Saratoga Business Journal - November 2022

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

VOL. 27 NO. 09

HH The Business Newspaper of Saratoga County HH

www.saratogabusinessjournal.com

Developers Of Adelphi, Rip Van Dam Hotel Project May Sell The Units As Condominiums

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

When longtime friends and business partners Michael Dubb and Larry Roth began redevelopment of the historic Rip Van Dam in downtown Saratoga Springs, they planned for the 200,000-square-foot build ing to include 84 apartments.

They are now considering marketing the units as condominiums.

“Nothing about the building is changing,” said Michael Dubb who is also the owner of Beechwood Homes on Long Island. “The

only question is whether it will be rental or sale on the apartment side of it.”

As part of the redevelopment project, The Adelphi and the former Rip Van Dam will be connected and operate as one entity.

The building that housed the Rip Van Dam is being expanded and renovated, and the exterior façade has already been updated.

In addition to the 84 apartment or con dominiums, the building will feature 31 hotel rooms, underground parking, a spa, a

Officials Hold Ceremony To Fete The Project Bringing High-Speed Internet To The City

Saratoga Springs city officials and SiFi Networks celebrated the official ground breaking of the Saratoga Springs FiberCity project on Oct. 25, a fiberoptic network being built citywide to improve digital con nectivity in the city.

Once complete, the $32 million venture, being funded privately, will see high-speed fiber infrastructure available to every household, business, and institution within city limits, officials said.

Work to construct the network began ear lier this year with the first homes scheduled to go-live in the fall of 2023. The entire city is slated for completion in 2024. Officials also announced that the internet service pro vider GigabitNow has signed on to be first provider on the network, offering speeds up to 10 Gigabits per second—among the fastest internet speeds in the United States, accord ing to SiFi.

“This is a once-in-a-generation infra structure project that will usher in a new era of high-speed connectivity, digital inclusion, digital readiness, and new opportunities to expand and innovate in our local economy,” said Jason Golub, city commissioner of Public Works.

duopoly model that phone companies and internet providers have long enjoyed.

“Once complete, our residents and busi nesses will benefit from competition,” said Golub.

15

Chamber’s ‘Love Our Locals’ Restaurant Promotion Running Through End Of Year

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is running its Love Our Locals $20.22 promotion at local restaurants through the remainder of the year.

The campaign supports local businesses and non profit organizations throughout Saratoga County.

“When the pandemic hit, we were focused on saving our locals,” said Todd Shimkus, president, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “The outpouring of support to help boost the county’s economic recovery over the last few years has been monumental and we want the momentum to con tinue. Our community is so vibrant thanks, in part, to our local businesses and nonprofit organizations. We want to continue to show them the love.”

Residents and tourists can support a Saratoga County business or nonprofit by spending or donat ing $20.22 or more at participating eateries. They will be eligible to enter a gift card giveaway. Individuals are encouraged to email a photo of their receipt of $20.22 or more to loveourlocals@saratoga.org for entry.

Each week, the Chamber will randomly select winners for $100 gift cards to businesses across the county.

Funds to purchase the gift cards came from a Saratoga County Board of Supervisors grant. The grant money was part of a COVID-19 fund reserved for small, local nonprofit organizations who helped small businesses bounce back from the impact of COVID-19.

“We were impressed with the Chamber’s efforts to save our local businesses in 2020, and again in 2021,” said Matthew Veitch, a county supervisor representing Saratoga Springs. “We are honored to be in a position where we can support the Chamber

in its mission to ensure our local small businesses remain part of our community.”

“Whether shopping for the holidays, getting your hair done, donating to charity, sweating it out during a fitness class, dining in, or taking out, your purchase or donation of $20.22 or more counts,” said Shimkus. “Along with that, we want everyone to think even bigger this year – if you hire a local lawn care company or someone to plow your driveway, if you work with a contractor to remodel your kitchen, if you visit your doctor for an eye exam – these types of services from local businesses all count.”

For more information on Love Our Locals $20.22, visit: www.saratoga.org/love-our-locals.

Unlike a typical fiber network, the Fiber City is being built as an open access network, meaning that with one connection, residents and businesses can access multiple service providers for high-speed internet service, Smart City applications, telehealth, stream ing video, voice, and other uses, officials said. On an open access network, service providers compete for customers based on service, price, and reliability, essentially disrupting the decades-old monopoly or

Officials said one key element of Saratoga Springs’ FiberCity network is that it is being made available to every address—business, residential, and institution—within the city. This includes low-income housing units that are typically passed over by internet service providers.

“We’re excited to partner with the city and celebrate full-scale construction of the Saratoga Springs FiberCity. We believe that everyone in the community deserves access to high-speed fiber infrastructure—con

Saratoga Quality Hardware Adds Lumberyard For Professional Contractors And DIY People

BY JILL NAGY

A 5,520-square-foot lumberyard, building supply, and design center has been added to Saratoga Quality Hardware at 110 Excelsior Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

The new addition was partially opened in July and now is fully expanded.

“We had some kinks we wanted to work out,” said Louise Eddy, who owns Saratoga Quality Hardware and its sister store in Hudson Falls, Burgoyne Quality Hardware.

“This lumberyard has been on the drawing board for a long time,” Eddy said. “We are excited to expand our selection for our Saratoga area customers and bring them the same premium lumber and high quality building materials we have been selling in our Hudson Falls lumberyard.”

The Hudson Falls store added a drive-through lumberyard—consisting of two flatbed trucks with forklifts—in 2002. The Saratoga yard is a conventional store, not a drive-through. In addition to lumber, it sells roofing materials, siding, and other building materials.

There is also a design center, essentially a show room for paints and similar decorating materials, including samples and informational literature. Also available are Weathershield windows and Eddy plans displays of that line of merchandise in a few months.

The lumberyard is designed to meet the needs of both professional contractors and do-it-yourselfers. So far, Eddy said, the majority of their customers have been professional contractors.

The staff includes three dedicated employees, supplemented by other sales personnel as needed. Sam Smead, a 20-year veteran of the lumber and building supplies business, manages the lumber

yard. Greg Wood, another experienced hand, is the new inside sales representative for the design center.

Eddy has owned the company for 12 years.

The decision to expand into the lumber busi ness was based upon the availability of space and the location. In the past, Saratoga customers were referred to Hudson Falls to purchase lumber.

Saratoga Quality Hardware is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Further information is available on the company’s website, SaratogaQualityHardware.com. The telephone number for the Saratoga store is 518-584-9180.

The Love Our Locals $20.22 promotion at local restaurants runs through year’s end.

Louise Eddy, owner, and Sam Snead at the Saratoga Quality Hardware lumberyard.

Robert Heaps of SiFi Networks speaks at a gathering of city and business leaders.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

Stefanie DiMartino

As part of the redevelopment project, The Adelphi and the former Rip Van Dam will be connected and operate as one entity. The Rip Van Dam is being expanded and renovated.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

Jessica Cloer Named Curator At National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame recently named Jessica Cloer as its new mu seum curator.

Cloer comes to the museum with more than a decade of experience working in museums. She began her career sharing the story of America’s founding as a park ranger at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Since 2013, she has been a registrar at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University, Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Mass., Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., and the Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa.

Also, Matt Reichel was hired as museum educa tor.

A graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Mass., where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in His tory, Cloer went on to earn a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard University. In her free time, she enjoys visiting museums and historic sites, exploring the outdoors and traveling.

“Jessica and Matt are great additions to our team at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame,” said Cate Masterson, museum director. “Both are talented and proven professionals in their respective disciplines and will be tremendous assets to the museum in their new positions.”

Reichel worked in the field of education in New York’s Capital Region for five years prior to joining the museum. Upon graduating from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history, he taught at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, and at Saratoga Central Catholic and the Saratoga Film Academy. Following his undergraduate studies, Reichel earned a Master of Arts in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

He has also worked at the New York State Museum in Albany. A resident of Saratoga Springs, Reichel is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America.

More information about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, including upcoming events, can be found online at www.racingmuseum. org or by calling (518) 584-0400.

Christmas Tree For 2022-23 At Iconic Rockefeller Center Will Be From Queensbury

The Christmas tree that will stand in Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhat tan for the 2022-23 holiday season is one that was grown in Queensbury.

Standing at 82 feet tall, 50 feet wide and weighing in at 14 tons, the approximately 90-year-old Norway Spruce was selected from a private property, not a tree stand.

It is arriving at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Nov. 12, according to center officials.

They said last year’s tree, from Mary land, was only 79 feet tall and weight 12 tons, but was decked out with 50,000 lights and topped with a star weighing 900 pounds.

This year’s spruce will be topped with a star made from 3 million Swarovski crystals, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2018.

The iconic Rockefeller Center Christ mas Tree tradition dates back to 1933 and has endured for eight decades as a catalyst for some metropolis holiday spirit.

The annual tree lighting ceremony will be televised on “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” on Nov. 30, courtesy of NBC at 8 p.m.

According to the center’s newsletter, Erik Pauze, the head gardener for Rock efeller Center who selects the tree every year said, “We found this year’s tree back in May. After that, I went up several times, as I do with all the other trees, to water it and feed it and measure it. Moving the Tree is an operation in and of itself that can take months to plan and execute— from wrapping each branch of the Tree so it doesn’t bend or snap to compressing the width down so it’s fit for travel.

“This year, someone sent me a photo of a tree in Glens Falls, New York, so I went to go check it out. On the way to go see it, I passed another tree in a vacant lot

This is the tree that will be at Rockefeller Center in New York City this season.

[in Queensbury], and thought to myself, ‘I need to come back to this tree.’ After I finished with the other tree, I went back, walked up and down both sides of the street, and took a few pictures. I then did some calling around to find out who the owner of the tree was and made an ap pointment to inspect it closer.”

He added, “when I saw it over the top of a couple of stores, I hoped the bottom looked as good as the top. When I got closer, I knew it was perfect. I figured, let’s get this one to Rockefeller Center.”

Rockefeller Center is a regular stop for people shopping in Manhattan. The ice skating rink that the tree overlooks is also a well-known attraction.

Jessica Cloer, museum curator, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Matt Reichel, museum educator, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Marcia Murray Realty & Associates Opens Offices In Clifton Park As Business Grows

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Capital Region native and real estate com pany owner Marcia Murray recently opened her third office at 56 Clifton Country Road, Suite 102A, in Clifton Park.

Murray, a former ReMax agent, has 20 years of real estate experience. Four years ago, she ven tured out on her own and opened Marcia Murray Realty & Associates on Putnam Street in Saratoga Springs. Last year, she opened a second office in Albany.

When Murray announced plans to open a third office in Clifton Park, many people questioned her timing, she said. The real estate market had cooled and interest rates were on the rise.

“No one would have opened an office in this market. But I’ve always looked around, and what everyone else is doing, I don’t do. And it’s always been successful for me,” said Murray, noting that the Clifton Park office is now her busiest.

According to Murray, she had no idea what to expect when she opened her own real estate company just four short years ago.

“I had absolutely no idea. I just felt my way through it and could tell when it was time for us to go into another marketplace, and we did it. I’ve been asked by a lot of people if I ever thought we would fail. The answer is ‘absolutely not.’”

One of the things Murray is most proud of is a program she established called Selling Homes for a Cure. As part of that program, the American Cancer Society receives a portion of the commis sion from every home sold by her and her team of agents.

“Our customers receive a card stating that our agents have made a donation in their name to the American Cancer Society. It brings so much more meaning to what we do,” she said.

Murray said that she chose the American Cancer Society as the recipient of the donations because it is a charity that is especially meaningful to her.

“I lost my parents to cancer, and I have two agents who are cancer survivors. So, this was really super important to me. At our grand opening in July, we gave a $1000 donation to the American Cancer Society.”

Marcia Murray & Associates has a team of eight agents working in Clifton Park, Albany and Saratoga. Murray anticipates expanding her staff as her business continues to grow but acknowl edged that inventory shortages continue to be problematic.

“Inventory is starting to build although not enough. Higher interest rates have obviously cooled down the market a bit. Buyers are less able to qualify for what they could have before. But there is still a lot of demand for houses. We have a lot of buyers.”

Even as interest rates continue to rise, Murray remains bullish on the local real estate market, particularly in Saratoga County.

“I am really optimistic about it,” she said. “I believe that Saratoga County is the diamond of New York State right now. We are the most progressive, fastest growing county in the state.”

A resident of Malta, Murray is a member of the Saratoga County Planning Board and serves on sev eral local committees. As a result, she is able to see first-hand just how many companies are interested in operating in Saratoga County.

“I’m very involved in business development in the town of Malta as well,” she said. “I see all of the development coming in, and we are just growing so quickly. It’s an exciting time in Saratoga County for us, and we are super thrilled to be in Clifton Park.”

Kickstart Cafe In Schuylerville Offers Coffee, Tea, Breakfast Sandwiches And More

BY JILL NAGY

Inspired by a perceived commonality between coffee and motorcycles, Jamie Rock and Ray Newberry opened the Kickstart Cafe at 33 Ferry St. in Schuylerville.

According to their website, “Coffee and motorcycles share many fundamental val ues. Everyone has their own personal taste and the two things bring everyone together.”

Although, “there is a sprinkle of motor cycle people” among the clientele, the cafe is attracting mainly a family-oriented crowd, according to Rock.

They specialize in coffee and breakfast sandwiches, he said. The coffee comes from Iron Coffee Co., in Hoosick Falls whose owner, Mike Milliron, provided advice and taught the new barristas how to brew and serve coffee.

“I guarantee it’s some of the best coffee you ever had,” Rock said, adding that it is a bold Italian roast. They also offer a full menu of teas.

Among the breakfast sandwiches a favor ite, according to Rock, is the Sasquatch, “a meat lovers’ breakfast sandwich” with ham, bacon, sausage, egg and cheese. The same combination, plated, is called the Kick starter. For the less adventurous and more cholesterol-averse, “our avocado toast is very popular.”

Rock spent about a year as a barista before opening the cafe. For Newberry, it is his first endeavor in the field. The verdict, so far: “We love it. We love the lifestyle. We love it,” Rock said.

The cafe can seat about 30 people and also offers take-out. They have their own parking lot.

They plan, “for sure,” to expand in the future to other towns, if this goes well, and we think it will,” said Rock.

Kickstarter is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 7a.m- 3 p.m. They are closed Mondays. The menu and further information can be found at www.kickstartny.com or. Its telephone number is 518-507-6268.

Ray Newberry, left, and Jamie Rock opened the Kickstart Cafe in Schuylerville.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

Marcia Murray, left, poses with staff at the new Marcia Murray Realty & Associates offices at 56 Clifton Country Road, Suite 102A, in Clifton Park.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.comv

MORR-IS-Stored Is Expanding Its Flagship Storage Building; Will Have Some 800 Units

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Bill and Judy Morris, owners of MORR-IS-Stored, have responded to the increase in demand for selfstorage units by expanding their storage facility at 210 Old Gick Road in Wilton.

They opened their storage business in 2000 and now have two locations.

“We started out with four buildings. The facility that we built was nicer than average, and it really took off right away,” said Bill Morris. “We continued to expand slowly. We started out with 100 units, and we will be up to around 1,800 units. This was our fourth expansion.”

Their flagship location at 210 Old Gick Road is a nonclimate-controlled storage facility. When the expansion is complete, it will be home to 800 units.

“We got approved by the Town of Wilton for 100,000 square feet a little over a year ago. That included our boat and RV expansion. We completed half of that in May of this year. We’re going to let that fill up, and then our next go around will probably be next spring,” he said. “The problem with self-storage is that you build a building with absolutely no ten ants. We take a fairly conservative approach. As it fills up, we will move on.”

As part of their previous expansions, the couple built a climate-controlled facility at 36 Old Gick Road. That facility now contains 1,000 units.

According to Morris, MORR-IS-Stored has units available in a wide variety of sizes. They range from 5x5 feet to 12x5 feet.

“And we have everything in between. Our units range in price from $60 a month all the way up to $350 a month. The high end is for things like a boat and RV.”

Nationwide, the self-storage industry had expe rienced rapid growth. The pandemic-related boom in home sales had led to a dramatic increase in demand. According to industry reports, downsizing is the number one reason that American rent storage units.

“The pandemic has helped our business for sure,” said Morris.

Numerous local residents made the decision to sell their homes in order to capitalize on record high selling prices. After selling their houses in just a matter of days, some moved into apartments on a short-term basis.

“People were asking themselves, ‘What are we go ing to do with all of our stuff?’” Morris said. “That’s a scenario that’s played out time and time again for us.”

The self-storage industry’s growth is also being fueled by the baby boomer generation. More and more baby boomers are downsizing and moving into apartments or condominiums.

“People buy a condo downtown, and there’s only so much room for all of your stuff. Your bicycles, your golf clubs, your sports car, or whatever you may have,” said Morris.

Morris and his wife operate several other busi nesses in addition to their storage facilities. Bill has been in the excavating business since 1979 and is the owner of W. J. Morris Excavating.

“We’ve also developed several subdivisions. Mostly in Wilton and a few smaller ones in Saratoga,” he said. “We buy raw land, subdivide it, develop it, and sell individual lots off to builders. We also do all the excavating. We finished Craw Farm on Traver Road last year. It’s a 48-lot subdivision.”

The couple also owns and manages 30 apart ments in seven buildings on Old Gick Road.

“We do all the management ourselves,” Morris said. “We still answer the phone at night if somebody has a problem with an apartment.”

According to Morris, he and Judy operate their businesses with no employees.

“Judy’s twin sister helps out sometimes, but Judy and I run the whole show,” he said. “We are very hands on, and everything that we have we have built together. It’s been fun. Stressful but fun.”

Judy Morris is co-owner of MORR-IS-Stored which is expanding in Wilton.

Local Builder And Broker Cecil Provost Operating Out Of New Offices On Maple Ave.

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Local builder and real estate broker Cecil Pro vost has relocated his company’s headquarters to 570 Maple Ave. on Route 9.

Provost is the owner of Saratoga Construction, Saratoga Modular Homes, Saratoga Log Homes, and ProRealty New York Inc. He specializes in building energy-efficient custom and modular homes at affordable prices.

Before making the move to the new headquar ters, the company spent 10 years in a leased space on Lake Avenue. Prior to that, they were located on Putnam Street.

According to Provost, the decision to relocate occurred after the perfect property became avail able. It was purchased in May for $610,000.

“This opportunity came along, and it’s a great location. The building needed some renovations, but we think it will be a nice investment.”

As part of the renovations, Provost trans formed the four-bedroom residential home into an office. A 45x50 foot metal garage is now being used as a warehouse.

“We did all an all new mechanical system and all new floors. We created ADA bathrooms and put in a wheelchair lift for handicap accessibility,” said Provost. “On the exterior, we did windows, roof, siding, parking lot, and new lawn.”

Despite rising interest rates, Provost said that the local real estate market continues to boom.

“The market is as strong or stronger than ever. We anticipated that it would slow down with prices and interest rates going up, but we haven’t seen that at all. I think it’s because of a combina tion of factors. The local economy is very strong, and there is a real shortage of existing homes on the market for sale. Anything that comes on the market is selling quickly with multiple offers.”

Although homes are no longer selling in just a day or two, most are selling in a matter of weeks. Homes that remain on the market for months at a time are most likely overpriced.

“It’s still a very strong seller’s market,” said Pro vost. “Typically, in our region it’s 90 to 100 days between listing and contract. Earlier this year, it was less than a week. I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but I’m sure it’s less than 30 days right now. We’re nowhere near the historical average.”

Demand is being fueled in part by continued relocations to the area. In addition to those moving to the Capital Region for employment opportunities, Provost said that many people are choosing the area for their retirement homes.

“We’re seeing a lot of people who are selling their homes in downstate, Connecticut, Jersey or wherever and moving here in retirement.”

During Provost’s 37 years in the real estate

business, he has noticed that the local economy tends to weather recessions better than many other regions of the country.

“When the rest of the country is going up, we go up also. But when the rest of the country crashes, we seem to see a plateau,” he said. “I’m not even sure if we are going to see a plateau this time. I think we are going to continue to see steady growth—just not as crazy as it has been. I don’t see a real slowdown because I don’t anticipate the number of homes on the market rising any time soon.”

Nationally, he expects regions that are more investor focused to see price reductions. Because the Capital Region is primarily owner occupied, he expects prices to remain fairly stable.

“Between that and the growth coming with GlobalFoundries and everything else going on around here, I don’t see demand declining, and I don’t see inventory rising,” he said. “Therefore, I think prices are going to stay stable and maybe even continue to grow.”

On the construction end of his business, de mand remains especially high for his company’s vacation and second homes.

“One of our specialties is lake homes and vacation homes. A lot of people are moving to one of the lakes around here or Lake Placid or North Creek. We have several jobs going on in North Creek right now,” he said.

Provost estimates that the cost of building a new home has risen as much as 40 percent or more when compared to pre-COVID prices. Despite the skyrocketing prices, his construction business is stronger than ever.

“In the niche that we are in, more than half of our customers are paying cash,” he said. “What has been really impacted negatively is the entry level homebuyer--especially someone trying to build a home for less than $300,000.”

Pre-COVID, Provost was building 12 to 14 homes a year. That number has increased to over 30. Currently, he is almost “sold out” for new construction in 2023.

“It’s hard to imagine that happening in No vember. I never dreamed of being this busy as a builder,” he said.

Provost is on the board of directors for the National Modular Home Builder’s Association. At their annual conference that took place in October, an economist from the National Asso ciation of Home Builders presented an economic forecast.

“They are projecting that mortgage rates will come back to somewhere in the mid-5’s. Lumber seems to have stabilized, and that will probably hold into next year,” he said.

State Puts $4.2 Million Into Redeveloping Roosevelt Drive In The Spa State Park

New York state crews have started work on a $4.2 million redevelopment of Roosevelt Drive within Saratoga Spa State Park.

The project will improve transportation safety within the park by adding pedestrian and bicycling pathways adjacent to the park’s busiest stretch of roadway, which connects the Avenue of the Pines with the golf course, pools, picnic areas, and the Roosevelt Baths and Spa.

Funding for the project came from New York Works capital funding as well as $1.2 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

“This exciting upgrade will make Saratoga Spa safer, more environmentally friendly and more enjoyable to cyclists, pedestrians, and guests who visit the many cultural venues in its historic set ting,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “The $4.2 million project will complement the significant invest ments we have made to enhance Saratoga Springs’ status as a world-class recreational and tourism destination.”

Officials said the roadway will be moved away from the classical arcades, making space for a large circular patio as a welcoming gathering place to kick off exploration of all the park has to offer.

Part of the Park of the Arts initiative, the corridor improvements mark another major mile stone in the restoration of the National Historic Landmark campus. The project will also create expanded parking to service the Spa Little Theater and the recreational and cultural attractions of the Roosevelt Campus, as well as to provide new EV charging stations.

New stormwater management features will help protect water quality, stabilize water temperature, and improve brook trout habitat in Geyser Creek. These include installing underground stormwater chambers and porous asphalt at the expanded parking lot to filter rainwater and allow it to slowly infiltrate back into the soil, reducing stormwater runoff and sedimentation flowing into Geyser Creek.

“The Park of the Arts initiative is transforming features and facilities throughout Saratoga Spa State Park,” state Parks, Recreation and Historic

Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. “The Roosevelt Drive project will deliver improved wayfinding, pedestrian safety, and improved stormwater management as we continue to focus on climate resiliency to protect and improve this gem in our state park system for the next 100 years.”

Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim said, “I applaud NYS Parks’ efforts to build and rehab pedestrian and cycling opportunities in Spa State Park. This perfectly complements my own efforts in the city as we build toward a complete network of bicycle and walkable alternatives for residents and visitors.”

The Park of the Arts initiative envisions Saratoga Spa State Park as a singular global des tination for multi-disciplinary arts presentation, programming and learning through the adaptive reuse of National Historic Landmark structures, set in a spectacular 2,400-acre natural setting. Through collaborations with cultural and educa tional organizations, recreational enterprises, and private businesses, New York state will create an artistic and cultural tourism destination in a class of its own in one of New York state’s flagship parks.

State Sen. Daphne Jordan said, “The state’s ongoing investment in Saratoga Spa State Park continues paying real dividends for our Saratoga community and entire Capital Region. Saratoga Spa State Park is a beloved resource and a special place to reconnect with nature, rediscover the arts, renew our shared sense of public space, and realize how blessed we are to have this crown jewel of the state park system right in our own backyard.”

Assembly member Carrie Woerner said the initiative “is a reinforcing the tremendous asset we have in the Saratoga Spa State Park by nurtur ing the cultural assets concentrated there. This phase of the project will emphasize that the more typical activities in the park—walking, biking, and gathering together in a spectacular land scape—will not be neglected in the improvements to this venue. I applaud this latest project that will improve the safety and the experience of all who visit.”

Cecil Provost, owner of Saratoga Construction, Saratoga Modular Homes, Saratoga Log Homes, and ProRealty New York Inc., has moved his offices to 570 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs.

Visit

website

our

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

Partnership Opens Ace Hardware Store In Clifton Park, Their Third In Capital Region

BY ANDREA HARWOOD

The owners of Robinson Ace Hardware have expanded by acquiring a third store, Crescent Ace Hardware, located at 135 Lapp Road in Clifton Park.

The two other stores are located at 1874 West Ave in Albany and 1900 New Scotland Road in Slingerlands.

The purchase came about as the partners were looking for opportunities to expand.

“We did a whole-store renovation in side, doing a complete reset with design, fixtures and products,” said McDonnell.

He said the partners wanted a store with up-to-date inventory, with a layout design that flowed well. The reset took around three months. McDonnell said all has been running smoothly and the store antici pates having a strong finish to the year.

The partners teamed up with Ace Hard ware directly for design and renovations, with many local subcontractors being used. Inventory was updated based on demographic research.

“We’ve got a passion for hardware. We understand the game. We’re all at a good place in life where we can give it our all,” said McDonnell.

Partner Swartz was a long-time em

ployee of the Albany store, acting as store manager before buying into the partner ship. Robinson originated the Robinson Ace Hardware business in 1958. He is the third generation to own the business.

“A big part of our business is giving back,” said McDonnell. “The majority of our employees live where they work. We’re excited to be part of the community. Shopping local gives back to your town, whether it’s at our store or somewhere else.”

McDonnell said each store is different, and each town has its own personality.

In Clifton Park, the store’s new owner ship and redesign was met with positive reaction. The partners have hosted several fundraising events in addition to a big grand opening event.

“Clifton Park has been good to us,” he said. “It’s a great place to do business. Saratoga County is flourishing. It made sense for us to jump in and we are happy to be here.”

Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number is 518-371-7100. The website is www.acehardware.com.

Saratoga Business Journal has been founded to promote business in Saratoga county and to provide a forum that will increase the awareness of issues and activities that are of interest to the business community. Subscription price is $25.00 per year. ird class postage paid at Glens Falls, New York.

Rights to editorial content and layouts of advertising placed with Saratoga Business Journal which are the creative e ort of its contractors, and printing materials supplied by Saratoga Business Journal are the property of Saratoga Business Journal and may not be reproduced by photographic or similar methods, or otherwise, without the specific authorization of Saratoga Business Journal.

MKT-5894K-A ed ward jo nes .com Are you taking a socially conscious approach to investing? Rob Snell Financial Adviso r 34 Congress St Suite 102 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-583-787 5 TARGET CUSTOMERS IN THE COMMUNITY AROUND YOUR BUSINESS. GRAPHIC PRECISION 518-232-8695 • GraphicPrecision.com EDDM Every Door Direct Mail Minimum Effort • Maximum Results

Saratoga PLAN Dinner At Springs Event Barn Raises $100K For Groups Conservation Work

Study Says Hotel Leisure Travel Revenue Will End Year 14 Percent Ahead Of 2019 Levels

U.S. hotel leisure travel revenue is projected to end the year 14 percent above 2019 levels, while hotel business travel revenue is expected to come within 1 percent of 2019 levels, according to an analysis by the American Hotel & Lodging Associa tion (AHLA) and Kalibri Labs.

The projections are not adjusted for inflation, and real hotel revenue recovery will likely take several more years, officials said.

Post-pandemic recovery remains uneven, particularly in many major cities and destinations where business travel continues to lag. Among the top 50 U.S. markets, 80 percent are projected to see hotel leisure travel revenue exceed 2019 levels, but just 40 percent are expected reach that milestone for business travel revenue. Many urban markets, which rely heavily on business from events and group meetings, are still on the road to recovery.

Other study said the uptick in revenue is leading to historic career opportunities for hotel employees, with more than 115,000 hotel jobs currently open across the nation. Hotels are offering potential hires a host of incentives to fill vacancies—81 percent have increased wages, 64 percent are offering greater flexibility with hours, and 35 percent have expanded benefits, according to a September 2022 AHLA member survey.

markets that are rebounding more slowly to ensure the full return of meetings, conferences, and group travel in addition to leisure and business travel.

“At the same time, we are continuing to grow the industry’s talent pipeline by highlighting the unprecedented career opportunities hotels are offering. Thanks to higher wages, better benefits, and more flexibility and opportunities for advance ment, there has never been a better time to work at a hotel.”

To help hotels fill open jobs and raise awareness of the hotel industry’s 200-plus career pathways, the AHLA Foundation’s “A Place to Stay” multi-channel advertising campaign is now active in 14 cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Den ver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, and Tampa. For more info on the campaign, visit thehotelindustry. com.

AHLA recently completed a series of “Hospital ity is Working” events in major cities across the country. The campaign has sought to increase business and leisure travel while highlighting the hotel industry’s strong commitment to investing in its workforce, protecting employees and guests, and supporting local communities.

A Saratoga PLAN fundraiser event last month raised over $100,000, organization officials said.

The first PLAN For the Future event took place Oct. 20 at Juniper Springs Event Barn in Corinth, with over 150 guests attending.

The money raised supports Saratoga PLAN’s ongoing land conservation and stewardship efforts across Saratoga County.

Guests were treated to an expansive selection of food and drinks including honeycrisp vodka from regional distillery 1911 Spirits; local craft beer and wine from Artisanal Beer Works, Common Roots Brewery, Adirondack Winery and Old Tavern Farm; and offerings from chef David Britton’s rov ing food truck, Pies on Wheels.

Those offerings included such as wood-fired pizza and farm-to-fork dishes like zucchini parme san with ingredients from Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle, and chicken with tikka masala rub from Full Circle Farm in the Hudson Valley. Jazz music was provided by lGrand Boubousse. The evening concluded with sweet treats donated by local baker Leah Stein of Leah’s Cakery in Round Lake.

PLAN’s new executive director, Rob Davies, welcomed guests. He spoke about his transition earlier this year from the DEC state forester for 22 years, to working in nonprofit land conservation in the Saratoga region.

“The future of conservation today is protecting family farms and wood lots in our communities across the state,” he said. “It is protecting those special open spaces in our backyards where we live, work, and play every day that form the character and quality of life of our communities that are under so much pressure today.”

Individuals who have helped in the effort to protect areas in Saratoga County by donating land to Saratoga PLAN in 2022 are named Conservation

Heroes. Five heroes

“The hotel industry continues its march toward recovery, but we still have a way to go before we fully get there,” said AHLA President and CEO Chip Rog ers. “That’s why AHLA remains focused on work ing with members, lawmakers and stakeholders in

AHLA is the sole national association repre senting all segments of the U.S. lodging industry. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.

“Saratoga PLAN’s mission impacts not only the world that we all know and love, but the world that our children and future generations will steward. I believe that supporting land conservation means investing in the future, and I am proud to see our community come together to champion and el evate this critical work,” said Saratoga PLAN board member Jessica Schwartzman

The event also honored two Conservation Champions, individuals recognized for their dedication and contributions to conservation dur ing their lifetime: Tim Barnett, former executive director of the Adirondack Chapter for the Nature Conservancy and former Saratoga PLAN emeritus board member, and Phyllis Aldrich, former PLAN board member and mother of Will Aldrich, land owner of Tupelo Community Forest.

Saratoga PLAN [Preserving Land and Nature] is a nonprofit land trust that preserves the rural character, natural habitats and scenic beauty of Saratoga County. It has helped conserve over 7,000 acres of land in Saratoga County.

PLAN helps landowners conserve farmland, woodlands and natural habitats, and connects people to nature through an extensive trail net work, including 12 public nature preserves open for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and nature study. It facilitates community-based conservation by partnering with municipalities to help them accomplish their community’s conser vation goals.

For more information call 518-587-554 or visit saratogaplan.org.

Bob Schermerhorn, CFP Wealth Advisor

Saratoga Financial Services Reads

were celebrated at the PLAN for the Future event, including father and son, Paul and Brett Bolesh who conserved their 50-acre farm in Northumberland with Saratoga PLAN earlier this year.

Saratoga PLAN’s first PLAN For the Future event took place Oct. 20 at Juniper Springs Event Barn in Corinth, with over 150 guests attending.

Courtesy Saratoga PLAN

Holidays

Saratoga Springs Revamps New Year’s Eve Celebration Into Festival Over Three Days

First Night, the once heralded event on New Year’s Eve where thousands of people came to Saratoga Springs to ring in the new year, returns this year in a revamped form.

It was absent for two years due to COVID and funding concerns.

It also has a new name—the Saratoga New Year’s Fest—and is a multi-day attraction with live music, family-friendly activities, a 5K and fireworks.

One of the headline acts will be the Cowboy Junkies, a popular alternative country and folk rock band from Canada.

Rock, blues, jazz and country artists are among the festival’s growing lineup. Other acts include The Samples and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, who will perform on the main stage at the Saratoga Springs City Center (as will the Cowboy Junkies).

Other acts announced include the Grateful Dead-inspired Garcia-inspired Deadgrass & Friends, country music rising star Jenny Grace, Grit N Whiskey, Kevin Richards, Cait Devin, Danielia Cotton, Albert Cummings, Jeffrey Gaines and Heather Maloney.

The Saratoga City Music Hall will also host contra dancing. The weekend-long festivities will begin with a Friday night kick-off party on Dec. 30 at Putnam Place.

On Saturday, New Year’s Eve, starting at 1 p.m. free children’s activities will be offered, leading up to a fireworks display that will go off from the City Center parking facility. It will take place at 6 p.m., a family-friendly time, officials said.

The 5K race will happen on New Year’s Day, called the First Day 5K. Other Jan. 1 activities will include games like cornhole, darts, poker and bridge as well as a food festival.

On New Year’s eve, some of the venues will offer alcoholic beverages, a change from the past. Post-fireworks that night will continue with live entertainment at participating downtown sites until midnight, with reserved seating available for the main stage concerts.

“It’s a signature event for Saratoga Springs,” said Todd Shimkus, Saratoga County Chamber

of Commerce president and CEO. “We know people love coming here, and now we’ve just given them another excuse—a great event with some unbelievable performances and also some familyfriendly activities they can’t get anywhere else.”

Saratoga New Year’s Fest buttons, which will serve as admission tickets to all of the entertain ment venues on the night of Dec. 31, are available for a $20 advance purchase price online at www. SaratogaNewYearsFest.com, along with VIP pack ages.

Saratoga New Year’s Fest is being produced by Saratoga Springs-based event agency The 398Group, in partnership with presenting organi zations the City of Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Associa tion and the Saratoga Springs City Center.

More details about the event, including future lineup additions and programming announce ments, can be found online at www.SaratogaNew YearsFest.com.

Holiday Parade And Tree Lighting Festivities Taking Place In Ballston Spa On December 2

The annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting will take place on Friday, Dec. 2 on the north side of Milton Avenue, proceeding to West High Street.

The Ballston Spa Business & Professional As sociation has begun preparations for its annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting taking place on Friday, Dec. 2 on Milton Avenue in the village.

A home-town style tradition, the event typi cally draws hundreds of spectators to Ballston Spa to watch the decorated floats, fire trucks and community groups parading through the village.

The parade steps-off at 6:30 p.m. on the north side of Milton Avenue and proceeds to West High Street. Following the parade, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the back of an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck to light the tree in Wiswall Park.

Parade entries will be judged this year in the following categories: Best Emergency Vehicle, Best Float, Best Walking Entry, and the Brightest Light Award.

The parade will once again spotlight the Toys for Tots campaign, in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, Saratoga County Sheriff Department and the U.S. Marine Corps. Volunteers from these orga nizations will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys from spectators along the parade route as well as at the tree lighting.

“We look forward to this event all year,” said Michelle Burlingame, Holiday Parade Commit tee chairperson. “It’s always an exciting evening that brings festive holiday cheer to the entire village.”

Many businesses will be open with special holiday activities and specials, while Ballston Spa High School singers and musicians as well as Union Fire Company band members perform carols on the street corners.

The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio will perform at the Saratoga New Year’s Fest.

Courtesy

Stock

9/30/2022 10/7/2022 10/14/2022 10/21/2022 10/28/2022

Albany Int’l $78.83 $83.35 $83.31 $86.99 $90.71

Arrow $28.82 $28.93 $30.37 $30.85 $34.26

AT & T $15.34 $14.94 $14.99 $17.10 $18.48

Ball $48.32 $48.52 $47.46 $49.20 $49.60

Ballston Spa

National Bank $58.67 $58.67 $58.67 $58.67 $58.67

Bank of America $30.20 $30.75 $31.70 $34.95 $36.18

Best Buy $63.34 $64.53 $63.35 $63.77 $68.35

Citizens Bank $34.36 $35.02 $35.82 $37.94 $40.98

Espey $13.79 $13.10 $14.18 $13.87 $13.65

General Electric $61.91 $64.56 $67.57 $72.82 $78.33

Hilton $120.62 $121.37 $122.58 $131.23 $134.64

Home Depot $275.94 $284.32 $276.43 $275.53 $298.65

Int’l Paper $31.70 $31.56 $32.62 $33.08 $33.82

Key Corp $16.02 $16.15 $16.48 $16.90 $18.10

Lowe’s $187.81 $197.21 $188.96 $182.37 $198.73

Martin Marietta $322.09 $320.25 $298.83 $315.31 $338.16

M&T Bank $176.32 $182.06 $185.56 $161.77 $168.18

McDonald’s $230.74 $233.19 $243.16 $254.55 $274.54

National Grid $51.53 $50.35 $48.65 $50.90 $55.30

NBT Bancorp Inc. $37.95 $39.70 $42.09 $42.58 $46.57

Plug Power $21.01 $19.90 $18.03 $16.49 $16.09

Quad Graphics $2.56 $2.38 $2.42 $2.27 $2.69

Starbucks $84.26 $87.03 $86.37 $88.61 $87.10

Sysco $70.71 $72.19 $73.74 $80.05 $85.98

Latham Group Inc $3.59 $3.74 $3.57 $3.97 $4.46

Target $148.39 $152.34 $145.69 $159.19 $167.52

The TorontoDominion Bank $61.33 $59.82 $61.13 $63.20 $64.45

Kaspien Holdings $1.52 $1.39 $1.31 $1.12 $1.02

Trustco Bank $31.42 $31.83 $33.43 $33.52 $37.35

Verizon $37.97 $36.85 $36.38 $35.35 $37.67

Walmart $129.70 $128.56 $130.43 $136.80 $142.51

Charitable Giving: Maximizing Tax Benefits

BY BILL CANTY

Charitable giving is a great thing to do regardless of whether or not you are able to realize a tax benefit.

However, if you can help others and realize a tax benefit this is a good thing and might even allow you to give a little bit more. Here are some things to know in trying to maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving.

The standard deduction is a reduction in tax able income available to all taxpayers regardless of whether or not they can itemize deductions or have any tax credits. For 2022, the standard deduction is: Single and married filing separately, $12,950; mar ried filing joint, $25,900; and head of household, $19,400.

If you have itemized deductions in excess of the standard deduction, you can deduct that amount from your taxes. Examples of itemized deduc tions include: property taxes, state income taxes, mortgage interest, medical expenses and charitable contributions.

Charitable contributions can be made in a number of ways that can qualify as an itemized deduction. These include direct gifts of cash, gifts of securities like stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs, and gifts of property such as real estate, art, and collectibles.

The amount that can be deducted as an itemized deduction is as high as 60 percent of adjusted gross income for some cash donations, dropping to 50 percent or as low as 20 percent for other types. This percentage can also vary by the type of organiza tion.

With the caps on the ability to itemize state and local taxes in place due to the SALT provisions in the tax code, charitable giving can offer a larger tax break while doing good for others.

Here are some strategies for maximizing the tax benefits of charitable giving:

• Bunching contributions. If you have trouble itemizing deductions in most years, it can make sense to bunch several years’ worth of charitable contributions into a single year. If you can, calculate the amount you would normally give to charity over a period of maybe 3-5 years and bunch those contributions into one year.

This can help you to be able to itemize and take the maximum deduction for these contributions. You might tie this into a year where your income is higher than normal, if applicable.

• Gifting appreciated securities. If the organiza tion accepts them, gifts of appreciated securities like stocks, mutual funds and ETFs can offer a double benefit. First, the market value of the securities on the date they are transferred to the charity is the value of the gift and can be used as an itemized deduction.

Additionally, this method will eliminate any capital gains taxes that would be incurred if the securities were sold first and the cash proceeds were then donated. This is a very tax-efficient way to make charitable gifts. This can be an excellent strategy as part of the portfolio rebalancing process if some shares would have been sold anyway.

• Gifting property and non-liquid assets Whether it’s a piece of real estate, art, collectibles, or other assets, some organizations will accept these as gifts as well. You will generally need an appraisal of

the asset to establish a value for the donation.

This can be a solid alternative versus trying to sell the asset in the open market, waiting for a will ing buyer, and having to pay any applicable capital gains taxes.

• Donor advised funds . A donor-advised fund is essentially a charitable investment account. A num ber of custodians offer DAFs. Contributions to the donor-advised fund qualify for a tax deduction in the year they are made. The money is then invested and the account holder can make donations to qualified organizations over a period of years.

Gifts can be made as cash, appreciated securities, or in some cases assets such as real estate, art, and other hard assets. Donor-advised funds will gener ally charge an asset management fee.

• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). QCDs are only available from a traditional IRA and you must be at least age 72 to use this tactic.

Traditional IRA account owners can donate up to $100,000 from their accounts each year using this method. Donations must be made to a qualified charitable organization.

While QCDs are not eligible for itemization as a tax deduction, they offer a number of advantages. First, there are no taxes on the distribution from the IRA.

For those who are 72 and over, the QCD can serve the dual purpose of providing a way to make charitable contributions and satisfying some or all of their required minimum distribution (RMD) amount as long as certain rules are followed.

QCDs must be made directly to the charitable organization. Often the IRA custodian will do this by issuing the account holder a check made payable to the charitable organization, which the account holder will then forward on to the charity.

For those who are at least 72, it can make sense to do QCDs in the two years prior to hitting the age for RMDs as a way to give money to the organizations of their choosing and reduce the amount of future RMDs.

Donating to charity is a good thing, a way to help others and to further the causes that you believe in. If you follow certain rules, you can do this in a way that provides a tax break, making the net cost of the donation a bit lower.

Bill Canty, CPA, CFP, founder, CFM Tax and Investment Advisors.

Year End Tax & Financial Planning

Saratoga Springs Man Is Named President Of Fenimore Asset Management Firm

BY ROB SNELL

One of the rewards for working over several decades is the ability to contribute to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, which can help provide needed income for you when you do retire.

As the years went by, you may well have accumulated several retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s or similar employ er-sponsored plans. But you might find it advantageous to consolidate these accounts with a single provider.

Consolidating them can provide you with several potential benefits, including these:

• Less confusion and clutter. If you have multiple accounts in different locations, it may be difficult to keep track of tax documents, statements, fees, disclosures and other important information. Consolidating accounts could help provide clear, simplified account maintenance.

• Less likelihood of “lost accounts.” It may be hard to believe, but many people abandon their retirement accounts, leaving thousands of dollars behind and unclaimed. In fact, at the end of 2021, there were nearly 25 million forgotten 401(k) accounts, worth about 20 percent of all 401(k) assets, according to an estimate by Capitalize, a financial services company that helps individuals roll over retirement plan assets into new accounts.

It’s possible that employers can even move small, old accounts out of their 401(k) plans and into an IRA on behalf of their former employees, thus increasing the chances that savers will lose track of their money. By consolidating your retirement plans with one provider, you can ensure you don’t lose track of your hard-earned money.

• Ability to follow a unified strategy. With multiple retirement accounts, and differ ent investment portfolios, you might find

it difficult to maintain a unified financial strategy that’s appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance. But once you’ve consolidated accounts with a single provider, you’ll find it easier to manage your investment mix and to rebalance your portfolio as needed.

The need to rebalance may become more important as you near retirement because you may want to shift some of your assets into investments that aren’t as susceptible to swings in the financial markets.

• Possible improvement in investment options. Often, 401(k)s may have limited investment selection, so consolidating ac counts with a full-service firm may allow for a wider array of products and strategies. This broader exposure can potentially help you improve your overall retirement income strategies.

• Greater ease in calculating RMDs. Once

Christian Snyder of Saratoga Springs, J.D., CFA, has been appointed president of Fenimore Asset Management, an independent, Capital Region-based investment advisory firm and manager of the FAM Funds family of mutual funds.

He succeeds Debra Pollard who is retiring from Fenimore at the end of 2022 after a tenure of more than 30 years with the company, the last six as president.

Snyder will work closely with Fenimore founder and Executive Chairman Tom Put nam, Chief Executive Officer John Fox, and the management team to guide the 48-year-old firm into the future.

“Fenimore prides itself on attracting and retaining associates who share our strong values, distinctive investment philosophy, and dedication to service excellence. Deb and Christian exemplify these traits,” said Fox.

“Christian has nearly two decades of experi ence in the financial services industry along with a solid track record of leadership and integrity. We are excited to have him on the team and look forward to working together to further our mission of preserving and growing our investors’ capital over the long term.”

Snyder joins Fenimore after five years as chief operating officer of the Wealth Strategies Group at Goldman Sachs Ayco Personal Finan cial Management. Prior to that, he served three years as associate counsel and then deputy general counsel for the company.

He holds a Juris Doctor from Suffolk Univer sity Law School and bachelor’s degree in math ematical economics from Colgate University.

withdrawals—called required minimum distributions, or RMD —from your tradi tional IRA and your 401(k) or similar plan.

If you don’t take out at least the minimal amount, which is based on your age and account balance, you could face a penalty.

If you have several accounts, with different providers, it could be cumbersome and diffi

Founded in 1974, Fenimore Asset Manage ment is an independent, nationally recognized investment manager with more than $3.6 bil lion in assets under management as of Sept. 30 through its Cobleskill and Albany offices.

Fenimore offers both individually man aged portfolios and a family of mutual funds (FAM Funds) that can be used for retirement and other long-term investment planning. The firm’s team focuses on in-depth research, investing in carefully selected quality busi nesses, and providing its investors with highly personalized investment services.

cult to calculate your RMDs. It will be much easier with all accounts under one roof. So, if you do have multiple retirement ac counts, give some thought to consolidating them. The consolidation process is not dif ficult, and the end result may save you time and hassles, while also helping you manage your retirement income more effectively.

Christian Snyder, J.D., CFA, was appointed president of Fenimore Asset Management.

Rob Snell, financial advisor, Edward Jones Financial in Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

Health & Wellness

‘Stretch Zone’ In Clifton Park Helps People Get In Shape Without Weights And Equipment

BY JILL NAGY

For people feeling a bit stiff and out of sorts after a day at the desk but too tired to head for the gym, the Stretch Zone, a new business in Clifton Park, may be the answer.

“Basically, it’s stretching,” said John Bladek, owner of the business, located at 54 Crossing Boulevard. There are no weights or machines involved, just the client and a practitioner, he said.

Stretch Zone is a franchise of a Florida company. Bladek worked for the parent company, certifying and managing train ers. He has a background in anatomy and physiology, as do the other four practitio ners in his business. In addition, all of them have completed an accreditation and certi fication program at the company’s Florida headquarters.

Clients range from those needing the stretching experience to people with serious medical problems. Many are completing physical therapy programs and need further work, he said. The practice also works with people with medical conditions such as

cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s.

“The entire point and purpose of Stretch Zone is to help people do the things that they love and regain some of the things they have lost over time. We do a lot of posture work. We see a lot of athletes who are just trying to maintain and be at the top of their game of get to the top of the game,” Bladek said.

The gym offers free initial consultations. After that, Bladek recommends a threemonth program of one to three half-hour sessions a week. He estimates that it takes at least three months to see real improvement.

Prices vary, Bladek said, and are dis cussed at the initial consultation.

Business, so far, has been “absolutely fantastic,” Bladek said. In the future, he is looking to expand to four other locations, probably in the Saratoga area, Delmar, Latham, and Niskayuna. However, he said he has no specific time frame at this time.

Further information is available at www. stretchzone.com/locations/clifton-park. The telephone number is 518-280-0870.

New Acupuncture Practice In Wilton Treats A Variety Of Ailments And Illnesses

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Cindy Rosenberg, a licensed acupuncturist with almost 20 years of experience, recently opened a new practice in Wilton.

The Los Angeles native relocated to the Capital Region in early 2021. Her husband, Leigh Rathner, lived in Saratoga for 10 years before moving to Los Angeles to work in the television and film industry.

“We met in California about 12 years ago, and for as long as we’ve known each other, we’ve been visiting Saratoga,” said Rosenberg. “Every time we would come visit, we would say ‘Why are we living in L.A.?’ We had a long-term plan to get out of L.A.. When the pandemic hit, it sort of accelerated.”

After moving to Saratoga, the couple estab lished Night Work Bread, a bakery that produces long-fermented sourdough bread products. They currently sell their breads and other baked goods at farmer’s markets but will be opening a store in Ballston Spa in 2023.

While living in Los Angeles, Rosenberg oper ated a thriving acupuncture practice.

“I had a really busy practice in L.A.,” she said. “I had a high-rise office with multiple treatment rooms and was seeing 12 patients a day. When I moved here, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep practicing. I had gotten a little bit burnt out.”

After devoting herself to Night Work Bread, Rosenberg realized that she missed seeing pa tients. She began returning to Los Angeles every two months to treat patients and recently made the decision to open a practice in her home office on Edie Road.

Rosenberg plans to phase out her trips to Los Angeles once she builds a local client base. Since opening her practice six weeks ago, she has seen what she described as a “flurry” of new patients.

According to Rosenberg, she treats patients us ing a combination of modalities with acupuncture being one of them. She also incorporates deep tissue massage, myofascial relief, and other types of hands-on treatment.

“I’m a little unique in the way I work. It’s unusual for acupuncturists to do that. That’s part of the reason why I still have such a busy practice in Los Angeles even though I’ve been gone for almost two years. My patients are struggling to find anyone who does what I do.”

Many of Rosenberg’s patients suffer from orthopedic problems such as back, neck, or knee pain. She also treats patients who are dealing with chronic illnesses, hormone imbalances, mood disorders, insomnia, cold and flu, long COVID, and a long list of other conditions.

“I also really like working with people who are struggling with gut problems. That’s how I came to doing this in the first place. I got sick with gut problems and started seeing an acupuncturist,”

she said.

Rosenberg is also a licensed practitioner of Chi nese medicine and operated an herbal pharmacy out of her Los Angeles office. Although she no lon ger operates a pharmacy, she is able to prescribe and order herbal medicines for her patients.

“Herbs are pretty versatile,” she said. “I see a lot of patients with fibroids, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and endometriosis. Herbal medicine and acupuncture can be a real game changer for them.”

Rosenberg has extensive experienced working with first-time acupuncture patients who may be fearful of needles. During her first year in practice, she worked on a cruise ship where most of her patients were new to acupuncture.

“I always tell people that the needles are tiny. They definitely don’t need to hurt,” she said. “It’s not like getting a shot. These needles are very tiny compared to the needle used for something like a flu shot. We can even do acupuncture without needles if somebody is really phobic.”

Although she is an alternative medicine practitioner, Rosenberg also embraces western medicine. While practicing in Los Angeles, she worked in collaboration with a large network of medical doctors who often referred patients to her. As she becomes established in the area, she hopes to build a similar network in the Capital Region.

Rosenberg does not take insurance but provides patients with bills that can be submitted to insur ance. In order to make her services accessible, she is committed to keeping her rates as low as pos sible. The cost of an initial visit is $125. Subsequent visits cost $95.

For more information, visit www.cindyrosen bergtcm.com.

John Bladek, owner of Stretch Zone at 54 Crossing Boulevard in Clifton Park says clients range from those needing the stretching experience to people with serious medical problems.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

Cindy Rosenberg is a licensed acupuncturist with almost 20 years of experience.

Courtesy Cindy Rosenberg

St. Peter's Health Partners Sets Up Care Center in Malta Headed By Dr. Steven Shamoush

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

Dr. Steven Shamosh a specialist in internal medicine with a focus on preventative care, has become a part of St. Peter’s Primary care in Malta and is hiring a staff to provide services for the community.

The facility is at 2537 Route 9 in the heart of Malta’s business district. According to Dr. Shamosh, this location will allow him to tap into the growth of the Malta community as well as provide resources of award-winning St. Peter’s Health Partners.

“The opportunity here in Malta is to be in a place where business, including nanotechnol ogy, is flourishing,” he said.

“We are always looking for opportunities to meet the needs of growing communities,” said Meg Doherty, a practice manager focused on primary care and development for five of the past 10 years that St. Peter’s Health Partners has been serving the Capital Region.

Doherty said that with St. Peter’s practices in Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs, “it made sense to get involved in Malta, both for families and business folks in general.”

In mid-October Shamosh opened his prac tice above the SEFCU branch on Route 9.

Another role he plays is “serving as the gate keeper to evaluate patients fully and establish

a personal connection,” he said. “Then we can bring together and coordinate any needed sub-specialists, thus reducing fragmentation of care.”

“St. Peter’s Hospital has a vast and growing network of specialty and ancillary services that Dr. Shamosh can his connect patients with,” said Doherty.

To date St. Peter’s has established 185 loca tions with 11,000 employees. When the oppor tunity presented itself in Malta, Shamosh said he was quick to take advantage of it.

“St. Peter’s had the need and I had the desire to be in this area,” said Shamosh. “My job is to have St. Peter’s Health practices up and run ning and successful with everything they need to have them in front of their patients.”

Shamosh will add two or three additional practitioners and a support staff of five or six to greet and register patients, he said. A nurse practitioner has been hired and is now seeing patients, and Dr. Shamosh expects to be fully staffed within six months.

“We are open for new patients,” he said.

Dr. Shamosh, a fellow and laureate of the American College of Physicians, has provided primary care to adults across the northern Adirondack region for 25 years. Learn more at www.sphp.com.

State Program To Expand Mental Health Services In Saratoga And Other Counties

New York state has launched a $5 million multi-agency pilot program aimed at reducing suicide among vulnerable groups in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties.

Funded through a grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administered by the state Office of Mental Health, Capital Connect will utilize data from state agencies and local partners to identify at-risk groups for focused prevention efforts in specific areas and industries in the four-county region.

New York is one of only six states to receive the grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, officials said.

“While our state’s mental health resources are among the best in the nation, we still lose far too many New Yorkers to suicide each year,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “With a focused approach to prevention, we can better identify groups and industries most at risk and ensure they have access to resources, and this $5 million grant announced today will help us provide critical support and foster connections among vulnerable individuals throughout the Capital Region.”

Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said mental health and wellness “are equally as im portant as physical health and Saratoga County is committed to offering services to assist those who face such daily challenges. The Capital Connect Program will help promote a healthier community by assisting at-risk populations including our young people suffering from the lingering effects of the pandemic and workingclass men who’ve also seen an uptick in mental health crises, according to recent studies.

“These funds will help Saratoga County reduce the stigma surrounding mental health services while assisting those suffering with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.”

With the five-year grant, the Office of Men tal Health’s Suicide Prevention Center of New York has partnered with the state Department

of Health and state Department of Labor to identify groups and industries most at-risk for suicide. In addition, the agencies will work with schools, county mental health, juvenile justice, local hospital emergency departments and the area’s construction industry to help focus efforts in the four-county area, where suicide attempts and death rates exceed the state average.

Officials said the primary goal of Capital Connect is a 10 percent reduction in suicide attempts and deaths among vulnerable groups who have been shown to have dispropor tionately high rates of suicide attempts. The initiative is part of the Office of Mental Health’s larger goal of reducing mental health dispari ties in historically underserved communities, including communities of color.

The Office of Mental Health utilized surveil lance data from the Department of Health to identify two disproportionally affected popula tions. These groups include adolescents, who have been increasingly treated at emergency departments following suicide attempts, and working-aged men, whose suicide rate is triple that of the general population.

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said research with diverse populations and age groups “clearly shows that social connection matters when it comes to our mental well-being. And while there is no one solution to the complex problem of suicide, by working across sec tors and using a number of proven strategies supporting healthy social connection, we can make a difference and save lives.”

To support adolescents, the Capital Connect program will partner with schools to provide a structured suicide prevention needs assess ment, consultation, and a range of training options. The program will also support ex panding and refining e-Connect, an innovative program that screens youth on probation and connects them to mental health care treatment and services.

Dr. Steven Shamoush stands with Haleema Osmany, a family nurse practitioner, in front ofSt. Peter’s Primary Care in Malta where they are part of the medical staff.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

Business Briefs

DeCrescente Distributing Co. of Mechanicville recently announced its employeefunded DeCrescente Scholarship Fund awarded $12,000 in college scholarships to 24 children of company employees for the fall semester.

Established in 1995, the scholarship fund has given more than $480,000 in financial assistance to employees and their children since its inception almost 30 years ago.

Over the years, the scholarship fund has tran sitioned from company funded to now being 100 percent funded by employees through voluntary payroll deductions. Currently, about 160 employ ees contribute to the fund.

Candidates can apply for the award every semester they attend college, but they must meet certain eligibility criteria, including attending school full-time and meet GPA requirements.

The $12,000 allocation is the first of two awards that will be granted for the 2022-23 academic year, with the next rollout coming ahead of the spring 2023 semester. *

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s fourth annual Photo Finish exhibition has opened in the von Stade Gallery and will remain on display through Feb. 5.

The exhibit’s images will also be available on the Museum’s website at racingmuseum. org/exhibits/photo-finish-juried-photographyexhibition. The online exhibition will be available through October 2023.

Photo Finish features selected amateur and professional photographs that document the entire racing experience, from the farm and the backstretch to the winner’s circle. Each image captures an element of the strength, beauty, and emotion of the sport of racing. Photographers from 17 states and Ireland are represented in the exhibit.

Remi Bellocq, Alicia Hughes, Sally Jeffords, and Tod Marks, served as the judges for Photo Finish, providing representation from the racing and arts communities.

The call for submissions for the fifth annual Photo Finish exhibition will be announced in 2023.

For more information about the museum,

including special events and program offerings, please call (518) 584-0400 or www.racingmu seum.org.

The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is seeking craft vendors for its 22nd annual Artisan’s Market.

This juried market is to be held at the Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum from Nov. 26 through Dec. 24.

The Artisan’s Market features only hand made, hand crafted products created by the vendor. The market is heavily attended. The museum utilizes social media, posters, email blasts, press releases, media announcements, our newsletter, and website to promote this eagerly anticipated event.

The Brookside Museum handles all sales tax and pays vendors 60 percent of the sale price of items. Booth fees are $30 for a 4x4 foot area and $45 for a 4x6 foot area. A limited number of booths with electricity are available for an ad ditional $10 per booth. Vendors must provide a typed (preferably digital) inventory list. Vendors are responsible for their booth set up. Tables and shelving will not be provided by Brookside Museum.

Applications can be downloaded at brookside museum.org/events/artisans-market/ and can be emailed to bsilvestri@brooksidemuseum.org or mailed to: Brookside Museum, Attn: Beth Silves tri, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa, NY 12020

* * *

Capital Bank, a division of Chemung Canal Trust Co., launched its new BankOn Checking Account, which has been officially certified by the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards (2021 - 2022).

The certification confirms the new account meets over 25 requirements for safe and afford able consumer transaction accounts.

Key features of BankOn Checking include no monthly fees, no overdraft or nonsufficient fund fees, the ability to pay bills and make purchases, and federal deposit insurance. BankOn Checking is available at all Capital Bank branches.

Expansion Plans Continuing For Common Roots Brewing Co. In South Glens Falls

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

What started as a plan to add more production and canning space has snowballed into an additional restaurant and event space that doubles the size of Common Roots Brewing Co. at 58 Saratoga Ave. in South Glens Falls.

Guests are already booking weddings and corporate events for up to 250 people, according to Christian Weber, who owns the brewery with his father, Bert Weber.

“The site has been cleared and the steel for footings has arrived,” said Weber. “We hope to have the new building up and closed in by the end of the year and opened to customers the end of spring.”

The new building and beer garden is being designed and built by Phinney Design Group of Saratoga Springs with V&H Construction Inc. as lead contractor. These are the same firms that rebuilt the modern Adirondack-style structure in 2020.

“We’re putting the team back together because we love what they did for us,” said Weber.

The owners had acquired the lot next door intend ing to move packaging and warehousing there, Weber said.

“But our food and beverage director told us the restaurant is always packed and people are requesting space for events larger than the 40-person capacity we offer now,” he said.

The company that opened its first taproom in 2014 suffered a devastating fire in 2019 but there has been no setback in the market for their craft beers. Distribution of Common Roots beverages has spread into the New England states, eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Weber said.

“Bigger tanks arrived the end of October to increase output,” he said. “Now we will have space for the new 90-barrel ceiling-height tanks and storage areas for new types of packaging and other dry materials.”

Weber said “it’s a big relief” for them to be able to “keep up with demand” for their beers, ales and lagers, most of which volume comes from local customers. The team had another area in mind to produce specialty beers, but that is being moved to the new facility.

“Wild Beer is not made in the stainless steel equip

ment you see at a microbrewery,” Weber said. “There is a tank with an open top and as the ingredients cool down overnight, microflora floating in the air inoculates the beer.”

Unlike their core beers that may be ready in three or four weeks, Wild Beer sits for 12 to 36 months.

“We have a portfolio of beers we cherish and are very excited to offer because styles of Wild Beer are delicate due to the longer fermentation time,” Weber said. “Our Wild Beer program isn’t the biggest driver of profit, but we’re passionate about it.”

According to the Brewers Association, an Ameri can microbrewery is defined as one that produces 15,000 or fewer barrels a year. Weber said Common Roots has a current annual output of 8,000 barrels, which “will bump up to 10,000 barrels” when the new facility is operating fully.

But the business has no plans to grow more than that, he said. Weber said the company received grant assistance through the CFA program and an expan sion loan from Berkshire Bank.

The new building will look similar to the existing one and will once again be as green as possible with a low carbon footprint and emphasis on sustainability and recycling, said Weber.

Materials and ingredients for beer production are locally sourced, as are menu ingredients such as meats, cheeses and produce from “within a 100-mile radius,” Weber said.

Now that Common Roots will add to its capacity, customers can expect some new beers to enjoy in the taproom or in the new beer garden offering more of a “beer hall vibe” than the original.

“When we do the ribbon cutting next year we will certainly have some fun new beers,” Weber said.

Now is the two-year anniversary of the 501(c)(3) organization the Webers established to give back to the community.

“Community stewardship is part of our ethos,” said Weber. “We have donated tens of thousands of dollars to local causes and are excited that we can grow the Common Roots Foundation, too.”

Visit commonrootsbrewing.com for the current catalog of offerings and more information on the Common Roots Foundation.

This is a rendering of the new building and beer garden designed by Phinney Design Group for Common Roots Brewery’s expansion. V&H Construction Inc. is the lead contractor. Courtesy of Phinney Design Group

Rip Van Dam Project

state-of-the art gym, meeting rooms, and a business center.

The Adelphi had its busiest season ever this past summer, and once the renovations are complete, the number of rooms avail able at the hotel will increase from 32 to 63. Dubb credits his partner for The Adelphi’s continued success.

“Quality sells, and I attribute it to my partner Larry Roth’s vision—his vision to make The Adelphi the nicest hotel in upstate New York. He had the foresight to acquire the adjoining Rip Van Dam property to further expand the hotel.”

Dubb and Roth are currently conduct ing market testing in order to determine whether or not the 84 apartments should be sold as condominiums. Condominium ownership in the State of New York is gov erned by the Attorney General’s office, and the partners received the required approval from the Attorney General before market testing commenced.

“The analysis that we’ve done shows that Saratoga seems to have a shortage of ‘for sale’ condominiums. While conversely, there ap pear to be rental projects in the pipeline in the Saratoga area,” said Dubb.

As part of their market testing, an infor mational table was set up at The Adelphi during the summer. Visitors to the table were able to receive information about the condominium proposal.

“There has been a great deal of interest from people who have visited the Adelphi,” said Roth.

Other forms of market testing are cur rently underway, and Dubb and Roth have yet to make a final determination on whether to proceed with apartments or condominiums. The decision should be made by early 2023.

Regardless of the outcome, the 84 units will be finished to the same high level as the hotel rooms at The Adelphi. Residents will have access to all of the hotel’s amenities and will be able to enjoy the five-star service that The Adelphi is known for.

“You will be able to get room service, maid service, and even turn down service,” said Dubb. “You will be able to arrange that through the hotel.”

If the units are sold as condominiums, prices will range from approximately $500,000 to $1.5 million. Available units vary in size from studios to 3-bedrooms. Seasonal condominium residents will have the opportunity to earn an income stream from their property.

“If they want to get income from the apartment when they aren’t using it, we will be able to rent it out through the hotel. They never have to be involved with whoever is renting it,” said Dubb. “A lot of people who spend their summers in Saratoga don’t understand that Saratoga is a year-round city. They don’t realize how busy Saratoga is at other times of the year besides track season.”

Skyrocketing material costs have im pacted the redevelopment project’s bottom line considerably. The cost has increased by between 30 and 35 percent and is now predicted to reach $75 million.

Although supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and rising prices have been challenging, Dubb remains excited by the project. He fell in love with Saratoga when he visited the city for the first time at the age of 17, and he is proud of the role he is playing in preserving the historic Rip Van Dam. Built in 1840, the hotel hosted visitors to the city at a time when Saratoga Springs was one of the most popular resort destina tions in the country.

“The last remaining link to those days of Saratoga is really The Adelphi and Rip Van Dam,” he said. “Larry and I are really focused on doing this right and making sure that it is around for a long, long time. It’s a part of Saratoga history that we can all be proud of.”

Dubb expects the hotel addition to be completed by summer 2023. The apart ments/condominiums will be completed in 2024. When that happens, he plans to enjoy a celebratory drink.

“I hope to sit in the lobby or the front porch of The Adelphi and drink a little whiskey and just enjoy the contribution that Larry and I have made to Saratoga,” he said. “I really just want to take some time to smell the roses.”

Tailored Real Estate Group Focuses Its Efforts On An Area From Clifton Park To Glens Falls

BY ANDREA HARWOOD

Jaylene Leonbruno opened Tailored Real Estate Group, after working in real estate for over 15 years.

The office is located in the Bluth Building at 2452 Route 9 in Malta, on the third floor. The office opened around a year ago, and Leonbruno said she has had a very strong start to her first year in business.

Leonbruno began her career in real estate by helping sell properties her father-in-law purchased at tax auctions. She represented him in the selling listing.

“I became a broker-owner because I felt like there were things in the industry that I wanted more of from a company,” said Leonbruno. “I felt I could fill in the gaps in areas I thought were lacking. And I could offer that to someone else as well. I wanted to start a company where people could grow and evolve without the constraints of a big business.”

Leonbruno houses 10 agents in addition to herself. Her specialty is in new construction. She represents G.W. Luxe and Heritage Custom Builders with multiple subdivisions primarily in Saratoga County. She services from the Bolton Landing area as far south as Albany. Her primary focus is Clifton Park through Glens Falls.

Leonbruno says her love of new construction lies mostly in seeing something beautiful come from nothing.

“I love that you can watch something go through so many different steps and evolve into something spectacular. I love the artistic side to it. It’s a good feeling of accomplishment,” she said.

Leonbruno has been in the business long enough

to go through a couple market cycles now.

“With any market, it can feel like a roller coaster ride for sure. Things are catching up. There was some elevated pricing with new construction be cause of product delays and lack of availability, but overall we are going continue to see a nice growth,” she said.

Leonbruno and Tailored Real Estate can both be found on Facebook and Instagram. The primary website is www.tailoredreg.com and the phone number is 518-400-2550.

Tailored Real Estate occupies the third floor of the Bluth Building in Malta.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

Fundraiser At Hattie’s To Help Area Food Bank Chips And Beer Fest To Benefit History Center

Hattie’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs an nounces the long-awaited return of its Mardi Gras fundraiser.

After a four-year absence, the fundraiser is returning with The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York as its 2023 beneficiary and CNN’s Alisyn Camerota as emcee. It is set for Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Canfield Casino.

The inaugural Hattie’s Mardi Gras was held in 2001 and since its launch, has donated more than $1 million to nonprofits in the surrounding community.

“Not only will the gala be supporting a great cause, it will also be an evening of delicious dining and dancing,” said Business For Good restaurant operator Jasper Alexander. “I’ll be working with chef Phil Fitzpatrick and chef Mark D. Graham to bring the taste of New Orleans to Saratoga.”

Business For Good is a charitable business that owns Hattie’s.

Hattie’s director of hospitality, Beth Alexander, believes the upcoming event will be their most successful Mardi Gras yet.

“Returning this event to the community is such a wonderful feeling,” she said. “With CNN’s Alisyn Camerota as our emcee, it’s going to be a night to remember. We hope all of our regulars can join us for a good time and a great cause.”

In 2021, Hattie’s joined the Business for Good family of companies. BFG co-founders, Ed and Lisa Mitzen, will serve as event hosts. In alignment with BFG’s mission of giving back to move forward, Hattie’s Restaurants aim to grow and amplify a community positive business, while maintaining the quality and character of its product, the vision of its pres ent ownership, and the legacy of its founder, Miss Hattie Moseley Austin.

All profits of the Hattie’s Restaurants are donated to local charity.

“The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s ongoing fight to alleviate hunger aligns with one of BFG’s top priorities, which is to work to end food insecurity,” said Ed Mitzen.

Tickets and sponsorship packages are avail able at give.classy.org/HattiesMardiGras.

The Saratoga County History Center announced that DeCrescente Distributing Co. is sponsoring the Saratoga Chips and Beer Festival that will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1-5 p.m. at Brook side Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa.

The famous Saratoga Chips are the feature of the museum’s current exhibit, “In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore.” Festival goers can enjoy Saratoga Chips, represented by Mechanicville’s DeCrescente Distributing Co.

The festival, a benefit for the Saratoga County History Center, is $20 in advance, and $25 on the day of the event, while designated drivers will be charged $10.

Snacks and the first beverage are included in the ticket price.

John Kirk and Trish Miller of Greenfield Center will provide live music that consists of fiddle tunes and folk songs.

To round off the festival, there will be a camp fire, a silent auction, and a game of potato chip trivia.

“We are thrilled to start the Saratoga Chip and Beer Festival,” said Field Horne, Saratoga County History Center president. “We have a beautiful exhibit that tells the many stories behind the chip, and it’s natural to partner with DeCrescente, which not only distributes local craft beer and Saratoga Chips but is a historic, fourth-generation Saratoga County business.”

The exhibition showcases the vast collection of famed potato chip authority Alan Richer, “The Toga Chip Guy.”

“There can be no doubt that potato chips were popularized in Saratoga Springs as evidenced by the fact that the original name for all potato chips was Saratoga Chips,” said Richer.

Tickets can be purchased at brooksidemuseum. org/event/saratoga-chips-and-beer-festival-2/.

For more information, visit brooksidemuseum. org or call 518-885-4000.

In addition to operating the Brookside Museum, the history center offers a variety of innovative and educational programming.

Visit the www.brooksidemuseum.org for news and announcements.

Johnson Capital Realty Open In Halfmoon Where Owner Enjoys Business Community

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

Longtime real estate professional Lynn Johnson launched Johnson Capital Realty in Halfmoon this summer to reflect her commitment to the Capital Region and her personal brand of customer service.

“Real estate is in my blood and has always been a passion,” said Johnson, who entered the field in 2003 in a “now or never” moment that set the career she “had always wanted” into motion.

“The drop-out rate for new agents is very high during the first year or two,” she said. “But I worked very hard and never gave up.”

She followed the advice she now gives to her licensed real estate agents: “Work your contacts, the center-of-influence people you know, and be willing to talk about real estate so that when they think about real estate, they think of you.”

Johnson worked with several of the area’s well known realty firms until 2018, when she went out as a sole agent working out of Ballston Lake. Today she is a broker with five agents and three more joining Johnson Capital Realty by the end of the year, she said.

While today’s market is “challenging,” according to Johnson her business plan is “on track,” which includes training more agents and hiring some staff. But she will keep the business “on the small side,” she said. “I would like to double in size in a few years, but it’s quality, not quantity, that I am focusing on.”

Johnson’s philosophy when working with her agents is “individualized attention.” She learned over her 19 years in the industry that “people can become a number and get lost in big firms,” she said.

“Once you get the paper from New York that you are licensed, there is no one helping you learn how to sell real estate,” according to Johnson. “It’s not just about showing nice houses.”

“There are training programs, of course,

but agents are different and have different skill sets,” she said. “So I customize train ing alongside their goals, not mine.”

Success to Johnson is not about “setting quotas” but “mentoring and providing a supportive environment,” she said. “If my agents are a success, I am a success.”

“I had wanted to go out on my own be cause I enjoy training and coaching,” she said. “I can give back to agents by giving them the tools to succeed.”

Since moving the business in June, John son said her overhead has remained low. There are no franchise fees. These factors put her in a position to offer her agents competitive commission rates, she said.

“My agents deserve to keep more of their commissions,” said Johnson. This incentive fosters a “team approach. If someone needs help with a client, we all cover one another,” she said.

Johnson and her team serve the entire Capital region, “from Berne and Guil derland to Saratoga and Warren County, wherever our clients need us,” she said.

Client service to Johnson means offering “a one-stop shop for residential resale and new construction,” she said. The company also offers expertise in investment, flipping and commercial properties.

Johnson has been rooted in the com munity for 26 years. She grew up in the area and relocated, but wanted to raise her family where she was raised. The Johnsons chose Halfmoon to live in and school their children, she said. So the community was the location of choice for the business that would bear her name.

“The growth in Halfmoon has been fabulous for 25 years,” she said. “This is a great town to work with when starting a business.”

The new location is at 1433 Route 9 in Halfmoon, an old farmhouse Johnson knew was for sale but had not been shown yet.

Johnson said she has a “passion for reno vating old houses” and had a vision of how the charm of the building could work to her advantage.

“I have a strong belief that you can fix anything,” she said. The end result has been “a very charming, homey, warm en vironment” that both staff and clients feel comfortable in.

Contributing to the renovations of the antique farmhouse were Adirondack Home Renovations, Robert Stevens, and the “per sonal sweat equity of friends and family,” said Johnson.

Visit johnsoncapitalrealty.com for ser vices, testimonials, photos and employment opportunities.

Lynn Johnson launched Johnson Capital Realty in Halfmoon this past summer. Courtesy Johnson Capital Realty

Nemer Motors Group Donates Funds For Cardiac Monitor For Saratoga Hospital

necting the community to each other and the world around us—at speeds never experienced before in New York,” said Rob ert Heaps, corporate vice president of SiFi Networks.

Todd Shimkus, president and CEO of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, said that the Saratoga Springs FiberCity network will usher in the next chapter in the city’s economy.

“It’s now estimated that one-third of the workforce works remotely, at least part of the week. Having the FiberCity® in Saratoga Springs is a game changer for economic development and will also help the region attract large employers and technology companies,” said Shimkus.

“Our hotels have been vying for better connectivity for years. Full fiberoptic con nectivity will enhance the visitor experience and enable our hospitality sector to do so much more for customers,” said Darryl Leg gieri, president of Discover Saratoga.

“Before moving to Saratoga Springs, I ran an event space in New York City,” said Ryan McMahon, executive director of Saratoga Springs City Center. “When we installed fiber, it enabled us to do so much more. Conferences and events move an enormous amount of data and the City Center is already working with SiFi Networks to plan ad ditional fiber connections to our convention space, our offices, and the parking garage, which will now be able to utilize Smart City services like parking apps,”

According to GigabitNow, Saratoga Springs residents and businesses can preregister for service now online for free. Giga bitNow will offer a variety of symmetrical

(equal upload and download speeds) plans ranging from 350 Mbps up to 10 Gbps. The company said residents should be aware that current internet providers may flood mail boxes with offers that may seem too good to be true now that a true fiber to the home provider is entering the market.

“They’ll only advertise the download speeds, but not the upload speeds. They also can’t match the speed, service, and reliability that comes from a fiber connec tion,” said Steve Milton, CEO, GigabitNow. “We’re enormously proud to become part of the Saratoga Springs community and look forward to providing outstanding service to the community.”

Those interested in learning more about GigabitNow service can visit www.gigabit now.com/saratoga-springs

Full-scale construction on FiberCity will continue until around Thanksgiving when underground work will be paused for the winter. Crews will resume work in the spring and the first customers on the network will go-live next fall.

Founded in 2013, SiFi Networks privately funds, builds and operates citywide, openaccess, Smart City enabled fiber networks across the United States. SiFi is currently working alongside its delivery partners with more than 40 cities, covering over 1.5 mil lion homes and businesses and has over 100 cities interested in becoming a FiberCity, the company said. SiFI’s open Access business model allows multiple internet service pro viders and other providers to deliver various services and offerings on its network.

For further information, visit www.sifi networks.com.

Nemer Motor Group and the Nemer family have stepped up to support cardiac care at Saratoga Hos pital, helping fund equipment to help meet increased demand for cardiac monitoring in the hospital’s Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center.

A donation was made to procure an additional cardiac monitor.

Saratoga Hospital set records for Emergency Department patients in April, May and June, includ ing many who required cardiac monitoring, hospital officials said.

“Chest pain is the second most frequent complaint of Emergency Department patients worldwide,” said Lisa West, administrative director of emergency and urgent care services at Saratoga Hospital. “Thanks to the Nemers’ generosity, we now have an additional cardiac monitor— \an invaluable tool for giving patients the best chance for a positive outcome.”

The monitor is the Nemer family’s third cardiac-

related gift to Saratoga Hospital in recent months. Since March 2021, the family has donated $56,000 to provide the Emergency Department monitor, fund four neonatal cardiac monitors, and underwrite the hospital’s subscription to the emergency LifeNet System.

LifeNet transmits electrocardiogram and other critical patient information to the Emergency De partment while the ambulance is en route.

“Three to four patients each month benefit from this service, which allows us to read their EKG and start planning treatment before they even arrive at the hospital,” said Dr. Robert Donnarumma, chair of the hospital’s Department of Emergency Medicine. “We’re not just saving time. We’re saving hearts and lives.”

Nemer Motor Group owns four auto dealerships, including Nemer Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Saratoga. Several family members live in Saratoga Springs.

From left, Lisa West, of Saratoga Hospital, Robert Nemer, Dr. Robert Donnarumma, Eric Nemer and Mary Solomons, Saratoga Hospital Foundation, pose in front of Saratoga Hospital.

Courtesy Nemer Motor Group

Business Registrations

Tom Gradwell Painting

Tom Gradwell

300 Maple Ave. Ballston Spa 12020

Oasis Poolz

Christopher Diacetis 4 Roosevelt Court Clifton Park 12065

R and C Property Maintenance

Robert Brownell 625 Hudson Ave. Stillwater 12170

R and A Estates

Alexander Bublak 321 45th St. Watervliet 12189

Catricala Mental Health Counseling

Kaleb Catricala

5 Southside Drive Clifton Park 12965

Boujee Dog Grooming Eryn Cardinale 82 Front St. Ballston Spa 12020

Marron Property Maintenance Bryanna Marron 314 Louden Road Saratoga Springs 12866

Superior Operational Solutions

Robert Gonzalez & Walter Fitzgerald 28 Summerville Circle Mechanicville 12118

531 Studio Jared Dinsmore 13 Joseph St. Saratoga Springs 12866

Saratoga Trim and Cabinetry Scott Brault 5037 Sacandaga Road Galway 12074

Then and Now Art Studio Bradley Brownell 807 N. Shore Rd. Hadley 12835

Graham Family Adventures Derek Graham 25 Raymond St. Corinth 12822

Outdoor Oasis Nicholas Mears 11 Featherfoil Way Ballston Spa 12020

Hometown Handyman Wade Schoenborn 148 Eastwood Drive Halfmoon 12065

Lily’s Vending Joseph Padin 8 White Birch Road Waterford 12188

Ivy’s Well Bodywork Therapies Jane McKenney 61 Rowland St. Ballston Spa 12020

4 Clovers Electric Gregg Garrett 12 Evergreen Drive Gansevoort 12831

Route 50 Diner Brian Hyra 2002 Doubleday Ave. Ballston Spa 12020

Better Day Services William Kunkel 10 W. mechanic St. Corinth 12822

That Matters Momma Marissa Miller 16 Pine Forest Lane Clifton Park 12065

Timeles Updos Hair and Makeup Jennifer Walsh 15 marian Ave. South Glens Falls 12803

Spa City Massage Jessica Roberts 6 Franklin Square Saratoga Springs 12866

Adirondack Chair Massage Ryan Durkee 503 Main St. Corinth 12822

SGF Family Diner Echolee Burt 1737 Route 9 South Glens Falls 12803

Dining Hall At SUNY Adirondack Upgraded, Adds Space For People To Study In Private

privacy.

“Working with a local vendor, we were able to provide a modern, welcoming environment,” said Tom Kent, executive director of SUNY Adirondack’s Faculty-Student Association. “We have already received many compliments from students and staff.”

The project was spearheaded by interior designer Amanda Blaise of Girvin Office in Greenfield Center, whose designs were distributed by Charlie’s Office Furniture, a Queensbury-based company.

Blaise’s designs coming to fruition is the culmination of a long process delayed by the pandemic. According to Kent, the college’s partnership with Chartwells was renewed in 2019. Part of that continued relationship included a renovation to the serving area. Then

East Side Lawn Service

Cameron Darrow 26 Grey Fox Drive Fort Edward 12828

After Hours Garage Terry Hagadorn 15 White Road Ballston Spa 12020

“I enjoyed working with our local college to provide a new, updated and more collaborative atmosphere for students and faculty,” Blaise said. “Our main focus was to take inspiration from the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, and incorporate it into our design.”

The result is a spacious facility decorated in natural woods and shades of blue and green.

“The college is committed to providing a wonderful experience to our students, faculty and staff, and, through our partnership with Chartwells, we offer great variety and quality of food, and now the dining area matches the experience,” said Kristine D. Duffy, Ed.D., president of SUNY Adirondack. “We are proud to support local businesses in our projects, fur ther strengthening the college’s long-standing ties to our community and its businesses.”

Measured in Joy Jacklyn Gomez & Joshua Scott 9 hampstead Place Saratoga Springs 12866

Sans Souchi Tattoo Krystal Ingram 318 Ruhle Road Ballston Spa 12020

SUNY Adirondack’s upgraded dining hall includes traditional and bar-height seating, study pods and spaces for groups and individuals to work in privacy.

Courtesy SUNY Adirondack

SUNY Adirondack now has unveiled its newly upgraded dining hall that includes traditional and bar-height seating, study pods and spaces for groups and individuals to work in

COVID-19 hit and delayed the rest of the plans, which included upgrades to Einstein’s Bagel Cafe in Scoville Hall, as well as the food court area.

Saratoga Showcase Of Homes Announces Winners From Its Event Held In October

This year’s edition of the showcase had five houses on display in Saratoga County. Participat ing builders in this year’s event were Belmonte Builders, DSG Construction and Remodeling, Kodiak Construction, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction.

This year’s awards were announced at the a presentation and celebration event held on Oct. 19.

Awards categories and winners were: In the executive Home Awards category:

• Realtor’s Choice Award, Executive Home: Kodiak Construction.

• People’s Choice Award, Executive Home, Favorite Kitchen: Kodiak Construction, Curtis Lumber - Heather Bodnaryk.

• People’s Choice Award, Executive Home, Favorite Master Bath: Trojanski Builders.

• People’s Choice Award, Executive Home, Favorite Interior Decorating: Kodiak Construc tion, Old Brick Furniture - Kaitlynn Johnson and Nicole Conlin.

• People’s Choice Award, Executive Home, Favorite Outdoor Living Space and Landscaping: Trojanski Builders, Sunshine Landscaping – Rich Mollnow.

• People’s Choice Award, Favorite Executive Home, winner: Trojanski Builders; Runner-up: Kodiak Construction.

In the Luxury Home Awards category:

• Realtor’s Choice Award, Luxury Home: Witt Construction.

• People’s Choice Award, Luxury Home, Favor ite Kitchen: Witt Construction

• People’s Choice Award, Luxury Home, Favor ite Master Bath: Witt Construction.

• People’s Choice Award, Luxury Home, Favorite Interior Decorating: Witt Construction, homeowner Augusta Martin.

• People’s Choice Award, Luxury Home, Favorite Outdoor Living Space and Landscaping: Witt Construction, Staucet’s Landscaping and Nursery.

• People’s Choice Award, Favorite Luxury Home, winner: Witt Construction; Runner-up, DSG Construction and Remodeling.

In addition, this year featured a “Women in Trades” shed build on the first Saturday of the event, where 9th and 10th grade female student teams from six area high schools built six 4x8-foot lean-to sheds. The schools were Corinth, Green wich, Northville, Mechanicville, Schuylerville and Stillwater. The sheds were sponsored by CTE/ BOCES, Curtis Lumber, DA Collins Companies, Hoosick Valley Contractors, LeChase, Teakwood Builders, United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Whitbeck Construction and Witt Construction. The sheds were auctioned off raising money for charity.

This year’s charity donation will be announced in November.

Award Winning Builders L/R, Dave Gadomski, Lindsey Belmonte and Peter Belmonte, Dave Trojanski, Jesse Boucher, John Witt and Justin Stitler at the Showcase of Homes awards event. Courtesy Showcase of Homes

The 2022 Saratoga Showcase of Homes, pre sented over the weekends of Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 1516, announced the winner of its annual People’s Choice awards.