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GBJ P.O. Box 766 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
VOL. 32 NO. 09
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NOVEMBER 2020
Donohue & Higgins Candy & Tobacco Co. West Mountain Prepares To Open Dec. 12 Will Move Into Former JUST Water Building With Health And Safety Guidelines In Place BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH For the past 43 years, the Glens Falls company Donohue & Higgins Candy & Tobacco Co. has been a supplier of all things candy, operating at Maple Street since 1985. But the company has purchased the former JUST Water facility at 31 Broad St. in Glens Falls, a space that gives them an additional 4,500 square feet. JUST Water has moved into a new facility at 276 Dix Ave. in Queensbury. April Higgins, Donohue & Higgins vice president, said the building does not need any major renovations or reconstruction. Currently the company is operating out of two smaller warehouse spaces. “We are consolidating two separate warehouse spaces into one space. We will not be doing any major renovations,” said Higgins. “In the warehouse we just need to set up racks for our product.” The company started looking for a new location in the spring. It leases the space at 178-180 and at 182 Maple Street. The former was sold to a developer in early spring, prompting the decision to explore a new location. Higgins said her father bought the business in 1975 and since then it has grown to include tobacco, grocery and concession items, in addition to candy. She said through the years they have built a reputation as leaders in distribution and sales, having customers not only locally but nationwide
Donohue & Higgins is moving into this building formerly used by JUST Water. through its growing online business. She said the online business consists solely of candy, however they are local wholesalers of candy, tobacco, snack, grocery and sundry items. “In 2010, when I joined, I started an online candy business www.thewholesalecandyshop. com. The internet has launched us into nationwide sales which has been a big positive for us. We hope to continue to grow the online business as well as continue to serve our local community,” she said. More information is available at www. thewholecandyshop.com.
Lake George Convention And Visitors Bureau Markets ‘Meet Safely Now And Save’ Program As the nation and the meetings industry continue to grapple with the effects of COVID-19, the Lake George Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau (LGRCVB) has pivoted its marketing efforts to develop an incentive program called Meet Safely Now and Save. Officials said the goal of the program is to help generate bookings for new traditional and hybrid meeting business as well as benefit the meetings and local hotel industries. “With so many meetings getting cancelled or re-booked, and budgets getting slashed, we wanted to provide an opportunity that was beneficial to both the meeting planner and the hotel properties by offsetting some of the audio visual costs that might be incurred when trying to create hybrid meetings,” said Kristen Hanifin, CSEE, Lake George Regional CVB special event and convention sales director, who devised the program. The program will be promoted to planners through social media, email marketing, and meetings and event-focused media platforms. The promotion is for new business only and past events are not eligible. It is valid through Dec. 31. “Meetings mean business, and great things happen when people come together. Face-toface meetings build personal connections, positive business outcomes, and strong communities. It’s important we find ways to maintain connection safely,” said Gina Mintzer, CMP, MHA, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce. Marketing efforts are targeting planners within a 3-to-5 hour drive market that might be interested in offering hybrid meetings with in-person and virtual options. “With all the restrictions on group sizes
The West Mountain winter season is set to begin Saturday, Dec. 12, weather permitting, with rules in place to adhere to CDC and state guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Winter activities include day and night skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and lessons. While ski area opening day is Dec. 12, the tubing park opens Saturday, Dec. 19. During non-holiday periods, West Mountain will be open Monday, 3-9 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The tubing park will be open Friday’s 4-9 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During holiday periods, Dec. 19 to Jan. 3, Jan. 16-18, and Feb. 13-21, West Mountain will be open for skiing and snowboarding MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The tubing park will be open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The West Mountain operations team will open the mountain and all of the terrain at both base areas much earlier this year in an effort to spread out guests, officials said. The facility will also offer breakfast and lunch specials again this season during non-holiday periods. Visit westmountain.com for more information. Face coverings will be required when getting on and off the chair and surface lifts, when indoors for any reason (except while seated and eating), and when social distancing cannot be maintained. Current New York state rules limit capacity in buildings and operation plans will follow the limits. Only guests and employees warming up and purchasing a quick bite to eat will be able to
Skiers enjoy nighttime skiing at West Mountain in Queensbury. sit indoors and inside the heated tents. Alcohol can only be purchased with food and consumed while seated. Masks must be worn indoors at all times, except when seated and eating. New this season, there will be a take-out window at the Main Lodge. There will be three large tents, with picnic tables inside, to accommodate people who cannot get into the lodge do to capacity restrictions. All ski equipment, bags etc. will need to be stored outdoors within the West Mountain mobile shelving units or kept inside guest vehicles. Additionally, gearing up, including putting ski boots on, will need to happen outdoors or inside guest vehicles. The West Mountain Bar & Eatery will be Continued On Page 2
Colorful Banners, Sidewalk Markers Appear As Arts District Of Glens Falls Takes Shape
LGRCVB has developed an incentive program called Meet Safely Now and Save. Courtesy LGRCVB
and limit of 50 people or less, we understand that it is still important for people to meet safely and stay connected. By booking a meeting at one of our many properties that have taken the Lake George Region/ Southern Adirondacks Health and Safety Pledge, you can rest assured that your meeting will be a safe and expertly-executed experience. We know nothing can take the place of a faceto-face meeting and in Lake George, we have been partnering with our local properties to ensure that all future meetings are safe and technologically possible,” Hanifin said. To take advantage of the offer, the LGRCVB must be furnished with a copy of the executed property contract for the room nights booked during this period in order for group planners to be eligible for the funding support. Contact LakeGeorgeCVB@gmail.com or call (518) 668-5755 for more details.
The Arts District of Glens Falls is beginning to roll out physical markers as well as colorful banners and numerous sidewalk markers featuring the Arts District logo. In addition, branded bicycle racks are also in production and will be installed at key arts institutions to facilitate bike traffic from the nearby Warren County and Feeder Canal trails, officials said. Arts District organizers said the markers are only the beginning of the overall plan for public art in Glens Falls. As part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, spearheaded by the late Ed Bartholomew of EDC Warren County, artwork ranging from painted electrical boxes to largescale murals and sculptures are slated to begin production this fall and into 2021. “This will create an Arts Trail within the Arts District accessible to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic highlighting downtown, Warren Street and neighborhood arts organizations,” the group said in a news release. The Arts District of Glens Falls is composed of representatives from 14 local nonprofit and forprofit arts organizations formed with a mission to brand and grow Glens Falls as an arts and entertainment destination through the Arts District. Its vision is to inspire the local community and visiting public to experience art through a clearly defined Arts Trail visible through public art and a cohesive digital marketing strategy for the arts organizations within the
The Arts District of Glens Falls is rolling out physical markers and colorful banners. Courtesy Arts District of Glens Falls
Arts District of Glens Falls. A state-of-the-art website artsdistrictofgf. com was launched earlier this year and provides an important resource for both visitors and locals alike. The websites of the 14 arts organizations in the Arts District of Glens Falls are linked to the website. Creation of and marketing for the Arts District of Glens Falls has been made possible through donations from community individuals, corporations, foundations, government grants as well as the members of the Arts District.
2 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020
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Personnel Briefs
Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. announced the promotion of Kristi Manning to branch manager/officer of its Northway Exit 18 branch in Stewart’s Plaza. The bank also announced the appointment of John VanNatten as regional market leader for the Adirondack Region. In her role as branch manager, Manning will oversee branch operations and develop banking relationships with business and personal customers. She started with the bank in June 2003 as a travelling teller, and was promoted in July 2019 to assistant branch manager of the Broad Street branch. Manning currently serves as treasurer for the South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co. and Auxiliary. Originally from the South Glens Falls area, she currently lives in Hudson Falls. VanNatten will oversee the Essex and Clinton county market areas for the bank. The position interacts with all lines of business in the region including retail branches and the business development teams.
West Mountain
Continued From Page 1 available for additional café food seating and will offer a full bar. Guests can purchase food in the café and carry it upstairs to the restaurant and order a beverage from the bar when seated during restaurant operational hours. Permitted guests will be New York state residents and individuals who meet the state COVID restrictions on cross-state travel. On
* * * The Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management announced that Ed Costello, CFP, has joined the team as a first vice president, financial advisor, portfolio management director. Costello brings 23 years of experience as a financial advisor to the team. He has been based out of the Glens Falls office and focuses on portfolio management where he constructs portfolios that are reflective of each clients’ state of life. His practice is focused on both educating and preparing investors for their retirement. Costello has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baruch College and a Master’s in Theology from St. Joseph’s Seminary. chairlifts, guests can choose to ride alone or with one or more members of their family or group. West Mountain will offer lessons, programs and rentals with safety measures in place and a 24-hour advance reservation period required. At West Mountain, all employees will continue to wear masks, monitor their health, and limit travel outside the area. If employees are not feeling well, they are required to stay home. The facility asks that guests follow this practice and stay home when experiencing symptoms or feeling unwell.
$7,360,000
$1,050,000
The Copperfield Inn Resort - North Creek, NY Sold December 2019
$3,670,000
$526,147
The Landmark Motor Inn - Glens Falls, NY Sold March, 2018
Black Mountain Lodge - North Creek NY Sold October 2019
$2,000,000
$3,200,000
Econolodge - Lake George, NY Sold January 2018
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VanNatten joined the bank in 2000 as a branch manager in Plattsburgh. He previously worked for many years at HSBC/Marine Midland in commercial and retail banking. He serves as chair of the North Country Workforce Development Board and North Country Workforce Partnership. He is past chair of the North Country Chamber of Commerce board of directors, past chair of Mountain Lake PBS. He is a member of the Clinton County Industrial Development Agency. VanNatten was recognized in 2019 with the Business Person of the Year Award by the North Country Chamber of Commerce.
WE SELL HOTELS
Wingate by Wyndham Lake George, NY Sold July 2018
Black Sheep Quilts Customized Designs Can Be Unique Gifts Of Art For Any Time, Season
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center Queensbury, NY - Sold September 2017
Contact Mitch Muroff for a complimentary valuation: 617-610-7774 or mmuroff@muroffdaigle.com
www.muroffdaigle.com
This quilt was made by Adam Hoffman of Black Sheep Quilts to memorialize former EDC Warren County CEO Ed Bartholomew. It was done at the family’s request, made of Bartholomew’s ties. BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL Black Sheep Quilts LLC founder Adam Hoffman, turned a passion for fabric art into the business of crafting custom quilts for gifts and occasions of all kinds. Hoffman grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch country, where one could be accustomed to seeing quilts hanging out on the line and where people go to purchase hand-made items, he said. His great grandmother was a quilter, but he didn’t put needle to cloth until 2020 making patchwork corduroys for himself. He enjoyed making baby quilts and bedding as gifts. But it was the popularity of his original t-shirt designs that people took interest in. He wore some of the designs while tending bar and people started to inquire about them. “My shirt was a conversation starter and that is good for a bartender,” he said. Hoffman began to make shirts with logos, faces of band members, and other custom designs for clients. Then New York nonessential businesses went on pause because of the pandemic and Hoffman’s career as a bartender came to an end. “I was a pre-school teacher for 17 years and a bartender for three,” he said. “Now I’m a quilter. I don’t call myself an artist, but what I am doing is art.” The art comes out of working with the client and asking questions to get a sense of why the quilt is being made. “Every quilt tells a story,” he said. “Why I am making the quilt is in the design every step of the way.”
Courtesy Black Sheep Quilts
The business is operated out of his home. “I don’t have to rent space or stock fabrics or dyes,” he said. “There is no overhead working out of the home with a family of four and a couple of cats. Quilts are all over the kitchen table and on the floor.” Social media is a key marketing aspect. “Social media is a challenge for me,” he said. “I had to be convinced to sell myself. But I’m always thinking about it.” Another challenge is convincing people why his quilts might be considered expensive. “Even a small quilt can take 20 to 30 hours to make, plus the cost of fabric and backing,” he said. Oftentimes fabric is provided by the client. One gave Hoffman her dog’s bandanas and he memorialized the pet by making a small quilt for her bed. One particularly large memorial quilt has captured the attention of the press. It is an oversized quilt made from the neckties of the late Ed Bartholomew, former president of EDC Warren County and mayor of Glens Falls. Bartholomew, a renowned and popular official for many years, died in July. “Ed’s widow, Maggie, had donated all of his clothes to charity, but she somehow had not parted with a big bag of his ties,” Hoffman said. “When we talked about what the end result should look like, Maggie said, I’ll leave that up to you.” Hoffman took apart every single necktie and separated the backing, the lining, labels and stay loops in the making of the quilt. For more information blacksheepquilts. com.
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020 • 3
Glens Street Associates Is Developing Two Woman Goes From Baking At Home To Apartment Buildings Located In Glens Falls Opening Abby’s Cookie Jar On Glen Street
Peter and Suzanne Hoffman of Glens Street Associates, stand outside 74 Warren St. in Glens Falls, the former American Red Cross building. BY LISA BALSCHUNAT “Glens Falls is a city on the rise,” said Peter Hoffman, developer and president of Glen Street Associates. “I have seen such positive growth in this community and am happy to be a part of it.” The developer recently acquired two buildings in Glens Falls—at 74 Warren St., formerly the American Red Cross, and 80 Warren St., formerly Mailings Made Easy. There are also 50 to 60 parking spaces between the two buildings. Hoffman is also preparing to develop another building in the city and recently sold one of his anchor properties, the historic 1786 Power’s Inn and Pub in Clifton Park, to longtime chef and manager Bryah Gifford. At 74 Warren St., the first floor of the 12,000-square-foot building will be home to the Dance Center of Queensbury. The second floor has been remodeled into a quaint two-bedroom apartment with an open floor plan. “The dance studio has been a phenomenal tenant,” Hoffman said. “They’ve been across the street at 79 Warren for 10 years. We are thrilled to be able to provide them with this new permanent space.” The dance center—with an entrance donning two granite globes on spiral columns, a tin roof overhang and period cornices—includes a reception area, changing room, a large room for group lessons with a slider barn door to divide the room into two for multiple classes, and additional dance room. The existing windows and new high block windows provide natural light and complement the dance mirrors and ballet barres. At 80 Warren St. an established restaurant from downstate will be occupying the building by the end of April. “I cannot yet share the name of the place, but I am sure people will be happy about it,” Hoffman said. The pair of Warren Street buildings is Glens Falls Associates’ 11th acquisition in Glens
Lisa Balschunat
Falls and 14th in the Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties. They include the former Glens Falls Post Office, Civic Center Plaza, 21 Bay Street, 86 Glen Street, 100 Glen Street, 136 Glen Street, 140 Glen Street, Smith Flats and Warren Street Square. Hoffman said he makes every effort to restore lighting, accoutrements and accents. If originals are not available, then his wife and business partner, Suzanne, goes to great lengths to secure period replicas to bring a building’s history to life. “When I look through the windows of a building at night, that’s when I see its character,” Hoffman said. “When the interior lights are on that’s when I see its real potential.” For decades, Hoffman was best known for his amusement park, Hoffman’s Playland in Latham. He sold the property in 2014 and began investing in Glens Falls the same year. He also has restored properties in Hudson Falls, including Park Place and Bank Commons. Glens Falls Associates is headquartered at 100 Glen St., just beyond Centennial Circle. The building has been fully leased with multiple tenants for six years. “Back then,” he said, “I’d look out the window at the circle and saw such potential. Then, people like Roy Atkins, Ed Bartholomew, Dan Burke and others in the Glens Falls IDA (Industrial Development Agency) and EDC (Warren County) were crafting a vision for Glens Falls.” Hoffman became a part of that group through his passion to restore architecture and provide the area with commercial and residential properties with architectural interest. “The people of the city accepted me and welcomed me into the community,” he said. “There was a great amount of inventory here 10 years ago, as far as buildings go … Not so much now. “It’s great to see young guys like Chris Patten investing on the corner of Glen and South streets, and Tim Moriarty on Maple Street.” Hoffman said. “Projects like these keep moving the city forward.”
Ashley Kopf, owner of Abby’s Cookie Jar at 128 Glen St. in Glens Falls, works on making a batch of cookies at the shop she opened in October. BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL A new cookie shop, Abby’s Cookie Jar, opened in October at 128 Glen St. in Glens Falls. Owner Ashley Kopf said during the first weekend “we had a hard time keeping up with inventory... Many were curious about the new store front.” When she was a little girl, Kopf watched her grandmother bake. Ultimately, she went into education, taught music for three years, then completed a master’s degree. Kopf was cooking out of her home kitchen when she decided to take specialty cookies to the next level. The space at 128 Glen St. fit their budget, she said. It had been a cell phone store previously and not equipped with anything for baking batches of cookies or pastries. Kopf said her husband is a handyman so he did much of the renovating by himself. “We did hire a local plumber to install a threeway sink to wash, rinse and sanitize,” she said. “Fortunately no walls needed to be moved and we worked together on the decorating.” The shop has different flavor offerings, but the signature cookie is a vanilla dough with the texture of shortbread and topped with vanilla-
lemon royal icing. “It’s not crumbly and it’s not crispy,” Kopf said. “It is a perfect, evenly baked cookie.” That type of baking is good for creating logos, custom designs and specialty orders Kopf said she enjoys working with clients to personalize their cookies. “The custom process is a ton of fun,“ she said. “My favorite is when the client isn’t sure about what they want.” Kopf faced some challenges starting a company in the time of COVID-19. “Deliveries were delayed and some items went out of stock, pushing back the opening,” she said. “I thought I could open Oct. 3, But I needed more time.” “A lot of people In the community were pulling for us,” she said. The closing of school for a time because of the coronavirus also helped. Abby’s Cookie Jar has a current maximum seating capacity of 19. “Once we have a steady stream of dough ready to roll, we would like to do custom cakes, too,” she said. The company can be found on Facebook.
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4 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020
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Co-Op Owned Malta Farm And Garden Store Sells Grain, Garden, Pet Supplies And More
Non-Profits Retirement Planning Holiday Gift Guide Publication Date: December 9, 2020
Health / Fitness Economic Trends Tax / Business Planning Publication Date: January 12, 2021 Call Today To Reserve Space
(518) 581-0600 Fax: (518) 430-3020
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL 2000 Business Of The Year
Adirondack Regional Chamber Of Commerce P.O. Box 766 • Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518) 581-0600 • Fax: (518) 430-3020 • www.glensfallsbusinessjournal.com
Editorial: RJDeLuke@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Advertising: HarryW@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen Associate Editor R.J. DeLuke Editor Emeritus Rod Bacon Sales and Customer Service Harry Weinhagen Production Manager Graphic Precision Contributing Writers Susan Campbell Jill Nagy Jennifer Farnsworth Christine Gaf Andrea Palmer Rachel Phillips Lisa Balschunat Glens Falls Business Journal is published monthly, the second week of each month, by Weinhagen Associates, LLC and mailed to business and professional people in Warren and Washington counties. Glens Falls Business Journal is independently owned and is a registered tradename of Weinhagen Associates, LLC, P.O. Box 766, Saratoga Springs, New York l2866 (518) 581-0600. Glens Falls Business Journal is a registered tradename in New York. Glens Falls Business Journal has been founded to promote business in Warren and Washington counties and to provide a forum that will increase the awareness of issues and activities that are of interest to the business community. Subscription price is $25.00 per year. Third class postage paid at Glens Falls, New York. Rights to editorial content and layouts of advertising placed with Glens Falls Business Journal which are the creative effort of its contractors, and printing materials supplied by Glens Falls Business Journal are the property of Glens Falls Business Journal and may not be reproduced by photographic or similar methods, or otherwise, without the specific authorization of Glens Falls Business Journal.
Malta Farm and Garden, at the intersection at Route 9 and East High Street, is a new construction of 20,000 square feet. It is the latest of five stores owned by the Millerton Co-op. BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL Malta Farm and Garden, at 2712 Route 9, is now open to shop for farm, garden and pet supplies. It is the latest of five stores owned by the Millerton Co-op, a group of farmers who have been supporting each other as an enterprise since the 1940s, according to the store’s general manager Paul O’Neil. The Malta store is the co-op’s northernmost location, O’Neil said. It opened in early October. “We were bringing four boxloads a week up from the Chatham store an hour away and getting many referrals,” he said. “So we wanted to plant our flag up here and build a retail store to better serve our customers.” There are five full-time staff working in the warehouse and showroom, plus four parttimers. O’Neil said Malta “is a great growing town with plenty of room” and the intersection at Route 9 and East High Street was just right for 20,000 square feet of new construction. O’Neil and his wife Patti live in Saratoga Springs and their son Christopher lives in Luther Forest. All three work at the Malta location, while Paul has oversight for all five stores. He has been in the animal feed and supply business since the 1980s. “I was working in the Agway store in Kinderhook part-time while in college and caught someone’s eye in management,” said O’Neil. “They liked the way I worked and offered me a position.” In 1984, the Agway Corporation went bankrupt and the farmers co-op that had been grinding, mixing and selling grain for 40 years separated from Agway. They set up their first store in Millerton, N.Y. O’Neil became general manager. By 1996, the Chatham store had been established. Over the decades the co-op evolved their farm supplies and feed store into a retailer of diverse lawn and garden
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supplies, pool chemicals, wild bird seed and pet food. Ownership does not include as many dairy farms as it once did, but members who participate join for free and receive an annual patronage refund, according to O’Neil. “A member needs to have either a horse farm or a dairy or cattle, not just six chickens in the back yard,” he said. “The co-op was designed for those making a living off their land or their livestock, and that includes horse rescues.” When the pandemic hit, he worked with a feed company to provide food for the standardbreds at Saratoga harness track. “They weren’t racing and there was no income coming in,” he said. “We fed more than 600 horses stabled at the track and three training facilities off-site for a week in midApril. We did it again in June working along with the Horseman’s Association.” At Malta Farm and Garden, visitors are viewed “not as customers but as partners” and O’Neil wants “all local businesses to do well,” he said. “The smaller family-owned stores are always in competition, but if we don’t carry an item we will always send a customer to a local shop before we send them to a big box store,” he said. “I believe we can all work together to compete with the big guys.” “If someone is looking for a specific item or brand, we won’t say nope, we don’t have it,” said O’Neil. “We’ll try to find or recommend an alternative, something comparable to resolve their issue.” Bishop Beaudry Construction LLC of Colonie was general contractor and Syversten Riguso Architects, PLLC out of Clifton Park was the design firm. Ballston Spa-based Bohler Engineering was responsible for land development and Sienna Fence Company of Clifton Park and AJ Sign Company of Burnt Hills were also sub-contracted Visit www.maltafarmandgarden.com for more information.
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020 • 5
Apartment Complex On Cooper Street For Homeless People To Open In The Spring •
This is part of the Cooper Street apartment complex being built in Glens Falls, at the former Mullen Iron Works site. Officials expect them to be ready in the spring. BY LISA BALSCHUNAT The Warren-Washington County Association for Mental Health (WWAHM) will open a 29unit apartment complex at 47-50 Cooper Street in Glens Falls in the spring. It will provide permanent supportive apartments to homeless people in the community. Mercer Construction Co. of Ballston Lake, is constructing the building on the former site of Mullen Iron Works, adjacent to a portion of the Warren County Bikeway. Despite some challenging road blocks over the past three years—including unexpected litigation expenses totaling $60,000 as a result of a lawsuit attempting to cease or delay construction of the apartment project—Chief Executive Officer Andrea Deepe said she anticipates opening in four months. “Thankfully, our project was deemed essential by New York state at the beginning of the pandemic, so our contractor and the subcontractors were able to continue building throughout these difficult times,” she said, “Our organization began the process three years ago to design a building that would offer not only apartments, but also common areas for socialization and education programs.” WWAMH follows the motto of helping someone secure housing, then helping with other aspects in life. “When someone has a place to call home, they can take that worry off their plate and begin concentrating on what’s next—getting treatment, going back to school, finding a job—whatever is next
Lisa Balschunat
on their path,” she said. The $9 million construction program was partially funded by a $6.2 million grant from the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP), and will be funded annually with $3.8 million grant from the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative to fund operations. “We had to scale back some programs due to the unexpected litigious costs, but we have not cut any services,” Deepe said. “We will continue to move forward and find other mechanisms to manage our financial challenges.” The first residents of the Cooper Street apartments should be moving in March and April 2021. The building will be fully occupied and there is already a two-year waiting list. WWAMH often picks up where county Social Services leaves off. “We strive to provide a continuum of mental health care and that has uniquely positioned us to address the affordable housing needs in our community,” she said. “We are very excited to open the Cooper Street Apartments.” WWAHM is a nonprofit organization formed in 1948. “We started as a grassroots movement to get psychiatrists and therapists to settle in this area. All of the mental health professionals at the time were located in Albany and New York City,” said Deepe. In Warren and Washington counties over 300 people are reported to be homeless, she said.
Business Briefs
The Park Theater will host its first in-person event since the coronavirus shutdown in March . Dinner & A Movie will include a screening of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys, on Wednesday, Nov. 18. There will be a special three-course prix fixe menu presented by executive chef Matthew J. Delos. Guests will be able to choose from a selection of entrées including the braised beef short rib, skillet-roasted chicken breast or butternut squash ravioli. All meals will be served with an autumn crunch salad and apple cider doughnut bread pudding. Upon the purchase of a ticket, guests will receive a follow-up email prompting them to select meal choices for their party. The doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner service will begin at 5:30 p.m. The film will begin at 6:30 p.m. There will be limited seating and tickets must be purchased in advance. Ticket are $60.00 per person, plus tax. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.parktheatergf.com or phone the theater box office at 518-792-1150. * * * Glens Falls Hospital has earned a Clean Facility Certificate from the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), the recognized authority in health care environmental services, and professional membership group of the American Hospital Association. AHE released the Pathways to Clean certificate program as a resource for members and the environmental services community at large in response to COVID-19. Glens Falls Hospital completed the Pathways to Clean certificate program which includes training and education content related
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to COVID-19, infection prevention strategies, cleaning, disinfection, sanitation, emerging pathogens, and preparedness for biological events. Glens Falls Hospital has affirmed their commitment to hospital grade clean, and assuring patients, staff, and guests that their facility is hygienically clean and safe. * * *
The Glens Falls Collaborative announced a Holiday House Contest for the month of December. There will be three categories: houses, apartments and business storefronts. The competition is limited to properties in Glens Falls and those in Queensbury that are in the Glens Falls City School District. The Collaborative asks that the displays be suitable for most audiences. Registration will be open from Nov. 20 through Dec. 1. Beginning Nov. 20, participants can register at glensfallscollaborative. com. Those entering must submit with the registration a JPEG photo of the decorated and lit up property. Yard signs will be available for pick up Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 from The Bell House Inn’s front porch, located at 153 Bay St. in Glens Falls. Voting will take place Dec. 5-30 and winners will be announced on Dec. 31 via the Downtown Glens Falls Facebook page. Any questions can be emailed to Nancy Turner at ourglensfalls@gmail.com. The prizes will be: 1st place all categories, $25 gift certificate to the Glens Falls Collaborative business of your choice.; 2nd place all categories, $15 gift certificate to the Glens Falls Collaborative business of your choice; 3rd place all categories, $10 gift certificate to the Glens Falls Collaborative business of your choice.
Teresa Hanley Marketing Director Aviation Mall Reads
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6 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020
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Health & Wellness
Plattsburgh Group Will Operate Behavioral Acupuncture Practitioners Say Treating For Health Unit Within Glens Falls Hospital Depression During Pandemic Is On The Rise Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN) has received endorsement from Glens Falls Hospital and the Warren/Washington Community Service Board to move forward with becoming the provider for outpatient substance abuse, mental health treatment and child and family services for the Glens Falls region. Based out of Plattsburgh, BHSN operates 23 programs ranging from behavioral health for adults and children, residential services, care management, and various social programs and is also a certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) designee through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). CCBHCs provide a comprehensive collection of services that create access, stabilize people in crisis, and provide the needed treatment and recovery support services for those with mental and substance use disorders. In harmony with the CCBHC model, BHSN’s care approach focuses on access, care coordination, quantified health outcomes, and treating the whole person, officials said. BHSN hopes to begin providing services in Warren and Washington County in early November. The Center for Recovery in Hudson Falls will remain in the existing location. The Center for Recovery currently located at 101 Ridge St., the Child and Family Clinic (1 Lawrence St.), and the Adult Outpatient Clinic (100 Park St.) are all moving from their existing locations to the new BHSN Center for Well-Being and Center for Recovery at 25 Willowbrook Road, at the Corner of Bay and Willowbrook Road. Due to the county’s expansive region, satellite clinic locations are currently being evaluated to ensure all residents have the resources they require, including the Cambridge satellite location, and partnerships with local school districts. “We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with Glens Falls Hospital and
Warren and Washington County CSB to bring the BHSN model for integrated care to the region,” said Mark Lukens, CEO, Behavioral Health Services North. “We believe our approach to care which is inclusive of care coordination, education and employment, social, housing, and physical health helps enrich the lives of our communities and those we serve. “All of this is coupled with an intense focus on creating exceptional customer and client experiences. Transforming care and enriching life is more than just a tagline. It is who we are” BHSN and Glens Falls Hospital have been collaborating closely to ensure services are seamlessly transitioned. All Glens Falls clinical staff have been offered employment with BHSN. “BHSN is excited to be starting with a great team of professionals who are invested and dedicated to continue to support the community, and we look forward to expanding access of care to the Glens Falls region,” said Liz Cole, vice president of operations at Behavioral Health Services North. According to Paul Scimeca, vice president and chief operating officer at Glens Falls Hospital, BHSN “shares our commitment to building a stronger community by providing local access to high-quality and compassionate care. We are confident in their ability to meet patients’ needs now and in the future. Glens Falls Hospital will continue to provide inpatient behavioral health care and crisis care in our Emergency Department. This is a win for everyone involved.” “We share a vision for expansion of mental health and addiction services within the community, so I look forward to working with them to increase the availability of these critical services for our residents,” said Robert York, director of community services for Warren and Washington counties.
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BY CHRISTINE GRAF After being deemed non-essential and forced to close at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, acupuncturists were permitted to reopen in June. During the closure, the Acupuncture Society of New York (ASNY) pushed for the governor to grant the profession essential status. “We were closed for two-and-a-half months, and then we were granted essential status,” said Katherine “Kat” MacKenzie, licensed acupuncturist and owner of Acupuncture Nirvana in Glens Falls. “We fought for it and got it. We have a very strong association (ASNY), and they went after it and they won.” MacKenzie is an incoming board member of ASNY, the Acupuncture Society of New York (ASNY). During the shutdown, she helped author a 22-page document that contained COVID-19 reopening guidelines and recommended best practices. It was distributed to all acupuncturists in the state. “We reopened in early June and saw one patient an hour,” she said. “We have all of these new cleaning procedures. We disinfect everything that can possibly be touched. We have to go a lot slower. I used to see 55 to 60 patients a week, and now I see 35.” None of MacKenzie’s patients have suffered from COVID, but she is seeing the impact the pandemic is having on mental health. Her patients are reporting high levels of anxiety. “We have mostly been treating pain and anxiety,” she said. “We’re seeing a ton of anxiety. Almost everyone is anxious. We treated anxiety before but it’s never been to this degree.” MacKenzie also treats other conditions including allergies, gynecological and fertility issues, migraines, and digestive issues. She incorporates Chinese medicine into her practice and is currently enrolled in a clinical herbalist program. She hopes to establish an in-house apothecary by the summer of next year. Licensed acupuncturist Bridgette Shea, owner of Ageless Acupuncture in Saratoga Springs, is treating several patients who recovered from COVID but have lingering and often debilitating symptoms. “I’m finding that the combination of acupuncture and herbs—Chinese medicine—is what works best,” said Shea. “I treat them with acupuncture because the body work really helps. Most of them have lung stuff going on still or
Katherine “Kat” MacKenzie is the owner of Acupuncture Nirvana in Glens Falls. Courtesy Acupuncture Nirvana
something chest related or upper back related that was related to when they had the actual acute infection. I’ll also do some cupping on their backs to draw out some of the leftover heat, inflammation, or dampness that may still be residing in the body.” According to Shea, acupuncture has proven to be beneficial for both the physical and mental well being of her post-COVID patients. Many report feeling depressed due to the lingering symptoms of the virus. “It’s depressing, and the feel like they will never get better. When they start coming in for the body work, it really helps to alleviate their symptoms but it also helps to get them into a better mental state,” she said. “Once they start feeling better physically, they start feeling better emotionally. By treating the body with acupuncture, we are also treating the mind.” Many of Shea’s patients are suffering from inflammatory disorders or other chronic conditions. When treating her patients, she incorporates a combination of acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine. “I enjoy working with people who have more Continued On Page 7
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020 • 7
Saratoga Hospital Offering Occupational COVID Exposure Notification Mobile App Medicine Services At Queensbury Location Launched By New York, New Jersey Officials
This is the lobby at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine in Queensbury, which now has medicine services to help area businesses maintain safe, healthy environments. Saratoga Hospital now offers comprehensive occupational medicine services in Queensbury to help area businesses maintain safe, healthy environments for employees and clients. Services are provided by Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine, 959 Route 9, Queensbury. Members of the practice are experts in preventing, diagnosing and treating workplace injuries, helping businesses comply with regulatory requirements and ensuring safe work environments. “Our team has extensive experience working with businesses on customized, comprehensive occupational medicine solutions,” said Taryn Woodard, associate director of occupational medicine services at Saratoga Hospital. “We look forward to partnering with companies and organizations in Warren County and north to help them provide workplace-related health and safety
Acupuncture
Continued From Page 6 chronic conditions like long COVID or Lyme Disease because I see how well the acupuncture, the lifestyle guidance, and the herbs all go together to help the body be a less hospitable environment for the pathogen,” she said. “It helps the body to balance the immune response as well.” Shea also leads seasonal cleanses that are intended to reduce inflammation and create balance in the microbiome of the gut. Her recently released book, Cultivating Your Microbiome, provides detailed guidance on managing gut health naturally. Licensed acupuncturist Danielle DeVivo, owner of Phoenix Rising Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic in Saratoga Springs, also works extensively with patients suffering from pain and inflammatory conditions including fibromyalgia and Lyme Disease. DeVivo specialized in fertility while in
Courtesy Saratoga Hospital
services that are good for employees and for business.” Examples include: • Physicals and industry-specific exams. •Injury prevention, care and management. • Drug and alcohol screening. • Comprehensive rehabilitation services. • Return-to-work evaluations. • Workforce safety consultations, including COVID-19-related assessments. • Ergonomic consultations. • On-site employee health services. • Travel medicine consultations. • Employee and management training. The Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine site is also home to Saratoga Hospital Urgent Care – Adirondack. To learn more, go to www.SaratogaHospital. org. For an appointment to discuss your company’s occupational medicine needs, contact Taryn Woodard at 518-886-5414 or twoodard@SaratogaHospital.org.
New York and New Jersey launched COVID-19 exposure notification mobile apps in their respective states that officials claim will serve as crucial tools to supplement the effort to trace and contact individuals subject to a COVID exposure. The apps, COVID Alert NY and COVID Alert NJ, notify users of potential COVID-19 exposure while maintaining user privacy and security. The states join Pennsylvania and Delaware in creating a regional COVID Alert app network that operates across state lines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Connecticut has also will launch the Exposure Notification System in the coming weeks. The free mobile apps-available to anyone 18 or older who lives, works, or attends college in New York or New Jersey-are available for download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. “We have a very exciting announcement that has taken a lot of work and it’s really creative and smart and I think it can make a big difference. This is a technology-based contact tracing app. Testing is only as good as your contact tracing,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “Testing is to identify a person, so you can isolate and quarantine that person and then find the connections from that person, and that’s contact tracing. We have about 15,000 people statewide who do contact tracing, they call them disease detectives. But we’ve been looking for a technology-based solution. And today, we are announcing an app that you can download for free from the app store called COVID Alert NY.” The apps use Exposure Notification System technology developed by Google and Apple to strengthen New York and New Jersey’s contact tracing programs statewide. The COVID Alert apps will notify users if they have been in close contact—within six feet for at least 10 minutes —with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Knowing about a potential exposure can help individuals quickly make a plan to stay safe, including contacting their physician or the state Health Department hotlines to get more information about quarantining and testing to prevent community spread, officials said. Officials said the apps are completely anonymous and do not track or collect any location
data or personal data from a phone. The COVID Alert apps do not use GPS location data. The Exposure Notification System uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to detect when another phone with the same app is within six feet. Proximity is measured, but not geographic location. COVID Alert app users must explicitly choose to turn on exposure notifications and can turn it off at any time. According to the state, as individuals go about their day, the app will use Bluetooth to sense any “close contact”with other app users who are within six feet for more than 10 minutes. When the app senses a close contact, your phone will exchange a secure random code with the close contact’s phone. If a person tests positive for COVID-19, a public health representative from the local health department will call as part of the states’ contact tracing programs and ask if you are willing to anonymously notify your “close contacts” by uploading your app’s anonymous close contact codes. Each day, the app will compare your list of close contact codes to the list of codes associated with positive COVID-19 app users. If there’s a match, you will get an exposure alert, along with appropriate next steps to stay safe and prevent community spread like self-quarantining and getting tested. The COVID Alert NY app will work in conjunction with similar apps in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. COVID Alert NY and COVID Alert NJ provide users with the latest information about COVID-19 in their states, including publicly reported testing data. In addition, the app features a Health Log where users can anonymously record daily symptoms. “The COVID Alert NY technology complements the work of our contact tracing teams and will speed up the process by which New Yorkers are notified of potential exposure and provided with helpful resources on testing and social services from the state Department of Health. We urge all New Yorkers to take the simple steps to download the app today,” said New York Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.
acupuncture school and was diagnosed with Lyme after graduating. “That sort of led me into my specialization of treating these types of diseases,” she said. National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat numerous pain and inflammatory conditions. “It is very effective. I would say that 85 percent of the time we get what I would specify as a good result—meaning it brings your pain down measurable,” said DeVivo. “And there are a lot of things we can cure. Things that are curable are things that don’t have underlying conditions. Things like tendonitis, tennis elbow, torn meniscus, sprained ankle. For things that aren’t necessarily fixable like arthritis, we can manage the pain.” DeVivo is not treating COVID patients, but the pandemic has had a devastating impact on her practice. Many of her chronically ill patients are too concerned to leave their homes.
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8 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020
Holiday Shopping
Aviation Mall Extends Deals Over Days To Gift Shops Report Holiday Business Is Steady Avoid Black Friday Crowds During Pandemic As They Adapt To Trends During Pandemic
Mall officials say the spreading out of sales and discounts throughout the entire holiday season should help minimize Black Friday lines and crowds during the pandemic.
James Joseph, owner of Sharp Presents in Queensbury, says candy, candles, small consumables and clever household items are selling well thus far for the holiday season.
Courtesy Aviation Mall
The 2020 holiday season is already a year like no other, which is why Aviation Mall is announcing new hours and initiatives to make the season safe and memorable for everyone, mall officials said. Earlier this year, retail marketing experts accurately predicted that retailers would encourage consumers to start holiday shopping earlier by extending exclusive deals throughout the season in lieu of the traditional high-trafficked Thanksgiving/ Black Friday kickoff. Aviation Mall’s Marketing Director Teresa Hanley said many of Aviation Mall’s tenants are following the trend. “We are seeing the early deals and shoppers and are encouraged by many of our tenants’ plans to break up the traditional, one-day-only, Black Friday rush,” said Hanley. “The spreading out of sales and deep discounts throughout the entire holiday season should help minimize lines and crowds. The deals to be had will be bigger than ever and available earlier than ever.” In addition, Hanley announced that Aviation Mall will join fellow industry leaders by closing on Thanksgiving Day. “If the challenges of the pandemic have
taught us anything, it is the value of time with family. It is our hope that our guests, tenants and on-site staff will be able to spend additional time with their loved ones and re-charge during the most active shopping season of the year,” she said. Aviation Mall has taken steps to ensure the safety of guests and employees by following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), New York state and Warren County. Masks and social distancing will continue to be required to enter the property and guests are encouraged to follow the center’s healthy shopper guidelines. Hanley said Santa is also coming to the mall this holiday season with a scheduled return to Aviation Mall in late November, along with new safety protocols. For more information on the upcoming holiday season or Aviation Mall’s comprehensive safety and sanitizing measures that have been implemented to help protect shoppers, tenants and employees visit www.shopaviationmall. com/safety. Guests are reminded to check the individual hours of tenants by visiting www.shopaviationmall.com.
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ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER The gift-giving season has arrived and area businesses are gearing up. James Joseph, owner of Sharp Presents in Queensbury, has seen an increased interest in shipped and hand-delivered gifts during the pandemic. “It can be as non-touch process as people want it to be. You don’t have to come into the shop to order something. I text my clients photos to validate, change or approve the design. I send email invoices. The product can be handdelivered or shipped. It’s always how I’ve done a lot of business, and it has certainly increased this year,” said Joseph. The company specializes in curated gift boxes and crates. Jeff Strief, owner of Rude Betty in Glens Falls and Happy Jack in Bolton Landing, said about product trends, “We’re seeing that candy, candles, small consumables and clever household items are doing well. Small gifts are continuing to do well. They’re a cheap and cheerful way to improve someone’s mood or disposition.” Rude Betty is a two room business, with the front room being new items and the back room being a dedicated to sale products. Angel Isaac, owner of Pretty Hot Mess in South Glens Falls, has seen a strong interest in the store’s proprietary organic CBD product line. “A lot of people buy CBD as a gift, because people love to use it,” said Isaac. “Popular gifts we sell are novelty items that are fun and snarky, like funny pictures and mugs—
unique gifts. Those are very popular right now. Also Warmies, which are little stuffed animals you can heat up in the microwave. They’re great for pain, very soothing for babies, kids and adults. Sometimes people will put one of my pain creams on, then put the Warmie on top of it ... Warmies are always a huge seller this time of year,” he said. “Honestly, we haven’t seen a dip in sales compared to our fourth quarter last year. “For corporate gifting, it almost always ends up being locally made items. I also have a nice selection of Harry & David premium food and gift items, and I just got a really nice collection of Stonewall Kitchen specialty foods, a gourmet line out of Maine,” said Joseph. Joseph opened the storefront several years ago. “This is a 2.0 version of a company I ran in Michigan for a number of years. When we moved here, I did gift baskets off and on for people when they asked.” In the summer of 2016, he contracted with the Gideon Putnam hotel in Saratoga Springs for VIP gifting for the summer racetrack season. At the end of that 2016 season, he made the move to open Sharp Presents LLC. “About a year later, I opened my stone-andmortar location. First it was part time, then full time, then retail space,” said Joseph. When he opened the retail space, sales increased. “I was able to change the concept of my business quite a bit,” he said. “When I was a studio company, people didn’t get to see my Continued On Page 10
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020 • 9
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
SPECIAL SECTION
Year End Tax & Financial Planing Financial Advisors Urge People Not To Panic End Of The Year Provides Opportunity To Amid The Uncertainty Caused By COVID-19 Review, Optimize Estate And Financial Plans BY JILL NAGY Get your life in order, think about possible tax changes and, above all, don’t panic. That is the advice of area financial advisors for surviving in the age of COVID-19. “It’s never been more important to attend to your estate plan,” said Jeff Vahanian of Vahanian & Associates in Saratoga Springs. “We are very aggressive about this. People have had to adjust their behavior in many ways. I hope they refocus on things that matter.” He urges his clients to have a health care proxy, naming someone to make medical decisions if they are unable to; a living will, to indicate their preferences in connection with medical care; and a power of attorney, appointing someone to make decisions in non-medical matters if they are unable to do so. “In times like these, they are very critical. Nobody should be without them,” he said. Vahanian said people with young children to should decide who they want to raise them if they are unable to do so. Dan Hazewski, Jr., of Legacy Planning Partners in Glens Falls, advised, “Don’t change anything. We are in a much better spot than last year.” Tim Pehl of Luther Forest Wealth Advisors in Malta said the COVID-19 situation should not have much effect on financial decisions. “It’s a blip on the screen as far as the economy is concerned.” He is, however, worried about taxes. He suggested “trying to push income into this current year,” contrary to conventional year-end tax advice. He includes capital gains in that advice because that tax rate is also likely to go up. “Talk to your tax professional or tax advisor,” he said. Dale Mullin of WDR Financial Services in Queensbury recommended making sure to have enough money set aside for financial emergencies such as furloughs from employment or failure of a business. Set aside cash for at least six months’ worth of expenses, he advises. Think also about putting more money into an IRA or Roth IRA account. Make longer term investments on a gradual basis so that market ups and downs can average out. Mullin is bullish on IRA and Roth IRA tax-deferred retirement accounts. Up to $20,000 invested in such accounts is excluded from New York state taxable income. The mandatory minimum distribution was waived for 2020 and, in future years, it will kick in at age 72, not 70 1/2. Another recent change
Dan Hazewski Jr. of Legacy Planning Partners in Glens Falls. Courtesy Legacy Planning Partners in Glens Fall
is that people who are still working can contribute to an IRA account, regardless of their age. Except for the waiver of the minimum distribution, these changes are permanent, he noted. “The rules are more complicated,” he said, “But they create more flexibility.” He said people should consider taking investment income, including capital gains, in 2020. Even if taxes are not increased next year, the tax reductions in the 2018 income tax bill expire in 2026 and rates return to pre-2018 levels. Pehl also advised investing in tax-deferred savings funds such as IRA, Roth IRA or 401K. Because of “these crazy market swings, I would probably wait until the last minute” to make investment decisions. He said the economy will recover from the damage of the COVID pandemic and resulting economic shutdown but it may take a year or more. Vahanian said life changes are more important than what happens in the world when making financial decisions. “Wait and see,” he advised, and warned that this is not a good time to take on additional overhead. “No one is un-impacted by what is happening in the country,” he said. “In times like these, some of the best returns are made. Maintain your poise.”
BY RAYMOND C. RADIGAN Year-end is always a special time. A time for resolutions and reflection—especially in a year as volatile and unprecedented as 2020. The end of the year also provides a final opportunity to review and potentially optimize your estate and financial plans to ensure you are in the best possible position going into 2021. With the uncertainty and potential changes in tax policy, it is even more important to speak with your estate planning and/or tax adviser to get a head start. Consider the following issues when contemplating year-end planning: Gifting Personal gifts. Annual exclusion gifts are a common theme this time of year. In 2020 and 2021, taxpayers can generally give up to $15,000 ($30,000 if a married couple elects to split gifts) without paying a federal gift tax. Such annual exclusion gifts are routinely made outright (e.g. holiday gifts to children or grandchildren) or to help fund education by making contributions to the recipient’s 529 plan. A common feature of an estate plan may also include a strategy to contribute annual exclusion gifts to an irrevocable trust for the benefit of family members. Charitable gifting. Gifts to charity are generally tax deductible. Charitable gifts can be strategically timed to maximize income tax deductions— while also providing estate and gift tax benefits. Contributing to a donor advised fund or purchasing a charitable gift annuity may permit you to receive
an immediate tax deduction but not actually distribute the funds to a charity until a later time. Certain trust structures—like charitable lead trusts (CLTs) or charitable remainder trusts (CRTs)—are great ways to benefit charities and family. Also, if you are 72 years or older with a funded retirement account, you may be able to withdraw up to $100,000 and make a direct contribution to charity without any tax consequences. Financial and estate plan review Use of federal estate and gift tax exemption. The amount you can protect from federal estate and gift taxes in 2020 is $11.58 million. Furthermore, married couples can shelter $23.16 million from gift and estate tax liability by using the concept known as portability. In 2021, the exemption will be subject to a scheduled inflation increase of $11.7 million and $23.4 million for married couples, respectively. Under current law, the exemption will basically be cut in half starting in 2026 but it could be reduced drastically before then depending on the presidential election results. Therefore, it is especially important for individuals with significant net worth over the exemption amount to consider a gifting strategy – whether outright or in trust—while the exemption is so high. Review planning documents. Although it is recommended to review your estate planning documents every two to five years, it may be a good idea to do so earlier in such a violative year as Continued On Page 10
10 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020
Holiday Gifts
Your Checklist
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merchandise. When I was a stone-and-mortar shop, I structured my business more as a gift shop so people could come in and browse.” “We do a lot of pre-made designs on our website, and that has picked up significantly as we head into the holidays. We’ve seen a tremendous jump in our website sales. We do made-to-order and specialty orders. We do imprinted ribbon concepts, which companies really like,” said Joseph. He said business was slow when COVID-19 struck, but recently business has been increasing. “My advice to everyone would be this: Due to issues with FedEx, UPS and the USPS, with increased shipping charges and slower delivery time, people should be considering ordering and purchasing sooner so there’s no pinch with shipping. The sooner the better this season. There are already shipping issues throughout the U.S.,”Joseph said. Sharp Presents is located at 1088 Route 9 in Queensbury, and is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We have a lot of cool sale stuff and gifts in our back room. We’ve brought everything down from Happy Jack [in Bolton Landing]. We expanded the sale room, with a lot of great deals on toys and gifts,” said Strief. “Our numbers are consistent with what they’ve been for the past two years. That’s a good sign. The fact that we have the same number of people coming in as usual, is a good thing,” he said. Rudy Betty is located at 18 Exchange St. in Glens Falls, directly across from its previous location of Rock Hill Bakehouse. Rude Betty is open Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Isaac at Pretty Hot Mess said stainless steel beverage holders for beer and wine are popular items and frequently sell out. “We have a ton of gift and holiday items that we put out just this week,” said Isaac. “I kind of sell everything.” The Pretty Hot Mess is located at 139 Saratoga Ave, in South Glens Falls.
2020. Confer with your financial advisor or estate planning attorney to ensure that your plan remains in line with your goals and the ever-changing landscape of estate and tax law. Take a look at investment portfolio. Review your portfolio holdings to determine unrealized capital gains and losses. Consider adjusting your portfolio in order to reduce or offset capital gains while pursuing your investment objectives and goals. Review your portfolio to understand how and when income is generated from your holdings. Incorporate your tax strategy into your investment portfolio and consider tax issues prior to making purchases or selling an asset. Maximize retirement account benefits Establish and/or contribute to a qualified retirement plan. Contributions to an employersponsored 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan are quite beneficial as such contributions are made with pre-tax dollars—meaning they are not taxed until distributed. Consider making the maximum contribution allowed in order to reduce taxable income and defer taxes until a future date when your tax rate may be lower. Required minimum distributions. Starting in 2020, an individual must take out a minimum amount from their qualified retirement plan (e.g. 401k) or traditional individual retirement account (IRA) at age 72 or be subject to significant penalties. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act), however, has suspended the requirement to take minimum distributions in 2020. Therefore, be advised that no withdrawals should be made from a retirement account if the funds are not needed for support. Instead, the funds should remain in the retirement account and continue to grow on a tax deferred basis. IRAs and HSAs. Funding IRAs and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be a great way to maximize tax benefits and save for the future. For instance, HSAs can be quite beneficial as distributions from HSAs are not taxable when used to pay qualified medical expenses, including dental and vision. Additionally, profits accumulate tax-deferred and are tax free if used to pay qualified medical expenses. Roth IRA conversion. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA can be advantageous but require analysis as each situation is unique. Untaxed amounts rolled over from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may be subject to income taxation. After conversion, Roth IRAs have the potential of tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Timing is important as the Roth IRA conversion deadline for 2020 is December 31st. Radigan is responsible for managing the trust activity across the TD Bank footprint from Maine to Florida.
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Focus On What You Can Control
BY MICKEY ORTA The top two questions that financial professionals have been hearing from customers are: “What’s going to happen to my investments and financial plans depending on the results of the presidential election?” and “When will things get back to normal postCOVID?” While these questions can’t be answered directly, that doesn’t mean we have to sit tight without taking any action. It’s probably safe to say that 2020 has not unfolded in a way that any of us could have predicted. The COVID-19 pandemic upended everyone’s plans—financially, and in general— starting in March. A busy and heavily contested election season added to the feeling of heading into the unknown. Whether you’re looking at financial planning for 2021 from the perspective of a business or as an individual, the pandemic isn’t going away and so uncertainty is likely to continue. To help reduce some stress, take a look at what is in your control and focus on those elements. Financial planning has many components that are squarely within your control. The end of the year is a good time to pull together documents and start preparing for the next year. It’s a good idea to have the tax side of your house in order by the end of the first quarter anyway, so get a head start by doing the following tasks now. • Retirement planning tune-up. Carve out some time to review your retirement planning. Despite a global pandemic, equity markets have done reasonably well this year. Take a look at asset allocation quarterly, to make sure that asset mix is in line with risk/return objectives. It’s also a good time to schedule year-end reviews with your financial professional to make sure that your plan remains on track. • Beneficiary review. While looking at 401(k) or IRA accounts, review the beneficiary information in place and make sure it’s upto-date and accurate. Take this step for any of your asset documents, including your will or any other estate planning documents. • Savings review. Most financial professionals suggest having six months’ salary saved for emergencies. If the pandemic has caused you to dip into those savings, see where you are and make a plan to replenish. Even if you haven’t needed to access savings, take a few minutes to review accounts, particularly if any expenses have changed dramatically, to make certain that savings are at a sufficient level. This is a busy time of year for financial professionals, so if you are planning on sitting down with yours, get that meeting scheduled as soon as possible. Business owners also have a number of year-
Mickey Orta, senior vice president for wealth management at NBT Bank. Courtesy NBT Bank
end financial steps to consider. • PPP loans. If you’re a business owner who participated in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), you probably already know that many of those loans are eligible to be forgiven. Make sure you know what the important dates and details are, especially the deadlines for applying, and when your lender will accept applications. If you do not yet have this information, reach out to your bank or visit SBA.gov for guidance. And take this opportunity to make sure you understand the other loan programs that were made available this year. • Cash on hand and in reserve. Just as individuals should have savings to cover up to six months of personal expenses, so should a business. Anything could disrupt the U.S. and global economies in the coming months, so it is important to anticipate and plan for potential impacts to your business. So ensure you have cash on hand or in reserve to help weather the storm. This includes working closely with a relationship banker to ensure you have established lines of credit in place if they are needed. • Revenue and expense planning. The disruption from this year may provide an opportunity to diversity your business offerings, or it might make more sense to simplify your business focus. Investing in additional employees or equipment could be critical to sustainability. Or, it may not be prudent at this point. It’s a great time to work with a business banker or financial professional to either create a new budget for 2021, or get your budget back on track. Reaching out to financial professionals now for help and advice is a wise use of your time, especially this year with all of the changes Continued On Page 11
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020 • 11
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ADKtechs Drives Economic Mobility Through Its Apprentice And Internship Programs BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER Adirondack Technical Solutions (ADKtechs) has partnered with SUNY Adirondack and BOCES to provide internship and apprentice opportunities to area students. The Argyle-based IT company is placing value on experiential education that leaves students with marketable job skills, as well as college credits. “As a kid, I was really interested in programing and gaming,” said Jared Humiston, ADKtechs president. “My mother paid $2,800 for one of the first Windows computers in 1992. It got shipped to the house and before she got home I had the whole thing torn apart to see how it worked. I was 12 years old.” Humiston started his company in 2005 and went full-time in 2010. “Before I knew it, I had 40 clients, all from referrals. I’d been working for a $100 million tech company in Albany, and finally I said, ‘I should just be doing this for myself,’”said Humiston. “As I got older, I lived here and worked in Albany for the opportunity to make money. I spent two hours of my life every day driving. Finally, I realized I could make the opportunity for myself.” He said it is difficult to operate a company in rural Argyle, “but that’s the joy of it. You can grow up here, and stay here. You just have to work your butt off and make it happen.” “That’s what drives our involvement with the internship and apprentice programs ... We do
What You Can Control Continued From Page 10
in the CARES act and additional aid from Congress. They will know and understand the details in these legislative packages, and how those changes might impact you and your situation. Presidential elections don’t typically have
a lot of internships with students from smaller towns, who previously had to drive down to Clifton Park to get exposure. We have a lot of Washington County kids. Some have gone on to work for the Department of Defense, the NSA, or gone on to colleges out of state. They continue to stay in touch with us and use us as a reference. Even if they don’t continue to work with us, which a lot of them do, we still help them excel at their goals,” said Humiston. He said internships vary between high school and college “ I say, ‘Listen, this is what the real world looks like’. I tell them what employers are looking for, what skills they need, how they need to show up,” he said. “We give them real life projects that help them better prepare for the real world.” “One of our biggest focus points right now is quality versus quantity. We have many clients, and we’re developing processes, procedures and protocols for doing an absolutely phenomenal job every step of the way. We aren’t just an IT expense—we’re a business partner,” said Humiston. “We’re the only company of our size, ever, in Washington County. We stick out in this farming community for what we do. It might seem like a weird fit, why we live here and keep jobs here. This is the community we live in. We can thrive here,” said Humiston. “It’s about doing what you say you’re going to do. Our clients trust us. We’re not always perfect, but we certainly try to be,” said Humiston.
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a substantial impact on financial markets. The White House and Congress each have a role to play in shaping economic policy, with the Judiciary settling disputes between the branches. Post-election trading volatility is normal immediately following an election. But it doesn’t last—equity markets return to looking at the fundamentals that really matter. So, focusing on what you can control is the best advice to navigate through uncertain times.
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12 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2020
Remediation Of Wetlands Completed On Work By Painter George Bellows Bequeathed Lake George Escape Campground Acreage To The Hyde By Former Museum Trustee
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on a footbridge over a portion of wetlands at Lake George Escape. The footbridge contains a culvert that allows trout access to spawning areas.
Hyde director of curatorial affairs Jonathan Canning sets a new acquisition in place. ‘Freeman Young’s Place, is a bequest of the late Evelyn G. Muller, a former museum trustee.
Courtesy Lake George Escape
Lake George Escape, a popular campground destination, is celebrating its completion of a $1 million wetland remediation project, restoring and enhancing wetlands throughout the approximately 175-acre campground. The restoration is part of a large stream and wetland complex in and around Lake George Escape on the shores of the beautiful Schroon River. Campground officials said the restoration project includes an overhaul of natural habitats, the replacement of bridges, a significant number of plantings around the shoreline and a back-to-nature experience around the Schroon River. The grounds are located at 175 East Schroon River Road, Diamond Point. The owneroperator is Lifestyle Equity Properties. The parkwide wetland restoration and remediation project will also provide kayaking and fishing opportunities to outdoor nature enthusiasts. Wetlands around a campground had been filled in and had their water source curtailed 50 or so years ago. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in September on a footbridge over a portion of the wetlands at Lake George Escape Campground. The footbridge contains a wide culvert which allows trout in the Schroon River to access spawning areas as well as keep water flowing freely to help preserve the ecological health of
the five acres of wetlands within and around the 175-acre campground property. The project was undertaken in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Adirondack Park Agency, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. One aspect of the project is the transfer of 14 acres of the campground’s land to the state. Planning and negotiations for the wetlands remediation project took about seven years, officials said. The work started in early March and was finished prior to trout spawning season, which typically begins in October. The campground assistant general manager Don Smith said the restoration of wetlands and the new larger culverts would help trout flourish. His father, also named Don Smith, worked for DEC for 32 years. Approximately 350 feet of shoreline along the Schroon River were also restored to remedy many years of erosion, and new ecologicallyfriendly pathways to the river were created. Designing the project was Cedarwood Engineering Services of Warrensburg and North Creek. The firm contracts work for the towns of Warrensburg, Chester, Johnsburg, and many other area entities. “For 50 years we’ve hosted families, generation after generation, and that does something to the ground and the Schroon River, and we decided to give back a little bit of what she’s given us,” said Lake George Escape
Courtesy The Hyde
The Hyde museum in Glens Falls acquired a second work by American realist George Bellows, entitled “Freeman Young’s Place” (Matinicus Island, Me.), by virtue of a bequest by former trustee and longtime Hyde Collection supporter Evelyn “Evie” Muller, who died in March. The colorful landscape has not been seen publicly since 1923, shortly before the artist’s untimely death in January 1925 at the age of 42. The painting is one in a series that Bellows completed during a 1916 trip to Maine, where he painted a small holding of an island fisherman named Freeman Young on Matinicus Island. Bellows had begun going to Maine in 1911, as a student of Robert Henri. Every time he returned, his paintings were different, ref lecting new inf luences. Visually and emotionally, Freeman Young’s Place is different in feel and atmosphere to the world of Homer, Henri and Rockwell Kent, who had all inf luenced him on
previous Main trips. Bellows made his name with his boisterous depictions of modern life, before passing away from appendicitis at 42. A two-term Hyde trustee, Muller’s true relationship with the museum ran far deeper than her seat on the board, Hyde officials said. For three decades, she supported every major initiative at The Hyde, from the restoration of Hyde House to the opening of the Feibes & Schmitt Gallery. “With her humor, grace, generosity, intelligence and lack of pretension, Evie raised the bar by simply walking in the room,” said former Hyde Director Randy Suffolk. “She was a wonderful leader and the best of friends.” “It’s fitting,” said director of curatorial affairs Jonathan Canning, “that whenever this painting is exhibited or reproduced, the accompanying credit line will always articulate the deep and indivisible bond between Evie and The Hyde.”
Campground General Manager Patrick Welton. Equity Lifestyles Regional Director Jonathon Goldberg praised Cedarwood Engineering, specifically environmental engineer Michael Martin, for the quality of the design work. The restoration is part of a large stream and
wetland complex in and around Lake George Escape on the shores of the Schroon River. The parkwide wetland restoration and remediation project will also provide kayaking and fishing opportunities to outdoor nature enthusiasts, officials said.