing from caterers and large variety of vendors, including decorators, photographers, florists, DJs, limousine services, beauty and gift ideas. Information: 346-6915 or 376-2951. Online: www.facebook.com/ LewisCountyBridalFair/info.
MASSENA SATURDAY, JAN. 12 SUNDAY, FEB. 3
n Massena Winter Carnival, sponsored by Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce. Various activities throughout the month, with opening ceremonies on Thursday, Jan. 31, at 5:30 p.m., Massena Chamber of Commerce office. Parade and fireworks, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1. Information and updated schedule as events are confirmed: www.massenachamber.com.
OGDENSBURG THURSDAY, JAN. 10
n “A Chorus Line,” 7:45 p.m., E.A. Newell Golden Dome, 812 State St. Presented by Ogdensburg Command Performance Series.
Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this is the musical for everyone who ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Tickets: $15 to $37. Tickets: 393-2625.
SYRACUSE THURSDAY, JAN. 10
n CenterState CEO Economic Forecast Breakfast, 7:30 to 10 a.m., the OnCenter, 800 S. State St. Join CenterState CEO members, business leaders and executives for the presentation of the CenterState CEO and CenterState Chamber of Commerce 2013 economic forecast. Register by Jan. 4 at lmetot@centerstateceo.com or call Lisa Metot, 470-1870. Cost: Members, $30; non-members, $40.
TUESDAY, JAN. 29
n Business After Hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Koto Japanese Steakhouse, 2841 Erie Blvd. E. Sponsored by CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity. Cost: Members, $10; non-members, $20. Information: Lisa Metot, 470-1870 or lmetot@centerstateceo. com. Register: www.centerstateceo.com.
WATERTOWN WEDNESDAY, JAN. 9
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16
n Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., North Country Arts Council, 52 Public Square. Sponsored by Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce. Register by Tuesday, Jan. 15. Cost: Admission: Members, $8; non-registered members, $10; nonmembers, $12. Register: www.watertownny. com or 788-4400. n How to Use Your iPad, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jefferson Community College. Sponsored by JCC Continuing Education Department. Receive an iPad for the holidays? Not sure how to make the most out of it? Instructor Carleen Huxley walks students through the basics, including downloading apps, taking photographs, creating notes, using reminders, iBooks and cover the settings. Cost: $30. Register: 786-2233.
MONDAY, JAN. 28
n Online Entrepreneurial Training Course, runs until May 6. Sponsored by Small Business Development Center at JCC. A 14-week online training course with seven learning modules. Video presentations and information for entrepreneurs to develop sound business practices. Those who complete the SBDC’s entrepreneurial training course are eligible for microenterprise loans. Cost: $195. Register: 786-2438.
n “Workforce 2020,” 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Jefferson Community College. Sponsored by Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, Samaritan Medical Center and the Jefferson-Lewis Workforce Investment Board. Event focused on introducing careers in the north country to students in the area. Local students and businesses perform mock interviews. Those interested in participating are asked to email Michelle Farrell, director of events for the chamber, at events@watertownny.com.
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, JAN. 29 THROUGH MAY 7
THURSDAYS, JAN. 10 — FEB. 21
SATURDAY, FEB. 2
n Entrepreneurial Training Course, 6 to 9 p.m., Jefferson Community College, Coffeen Street. Sponsored by Small Business Development Center at JCC. Area business professionals offer instruction on business related topics that aid entrepreneurs in developing sound business practices. A seven week commitment. Cost: $195. Register: 786-2233.
JAN. 10
n United State Department of Agriculture Rural Development Informational Meeting, 6 to 8 p.m., Jefferson Community College Jules Center Amphitheater. Community facilities program informational session for municipalities, counties, nonprofits, project manager, engineers, architects and stakeholders in community projects. The Community Facilities Program can make loans or grants to develop essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population, including but not limited to, municipal buildings, emergency service facility and equipment, libraries and food pantries. No registration required. Contact: Michael Mannigan, 782-7289 ext. 122 or michael. mannigan@ny.usda.gov.
n Legal Issues for Small Business, 3:30 to 4:50 p.m., Jefferson Community College. Sponsored by Small Business Development Center at JCC. Learn about choosing a business organization, zoning approval, licensing and permits, tax implications, small business contracts, small business buyouts and the legal requirements of small claims court action. Participants may attend as few as four sessions. Cost: $220. Register: 786-2233. n 14th Annual North Country Chili CookOff, 11 a.m, awards, 3 p.m., Dulles State Office Building, Washington Street. Sponsored by the Jefferson County American Legion Family and benefiting the Volunteer Transportation Center. Chefs and chef sponsors needed. Entry applications: volctr@ westelcom.com or www.volunteertransportation.org. Cost: $50 per booth.
THURSDAY, FEB. 7
n 61st Annual Israel A. Shapiro Award, cocktails, 6 p.m., dinner, 7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1290 Arsenal St. Sponsored by Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, WWTI-ABC50, North Country CW and Slack Chemical Co. Honoring Bernard H. “Bernie” Brown, CEO of Bernier, Carr & Associates, Watertown. RSVP by Jan. 30. Cost: $45 per person; corporate tables of 10, $500. Reservations: www.watertownny.com or 788-4400. GOT A BUSINESS EVENT or calendar item? Email nnybusiness@wdt.net. Deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/NNYBusiness or www.nnybizmag.com for events calendar updates.
COMMUNITY / BUSINESS EVENTS CALENDAR
CLAYTON
January 2013 | NNY Business
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BUSINESS SCENE 18th Annual Children’s Christmas Gift & Fund Drive
From left, Renee Carpenter, Indian River Middle School, JoAnne Kirkby, North Elementary School, and Candace Carpenter, attorney.
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS
From left, Rick W. Tague, president, Bernier, Carr & Associates, Pamela S. Beyor, board chairwoman, Bernier, Carr & Associates, Paul G. Carr, the Paul G. and Kathleen A. Carr Foundation, and Bernard H. Brown, CEO, Bernier, Carr & Associates. Sponsored by Bernier, Carr & Associates and the Paul G. and Kathleen E. Carr Foundation, the 18th Annual Children’s Gift & Fund Drive raised an estimated $28,325 in toys and cash contributions on Dec. 6 at the Black River Valley Club.
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NNY Business | January 2013
From left, Roxanne Burns, Watertown City Council, Garrett McCarthy, Henderson, and Anna Black, Watertown.
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS
From left, Gregory Couch, The Couch Group at Morgan Stanley, Watertown, Kate Couch, Exit-More Real Estate, Watertown, Jeffry J. Weldon, Strategies for Wealth, Watertown, and Laurel Pike, Watertown.
BUSINESS SCENE NNY Business 20 Under 40 Luncheon at Hilton Garden Inn
From left, Julie Darling and Kelly Sheheen, both of the Alzheimer’s Association.
From left, Corinne Mockler, Thousand Islands Land Trust education and outreach coordinator, Susie Smith, TILT trustee, and Susie Wood, TILT membership coordinator.
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS
From left, Courtney Coullier and Brandi Browning, independent stylist, Stella & Dot. On Dec. 13, NNY Business magazine held its second annual 20 Under 40 awards luncheon at Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown, to recognize 20 emerging leaders in Northern New York under the age of 40. Watertown Savings Bank, the Northern New York Community Foundation, the Greater Watertown Jaycees, Timeless Frames, Décor and Expressions and the Watertown Daily Times sponsored the event.
From left, April Fallon, coordinator of partnerships, Northern New York Community Foundation, and Leslie Sherlock, business analyst, Timeless Frames, Décor and Expressions.
Accidents Happen! n LIKE NNY BUSINESS ON FACEBOOK at www.facebook.com/nny business or scan this QR Code with your smartphone for links to exclusive content, daily updates and sneak peeks of coming issues.
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BUSINESS SCENE Lewis County Chamber Business After Hours at the Lowville Journal and Republican
From left, Nancy Benoit, Property Management Company, and Roger Abbey, owner/broker, Good Morning Real Estate, Lowville.
From left, Jane O’Connor and husband, Timothy, Lewis County General Hospital Foundation.
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS
From left, Blaine Campany, Lewis County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and Croghan Meat Market, and Justin Seelman, owner and artist, Adirondack Woods.On Dec. 13, the Lowville Journal and Republican hosted the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at its State Street office.
From left, Rebecca Stone, assistant vice president, Farm Credit East, Robert J. Hostetter, appraiser, Farm Credit East, and Charity A. Moser, mortgage specialist, Farm Credit East.
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NNY Business | January 2013
LEED Compliant/ Environmentally Friendly Services Janitorial Service Carpet Cleaning Hard Floor Care Construction Clean-Ups Window Washing Pressure Washing Mat Cleaning
BUSINESS SCENE GWNC Chamber Business After Hours at the Paddock Club and Paddock Arcade
From left, Barb Ashe, Samaritan Medical Center, Mary Fraser, Sundance Leisure, and Sherri Kehoe, Affordable McLaughlin Kehoe Insurance Agency, Watertown.
From left, Melissa Townsend and Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division commander.
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS
From left, Mildred Bendickson, Pinnacle Moving & Storage, Watertown, and Emmalee Jantzi, LegalShield, Watertown. On Dec. 19, the Paddock Club hosted the Greater Waterown-North Country Chamber of Commerce December Business After Hours in the historic Paddock Arcade.
KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS
From left, John Morgia, director of marketing, Watertown Savings Bank, and Michael Capone, Jefferson Rehabilitation Center.
January 2013 | NNY Business
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DINING GUIDE Cam’s Pizzeria 25 Public Square, Watertown (315) 779-8900
G&F Italian Pizza and Restaurant 2972 E. Main St., Parish (315) 625-7177
Korean Grill 525 W. Main St., Watertown (315) 681-4226
Cavallario’s Cucina 133 N. Massey St., Watertown (315) 788-9744
Gold Star Deli 343 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 782-6155
La Bella Fonte 10700 U.S. Route 11, Adams (315) 232-4842
Channelside 506 Riverside Drive, Clayton (315) 686-2940
Goodfellos 202 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315) 646-3463
Lake Ontario Playhouse 103 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315) 646-2305
Cherry Tree Inn 8541 State Route 3, Henderson (315) 938-7281
Gram’s Diner 13 Main St., Adams (315) 232-4881
Manor Country Diner Route 11, Pierrepont Manor (315) 465-4400
China City 1125 Arsenal St. Suite 2, Watertown (315) 788-8289
Great American Grill 1290 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 788-1234
Limerick Hotel 16331 State Route 12E, Limerick (315) 639-6804
Church Street Diner 107 Church St., Carthage (315) 493-0997
Great Wall Chinese 300 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 788-7668
Lloyd’s of Lowville 7405 S. State St., Lowville (315) 376-7037
Coleman’s Corner 849 Lawrence St., Watertown (315) 782-6888
Harby’s Hots Outer Washington Street, Watertown (315) 788-2250
Lucia’s Italian Restaurant 11613 U.S. Route 11, Adams (315) 232-2223
Crossroads Diner 22474 U.S. Route 11, Watertown (315) 782-9591
Herrings Inn 35802 State Route 3, Carthage (315) 493-9829
Maggie’s on the River 500 Newell St., Watertown (315) 405-4239
Crystal Restaurant 87 Public Square, Watertown (315) 782-9938
Highland Meadows Country Club 24201 State Route 342, Watertown (315) 785-0108
Mariano’s Pizza 981 Waterman Drive, Watertown (315) 788-8088
Daily Buffet (Chinese) 1283 Arsenal St. Stop 8, Watertown (315) 786-8598
Hops Spot 214.5 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315) 646-BEER (2337)
Midway Ice Cream 891 Coffeen St., Watertown (315) 405-4996
Dano’s Pizzeria and Restaurant 24411 State Route 971V, Felts Mills (315) 773-3266
Home Deli Pizza & Subs 305 W. Main St., Watertown (315) 782-6340
Mo’s Place 345 Factory St., Watertown (315) 782-5503
Erin’s Isle Restaurant 928 State Route 11C, Brasher Falls (315) 389-4100
Hot Diggity Dogs Salmon Run Mall, Watertown (315) 788-4844
Morgia’s Pasta 22560 Fisher Road, Watertown (315) 788-3509
Fairground Inn 852 Coffeen St., Watertown (315) 782-7335
Ives Hill Restaurant 435 Flower Ave. W., Watertown (315) 775-4837
Mr. Sub Sandwich Shop Public Square & Mill St., Watertown (315) 782-1760
Five Guys 1290 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 221-4258
Jean’s Beans 259 Eastern Blvd., Watertown (315) 788-7460
Nu Pier 13212 State Route 3, Sackets Harbor (315) 646-3312
Foxy’s Restaurant 18187 Reed Point Road, Fishers Landing (315) 686-9781
Johnny D’s 1 Public Square, Watertown (315) 782-6108
Original Italian Pizza 222 N. Massey St., Watertown (315) 786-0000
Brownville Diner 114 W. Main St., Brownville (315) 786-8554
Fung Hing Chinese 225 State St., Watertown (315) 785-9689
Karen & Jasper’s Bar & Bistro 1322 Washington St. Plaza, Watertown (315) 788-4110
Papa Tino’s Pizzeria 716 Mill St., Watertown (315) 782-7272
Café Mira 14 Main St., Adams (315) 232-4470
Gary’s Restaurant 5424 Shady Ave., Lowville (315) 376-6612
King Star Food Oriental 22265 U.S. Route 11, Watertown (315) 786-0246
Pete’s Trattoria 111 Breen Ave., Watertown (315) 782-6640
n A directory of independent coffee houses, bars and restaurants.
Full-service restaurants 1025 Ruyi Japanese Steak House 1025 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 405-4501 1844 House “An American Bistro” 6885 U.S. Route 11, Potsdam (315) 268-1844 2000 Chinese Restaurant 22070 U.S. Route 11, Watertown (315) 788-2000 A & J’s Diner 455 Court St., Watertown (315) 777-4811 Andy’s Caribbean Cuisine 302 Court St., Watertown (315) 777-8658 Apollo Restaurant 1283 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 788-3569 Art’s Jug 820 Huntington St., Watertown (315) 782-9764 Bella’s Bistro 602 Riverside Drive, Clayton (315) 686-2341 Bernardo’s Pizzeria 702 Coffeen St., Watertown (315) 782-9500 Black River Valley Club 131 Washington St., Watertown (315) 788-2300 Blue Heron 12050 Route 12E, Chaumont (315) 649-2240 Boathouse 214 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315) 646-2092 Brookside Diner 1873 State St., Watertown (315) 782-9824
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NNY Business | January 2013
DINING GUIDE Pickle Barrel Cafe 32523 Route 12, Depauville (315) 686-3640
Read the reviews
Pizza Shack 12699 State Route 3, Sackets Harbor (315) 646-2267
Log on to www.watertowndaily times.com to read restaurant reviews by Watertown Daily Times restaurant critic Walter Siebel.
Rainbow Shores Restaurant 186 Rainbow Shores Road, Pulaski (315) 298-5110
Get on the list
Ramada Inn 21000 State Route 3, Watertown (315) 788-0700 Resturante de Ricardo 1196 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 788-6800 Rhonda’s Place Family Diner 566 State St., Watertown (315) 221-9263 Riccardo’s Market & Deli 710 Holcomb St., Watertown (315) 782-7810 Riverhouse 4818 Salina St., Pulaski (315)509-4281 Roma Restaurant 19 Bridge St., Carthage (315) 493-0616 Romalato’s Gourmet Deli 450 Gaffney Drive, Watertown (315) 681-6653 Ryan’s Lookout 9290 State Route 3, Henderson (315) 938-5151
Call NNY Business associate editor Kyle Hayes at (315) 661-2381 or email khayes@wdt.net to have your restaurant or bar listed in our monthly dining guide today. Soluri’s Pizza 526 Factory St., Watertown (315) 782-2888 Stonefence Resort 7191 State Route 37, Ogdensburg (315) 393-1545 Stone Jug Pizzeria 104 Bartlett Road, Sackets Harbor (315) 646-1008 Suk Hui Hi’s Korean 1301 State St., Watertown (315) 785-9740 Super Wok Chinese Restaurant 20991 State Route 3, Watertown (315) 788-5389 Thailand Thai Restaurant 1857 State St., Watertown (315) 788-6688 The Place 1612 Ford St., Ogdensburg 315-393-3080
Violi’s Restaurant 209 Center St., Massena (315) 764-0329
Fat Boys 743 Huntington St., Watertown (315) 779-0087
Vito’s Gourmet 3 Public Square, Watertown (315) 779-VITO (8486)
First Crush Bistro & Wine Bar 32 Market St., Potsdam (315) 265-9463
VV’s Mexican Kitchen Noble Street, Evans Mills (315) 629-4652
First Round Bar & Lounge 498 Factory St., Watertown (315) 405-4504
Walsh’s Pub & Grill 101 E. Main St., Brownville (315) 782-6065
Fort Pearl Inc. 557 Pearl St., Watertown (315) 786-3333
Willowbrook Golf Club 25075 State Route 37, Watertown (315) 782-8192 Wing Wagon 71 Public Square, Watertown (315) 782-1225
Coffee Houses Brew Ha Ha 468 Coffeen St., Watertown (315) 788-1175 Chrissy Beanz Bakery 105 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315) 646-2330 Coffee Shop Carbone Plaza, Watertown (315) 782-0450 Danny’s Coffee 21181 Salmon Run Mall, Watertown (315) 782-7057
Hitchin’ Post Tavern 404 Court St., Watertown (315) 782-9656 Hometown Pizzeria 4 W. Church St., Adams (315) 232-3000 Joe’s Tavern 548 Coffeen St., Watertown (315) 782-9709 Mick’s Place 204 Factory St., Watertown (315) 786-1992 Paddock Club 5 Paddock Arcade, Watertown (315) 786-6633 Pappy’s Bowlmor Lanes 227 E. Orvis St., Massena (315) 769-9877
Bars / Nightlife
Pewter Mug 1120 Gill St., Watertown (315) 782-0200
Thousand Island Club 21952 Club Road, Alexandria Bay (315) 482-9999
Artie’s Tavern 329 High St., Watertown (315) 782-9616
Poor Richard’s 1309 State St., Watertown (315) 788-6942
Tico’s Mex Mex Grill 65 Public Square, Watertown (315) 836-4778
Clueless 545 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 782-9006
Sboro’s Restaurant 836 Coffeen St., Watertown (315) 788-1728
Tilted Kilt 1050 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 782-5458
Crazy Legs Saloon 536 Arsenal St., Watertown (315) 777-8333
Shorty’s Place 1280 Coffeen St., Watertown (315) 782-7878
Tin Pan Galley 110 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315) 646-3812
Dragon Lord Pub 13288 U.S. Route 11, Adams Center (315) 583-5550
Shuler’s Steak & Seafood 802 Mill St., Watertown (315) 782-1429
United China Restaurant 144 Eastern Blvd., Watertown (315) 782-4432
Edge of the River Pub 519 W. Main St., Watertown (315) 788-0695
Sackets Harbor Brew Pub 212 W. Main St., Sackets Harbor (315) 646-2739 Sandy’s Luncheonette 5 Public Square, Watertown (315) 782-2935 Savory Downtown 300 Washington St., Watertown (315) 788-0272
Seth’s Pub 558 State St., Watertown (315) 681-6645 Shootie’s Bar 504 Pearl St., Watertown (315) 782-9724 Time Warp Tavern 302 State St., Watertown (315) 782-9784 Nautical Turtle Tavern 107 Public Square, Watertown
January 2013 | NNY Business
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BUSINESS HISTORY
Betting on butter
n 1850s railroad connected Ogdensburg and Boston
L
NNY Business
ong before there was air mail and the Model T, railroads were the champion of travel and commerce in the mid- and late-1800s. Connecting major metropolitan markets to tiny towns in St. Lawrence County, such as Winthrop and Stockholm, railroads were the method of choice for moving commodities, people and products. The Rutland Railroad, formerly called the Northern, then called the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain, was St. Lawrence County’s link to the outside world in the mid-1800s. Hazel Chapman, historian for the town of Stockholm, wrote an article for the Quarterly, the official publication of the St. Lawrence County Historical Society, in 1965, which read: “It is hard to find a railroad to compare scenically and historically with the Rutland Railroad. With the Yankee persistence, its trains struggled through the snows of Vermont and Northern New York for more than 100 years. It was the workhorse for our town. We had the mail train, the milk train, with a passenger coach, regular freight trains and for many years two passenger trains each day. How people enjoyed traveling! They drove by horse and buggy to Winthrop, put the horse in the livery barn and boarded the
WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES ARCHIVES
A clipping from a 1974 story in the Ogdensburg Journal that highlighted the eight-ton shipment of butter from Ogdensburg to Boston in the 1850s. At the time, shipping butter long distances and managing to keep it cold was nearly impossible.
train for Malone or Potsdam. They went on the early train and came back on the evening train.” The connection to the Rutland Rail-
road made Ogdensburg famous for a rail car excursion that changed the way the Northeastern United States thought about butter. Yes, butter. On Oct. 4, 1974, the Ogdensburg Journal’s “How’s Your Agriculture?” column read: “Without much fanfare or newspaper comment, Ogdensburg made history in 1851 when a refrigerator car containing eight tons of butter left for Boston. The first refrigerator car in history was filled with bins containing blocks of ice in sawdust (to slow the melting process) completely surrounding eight tons of local butter. Dairy produce daily whizzed over the tracks from Ogdensburg to New England and the Boston market. Much controversy was aroused over building of a bridge across Lake Champlain for quicker transit. Ice was purchased from warehouses in the city, stocked from the river the winter before, and packed into the first car that left Ogdensburg in the heat of July 1, 1851. This had a great effect on the price of butter during the summer months. Formerly it had to be kept stored locally until cooler weather.” Noted in Ms. Chapman’s piece for the St. Lawrence County Historical Society: “These were the first refrigerator cars in history and they were made in the Ogdensburg car shop. The train carried
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NNY Business | January 2013
eight tons of butter to Boston and after paying the freight charges the farmers had $800 more than if the butter had been sold locally. The butter cars were an immediate success.” But not only did it help local farmers, it changed industry in Boston as well. Ms. Chapman continued, “Results were far reaching. The railroad prospered; Boston got fresh butter. This led to a falling off of the city’s East Indian spice trade. Spices had previously been used to make rancid butter palpable. By the summer of 1853 the farms along the northern border had doubled in value.” The Rutland Railroad changed the way the north country did business. As early as 1830, a group of men from Vermont and men from Northern New York who traveled three days by stage coach to reach Montpelier met on a February night to discuss building a rail system that would go from the Great Lakes to Boston, according to Ms. Chapman’s piece. Nearly 20 years passed before it became a reality. Then $3,000,000 in shares of 50 each were sold to begin building the line. After the line was complete, Ogdensburg had a big celebration, according to Ms. Chapman’s story. “All morning long people poured into the town and by train time thousands jammed into the erstwhile pasture that was the railroad terminal. Those who came to view this first train were nearly paralyzed with fear and their fright was dispelled only after the huge affair moved on. When the train arrived in Ogdensburg in the faint distance a smoke was seen, followed by a long whistle blast. A cannon boom as Train No. 1 rolled into town and the crowd let out a whoop that lasted into the early house, long after the speeches had been made. The first excursion along the railroad may have been local butter from Northern New York, but in years following goods from across the region and Canada were moved along the line. The river and lake communities had waterways to move goods, inland, they bet on rail. n BUSINESS HISTORY IS A monthly feature from the archives of the Watertown Daily Times. Visit www.watertowndailytimes.com to access digital archives since 1988, or stop by the Times, 260 Washington St., Watertown to research materials in our library that date back to the 1800s. Two works were used in this piece: “Ogdensburg Home of Rail Refrigeration” published in the Oct. 4, 1974, Ogdensburg Journal and “Rutland Railroad Has Exciting History” published Aug. 10, 1965 in the Massena Observer.
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January 2013 | NNY Business
| 45
W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G H E R E ? FRAZER COMPUTING EXPANSION LOCATION: 6196 Route 11, Canton
SIZE: 4,800 square feet on a seven-acre site
COST: $450,000 ARCHITECT/DESIGNER:
Rebecca N. Weld, Renew Architecture and Design, Potsdam ESTIMATED COMPLETION:
Spring 2013
LOCAL JOBS: About a dozen construction jobs. Frazer Computing Owner Michael J. Frazer said the expansion will help to accommodate the company’s growth and expectation to hire between five and 10 new employees in 2013. “We’re growing like crazy,” Mr. Frazer said. “Our existing building will be overflowing with employees before we can get this addition built.” — Compiled by Kyle R. Hayes.
JASON HUNTER | NNY BUSINESS
Above, Kenneth V. Carlin, Edwards, uses a nail gun while working on an addition to Frazer Computing, 6196 U.S. Route 11, Canton. The $450,000 project will add 4,800 square feet to the company’s headquarters. Inset, a company sign is hoisted into place in 2010 after the software firm relocated to the 7-acre site from the Canton Masonic Temple.
NEXT MONTH
I
n our February issue, we examine the north country’s jobs scene. As the region works to attract new firms and diversify its employment base, we look at what’s hot and what’s not in Northern New York. Also coming next month:
n NETWORKING 101: From business after hours to speed networking and more formal business banquets, we talk with some local experts about how to maximize your return on the time you spend schmoozing. n THE BUSINESS OF YOU: A tight jobs market demands creativity, poise and polish to gain a leg up on the competition. We ask the experts for some advice on marketing your personal brand from LinkedIn to Facebook to just how many pages you should stick to for your resume. n PLUS: Small Business Startup, 20 Questions, NNY Snapshot, Economically Speaking, Commerce Corner, Nonprofits Today, Business Tech Bytes, Small Business Success, Real Estate, Agri-Business, Business History, Business Scene. n VISIT US ONLINE at www.nnybizmag.com. Follow us on Twitter for daily updates at @NNYBusinessMag, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nnybusiness, and view eEditions at www.issuu.com/NNYBusiness.
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January 2013 | NNY Business
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