The Village At Upper Sherman Offers Buyers A Quality-Built Home At A Reasonable Price
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
Cerrone Builders has just broken ground on the model for a new maintenance-free residential development in Queensbury named The Village at Upper Sherman. The custom builders are about a month away from marketing 45 units starting at $550,000, according to Steven Cerrone, one of the company’s three managing partners and who is taking the lead on this project.
“We want to showcase what we do as a premier development company with The Village at Upper Sherman,” said Cerrone.
The Cerrone family built The Village at Sweet Road in Queensbury several years ago and the new project mirrors that concept, he said.
“We like the concept of a village because we are creating a little community where everything is taken care of for you,” said Cerrone. “It’s a place that people can be proud to live in.”
The Village will have a homeowners’ association and monthly fee to maintain the common grounds and each lot’s lawn and landscaping, including mowing, mulching and trimming. Snow removal
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The Adirondack Thunder Has Extended Its Coaches’ Contracts Through The 2025-26 Season
The Adirondack Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils and Utica Comets, has announced that the club has signed Head Coach Pete MacArthur to a two-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season.
MacArthur, 39, helped lead the Thunder to the regular-season North Division Championship with the most wins (43) and points (97) in franchise history. Adirondack also advanced to the Eastern Conference Final before falling to Florida in six games. In two seasons behind the bench for the Thunder, MacArthur is 75-47-22 and qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs both years.
“My family and I are so grateful to continue with this amazing opportunity in Adirondack,” said MacArthur. “We look forward to continuing to improve on-and-off the ice and fight for a Kelly Cup Championship with the best fans in the league behind us. Go Thunder!”
On the ice, MacArthur played professionally for 14 years before his coaching career. The Clifton Park native played four seasons with Adirondack and sits third all-time in franchise history in points (175), second in assists (122), is fourth all-time in games played (202) and sixth in goals (53).
“We are thrilled to be able to extend Pete’s contract” said Team President Jeff Mead. “He has proven in just two years that he is the right leader for our organization. We have seen amazing success on the ice, including 17 sellouts last season. We look forward to continuing our quest for the Kelly Cup under Pete’s leadership.”
MacArthur will continue to be responsible for overseeing the club’s hockey operations including managing support staff and recruiting and signing
players. The Boston University alumnus currently resides in Clifton Park with his wife Cristina and two sons, William and Danny.
The organizations have also announced that the club has signed Assistant Coach Mike Bergin to a two-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season.
Bergin, 36, retired from playing following the 2017-18 season and joined the Thunder as an assistant coach in the 2022-23 season. The Kanata, Ontario, native helped the Thunder to a 75-47-22
Hudson Headwaters Health Opens A New Primary Care Medical Center In Lake Placid
Hudson Headwaters Family Health at Lake Placid, the network’s 24th health center, is now open.
Family Health at Lake Placid has five exam rooms and will provide primary care to patients of all ages. The network will operate the practice on the first floor of the facility, located at 203 Old Military Road in Lake Placid and owned by Adirondack Health.
“As a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), our mission is to expand primary care access,” said Hudson
Headwaters CEO Tucker Slingerland, M.D.
“The new location in Lake Placid will be a helpful addition to the vital primary care access that has been provided by Adirondack Health, a fellow safety-net provider, and other providers for many years.”
“Adirondack Health appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Hudson Headwaters Health Network to expand primary care access in Lake Placid and the surrounding communities,” said Aaron
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A Very Popular Glens Falls Diner Reopens Following Lead Cook’s Hiatus For Surgery
On July 15, Peter’s Diner re-opened after a two-month hiatus. The iconic Glens Falls business has been closed while the lead cook, Nia Miller, took time off to recuperate from a knee replacement.
Peter’s Diner was originally opened in 1961 by Peter Demas and his wife, Helen. It was the culmination of a dream for Peter. He was a Greek immigrant and proud US Navy veteran. The 2024 closure was the longest in the diner’s history. Helen still shows up for work every day as she has done for the past 63 years.
“This is the longest I have not worked”, said Helen. “While I was able to spend time in my garden, I have to get back to our customers.”
Over the past two years, the diner has upgraded its counters, flooring and mechanicals. Now it was necessary to repair the knee of Nia Miller. Nia is Peter’s daughter in this all-family business.
There were many days when customers would see her grimace as she worked to prepare and serve their meals.
Nia said, “I went as long as I could on that knee. Eventually the pain got to be unbearable. It was time.”
The surgery was more complicated than expected. Nia was not able to even bend her knee for over five weeks. Then physical therapy started. Now she is ready to return to making breakfast, lunch and full meals for her customers.
“I am bored stiff, and really miss seeing
all of my customers. I just hope I remember how to cook,” she added, with a laugh. The diner is popular with a regular crowd. Some of them eat there twice a day beginning, at 5:00 a.m.. It’s also popular with visitors to the region. There are annual visits by out-of-town guests who consider this a “must re-visit” site. Every once in a while, they are surprised by the cash-only policy. They are pointed to the Glens Falls National ATM down the street.
Construction has started on The Village at Upper Sherman, a maintenance-free community in Queensbury being offered by Cerrone Builders.
Courtesy of Cerrone Builders
Hudson Headwaters Family Health at Lake Placid has opened a fully equipped and staffed primary care center in the village. Courtesy
A longtime local favorite, Peter’s Diner has reopened after being closed for two months. Glens Falls Business Journal photo
Pete MacArthur, Adirondack Thunder coach, had his contract extended. Courtesy of Adirondack Thunder
Personnel Briefs
The Arrow Family of Companies has announced the appointment of Valerie Patrenets to branch manager of the Glens Falls Main Office for its subsidiary bank Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company.
Patrenets is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the branch and meeting the financial needs of the community. She has seven years’ experience in banking, most recently serving as branch manager of the Saratoga National Bank Corinth Office.
Before her time with Glens Falls National Bank, Patrenets served as branch manager and float personal banker with Ballston Spa National Bank.
The Corinth native attended SUNY Oswego.
JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C., a Glens Falls-based firm specializing in higher education planning and design, has announced the addition of Theresa Loeber as project architect.
Loeber holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and a master of architecture from the University of Colorado at Denver.
The Warren County Historical Society (WCHS) has announced that Henry FranceMiller of Glens Falls is the recipient of the 2024 Joan Aldous Memorial Scholarship. The $250 award is given in honor of the
Peter’s Diner
Continued From Page 1
When customers arrive, they are greeted with a menu that exists only on the wall. There are always two or three homemade soups and a special of the day.
late Joan Aldous, who was a longtime member, trustee and co-president of the WCHS. She served on the Education Committee, along with many other committees, and spearheaded “History Camp” for many years. She was a former teacher in the Queensbury Union Free School District and a past winner of the prestigious School Bell Award, and served as Queensbury Town Historian from 2017 until her passing in 2022
Henry France-Miller, son of Kristi France, will be a senior at Glens Falls High School in the fall.
He is also an International Baccalaureate student at QUFSD. He served as an intern at the WCHS during the 2023 – 2024 school year, working to develop an activity book for 4th graders about the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. He also authored an article about The Shirt Factory for the Society’s online publication, Rewind. His exemplary work, along with an essay he wrote about the importance of history education in schools today, earned him this prize, which the Aldous family presented to him at a recent ceremony at the WCHS.
The Joan Aldous Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually in July. Criteria for the recipient are: service as a student intern at the WCHS for at least one semester; demonstrated interest in history and/or education; desire to pursue a career in history and/or education; and submission of a one-page essay about the importance of history education.
The scholarship is open to Warren County high school or college students with an interest in history. The WCHS Student Internship program, History in the Making, is open to county high school or college students and is an opportunity to learn about the history of the local area while obtaining hands-on experience learning the skills of professional historians. For more information, email execdir@wcnyhs.org.
“We’re an old world dinner. Good food prepared to order at reasonable prices,” said Nia. “We couldn’t stay open while I recuperated. No one wants a six-day 11-hour schedule. But I love it.”
Peter’s Diner is located at 32 South Street in Glens Falls. It is open from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 5:00 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
Queensbury-Based Hutchins Engineering PLLC Forms A Partnership With Team Members
Hutchins Engineering PLLC has announced the newly formed partnership with team members Lucas W. Dobie, P.E., of Queensbury, and Thomas R. Center, P.E., of Glens Falls.
Hutchins Engineering’s Principal Engineer Tom Hutchins commented on the addition of the new partners, stating, “Over the years, Lucas and Tom have been pivotal in driving progress and growth within our company and both are tremendous assets to the company. As partners in the business, they will continue to provide critical insight, accelerate the value to ongoing and future projects, and help Hutchins Engineering continue to thrive while providing essential engineering services to the greater community.”
A Hudson Falls native, Dobie is a 2002 graduate of SUNY Adirondack, a 2005 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and has been an employee of Hutchins Engineering since 2003. Subsequently, he earned his New York State professional engineering license in
June 2016.
Dobie’s particular areas of expertise are in residential, lakefront property development; site work; on-site wastewater systems and stormwater management; and subdivision projects. Lucas is experienced in working with regulatory and municipal entities such as local town planning and zoning boards, the Lake George Park Commission, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Adirondack Park Agency.
Center, a life-long resident of Glens Falls, is a 1993 graduate of Norwich University with over 25 years of experience in the design and project management of commercial, industrial, and residential engineering projects. He worked as a construction inspector and a site manager for various local companies, and has practiced civil engineering with Rist-Frost Associates and Nace Engineering before starting at Hutchins Engineering in 2014.
Although Center continues to specialize in commercial projects, he also takes on subdivision projects, residential site development including wastewater systems, on-site wastewater systems and stormwater management. He frequently interacts with local town planning, zoning, and town boards and state agencies such as the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Health and Transportation, and the Adirondack Park Agency.
Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. Appoints Siena College
President Charles Seifert to its Board of Directors
Pioneer Bancorp, Inc., a leading financial institution in New York’s Capital Region, today announced that its Board of Directors appointed Charles Seifert, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Seifert join our board of directors and to draw upon his extensive leadership, management, and banking experience to advance our strategic plan,” said Thomas Amell, President and CEO of Pioneer. “Dr. Seifert’s expertise will help Pioneer execute on our growth objectives and deliver long-term shareholder value.”
Dr. Seifert currently serves as president of Siena College (“Siena”), a private Franciscan liberal arts college located in Loudonville, New York. Prior to serving in that role, he has served as a faculty member at every rank, dean, and interim vice president for academic affairs for Siena. Dr. Seifert is also the founder of Siena’s Institute for Leadership Development and has steered numerous committees and task forces. He taught as an adjunct professor at several other Capital Region colleges prior to joining Siena’s faculty.
“Pioneer has an outstanding reputation in the Capital Region as a local financial institution that cares deeply about making a positive impact in the community,” said Dr. Seifert. “I look forward to working with my board colleagues and Pioneer’s leadership team to fulfill their mission.”
Prior to entering academia Dr. Seifert had a successful career in banking and finance in the Capital Region. He served as chief financial officer of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce and served as a vice president of Evergreen Bank
and a manager at First American Bank. Dr. Seifert holds a B.A. in economics from the University at Buffalo, an MBA in finance from Sage Graduate School, and a Ph.D., in organizational studies with a specialization in leadership from the University at Albany.
Dr. Seifert is expected to be appointed to the Audit and Compensation Committees of Pioneer’s Board of Directors. Dr. Seifert has also been appointed to the Boards of Trustees/Directors of Pioneer Bancorp, MHC and Pioneer Bank, National Association.
Lucas W. Dobie
Thomas R. Center
Charles Seifert, Ph.D., has joined the Pioneer Bancorp Board of Directors.
Mario DiSiena has brought his love for antique cars and food together in a new enterprise. Uncle Mario’s Garage, a restaurant and bar, recently opened in Queensbury.
The building housing the business was formerly Sutton’s Marketplace. Extensive revovations, which took two years, were required before opening.
“We had repairs that needed to be addressed, but we also reinvented our building into something great,” said DiSiena. “I brought my love of antique cars, motorcycles and trains into my restaurant.”
Twenty employees work with the DiSiena family to operate the restaurant. Mario’s wife, Diane, keeps the books. His daughter, Emily, greets customers and manages the multiple floors that display products for sale. His son, Michael, oversees deliveries. Emily’s boyfriend, Steve Lisciani, helps with anything that’s needed. Jeanette Walter, who worked 20 years as a manager at Panzas in Saratoga, is the general manager.
“I have worked every job in a restaurant,” Walter sad. “I’ve been a cook, a dishwasher, a server, a bartender and in management.”
“Our staff is treated like family and they want to come to work,” said DiSiena. “I’m very proud of my extended family.”
DiSiena’s personal car collection is on display at the restaurant. There’s Henry, a 1939 Ford stakebed pickup. Lucy is a 1924 Chevrolet C Cab similar to the Model T. Angie is a 2020 Corvette
Blade Silver with a V8 engine. Mario is a 2010 BMW M3 eight-cylinder convertible, and Monroe (after Marilyn) is a 1957 blue and white Cadillac DeVille.
Next door to Uncle Mario’s Garage, the DiSiena family also owns The Furniture House, which has been in business since 1980
“Diane and I started the furniture house in 1980, doing furniture repairs then selling antique reproductions and contemporary upholstery,” said DiSiena. “The furniture we sell is Amish with a mix of the finest imports that can’t be found domestically. Only good quality and you’ll love our selection.”
They deliver their furniture all over the country.
Uncle Mario’s Garage serves lunch and dinner with a creative menu that consists of wood-fired pizza, burgers, chicken, pulled pork, sandwiches, salads, vegan dumplings and mac-and-cheese. There is a possibility of including breakfast in the future.
The decor consists of car front and back ends with headlights that light up, and the tables are slices of trees. They also have unique gifts, oneof-a-kind furniture, and sculptures. The gifts and furniture are upstairs at the restaurant.
The restaurant has 174 seats with indoor and outdoor seating. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p,m.
Bands are being booked on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Check out www.unclemariosgarage.com/ for details.
Common
Roots Bierhall And Barrel House
To Host South High Bulldog Hall Of Fame
The South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame will welcome five new members at its 15th induction ceremonies at Common Roots in South Glens Falls on Oct. 25. A reception starts at 6 p.m. The ceremony starts at 7 p.m.
The 2024 inductees are:
*Jack Celeste, Class of 1979, a community icon whose years of coaching girls’ softball helped the Bulldogs set the stage for state championships in 2002 and 2007. Celeste joins two of his daughters in the South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame. His daughter Lindsey Fredette was on the 2007 team that was inducted in 2023. Eldest daughter Brittany Smith was a member of the 2002 team that was inducted in 2010.
*Ellen (Donohue) Marcantonio, Class of 1972, an all-around athlete before Title IX who went on to a legendary coaching career in field hockey at Hadley-Luzerne. Marcantonio joins her sister Mary Donohue Matusiewicz in the South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame. Matusiewcz was inducted in 2012.
*John Vishneowski, Class of 1977, was a wrestler for the Bulldogs who went on to a Hall of Fame coaching career at Ravena Coeymans Selkirk, where he started the wrestling program. Vishneowski is the longtime Section II wrestling chairman. He joins his father, the late Alex Vishneowski, in the Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame. Alex Vishneowski was in the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2007 with Murry O’Neil.
*Richard White, Class of 1980, a multi-sport athlete who became a defensive captain and standout for the Colgate football team before a distinguished career with the New York State Department of Labor. White was one of the top
football players in Section II, a dominant force on both defense and offense, and also was a top shot putter in Section II.
*The late Cliff Winslow, a math teacher at the Oliver W. Winch Junior High School who was a standout basketball player under coach Tony Luciano at Hudson Falls. Winslow’s kindness and singular focus on helping each student learn at their own pace is legendary. Many former students to this day say he was the best teacher they ever had.
The South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame, established in 2007, recognizes worthy individuals who have made a difference in the South Glens Falls community. The Hall of Fame includes former athletes, coaches, teachers, administrators and community members. Most inductees were not athletes and many didn’t attend South High, but they all made a difference in the community.
With the induction of the five members of the Class of 2024, the South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame will include 68 individual honorees and the two state championship softball teams.
Th is will be the second time the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held at the Common Roots Bierhall and Barrel House private event space. In 2023, the event was sold out with 200 people in attendance.
Tickets are $40 each and will be available in September. For more information, contact committee chairperson Gordon Woodworth at 518-926-8906. Updates are also available on the Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame Facebook page and on the school district’s web page, www. sgfcsd.org.
Empire State University To Offer Online MA In Higher Education For Fall 2024
Empire State University will offer a master of arts in higher education beginning in the fall 2024 term. The online 30-credit degree program is designed to enhance students’ and professionals’ contributions to higher education and prepare them for a broad range of administrative roles and research related to their work.
The program is designed to be flexible and accommodating for full-time and part-time students. Courses focus on contemporary perspectives on careers, policies, administration, history, organization, social justice and educational equality, and data-based decision making and teaching in postsecondary education.
The program provides a graduate-level assessment of prior learning and transfer credits for enrolled students at no additional fee, which can be combined for up to 12 credits toward the degree.
The fully online M.A. in higher education features course offerings such as:
* Economics and Finance of Higher Education
* Administration and Leadership in Higher Education
* Fostering Student Success in Higher Education
* Rethinking Experience and Learning in Adulthood
* History and Philosophy of Higher Education
SUNY Empire’s higher education master’s program comes from a rising interest in higher education and student success. Many of SUNY Empire’s students are working professionals in higher education, faculty in community colleges seeking advancement, and others looking for ways to elevate student success.
Associate Professor in the School for Graduate Studies Tai Arnold, Ph.D., said, “This program is for people working in or seeking roles in higher education and student affairs. This master’s degree clearly addresses the relevant requirements for those jobs and gives students flexibility to study areas specific to their goals. We want to make sure our students are prepared to support diverse student populations. The program’s graduate level prior learning assessment recognizes student learning from experience and learning opportunities, potentially reducing both the time and cost of earning the master’s degree
program at Empire State University.”
Professor Coordinator Meg Benke, Ph.D., said, “We are thrilled to offer this new program. We have a particular focus on student success and the goal is to equip professionals and faculty with the tools and strategies to promote success in higher education. We hope students work together in a cohort to improve their own knowledge and the success of the cohort moving forward. We all share challenges and ways that we want to work together to improve higher education as a whole and we hope students might consider a future doctoral study after completing this program.”
In addition, Empire State University will host the ninth annual Learning with Innovative Technology (LIT) Conference July 19, 2024. The free, virtual, one-day event is designed for educators, including K-12 teachers and higher education faculty.
LIT Conference focuses on the use of technology in education, allowing educators to engage with cutting edge vendors and earn Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours. Sessions will be led by leaders from organizations and universities across the country including the Learning Technology Center of Illinois, Pace University, Girls Who Code, and The Social Institute. Each of the four sessions covers a variety of topics including integrating positive change in education through software developments and improvements, embracing artificial intelligence in education, and how to use games, programs, and other technology to bolster interactive learning.
“Integrating emerging technologies in education is crucial,” Christine Paige, Executive Director of Empire Online in the Office of Digital Learning, Innovation, and Strategy, said. “It enhances student engagement, provides personalized learning experiences, and offers access to a vast array of resources. These technologies facilitate better collaboration and communication, develop digital literacy, and provide flexible learning opportunities, making education more inclusive and accessible. Through technology we are preparing our students for future careers and are ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills for a technology-driven world.”
For more information about these programs and how to apply, please visit www.sunyempire.edu.
Professional educators can take advantage of two programs being offered this year at SUNY Empire State.
The Southern Adirondack Child Care Network Provides Invaluable Assistance To Families
BY CHRISTINE GRAF
For more than three decades, Lynn Sickles has been serving the community as executive director of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network (SACN). Established in 1992, the non-profit is one of 35 childcare resource centers in New York state.
Serving Warren, Washington, and Hamilton counties, SACN’s primary role is to help parents find child care.
“If a parent is looking for care, they call us and we put their information into a database that includes all of the regulated child care programs in Warren, Washington, and Hamilton counties,” said Sickles, noting that these services are offered free of charge.
The database generates a list of child care providers, ones that meet the specific criteria of each parent. After receiving the list, the parent must reach out to the providers to see if there are any openings.
“We also educate parents on what to look for when they go to visit a program,” said Sickles. “We then follow up with them to see if they were successful in their search. Finding child care remains the number one barrier for them—what many of them are telling us is that there were no openings.”
According to Sickles, the majority of child care in the tri-county area is family child care, regulated child care that takes place in a person’s residence.
“They don’t have big signs out front like child care centers do, so our service is really critical because it helps parents locate resources that they might not normally know about,” she said.
The nationwide child care crisis is being felt in Warren, Washington, and Hamilton Counties where there is a critical shortage of providers.
“Between 2019 and 2022, we lost 42 percent of child care slots in the area,” said Sickles. “It was related in part to the pandemic because people who were considering retiring opted to close their business. Others opted out at that point because they didn’t want outside families coming into their residence.”
Low wages also contributed to the decline in providers, and in New York the median salary of a child care worker is just $33,000 a year. Twelve percent of child care workers in the state earn below the federal poverty level.
SACN is working to address the crisis by providing free assistance to individuals interested in becoming licensed child care providers. In recent months, six new family childcare businesses were opened, one in Queensbury and five in Washington County.
“We provide technical assistance with the application and help them to get their program set up,” said Sickles. “We also provide start-up funding if they need it. That’s a key role that we play in helping people start child care business.”
Some of these funds have been made available through a $205,000 federal grant that was obtained
by a bi-county task force comprised of representatives from SACN, Warren County Workforce Development, Saratoga County Workforce Development, and Brightside Up. Through this grant, residents of Warren and Saratoga counties may be eligible to receive funding to help defray the costs of opening registered home-based child care businesses.
With a staff of eight full-time and one part-time employee, SACN also provides professional development opportunities to child care workers.
“It might be helping them with curriculum development or setting up their environment. It could be related to health and safety, nutrition, business development, business practices, child development—we cover the gamut,” said Sickles.
SACN offers group trainings as well as one-on-one site visits, and staff members are available to answer questions via phone on weekdays from 9 a.m-4 p.m. All services offered by SACN are provided at no cost to the client, and the only fee that the agency charges is for its two-day professional conference held at Fort William Henry. This year’s conference takes place on November 15-16.
In addition to working with parents and child care providers, SACN assists employers, helping them to address the child care needs of their employees. As part of this work, SACN promotes the New York State Child Care Assistance Program. The program, one managed by local social services departments, provides eligible families with some or all of the cost of child care. To apply, parents must reach out to their local department of social services.
“As an example, a family of four could be earning $108,000 and receive child care assistance,” said Sickles. “Those rates have been going up over the past year, and that’s making more families eligible to get help paying for child care. But it’s hard right now because the child care supply is so small.”
According to Sickles, funds received through the program can also be used to pay legally exempt child care providers—providers who are not required by New York State law to be licensed or registered.
“They are not licensed by New York state, but they are enrolled. They are people who can care for one or two children, and the care is paid for by the Child Care Assistance Program. Often those people may be grandmothers or neighbors or friends, but they do have to be enrolled which includes a health and safety check.”
Locally, where the annual cost to send a child to a child care center is approximately $12,000 a year, Sickles said the Child Care Assistance Program will play a vital role in helping families afford child care.
“The annual cost of child care costs more than sending your child to a SUNY college (SUNY tuition is $7,070 per year). When you think about it that way, it shows why the Child Care Assistance Program is so critical,” she said.
Delectable Comfort Food Is Available At Big
Tony’s At Moreau Lake State Park
BY JILL NAGY
After several years of relying on vending machines, visitors to Moreau Lake State Park can once again enjoy real food served by real people. Big Tony’s at the Lake opened May 25 and the place has been busy every day, according to Anthony (Big Tony) Schunk, owner of the business along with his wife, Amy.
The Schunks got into the business almost by chance. They did a lot of cooking for Northway Church in Stillwater, sometimes serving as many as 700 people. That led to developing Big Tony’s Meal Prep, their meal prep business out of the local Elks Lodge. People asked if they could have the meals brought to them for parties and large gatherings, leading to Big Tony’s Catering. A fortuitous visit to Moreau State Park led to an offer to take over the concession stand for the summer. They signed a five-year contract with New York state, beginning this summer. Their eatery is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They may squeeze in a few more weekends in October, Schunk said.
The Schunks and a staff of eight keep both the Stillwater and the park businesses going.
At the lake, Big Tony’s offers snacks and family-style meals. Customer favorites include smashburgers, spicy chicken sandwiches, soft-
serve ice cream, and the family-style meals. They also cater to campers, he said. Full meals are served Monday to Friday. The restaurant serves breakfast on Saturdays.
“This is a very good fit,” Schunk said of the Moreau enterprise. “So far it’s been a good run.” He thinks they may expand in the future, but has no specific plans.
Schunk said he always worked in restaurants, beginning when he was in high school, and his wife worked as a hospitality manager. The Schunks began “making big moves” back in February 2023, trying to bring the concession stand back to life. A little over a year later, they hung out the “Open” flag and were ready for business. The hikers, swimmers, kayakers, and other visitors to Moreau Lake State Park quickly found them.
Big Tony’s at the Lake is located at 605 Old Saratoga Road in Gansevoort. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays; and from noon to 6:00 p.m. Sundays.
They can be reached by email at BigTonysMealPrep@gmail.com.. Their website is bigtonyscatering.com. Their Facebook page includes menus, photos, and a video of endless chocolate soft-serve ice cream.
Lynn Sickles (center left), executive director of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network, celebrates the organization’s relocation with staff and volunteers during a recent open house.
Courtesy of the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network
A fully-equipped kitchen has replaced the vending machines at Moreau Lake State Park, allowing Anthony (Big Tony) Schunk and his wife, Amy, to prepare delicious food for hungry customers. Courtesy of Big Tony’s at the Lake
Area Copier/Printer Retailers Adapt To The Digital Age With New Cutting-Edge Technology
BY PAUL POST
The Digital Age has greatly reduced the need for thick, costly paper documents such as annual reports and quarterly financial statements, which can be delivered electronically.
And there’s much less need for office copying because many people work from home following the COVID pandemic.
But two well-known local printing companies continue to thrive by adapting, diversifying and renewing efforts to provide high-quality customer service with new cutting-edge products and equipment.
“In the past people would share a large printer in the office. Now their print needs are at home where you don’t have ready access to the office printer,” said Rick Gallup, owner-president-founder of Hudson Falls-based Document Solutions of the North Country. “What’s new and exciting there is the changes in inkjet technology. Years ago an inkjet printer was something you put in your home, it was slow and kind of expensive to operate. Now the newer ones have the ability to do things that most typical lasertype office copiers can do in terms of speed -- 40 to 50 pages per minute or more -- and reliability.”
“They’re also more affordable because there’s very few parts,” he said. “Typical laser printers have components like drums, fusers and transfer belts while an inkjet printer doesn’t. They have just ink. So they tend to be more reliable than a laser device. We’re really excited about that product and think it’s going to do well for us.”
“A home-based printer is more efficient and cost effective,” Gallup said. “These devices connect to the cloud, which is obviously important because
when working from home you use the cloud for everything.”
Founded almost 30 years ago, Document Solutions is the area’s largest Xerox dealer with clients ranging from small business to large manufacturers, non-profits and school districts. For many years it dealt strictly in Xerox before expanding several years ago to include Epson, which makes the new-style inkjet printers.
“We sell supplies for virtually any brand of printer whether you buy it from us or not,” Gallup said.
Recently, the firm started a second related business, Express Pack N Ship, at the same location (3316 Route 4, Hudson Falls) in an effort to provide a more complete line of services to meet customers’ needs.
Glens Falls-based Seeley Office Systems is a Konica Minolta dealer covering an area from Albany north to the Canadian border.
“A lot has changed in the last three or four years, but the need for copy, print and scan is still in full demand,” said Tim Seeley, Jr., the firm’s president of client relations. “In many ways we’re in a high technology business, but we’ve discovered that people really appreciate our simplified approach to doing business.”
The company, which has 18 employees, was started 43 years ago by his parents, Tim Sr. and Maryann, who are still fully engaged in its operation.
Tim Jr. is part of a second-generation succession team that includes his sister, Victoria Foster (vice president of administration) and their first cousins, Brian Seeley (vice president, operations) and Kurt Seeley (vice president, sales).
Tim Jr. said color production printing is the fastest growing segment of the company’s business, up 15 percent-20 percent year over year.
“We sell digital production equipment to traditional commercial print shops, your every day mom-and-pop print centers, also to places that have specialty printing and then schools,” he said.
However, Seeley deals in printers and copiers.
“We look at the whole account and try to capture that,” Tim Jr. said. “The biggest thing we do is pair software with our copiers. The software becomes like an added component to copiers and their functionality and allows medium to large enterprises to manage their entire fleet and get a better handle on who’s doing what and where it’s going.”
In addition to equipment and service, the most significant change at Seeley Office Systems is the recent adoption and strict adherence to a company philosophy based on four main pillars -- strong manufacturer relationships, company culture, client appreciation and community engagement.
“That defines how we operate as a company and what we attribute most of our success to,” Tim Jr. said.
Maintaining strong relationships with manufacturers has been key to the company’s growth by meeting their expectations and utilizing their partnership.
“They’re the reason we’re able to do everything,” Seeley Jr. said. “If we have a good relationship with
them it directly leads to client happiness. There’s a total correlation.”
The firm also puts a high value on company culture.
“The average tenure at our company is well over 10 years and we’re attracting a lot of new people into our business employment-wise,” Tim Jr. said. “We realize that creating an environment where employees are happy leads to customers being taken care of well. We want employees to be part of the vision about where we’re headed as a company.”
But client appreciation is equally important.
“It’s real easy in the midst of growing to get lost with who you’re servicing and just focus on new business,” Tim Jr. said. “We make saying thank-you a priority to our clients two to three times per year with customer appreciation events in addition to having strong account support.”
A recent customer appreciation event at Saratoga Auto Museum was a “great way to get in touch with clients and just build relationships,” Tim Jr. said. “That’s all supported by our relationship to manufacturers because they help us hold the event.”
With regard to community engagement, Seeley’s is a major contributor, with time and financial resources, to a wide variety of area non-profits. “We think one of the foundations to our growth is giving back,” Tim Jr. said.
Tim Seeley Jr now operates Seeley Office Systems, which was founded by his parents. Courtesy of Seeley Office Systems
Document Solutions President Rick Gallup has recently added Epson products to his inventory. Courtesy of Document Solutions
Business Report Business Report
Develop A Process For Problem Solving
BY SARA MANNIX
I belong to a group of leaders who are utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) every day to make their work more effective and more efficient in an ethically responsible way. We have used AI to create flyers, design presentations, write software code, debug code, and even create movies. And at Mannix Marketing we have built CustomGPTs that perform functions based on our own knowledge bases and rules, and we have discussed and drawn up guidelines about the ethical use of AI.
We have reached the point where if you aren’t using AI in your work, then you are falling behind your competitors who have mastered using the latest breakthrough technology.
The good news is that it isn’t hard to get started and become familiar with some AI tools that can make your life easier. One of the simplest ways to get started with AI is to use ChatGPT.com, a tool that can provide detailed answers in a conversation-like format (its responses build upon the questions and answers that precede them, so no need to start from scratch as a conversation is in progress, or even if you need to come back to it). Here are a few simple ways I have used ChatGPT or other AI tools to help you think about how you can use them.
The first way most people use ChatGPT is to help them with their writing. We caution our clients not to use ChatGPT to write their website content as it is usually too generic to rank well in search engines. Instead, we recommend that you use ChatGPT to edit and refine content and brainstorm content ideas. I’ve used AI to refresh articles, inject new ideas, rewrite social media posts, and make content more concise, helping to ensure it’s engaging and up-to-date.
This past week, I had a list of client testimonials that I wanted to organize by industry. I created a list of top-level categories and asked ChatGPT to come up with subcategories for each based on my client list. Then, I asked ChatGPT to organize the client testimonials by category and subcategories. This took less than 10 minutes of back and forth with ChatGPT, and it had properly organized 200 testimonials. If done by hand, this would have taken at least three hours.
AI is great for helping you with your trip planning. Recently I took my daughters to Montreal to see Laufey in concert during the Jazz Fest. My youngest is a vegetarian who dislikes pasta and pizzas but loves Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. At the hotel, I logged into ChatGPT and asked it to recommend specific restaurants within a 10-minute walk that catered to my vegetarian daughter’s likes and dislikes. Like Google, AI has read everything on the web (this is why SEO is very important for the future). Since ChatGPT had already cataloged all the items on the menus, it was able to tell me what dishes various restaurants had that were noted as vegetarian. Granted, some restaurants were closed and it wasn’t perfect, but it was a lot easier than using a search engine. Usually, the search for restaurants on our trips takes an hour, and by the time we’ve found something, we are pretty hangry (hungry-angry)… This, however, this took about five minutes.
This week I had a 90-minute call with a client whose business was incredibly complex in an industry I was not familiar with. I did not take a single note. I listened intently and was able to be fully
present. How? Before the meeting, I asked the client permission to use an AI note taker and ChatGPT to gain insights into our call. After the call, I removed all identifying information about the client from the AI-generated notes. Then I asked ChatGPT to find any opportunities the customer mentioned. I asked my AI assistant to find the competitors mentioned on the call and to give me links to their websites. I also requested an overview of the industry and the challenges for that industry. The AI note taker summarized essential discussion points the client cared about to help me tailor my approach for future interactions. This took a half hour but saved me two hours, and most importantly it was very thorough.
The more you use AI, the more it gets to know you and what you care about. I’ve used AI to find books for me and it suggested books like ‘Supercommunicators’ by Charles Duhigg - a great choice.
I was working with another new client in a new industry, and I was able to ask ChatGPT for industry-specific advice and insights. I was careful to ask where it found the data, but overall, the information was quite sound and saved me hours of research.
If you aren’t using AI, now is the time to give it a shot. Keep in mind that it does make mistakes (AI can only be as good as the data it is trained on), so it’s essential to verify and hand-check answers and results. Despite the occasional misinformation, AI will save you time, and that saves money!
AI is especially important to my business as we specialize in SEO - helping people get found in the search engines. AI results continue to be more prevalent on search engine result pages; SEO for AI is called Generative Engine Optimization, and when done with a clear understanding of how AI works can deliver tremendous results. No matter what your business is, not only do you need to use AI to be more efficient and effective, you need to understand how your customers will be using AI to find you.
Want to learn more about AI and the future of SEO? Contact Sara Mannix, the CEO of Mannix Marketing, a 32-person digital marketing agency headquartered in Glens Falls, at www.mannixmarketing.com/booksara. Mannix Marketing specializes in SEO and Generative Engine Optimization, which means it helps small businesses get recommended and found when people use AI.
BY MICHAEL CRUZ
Technology Will Not Help…
IF, you are using it to mask your problems. Too many times people see an issue or a problem, and they want to find a quick fix. Don’t. It doesn’t work.
The best implementations of technology have only one thing in common. They are all based on automating a good process. Bad technology implementations often exist because you automated a bad process.
In order to address these business issues, you need to follow a formula. First, define the problem. I also refer to this as ‘What problem are we solving?’ Be clear. Make sure that you are addressing the underlying issue. Don’t fall into the trap of treating the symptoms of the problem. Think about the impact of the problem going away. It is important to make sure everyone agrees on what you are trying to fix. A written statement describing the problem assures we all are working on the same one.
Next, spend time imagining the solution. What do you really want to happen? When you take the time to examine the whole issue, you may see things that you miss when focusing too narrowly. You probably should flow chart the ideal process. Pictures tell stories. That will help you figure out what might be missing. And, help you figure out who else might be affected. Resolve both of those issues. Most importantly, ask “Why do we do it this way?” All too often we fail to reimagine the process. Stay away from the curse of ‘that’s the way we have always done it’.
If it feels like this is taking a long time, then you are on the right path. Beware of the people trying to design solutions while you are still defining the process. Its normal, but you need to resist it. Those are the quick fixes that hurt later!
Try out the new process without applying technology. Redesign any forms you use. Run business through it and look for areas that might still trip up your team. Start with things that are
too repetitive or error prone. You probably will find things you want to adjust a bit. When you are sure you have the right flow, you can begin the technology search. Figure out what alternatives you have. There is probably a software package out there. Talk with people outside your company. Clear perspectives come from having new eyes look at the problem and the process. When evaluating packages, be sure to ask the right questions. Know what you need to have. Know what things you are open to suggestions about from the vendor. Lastly, know what their terms are. Read any contracts carefully (or have someone read them for you).
Only after all that are you ready to automate. If you are using vendor resources, be clear about what their role and what yours is. Schedule regular updates with your team. And total meetings with your team and the vendor. Technology alone does not solve problems. And you will waste time money if you implement the wrong process. Or fix the wrong problem!
Sara Mannix, president and CEO of Mannix Marketing.
Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.
Summer Construction
Hilltop Construction Company Continues To Th rive In A Highly Competitive Industry
BY PAUL POST
Hilltop Construction thrives in a challenging, competitive industry with a mix of commercial and custom home residential projects.
It’s a strategy the Queensbury-based firm has followed since its founding in 1976.
“We try to be diversified in what we do, which helps in different economic environments,” co-owner Dan Washburn said. “If the residential market is healthy and commercial isn’t, we’ve got the residential side to work with and vice versa. It makes it easier to adapt to ever-changing conditions that affect different industries.”
“Business is really good now on both sides,” he said. “We’ve got a solid workload into spring of 2025.”
This summer, Hilltop is doing everything from a ZZ Mobil Mart convenience store in Malta to a passive solar home in Brant Lake and a new
Stewart’s Shop in Hoosick.
Washburn handles commercial projects while his brother-in-law, Tom Albrecht Jr., oversees residential development. Washburn, his wife, April (Treasurer/Office Manager), and Tom Jr.purchased Hilltop several years ago from its founders, Tom Albrecht Sr. and his wife Cindy.
The new 5,000-square-foot ZZ Mobil Mart is scheduled for completion in early August and is located on a parcel at 2429 Route 9, in Malta, previously occupied by a small Getty station. The site is just south of Dunning Street, near Luther Forest Technology Campus, making it an attractive place to stop for the thousands of workers at GlobalFoundries’ huge semiconductor plant. Features include new state-of-the-art gas pumps, a deli, pizza store and expanded beer cave. Hilltop is no stranger when it comes to
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Munter Enterprises Continues To Exceed Expectations On A Wide Variety Of Projects
Staff Writer
Munter Enterprises, based in Middle Grove, is a leading family-owned general contractor offering commercial, industrial, design-build, and project delivery services throughout the Capital Region.
Several large commercial and industrial projects are underway and progressing toward completion this year. One notable project is for Equal Vision Records, an independent record label based in Albany, New York, and MerchNow, their sister company, which produces wearables and promotional branded merchandise for bands and artists.
The recently purchased building is in Albany’s South End at 400 South Pearl St., where Munter Enterprises is implementing improvements to bring the building into code compliance for storage and racking requirements. The project includes interior modifications to the production and warehouse areas, as well as minor renovations of the office space. A unique aspect of the project is the addition of a 20x40 boiler room designed to house modern steam boilers essential for the production of vinyl records, which have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last decade.
“I may be dating myself but I didn’t realize how the ‘record’ industry has rebounded and its actually very cool to understand what goes into to physically making a vinyl album,” said Michael Munter, vice president of Munter Enterprises.
“On a larger scale, we’re nearing the finish line on the Soleno project. They’ll be in full production by late August,” said Munter.
The Soleno project, a new 50,000-squarefoot manufacturing building on a 22-acre site in the W.J. Grande Industrial Park in Saratoga Springs, is the first U.S. facility for the Canadian manufacturer of drainage pipes designed for storm water infrastructure management. According to a Soleno spokesperson, the new facility will provide 35-50 new jobs when in full production.
“Production equipment is now being installed by Soleno’s German manufacturer, while we are finishing up the building production space, fit, and finishes,” said Munter.
Just across the street from Soleno, AgroChem’s success is evident as they recently
broke ground for their second expansion of 30,000 square feet in the W.J. Grande Industrial Park. AgroChem develops, manufactures, and distributes sanitizing products worldwide for the farm and dairy industry. The company built a 40,000-square-foot facility just eight years ago, also designed and constructed by Munter Enterprises. The current expansion will provide new space for finished product warehousing and a tote wash process essential for recycling and effectively cleaning their large, re-usable product containers.
“Steel is in place, and we expect completion this fall,” said Munter.
Another project just underway is for Environment One, a Niskayuna-based manufacturer of pressure sewer systems and utility systems. Munter Enterprises is completing Phase 1, a 27,000-square-foot building.
“Phase 2 includes utility upgrades and an 8,000-square-foot shipping dock expansion,” said Munter. “If all goes as expected, this expansion will be done by year end.” E/One ships their products worldwide.
While most recognized for their large
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Hilltop Construction recently completed this custom home in Cleverdale on Lake George that features hand-hewn barn wood beams and an outdoor kitchen.
Courtesy of Hilltop Construction
Dennis Choiniere
A Munter Enterprises crew uses a crane to move materials at the Waters Edge project. Courtesy of Munter Enterprises
The Village
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and trash pick-up are also provided.
The Village will feature a .6-mile walking trail, a community pavilion, and pickleball courts on the grounds.
The 50-acre parcel was purchased four years ago by Cerrone Builders from the City of Glens Falls. The address is Dean Thomas Way, named after Cerrone’s nephew, and now “the Town of Queensbury will have another maintenance-free community for its residents,” Cerrone said.
The acreage was rezoned to accommodate smaller lot sizes. Cerrone said the smallest is .57 acres and some are considerably larger. Some buyers will bring their own blueprints and others will tap into the 800 homes the Cerrone family has built for floor plans or inspiration. The homes will be a minimum of 1,700 square feet.
The award-winning builder has a way of running projects that is different from other developers, according to Cerrone.
“We do things a bit differently and run the jobs ourselves,” he said.
One partner takes the lead in managing the development project. So while Steven Cerrone is overseeing The Village at Upper Sheridan, for example, the other partners may be “finishing up a 35-lot project and a 24-lotter” or drafting proposals for other developments.
“It’s an owner-operated type of a company,” he said. “We don’t have foremen, but we use the same tradesmen, including the framing, electrical, plumbing and heating crews, on all of our projects, large or small.”
“Our carpenters have been with us for more than 30 years and electricians almost 20 years now,” he said. They always uses local vendors as well, Cerrone said. Cabinets, appliances, lumber and windows are only purchased from businesses that operate out of
Hilltop Construction
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convenience store projects. The Stewart’s Shop in Hoosick is the 75th new store it’s built for the company in addition to more than 50 other large upgrades at various shops.
Work is slated to begin August 5 and be completed by early October. Aside from its ability to do jobs quickly and efficiently, Hilltop has a deep commitment to detail and highly-quality workmanship, ethics and etiquette, making it a highly reputable company, which generates significant business.
“We don’t do a whole lot of advertising,” Washburn said. “Work comes because we’ve been in business since 1976 and we’ve got a reputation that speaks for itself. With most of our work, clients seek us out.”
Also, Hilltop has strong working relationships with many of the tri-county area’s architectural firms, who quite often refer clients to Hilltop when it comes time to build a new home or do a business expansion project.
North Country communities.
“We like to support our local people,” he said.
Another difference is that the Cerrones favor an allinclusive, up-front price. According to Cerrone, many developers quote a lower base price and upgrades are added in. With their pricing model, customers know from the beginning what they are paying for what they are getting in their new home.
“Clients can be confident in the quality of the materials and workmanship and there is minimal need for upgrades,” Cerrone said.
“The Village is a premier community and we are including a lot in the home as part of the price,” he said. “By giving more up front there is not a lot of backand-forth between the customer and the builder.”
For example, Cerrone said he is using upgraded moldings and trim and good quality cabinetry to give the home a higher-end appearance while “trying to keep it affordable.”
Cerrone is not targeting a specific market segment, but he said customers tend to be in their 50s, which reflects the generally older demographic in the area.
“The Village will appeal to people who want maintenance-free living and a brand new home, as Queensbury has little potential new construction left,” said Michael Pugh, a real estate broker with Better Way Realty and who has worked with the Cerrone family for 27 years.
“This community would appeal to empty nesters and people who are active but just don’t want to do the maintenance,” said Pugh. “You find this kind of community all around Florida, but there are not a lot of them in Washington, Warren or Saratoga counties.”
The Village at Upper Sherman will offer home buyers a unique, customized single family residence built by one of the area’s leading developers. More details and marketing information will be coming from Better Way Realty or check out www.cerronebuilders. com.
Among its many jobs, the firm is currently nearing completion on a new distribution warehouse for Garvey Hyundai on Dix Avenue, in Queensbury. The 7,000-square-foot, pre-engineered steel building was manufactured by Kirby Building Systems.
Hilltop is also doing a big office renovation and updating facilities at a U.S. Department of Agriculture building in Greenwich.
On the residential side, in addition to the Brant Lake passive solar home, Hilltop will start a custom lake home in Cleverdale on Lake George and a “Mountain-Modern” home in Stony Creek. Work was recently completed on a new custom home on Lake George, in Cleverdale, featuring unique construction with hand-hewn barn wood beams and an outdoor kitchen
“Residential projects are always interesting,” Washburn said. “What’s neat about the custom home aspect is that they’re all different. You get to work with a lot of different products and manufacturers. There are new products always coming out. It’s always evolving. With custom homes people want the latest and greatest. The home we did just recently on Lake George has
Munter Enterprises
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commercial and industrial projects, Munter Enterprises has several smaller-scale new construction, renovation, and fit-up jobs in progress.
“We’re not just steel building guys. We do enjoy more intricate projects utilizing anything from wood and timber to advanced synthetic materials,” said Munter.
42 Phila Street is undergoing a 2,000-square-foot renovation for a new restaurant concept for the owners of Hamlet and Ghost. Under construction and slated for completion in September is a 1,500-squarefoot fitness center for the Waters Edge/ Woodlands Homeowners Association on Saratoga Lake, which required special logistics to get materials in place at the site.
“Because the site had a large clubhouse, tennis building, swimming pool, and outdoor tennis courts all tightly spaced, there was no direct access or laydown area at the fitness center site. So concrete was pumped and all materials were lifted over the existing buildings- due to a restricted laydown area, even the steel building had to be picked right off the truck by crane and set directly onto the foundation anchor bolts,” said Munter.
Starting in September, Ballston Spa Country Club has a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse and restaurant project, with completion next year in time for the 2025 golf season.
Like most general contractors, increasing the skilled trades workforce continues to be a challenge. Munter Enterprises has 40 fulltime employees and, since 1972, has never had any layoffs. They utilize subcontractors for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and specialty trades.
“It’s encouraging to see more young people becoming interested in pursuing jobs in the trades. Locally, the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition efforts, along with BOCES, local schools and media, are renewing interest in employment opportunities in the trades,” said Munter.
old wood beams tied into the architecture, which adds a lot of class.”
The company employs about three dozen people. In addition to its many projects, the firm’s owners are starting to do more to encourage young people to consider careers in trades. They are working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks on an event that will highlight all the great jobs this industry has to offer.
“It’s a physical job, but it’s a very rewarding job,” Washburn said. “There’s a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day when you can see what you’ve built with your own two hands. When you go home at the end of the day, you’re probably tired, but you can see something done and for the right personality that is very rewarding.”
Dan started working construction during the
Ensure Consistency
Job Interviews are common practice and one of the most critical components of any hiring process. Yet, hiring managers will often take freedom with the interview process and the questions they ask. While they may seem innocuous and are often common practice, asking an interviewee personal characteristic questions may be viewed as discrimination, as defined by the EEOC. The most prominent areas of concern are generally around an individual’s age, Visa Status, family or disability status, religion, and previous salary. Avoid direct questions such as “Are you a U.S. citizen? Do you have children, or do you plan to have children? or What is your religion?”
Questions like these often have no bearing on whether an individual can complete the responsibilities of the job and their responses can create biases, positively or negatively. Interviews are designed to highlight the skills and abilities of the best person for the job, they should not become personal in nature. Navigating the variability of differing state laws can be complex, especially for national companies, making it imperative to ensure consistency with current HR laws.
www.walrathrecruiting.com
summer of 1995 where he found a passion for the building industry. That passion led him to Hilltop Construction in 1998.
April has kept the office organized and running smooth since 2004. She handles day-to-day operations from phone calls and emails to human resources and accounting.
Tom Jr. joined the family business full-time in 1998. After four years of training under Hilltop’s top foremen, he was promoted to foreman and started running his own crew.
Fourteen years later, he transitioned to project manager, learning to bid projects, track job cost and similar duties.
Tom and Dan began running the day-to-day operations of scheduling jobs, employees and bidding in 2012. From that point on the company doubled in size to where it is today.
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
50 Plus
Many Non-Profit Agencies Depend Heavily On The Volunteer Efforts Of Local Senior Citizens
BY CHRISTINE GRAF
Volunteering is vital to the economy, the estimated economic value of volunteer work in America exceeding $120 billion. With volunteer rates and hours on a steady decline for the past 20 years, local non-profits are relying more than ever on the 50-plus demographic.
Family Services Association of Glens Falls, a non-profit agency that provides services and support to families in crisis or in an emergency situation, relies heavily on a small team of volunteers, most of them retired. The agency serves Warren, Washington and Northern Saratoga counties.
“We help people that are in situations that are beyond their resources,” said Executive Director Kimberly Sopczyk. “We pride ourselves on being kind and offering assistance and support. Our volunteers play a large role with that.”
Volunteers staff the agency’s full-service food pantry, one that operates Monday through Friday.
“We consider it an emergency food pantry because you don’t need an appointment,” said Sopczyk. “You can either call that day and arrange a visit or stop in.”
According to Sopczyk, the agency also relies on volunteers to help with Feet First, an annual event that takes place in August.
“We assist low-income families with purchasing new school shoes for their children to return to school in the fall. Our tagline is that we want all children to put their best foot forward. Our goal is to serve 450 this summer,” she said.
Participating families receive a $50 Famous Footwear gift card for each school-aged child in their household. They also receive books donated by the Benjamin D. Osborn Memorial Fund and Literacy for Little Ones.
Feet First is funded by grants as well as by generous support from the Glens Falls Lions Club and local churches and organizations. An estimated $25,000 is necessary to purchase gift cards for the program.
Family Services of Glens Falls also collects new socks, ones distributed to families in need. Socks are sourced from Bombas (a sock company that donates one pair of socks for every pair sold) as well as through community donations.
Grace Desjardins, a student at Queensbury High School, recently donated 700 pairs, ones collected during a sock drive she organized.
When Christmas approaches, the agency gears up for its other annual event, Adopt-AFamily. Fifteen volunteers are needed each year to oversee the event, one that provides Christmas presents for families in need. Last year, 200 community members stepped up, purchasing gifts for adopted families.
“It’s much easier to find volunteers for annual programs because it’s just one or two days that they are giving to us,” said Sopczyk. “The regular volunteers for Monday through Friday is a little harder because it’s a regular schedule.”
With a staff of just three employees handling 3,000 cases a year, the non-profit relies heavily on their regular volunteers, some of whom did not return after the pandemic. Regular volunteers work designated shifts in the office or food pantry, and spots are currently available in both capacities.
For those who don’t want to commit to a regular shift, volunteers are always needed to pick up food from the Regional Food Bank or to shop for diapers or other items that are out of stock in the food pantry (shoppers are reimbursed for the cost of the products they purchase). Opportunities are also available for anyone who wants to spend a few hours sorting
Senior Demographic Is Now Opting For FullService Travel Advisors When Planning Trips
BY CHRISTINE GRAF
Americans are traveling in record numbers, with the United States aviation industry reporting that 2023 was its busiest year ever. Local travel advisors expect 2024 to be another banner year for travel, particularly among the age 50-plus demographic.
At Heber Travel Services in Queensbury, sales manager Stacie Baxter said many of her clients in the 50-plus demographic are venturing to far-off destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Africa, and Australia.
“People are traveling more, and they are taking month-long vacations instead of one-week vacations. A lot of older people are traveling, and my oldest this year is 95, and he’s going to Europe,” she said.
Many of Baxter’s clients are opting for ocean or river cruises or a combination of land and sea vacations. Others are choosing to travel to countries from which their ancestors emigrated, their interest often fueled by genealogy research.
“I see a lot of older people wanting to go back to their roots,” she said. “They may go and spend a month there.”
Regardless of the destination, when working with agents at Heber Travel, clients receive personalized attention.
“We are a full-service travel agent,” said Baxter, a 40-year veteran of the travel industry. “When people are spending $30 or 40,000, they want more or less a concierge. We’re very hands on, doing things like helping clients get their visas. I had clients in Asia, and they said when they got on their cruise, there were over 100 people left standing at the pier because they didn’t have the right visas.”
Last summer, Baxter was one of 300 travel agents chosen to visit Australia as a guest of the Australian Tourism Board. During her two-week stay, she visited many landmarks and attractions, becoming well-versed on Australian tourism in the process.
At Premier Plus Travel & Tours in Glens Falls, owner Dawn Biddiscombe is also seeing a surge of interest in European vacations and cruises.
“Prices have increased since COVID, but there is still a high volume for Europe and Caribbean cruises,” she said. “That’s not slowing down. Everybody is looking to do a lot of unique tours, and right now, Italy and Ireland are very big.”
According to Biddiscombe, clients in the 50plus demographic often book trips for their family members instead of buying gifts for them.
“They want memories. People in that age group are booking with no hesitation. So many of my clients are booking travel for family reunions, Christmas gifts, and graduation gifts. People are traveling more with their families and friends. I have a lot more people booking in groups,” she said.
For example, Biddiscombe recently booked an Alaska vacation for a group of 19, all of them in their 50s and 60s. The two-week itinerary includes one week on land and one week at sea.
She said longer vacations are becoming much more common, especially for those traveling to
Europe.
“People want that experience, and they want to see the world,” she said.
“The baby boomer demographic is traveling a lot—people in their 60s and 70s who are worried they might not be able to travel once they are in their 80s,” said Ed Plog, president of Playbill Travel in Saratoga Springs.
Plog, a travel advisor with five decades of experience, said business is booming at his agency.
“Last year was one of the best years ever because there was a lot of pent up demand. That demand has spilled over into 2024, and 2025 bookings look good,” he noted.
According to Plog, the majority of his clients opt for customized itineraries, with Europe being the most popular destination.
“The type of travel for my business has definitely changed in that it’s more involved, more customized, and more upscale than it was in the past,” he said.” We put these trips together piece by piece to fit with a person’s budget. And because we belong to a consortia, we have contacts all over the world. I have someone locally on the ground who can help me put a trip together.”
Many of Plog’s age 50-plus clients are opting for 10-,15-, or 19-day cruises to destinations in Europe, South America, and other corners of the world. The agency’s Broadway-themed cruises are also extremely popular, typically selling out.
“We charter luxury ships—usually three or four a year—and we bring on Tony-winning Broadway stars, and they perform on board the ship. Each night, one star will do a showcase performance and then they are on board the ship and mingle with the guests and go on the tours with us,” said Plog. “We get people in their 30s and 40s, but the majority are 50-plus. The oldest you would see is early to mid-80s, but the majority are in their 60s and early 70s. These folks are diehard theater fans from all over the world.”
Kimberly Sopczyk, executive director of Family Services of Glens Falls, relies on volunteers. Saratoga Business Journal
Stacie Baxter at Heber Travel sees people taking extended month long trips.
The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council Announces Community Arts Grants for 2024
The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) has announced the recipients of its Community Arts Grant program for 2024.
Local artists and organizations will receive $100,000 for arts programming taking place throughout Warren and Washington Counties in 2024.
This grant opportunity is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by LARAC. The Community Arts Grant is a re-grant program that provides financial assistance for community-based arts activities.
The goal of the Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program is to provide quality arts programming to all of Warren and Washington Counties; assist emerging arts organizations; support the artistic expression of Warren and Washington County’s diversity; and make arts programming accessible to under-served audiences.
For 2024, six Individual Artists will receive $2,500 to produce new work, three of them being Serena Kovalosky of Washington County for her project “Moving Mountains: The Mustard Seed Project,” Jenny Hutchinson of Warren County for her project “Collaborative Public Mural: The Community Gardens,” and Daniel Costello of Washington County for his project “The Old Man in the ICU.”
Seven Art Education applicants were awarded a total of $20,425 for in-school and community-based programming in 2024. The North Creek Railway Depo Preservation Association of North Creek in Warren County will be continuing with their impactful children’s program “People and Trains That Could,” Tracy Nzambi of Warren County will be working with students from Queensbury High School through her program “Reflections,” and Amorak Youth of Washington County will be helping students develop their musical talents through their program “Amorak Youth Music Program.”
“Congratulations to all the recipients of this year’s Community Arts Grant program,” said Mara Manus, executive director of NYSCA. “As an es-
Hudson Headwaters
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Kramer, Adirondack Health president and CEO. “Co-locating our services benefits both the patient experience and the continuum of care. We are pleased to welcome them to the neighborhood.”
Family Health at Lake Placid will focus on comprehensive advanced primary care services such as family medicine, care management, family planning (birth control), preventive women’s health services (pap smears) and integrated behavioral health. The center will also address enrolled patients’ acute needs as they arise via same-day access.
“Although Family Health at Lake Placid is not an emergency department or urgent care facility, we understand that access is important to the community,” said Melissa Gooley, RN, regional practice leader – northern region. “We are building same-day appointments into our scheduling for enrolled patients of Hudson Headwaters and community members who are not yet patients, as space allows. We encourage community members without primary care to enroll as Hudson Headwaters patients.”
Providers of Family Health at Lake Placid are Danielle King, NP; Emily Monaco, PA; Sarah Thompson, M.D.; and Arianne Wilson, M.D. These providers also see patients at Saranac Lake Family Health and will see patients at both locations to expand access and convenience. Family Health at Lake Placid continues to accept employment applications from providers to plan for anticipated growth.
Family Health at Lake Placid is open this summer Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Plans are underway to expand hours in the fall. New patients are welcome. For more information, call the center at 518-824-2564 or visit Hudson Headwaters’ website at HHHN.org/locations/ family-health-at-lake-placid. A virtual tour of the facility can be found at https://bit.ly/ familyhealthatlakeplacidtour.
sential part of our arts and cultural sector, we wish these Warren and Washington county artists and organizations the greatest success as they deliver the critical benefits of the arts to our residents and visitors. Where the arts thrive, New York soars!”
For 2024, forty Organizations and Artists applied for SCR funding, out of which thirty-one will receive funding. They are:
Warren County Organizational Grantees:
Adirondack Ballet Theater
All Abilities Productions of Upstate New York
Friends of Johnsburg Parks, INC.
Glens Falls Community Theatre
North Country Arts Center
Our Town Theatre Group
Queensbury Senior Citizens
The Union Chapel Association of Sabbath Day Point
NY
Wiawaka Holiday House
World Awareness Children’s Museum
Washington County Organizational Grantees: Agricultural Stewardship Association
Greenwich Free Library
Hudson River Shakespeare Company
Little Theater on the Farm
Senior Center of Kingsbury and Fort Edward Area
Town of Salem
Village of Fort Edward Canal Street Marketplace
Village of Granville
Whitehall Skene Manor Presentation, INC.
Individual Artists Grantees:
Daniel Costello
Frieda Toth
Gregg Figura
Jenny Hutchinson
Jonathan Newell
Rachel Nardin
Arts Education Grantees:
Amorak Youth
Bolton Free Library
Johnsburg Youth Committee
North Creek Railway Depo Preservation Society
Queensbury Senior Citizens
Tracy Nzambi
Warren-Hamilton Counties Action Committee for Economic Opportunity
Saratoga Springs Harbor Freight Joins Glens Falls And Clifton Park As Th ird Area Location
Harbor Freight Tools opened its new store in Saratoga Springs on July 13.
The Saratoga Springs store, located 3064 Route 50, will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Over 75 million customers, from professional contractors and technicians to homeowners and hobbyists, come to Harbor Freight to find the tools and equipment they need to get the job done. The company has a world-class team of engineers and experts in all tool categories to ensure that its tools meet or exceed industry standards and deliver unsurpassed value.
The store stocks a full selection of tools and equipment in categories including automotive, air and power tools, storage, outdoor power equipment, generators, welding supplies, shop equipment, hand tools and much more. The
The new store is the 66th Harbor Freight Tools store in New York state. The company, which hired locally, has brought between 25-30 new jobs to the
Adirondack Thunder
Continued From Page 1
record during the regular season in his first two years behind the bench.
“I am extremely humbled and excited to continue on the bench with the Thunder,” said Bergin. “The energy the fans bring at Cool Insuring Arena is second to none, and I am so proud and grateful to continue with the organization. We have some unfinished business this season and I am excited to get back to the top of the North Division and be Kelly Cup contenders.”
Before his coaching career began, Bergin attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and served as the team’s captain his senior season. In 107 collegiate games, he had eight goals and 32 assists for 40 points and 163 penalty minutes.
“Working with Mike for the past two seasons has been a blessing,” said MacArthur.
community.
“Our team is ready to serve and deliver value to customers in Saratoga Springs and all of Saratoga County,” said John Longworth, store manager. “At Harbor Freight, we recognize that now more than ever our customers depend on us for the tools they need to get the job done at an affordable price.”
The family-owned company started in Southern California in 1977, when Eric Smidt began bypassing middlemen, working directly with factories, and passing the savings on to customers. The first store opened in 1980, and the company has grown to over 1,500 stores nationwide. With two to three new locations opening every week, Harbor Freight is one of America’s fastest growing retailers.
The company was recently certified as a “Great Place to WorkTM” for the second year in a row. It has also been recognized by Forbes as one of the 20 best large companies to work for in retail for four years in a row, one of the nation’s best employers for veterans, and one of 20 best large companies for women to work for in retail.
“His evaluation skills and leadership are second to none. The Thunder organization and its fans are lucky to have him and his family on board again, and I am personally fired up to continue chasing a championship with him.”
Following his collegiate career, the defenseman played two years in Sweden before returning to play for the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals and Adirondack Thunder. Bergin played a total of 187 games with Elmira and Adirondack and recorded seven goals and 28 assists for 35 points and 294 penalty minutes.
After playing professionally, Bergin joined the coaching staff of NCAA (D3) Skidmore College from 2017 to 2022.
He currently resides in Saratoga Springs with his wife, Jennie, and children Abe, Zac and Van. Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale now. For more information on ticket packages visit www.echlthunder.com/tickets. For all the latest Adirondack Thunder news, follow the team on all social media @ECHLThunder.
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Aviation Mall has announced the inclusion of 518 Grapplers, a facility offering wrestling programs for area youth.
Jen Bromley, owner of 518 Grapplers, explains the evolution of their wrestling facility: “Our journey started in 2020 with wrestling practices in our basement with Head Coach Heath Bromley. As interest grew, we launched the Queensbury Grapplers, an off-season wrestling program through Queensbury Parks and Recreation. This initiative, catering to students from 1st to 12th grade, complemented the in-season “Mat Rats” youth wrestling program for grades K-6. Due to the limited availability of school facilities, which were often occupied by other sports, concerts, plays, and school activities, we recognized the need to create our own space to accommodate the growing interest in wrestling,” she said.
“The Queensbury Grapplers program quickly became a hub for young athletes from surrounding areas, including Warrensburg and Glens Falls, who shared our passion for expanding local wrestling opportunities. Our primary goal is to provide year-round wrestling opportunities without the need for long commutes, as the nearest off-season wrestling programs are in Malta, which was not feasible for many families. By offering flexible options such as monthly dues and drop-in rates, we made off-season training more accessible and affordable for parents,” she concluded.
518 Grapplers is located next to the former Sears space in the mall. For more information, email 518grapplers@gmail.com.
The Fall 2024 SEED Program is now accepting applications.
The SEED Loan Program is a character-based loan fund developed in partnership between Broadview Federal Credit Union and the University at Albany’s Small Business Development Center and School of Business. The program provides 10 weeks of entrepreneurial training after which the participant is eligible to pitch for a character-based loan of up to $35,000.
.All accepted participants are required to participate in 11 weeks of training prior to their loan pitch. The training classes include business skill development, business plan development, and peer support network.
The Fall 2024 program is planned to be virtually via the Zoom platform. Consistent access to a computer is strongly recommended for all participants.
Following the training classes, each of the participants will pitch their concept to the loan committee for funding consideration. The loan decision is based on the character of the application and the overall business concept.
Throughout the program participants are supported by a dedicated business advisor from the
Non-Profit Agencies
Continued From Page 10
and tagging donated clothing.
Family Services of Glens Falls also has two positions open on its board of directors. The job doesn’t require a significant amount of time or heavy fundraising.
The Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs is another local agency that relies on volunteers, utilizing them in a variety of ways. Each year, the center’s programs and services positively impact over 12,000 individuals. Core to its mission are the Franklin Free Store Donation Center, a food pantry, and Project Lift, an after-school program focused on bolstering self-esteem for children in grades 1-5. The center also operates Franklin Community Manor which has 17 single-occupancy efficiency apartments for low-income adults.
“We are a family services organization,” said Meg Monthie, operations and volunteer coordinator. “We also do referrals, so anything we can’t provide, we refer out to someone else in the area.”
According to Monthie, the center has a large contingent of dedicated volunteers, the majority of whom are in the 50-plus demographic. Some of them work in the Franklin Free Store, sorting donations and assisting customers on shopping days.
Located at 101 Washington Street, the store is open Wednesday-Friday from 9a.m.-12 p.m.
Small Business Development Center, a dedicated MBA consultant to assist them in developing their business model and an entrepreneurship professor from the University at Albany’s School of Business.
The Park Theater Foundation is presenting its free Summer Series Concerts at the Crandall Park Bandshell each Friday evening (7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) until August 2.
There will be a rotating cast of local food trucks located on-site throughout the series offering a variety of small plates and beverages that will be available for purchase each evening.
Rain Location: The Park Theater (14 Park Street, Glens Falls.)
For more information, visit our website at parktheatergf.com.
Upstate Agency, LLC, part of the Arrow Family of Companies, has announced the acquisition of select assets of A&B Agency, Inc., an employee benefits insurance solutions provider located in southern Albany County.
The strategic partnership aligns with Upstate’s core business units, further enhancing its employee benefits solutions and expanding its geographic reach in the Capital Region and south.
“This partnership represents more than a business transaction; it’s a union of shared values, vision and passion,” said Douglas Thorn, President and CEO of Upstate Agency. “Having worked with owners Keith and Jennifer MacTavish in the past, I’m confident they’ll bring great expertise to our agency while continuing to serve their valued clients.”
Based in South Glens Falls, Upstate specializes in personal, commercial and employee benefits insurance solutions with a coverage area spanning from Albany to Plattsburgh. In terms of revenue, Upstate Agency currently ranks sixth in Employee Benefits and fifth for Property & Casualty in the Capital Region as compiled by the Albany Business Review. Dave DeMarco, President and CEO of Arrow Financial Corporation and parent company of Upstate, said, “This strategic growth opportunity will enhance Upstate’s reputation as an experienced group of local agents who have their clients’ best interests at heart. With a solid base of insurance operations in the Capital Region, we are excited to expand farther south and showcase our consultative approach.”
Keith and Jennifer MacTavish, owners of A&B Agency, Inc., also expressed their enthusiasm by stating, “We are excited about this opportunity to further enhance employee benefits insurance solutions. We look forward to being a part of Upstate Agency and the Arrow Family of Companies.”
Donations are accepted on Mondays and Tuesdays by appointment only. Clothing, household goods, toys, games, and small baby items are accepted. All items are offered free of charge, but the store does have a two-bag limit.
“We have things like dishes, sheets, towels— basically anything you can think of to start up apartment,” said Monthie, noting that they do not accept furniture.
Volunteers are also utilized in the food pantry, with two shifts available (9a.m.-12p.m., 12:30p.m.-3:30p.m.) Mondays-Thursdays, the days that the pantry is open. The food pantry offers a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, canned goods, and personal care items. Clients place orders through an online ordering platform, and those without access to online ordering can call to place an order. Walk-ins are accommodated in emergency situations only.
For those who enjoy working outside, volunteers are always needed in the center’s vegetable garden, one located behind the food pantry.
“That’s more flexible, and if you are interested in gardening, you can help with weeding or watering,” said Monthie.
She also mentioned that the center is seeking volunteers to organize donation drives to collect personal hygiene products, diapers, paper products, and gift cards.
“Our biggest need right now is for donation drives, so we’re always looking for anyone who wants to put together a drive” said Monthie.
Construction Of A New Bass Pro Shops In Clifton Park Expected To Start Th is Summer
BY CHRISTINE GRAF
More than a year after announcing plans to build a new Bass Pro Shops in Clifton Park, the sporting goods retailer has received final site plan approval from the Town of Clifton Park Planning Board. Construction is expected to begin this summer on the 77,000-square-foot store at 400 Clifton Park Center Road.
According to Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett, Bass Pro Shops could not move forward with construction until the company received final approval from federal and state agencies.
“There was a lot of speculation about why the town was holding them up, but it had nothing to do with us,” he explained. “They had to complete a process over and above what was required by the town. As far as the town was concerned, they had satisfied all of our requirements some time ago.”
Bass Pro Shops’ decision to build a store in Clifton Park was the culmination of several years of discussions between the retailer and town officials.
“I’ve spoken with executives from Bass Pro and Cabela’s for a number of years,” said Barrett. “Both companies had interest in this marketplace, and now they are one company (Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s for $4 billion in 2017). They found the perfect location that they were looking for in Clifton Park, and the renderings that I have seen for the store are just incredible.”
Although Barrett does not have a timeline for construction, he expects it to begin in the near future.
“I know they want to be open next year,” he said.
Although some residents have expressed concerns that Bass Pro Shops will draw more traffic to the already busy exit 9 retail corridor, Barrett said there are details within the site plan that address traffic flow. Similar traffic-related concerns were expressed by residents when Chick-Fil-A opened a new restaurant in Clifton Park last year.
“We heard all about how Chick-Fil-A would
bring the whole town to a stop,” he said. “The first few weeks were incredibly busy, but it has normalized. That’s typically what you see. I think it’s going to be the same thing with Bass Pro Shops. I’m sure it will be extremely busy in the beginning but that it will normalize over time.”
According to Barrett, the town was well prepared to deal with the onslaught of traffic during the first weeks that Chick-Fil-A was open.
“We did a lot of planning up front. We worked very closely with our partner policing agencies and we worked very closely with the management of Chick-Fil-A,” he said.
Barrett reports that commerce remains strong throughout Clifton Park.
“We’re glad exit 9 is busy,” he said. “It is incredibly important to the present and future financial standing for the town. If it gets to a day that it isn’t, the town will be in very big trouble. Exit 9 is busy because there’s an incredible amount of retail, health care, and hospitality services. Not only are these all important to a thriving functioning municipality from a service standpoint, they are incredibly important from a financial standpoint.”
As a result, Barrett said Clifton Park has some of the lowest taxes in the state.
“Per the controller’s office, I think we are number 911 out of 940 towns. And our schools are very well funded. These are two important results from a successful municipality. Couple that with tremendous services and recreational outlets in the town,” he said.
The town recently opened a new outdoor adventure course as well as new pickleball complex at Veterans Park. Other investments have included the construction of a new playground at the Clifton Commons and the addition of a new roof at the ice arena.
Low housing inventory continues to plague the town, houses selling within days at well above asking price.
“It’s all about value, and you get your best value here. People want to live here,” said Barrett.
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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
2000 Business Of The Year Adirondack Regional Chamber Of Commerce
9 Broad St. Glens Falls, NY 12803 (518) 581-0600 • Fax: (518) 430-3020 • www.glensfallsbusinessjournal.com
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Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen
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Contributing Writers Susan Campbell Jill Nagy Christine Graf Paul Post
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
This is a rendering of the Bass Pro Shops store planned for Clifton Park. Proposed is a 70,000-squarefoot facility at the site of the former Northstar/Mohawk Chevrolet.
Courtesy Bass Pro Shops
Glens Falls Area Restaurants
Glens Falls and surrounding towns have a variety of casual dining opportunities for every taste, budget and occasion. Find a Glens Falls NY restaurant from the list below.
Park & Elm
Glens Falls, NY
Park & Elm is a multi-concept eatery with a gourmet market, delicatessen, and fi ne dining restaurant located in walkable downtown Glens Falls. Enjoy an elevated dining experience, grab a breakfast or lunch to go, or shop the market for local goods.
Park 26
Glens Falls, NY
Park 26 is an innovative restaurant that offers locally-inspired, modern American cuisine that’s perfect for a date night, business dinner or family celebration. Located inside The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls.
O’Toole’s Restaurant Pub
Queensbury, NY
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed meal or a night of fun and excitement, you’ll want to come to O’Toole’s. We’ve got the best food, drinks and entertainment in the area! Come on in and experience dining at it’s best. We look forward to seeing you.
Jack’s American Bistro
Queensbury, NY
Jack’s American Bistro was the culmination of a lifetime spent in the restaurant business. After several months of planning in June 2004 the doors were open to a new dining experience in the Glens Falls/Queensbury area.
The Docksider Restaurant
Lake George, NY
Open year round on Glen Lake in Queensbury, The Docksider Restaurant features lunch and dinner with a fireplace for winter and a great deck for outdoor dining overlooking the water.
Fenimore’s Pub
Glens Falls, NY
Fenimore’s Pub in the heart of downtown Glens Falls is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Davidson Brothers Restaurant Glens Falls, NY
Located in downtown Glens Falls, Davidson Brothers Restaurant & Brewery is a hotspot for craft beer and food in a laid-back atmosphere.
Morgan & Co. Restaurant Glens Falls, NY
Experience fine American dining in downtown Glens Falls at Morgan & Co. Every dish offers a unique and innovative twist on original recipes. Morgan & Co. also caters events from weddings to reunions and more!
The Grateful Den Glens Falls, NY
The Grateful Den offers a different take on traditional pub grub, as well as classic favorites like chicken wings, burgers, and salads. Their menu also includes specialty appetizers, sandwiches, and plenty of craft beer options on tap.
The Log Jam
Lake George, NY
An authentic log cabin serving lunch and dinner daily. Featuring signature sandwiches at lunch and succulent prime rib, juicy hand cut steaks, live lobsters, fresh seafood, chicken,and more at dinner. All entrees include our bountiful salad bar.
Courtesy of GlensFalls.com
Muroff Hospitality Group announced the sale of The Mohican Resort of Lake George and the 8000 square foot Boats by George Storage Building, located at 1545 State Route 9, Lake George, New York. Both properties were owned by Chad Nims (1545 State Route 9 LLC). The entire property is 4.69 Acres and was recently subdivided to sell the motel property (3.75 acres) to Amit & Payal Kumar and the Boat Storage Building (.94 acre)) to George Pensel (Five Star Marina Properties, LLC).
This well-established, long-time familyowned resort boasts 44 units, ranging in size from traditional guest rooms to 2-bedroom suites, condo-like units, townhouses and a newly renovated 4-bedroom home. Additional amenities include sparkling out-
door and heated indoor swimming pools, game room, business center, basketball court, BBQ grills, fitness center, park like setting, gazebo, guest laundry, children’s playground, housekeeping, and more. The Mohican Resort is only minutes to Great Escape, the Lake George Outlets, Millionaires Beach, Cruise Ships, Village of Lake George, Ft. William Henry, restaurants, shopping, bars and local attractions.
Mitch Muroff of Muroff Hospitality Group represented the Seller and secured the Buyers in this exclusive listing. The total sales price was $3,100,000 (2,700,000 for the Motel and $400,000 for the Boat Storage building). and the transaction closed on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Glens Falls, New York.
ATTENTION WRITERS
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Writing for the Glens Falls and Saratoga Business Journals will get you out into the world interviewing interesting members of your community and getting paid for it.
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The Mohican property was subdivided to sell the motel property to Amit & Payal Kumar and the Boat Storage Building to George Pensel (Five Star Marina Properties, LLC).
