Momentum 2021 by The Daily Star

Momentum 2021

Bringing Business to the Forefront in Otsego, Delaware, Chenango & Schoharie Counties

A publication of

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

Momentum

Pandemic provided moving opportunity for Oneonta business BY ALLISON COLLINS Contributing Writer

or Oneonta residents Chip and Stephanie Holmes, owners of The Working Kitchen, business has been building throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Holmeses, whose business was previously on the city’s East End, moved The Working Kitchen downtown amid the pandemic, though the relocation process began two years ago. The Working Kitchen, Chip said, offers “custom cabinetry and design work for any room in the house and all that comes with it — appliances, flooring, lighting, plumbing, countertops.” “We moved out in October and our current address is 18 Water St., which is the basement of the building we bought at 146 Main St.,” Stephanie said. “We’ll be moving up (to the Main Street side) toward the end of the year or late summer. “It was almost two years ago that we bought the building and were in the process of moving and selling displays,” she continued. “We just wanted to be more a part of downtown and we’d been really wanting to move downtown for quite a while. I started at Bresee’s working for Mark Bresee and I loved it, so we always had our eye on moving back downtown. We’re excited.” Though some conditions of the pandemic helped the business continue growing, Stephanie said, others impacted progress. “I feel very fortunate, because, business-wise, we’ve stayed very busy,” she said. “We’ve been working the whole time. We went remote and still are really by appointment only, but we never really closed, so we didn’t lose time that way. We did a lot of video meetings, but a lot of our stuff we handle remotely, anyway. Right now, we don’t even have displays or anything because the new showroom is not complete, but we do so much work from referrals and repeat business, it hasn’t affected us too negatively. “There’s so much growth going on — maybe not right in Oneonta — but there’s been this tremendous influx in the area,” Stephanie continued. “There are a lot of second home (owners) in Otsego and Delaware counties, and just a lot of people have been home in the pandemic and investing money in their homes. Nobody got through the pandemic without redoing a room in their house.” Clients, Chip said, live “basically within an hour of Oneonta, with some in other states and some in New York City. The Holmeses said the timeline for opening the new space was “definitely” affected by the pandemic.

CONTRIBUTED

Stephanie and Chip Holmes of The Working Kitchen are shown in this 2016 photo.

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2021 OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

“Everything with the city slowed down, of course, and we were working with the (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) funding for the front and back facade, but that all had to come to halt as the city and government had to focus on COVID,” Stephanie said. “And all of the contractors and subcontractors have been so busy playing catch-up and materials are delayed and the cost of everything has gone up a lot in the past year. “And people feel like (the delays) should be over now,” she continued, “but we’re just getting into some of ours. These delays are tough for people to understand, because things are opening up and getting better, but a lot of stuff has parts coming from overseas, so

these delays are harder for people to swallow, because they can’t see them.” “Most everybody now understands the whole delivery aspect of things; any appliance or hardware shop will tell you, things you used to be able to get regularly or in a timely fashion … now take months, but it’s common across anything, not just what we sell,” Chip said. “So, besides the cost of materials going up, it’s the availability of things. That makes our job harder; not only do we have to design and coordinate, but now we have to spend a lot of time on the phone trying to figure out when it can get to us. But overall, people are good, through the whole thing, whether it’s downstate or local people; they’ve been very patient and understanding.” Chip and Stephanie said, as they’ve worked to ready their new space, support from the community has been bolstering, leaving them hopeful. “People have really come out to support local business,” she said. “People have really taken that to heart and want to see local businesses survive. Chip grew up here and I moved here to go to Hartwick (College), so we’re really excited to be on Main Street. “We plan to have more interaction with people, because we’re going to have a retail element,” Stephanie continued. “(The Working Kitchen) used to be just a destination for projects, but now we’ll have other things so people can just pop in. We’ll have things for the home and the kitchen and live appliances to do cooking demos, so we’re excited to have people just walk in and check it out.” For more information and an opening date, find “The Working Kitchen, LTD” on Facebook, visit theworkingkitchenltd.com or call 607-441-3242.

Advertising & Media

Autos, Motorcycles & Campers

(Publishers, Public Relations, Marketing)

(Auto Dealers, Auto Body & Painting, Auto Glass, Auto Clubs, more...)

There’s so much growth going on — maybe not right in Oneonta — but there’s been this tremendous influx in the area. There are a lot of second home (owners) in Otsego and Delaware counties, and just a lot of people have been home in the pandemic and investing money in their homes. Nobody got through the pandemic without redoing a room in their house.” Stephanie Holmes

The Daily Star 102 Chestnut St., Oneonta. . . . . . . . . . . . . thedailystar.com | 607-432-1000

The Cooperstown Crier 102 Chestnut St., Oneonta. . . . . . . . . . . . . coopercrier.com | 607-432-1000

Upstate Life Magazine 102 Chestnut St., Oneonta. . . . . . . . . . . . . thedailystar.com | 607-432-1000

Action Lube 458 Chestnut St., Oneonta .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . actionlubesodajerks.com | 607-433-1226

Matthews Auto Care 32 Oneida St., Oneonta .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . matthews-auto-care.business.site | 607-441-3102

One Stop Auto 425 Chestnut St., Oneonta. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607-432-1160

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

Momentum

Oneonta bakers work to sweeten life during pandemic BY ALLISON COLLINS Contributing Writer

incent and Rebekah Hopkins, owners of Freestyle Confections in Oneonta, said they’ve had to cook up creative solutions throughout COVID-19 pandemic. “With the pandemic, it felt like, right away, we were going to fail; we were a tiny business, already struggling to get our name out there,” Rebekah Hopkins said. “We sat down and said, ‘We can either fail or get creative,’ and that’s what we did. “We were able to keep going, but we had to get creative, with people worrying about money and not working,” she continued. “Keeping people interested was hard and there were a ton of people who weren’t spending money on unnecessary things. So, it impacted us by having to change up a lot of things we were doing just to keep going, and that was a big deal for us to do those things.” That meant adding new services and expanding others, Hopkins said. “We were already doing deliveries, but with the pandemic that made it really important to get delivery orders,” she said. “We were still considered essential, legally, so we could do no-contact porch deliveries. And we decided to start cookie kits around Easter time for people to decorate their own sugar cookies. That was our big new thing that we started doing because of COVID … and it gave people something fun to do at home that we could deliver to their doors. That first holiday, we sold a bunch of those and have been doing that almost a year now. “The response to the kits right when

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Vincent and Rebekah Hopkins, owners of Freestyle Confections in Oneonta, pose in this undated photo.

COVID hit was insane,” she continued. “It was a big deal, with COVID and Easter coming back to back, that families couldn’t get together. So being able to send the kit to a family was really cool. We’ll travel anywhere to bring these kits to people … and we got a lot of pictures of customers doing them, so that was fun to see.” Kits expanded, Hopkins said, to include cookies for Saint Patrick’s Day, birthdays, graduations and more, and organizations such as the Susquehanna SPCA, Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans and Springbrook have sold the kits as fundraisers. Hopkins also increased bread production, to provide a mainstay item, as well as artisan bagels and rolls. Freestyle Confections also began offering subscription boxes in early 2021, Hopkins said. The boxes, she said, are $100 a month, with delivery each weekend. Subscribers receive “over $35 worth of stuff each week, for $25 a week,” she said. Hopkins said the business also grew in late 2020, thanks to a holiday pop-up shop on Market Street in Oneonta. “I’ve always been nervous to start a brick-and-mortar, but had started to think of doing a pop-up,” she said. “It happened that one of my friends posted an open office space and it was really cute; it was easy to rent and we could rent for just the month of December, for Christmas, because that’s our busiest time. We moved in in the beginning of November and tried it for Christmas, but had so much fun doing it and got such a good response, we stayed a little

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2021 OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

CONTRIBUTED

The Hopkinses said their do-it-yourself cookie kits, such as this New Year option, have proven popular amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

longer and then a little longer. It was really nice to meet so many people and have so many new customers … so we’ve got a ton of new people that know about us now and that was really special and important to us.” The pop-up shop closed for the season, Hopkins said, in mid-March. Though remaining relevant and reinventing the business model was challenging, Hopkins said, providing something sweet felt important. “People were thinking really about only what they need, but for the mental state of the country and everyone suffering, it’s also really important that people have something that makes them smile, and we provide that,” she said. “We’re essential workers but don’t necessarily sell essential items. Our biggest thing was trying to keep

People were thinking really about only what they need, but for the mental state of the country and everyone suffering, it’s also really important that people have something that makes them smile, and we provide that. We’re essential workers but don’t necessarily sell essential items. Our biggest thing was trying to keep people and ourselves smiling; that’s a really big deal for us.” Rebekah Hopkins

people and ourselves smiling; that’s a really big deal for us.” Hopkins said opportunities to give back were reciprocally cheering. “We try to really keep community as part of this,” she said. “I’ve always tried to, but now I feel being together and unified is extra important. We give a lot of our leftovers away when we have stuff, to individual families or people. We’ll post on our Facebook saying, ‘Do you know anyone who needs a smile?’ … or you can sponsor orders. Someone sponsored a subscription box for Bassett Hospital workers, and we dropped off a box (of baked goods) to the emergency department every weekend. We’ve also delivered to Oneonta Police Department, Oneonta Fire Department, Springbrook and some people will just say, ‘Here’s $40 in

CONTRIBUTED

Through the 2020 holiday season and early 2021, Vincent and Rebekah Hopkins opened a Freestyle Confections pop-up shop on Market Street in Oneonta.

cookies, give someone a smile.’” Though Hopkins said finding a permanent location for Freestyle Confections is “a long-term goal,” the next step is continuing to deepen community connections at places such as the Eastern Otsego Farmers’ Market, happening from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day. “Worcester is starting up a farmers’ market and that’s my hometown,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything so exciting for this town and that’s the only farmers’ market we’re attending. It’s right off (Interstate) 88, off Exit 19, so I feel like it’s going to be a really good hub.” For more information, find “Freestyle Confections: From Scratch. From Home.” on Facebook or email freestyleconfections@ yahoo.com.

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

Momentum

Autos, Motorcycles & Campers

Business & Professional Services

(Auto Dealers, Auto Body & Painting, Auto Glass, Auto Clubs, more...)

(Business Coaching, Consulting, Business Services)

Precision Collision 9997 State Hwy. 23, Oneonta. . . . . . . . . pconeonta.com | 607-278-6115

PRECISION COLLISION Thanks to our loyal customers for voting us

Top 3 "Best Autobody Repair"

The Village Printer 330 Pony Farm Rd., Oneonta .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. thevillageprinter.com | 607-432-5259

The Village Printer 330 Pony Farm Rd. Oneonta, NY 13820

If it’s a scratch, crumple or crush ... we’re glad you come to us!

607-432-5259 800-333-7559

sales@thevillageprinter.com

Your Local Source For: Thetford’s Body Shop & Towing 3 Keith St., Oneonta .. ..................... . . . . thetfordbodyshoptowing.com | 607-433-0319

Printing Services Large Item Scan & Print Custom Imprinted Apparel Promotional Items Proudly Serving Our Community Since 1954!

Business & Professional Services

Construction & Building Services

(Business Coaching, Consulting, Business Services)

(General Contractors, Construction, Engineers, Architects)

Destination Oneonta 4 Dietz St., Oneonta.. . . . . . destinationoneonta.com | 607-432-2941

Websters paving 2 Keith St., Oneonta. . . . . . . . . . .. . websterspaving.com | 607-432-8550

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OTSEGO | 2021

Entertainment (Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Travel, Events, Museums)

A Tourist Life Worcester.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . atouristlifetravel.com | 607-206-4281

Health & Fitness (Medical Centers & Clinics, Dentists, Fitness Centers, more...)

Cooperstown Optical 5370 State Hwy. 28, Cooperstown .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cooperstownoptical.com | 607-547-8080

Helios Care 297 River St. South Service Rd. Suite #1, Oneonta .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .helioscare.org | 607-432-5525

New York Skin & Vein 6 Country Club Rd., Oneonta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nysvc.com | 607-431-2525

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

Momentum

Pandemic upended life for haircutters BY ALLISON COLLINS Contributing Writer

or salon owners Morgan Clapperton and Chrissy Poteet, the COVID-19 pandemic made things a little hairy. Clapperton and Poteet opened Unadilla Hair Company at 1004 state Highway 7 in Unadilla in December 2015, offering cuts, waxing and coloring services and more to men, women and children. Early 2020, they said, saw the salon shut down for more than two months. “We were nonessential, so we had to shut down and were threatened with massive fines and revoking of our licenses if we were caught running our business or cutting hair from home,” Poteet said. “And when we came back, we had to change some things – sanitize

more, work by appointment and we couldn’t double book, so basically we had to work the same amount of time but get fewer clients in.” Though the Otsego County salon was permitted to reopen on June 2, Poteet and Clapperton said, the start of the pandemic and intervening months spent closed proved worrisome. “We weren’t really sure in the beginning, and there was a sense of fear,” Poteet said. “We were touching people, working face-to-face. Then, in the fall, a couple of other counties shut down, based on numbers, so we were nervous we’d get shut down again. Luckily, we did not, but it was always looming over our heads if our way of making money would be taken from us again.”

We were nonessential, so we had to shut down and were threatened with massive fines and revoking of our licenses if we were caught running our business or cutting hair from home,” Chrissy Poteet

Morgan Clapperton and Chrissy Poteet stand in their Unadilla salon, Unadilla Hair Company, in April. PHOTOS BY ALLISON COLLINS

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2021 OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

“We worry,” Clapperton said. “I was a pessimist. There’s a constant fear of being told you can’t work anymore. And we did a lot of double booking, but can’t do that now, so we’re making less money.” Additionally, they said, reopening meant a logistical juggling act. “Once it got flowing, it was great to be working again … but it was very stressful,” Poteet said. “Even while we were shut down, people were asking, ‘Will you do my hair on the side?’ or, ‘I’ll pay extra to cut the line,’ so, (when we opened), it was a lot at once and people were very desperate to get their hair done. Most clients have been very

Chrissy Poteet, co-owner of Unadilla Hair Company in Unadilla, cuts client Tammy Huestis’ hair in April.

understanding and patient and very loyal. When we first opened (in June), I had clients on the books from April and May, so I booked them first, because they’d already had spots; then, as people called and made appointments, it was first-come, first-served, so when we first opened, we were booking out seven weeks. “Trying to accommodate everyone with the restricted scheduling has been difficult,” she continued, noting that the salon is not accepting new clients at this time. “It’s harder to work like this and have to take the extra time for sanitation … and fit everyone in and get people used to making appointments.” Unadilla Hair Company’s customer base, Poteet said, includes clients from Binghamton, Deposit and Oneonta, “but most are from Unadilla, Sidney, Otego, Bainbridge — very much the local small towns.” Poteet said, while somewhat tricky to implement, the new modality bodes well for business. “The best part of that is that that people are making appointments,” she said. “We’ve never been booked solidly in the past, and that’s been our big goal, to get to where our books are full, because then you can get to where you can figure out your finances over the next few weeks. People are booking ahead, so we are having that security.” Clapperton said they’ve also struggled with industry-wide shortages. “A lot of the rules changed, and the masks were hard at first, but the biggest thing that’s been an issue is not being able to get the supplies we need,” she said. “Most people are great and do everything we ask, but a lot of it’s the supplies.” Clapperton, too, said some of what’s been hard has also proven helpful. “There’s the constant sanitizing and watching everything your client touches — the railing, the coat rack or my phone to sign their name — and that’s the worst and best thing, the added cleanliness,” she said. “Obviously, we were very clean before, but … neither of us got even a cold this year, so there’s a lot of the new cleaning that we’ll keep up with.” Poteet and Clapperton said they’re focused on pushing forward and, someday, welcoming new clients again. “We’re all just kind of hanging in and doing what we can,” Clapperton said. “We’re just trying to get through the pandemic era and all the new regulations,” Poteet echoed. “We want things to relax again so we can double book, but that’s our main focus, just getting through. For more information, find “Unadilla Hair Company” on Facebook or call 607-349-7110.

OTSEGO | 2021

Momentum

Home & Garden Beautify Your Floors.

(Home & Garden, Remodeling - Bath & Kitchen)

Better Homes & Transport 3787 Rt. 20, Richfield Springs ...................... . . . . . betterhomesandtransport.net | 315-858-2100

Enhance Your Whole Home.

CarpetsPlus COLORTILE 61 South Main St., Oneonta ...................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . carpetsplusoneonta.com | 607-353-7433

Gilbert Plumbing & Heating PO Box 96, Gilbertsville.. . . . . . . . . www.gilbertph.com | 607-783-2289

Gregory Plumbing 229 Chestnut St., Oneonta ..................... gregoryplumbingandheating.com | 607-432-4799

New Asbury Gardens 248 River St., Oneonta.. . . . newasburygardens.com | 607-432-8703

For Service Call...

P.O. Box 96 Gilbertsville, NY 13776

607-783-2289 www.gilbertph.com

• New Gas, Oil & Electric Heating System Installation

• Carpet • Vinyl • Hardwood • Countertops • Marble & Quartz • Floating Floors by Cortec

Villa Pointe Light Gray

• Sundries • Remnants • Plank & Tile • Ceramic & Luxury Vinyl • Window Treatments by Garber

Chevereaux Natural

Worthington Gray Washed

Stop by our showroom today to find the color, finish and option that’s perfect for your home.

• Heating System Repairs & Cleanings • Water Heater Installation & Service • All Aspects of Plumbing • Service Contracts Available

607.353.7433 61 S. Main Street Oneonta, NY carpetplusoneonta.com

Monday-Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM – 3:00PM

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NEW

2021 OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

Home & Garden

Legal Services

(Home & Garden, Remodeling - Bath & Kitchen)

(Legal Services, Divorce/Family Law)

ASBURY GARDENS

Thank you for making us #1 in landscaping!!!

Scarzafava, Basdekis & Dadey 48 Dietz St., Suite C, Oneonta .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . personalinjurylawyersoneonta.com | 607-432-9341

Nonprofit Organizations (Family, Community & Civic Organizations)

Susquehanna SPCA Complete Garden Center

State Hwy. 28, Cooperstown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sqspca.org | 607-547-8111

Annuals • Perennials • Shrubs • Trees

Landscaping

Hard Landscaping • Pond Installation • Outdoor Kitchens • Water Feature Installations • Paver Patios & Walkways

Consultations Available NOW BOOKING FOR SPRING 2021!

Call Today! 607-432-8703 New Asbury Gardens | 248 River St., Oneonta | newasburygardens.com

Legal Services (Legal Services, Divorce/Family Law)

Personal Services & Care (Salons & Spas, Funeral Homes, Driver Training, more...)

Church & Scott Inc. 5396 State Hwy. 28, Cooperstown .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . churchandscott.com | 607-547-1228

Connell Dow & Deysenroth 82 Chestnut St., Cooperstown .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cooperstownfuneralhome.com | 607-547-8231

Faithful Friends Pet Crematory 1977 State Hwy. 23, Morris .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . faithfulfriendsofmorris.com | 607-263-2363

Sickler Memorials 312 Chestnut St., Oneonta. . . . . sicklermemorials.com | 607-847-6549

2021

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

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Public Utilities & Environment

Restaurants & Caterers

(Utilities, Internet, Cable)

(Full Service, Casual Dining, Fast Food, Catering)

Reinhardt Home Heating

Brooks’ House of BBQ

3919 State Hwy. 23, West Oneonta.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607-432-6633

5560 State Hwy. 7, Oneonta. . . . . . . . . . . . .brooksbbq.com | 607-432-1782

Home of the largest indoor charcoal BBQ pit in the east! Available for carryout, curbside, and catering.

Fuel Oil • Gasoline • Kerosene • Diesel Fuel • Air Conditioning 24 Hr Emergency Service 365 Days/Year Free Written Estimates for Heating Systems Rt. 23 West Oneonta (607) 432 6633 www.reinhardthomeheating.com

Specializing in our famous BBQ chicken, pork ribs, and pulled pork.

Now offering Ethanol Free Gasoline!

Order online or through our IOS & Android App!

BrooksBBQ.com

H For the Brooks Family H BARBECUE IS NOT JUST A BUSINESS,

IT’S A WAY OF

LIFE

........_..__ ___,r-� '•

Carryout, Curbside and Catering

HHSince 1961HH Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs 11am to 7pm Fri & Sat 11am to 8pm

5560 State Highway 7, Oneonta, NY 13820 • 607•432•1782 • brooksbbq.com

Shopping & Retail Real Estate, Moving & Storage (Residential, Commercial, Moving, Storage)

Benson Agency Real Estate 1 Grand St., Oneonta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bensonre.com | 607-432-4391

(Appliances, Clothing Apparel, Accessories, more...)

The Quilt Zoo 88 Main St., Worcester. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . thequiltzoo.com | 607-397-9047

Weaver’s Farm Market 1273 East Side Rd., Morris.. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607-263-2030

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Autos, Motorcycles & Campers

Sports & Recreation

(Auto Dealers, Auto Body & Painting, Auto Glass, Auto Clubs, more...)

(Golf Courses & Country Clubs, Sports Facilities, Sports Teams)

Brookside Hardware & Auto Sales 42235 State Hwy. 28, Margaretville .. . . . . . . . .................... www.brooksidehardware.com | 858-586-2345

The College Golf Course at Delhi 85 Scotch Mountain Rd., Delhi .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . golfcourse.delhi.edu | 607-746-4653

Construction & Building Services (General Contractors, Construction, Engineers, Architects)

Titan Drilling 264 Co. Hwy. 38, Arkville.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858-586-3451

85 SCOTCH MOUNTAIN RD. DELPHI, NY

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

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Delhi creamery thrives during pandemic BY ALLISON COLLINS Contributing Writer

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

From left, Delhi native Kyle Clark, of Clark’s Milk, stands with his grandfather and father, Pete and Thomas, alongside a new delivery van.

elhi native Kyle Clark said, despite launching Clark’s Milk at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has experienced an “amazing” first year of business. Clark, 26, opened a creamery, producing whole and 2% milk, cream, butter and half-and-half, from a retrofitted building at his family’s 114-year-old dairy farm at 2899 Elk Creek Road in Delhi on March 1, 2020. Clark said, while pleased with the Delaware County business’ firstyear gains, such growth is hard to contextualize. “We’ve definitely grown, but we started at zero and at the same time the pandemic started, so the other option was nothing; I don’t know anything other than operating in a pandemic,” he said. “But as far as business and sales and growth, from March to October, it was a steady climb. It’s plateaued a little since then, and I don’t know what to blame that on — catching up to regional markets or seasonal (factors) — but I have no historical data, so I’m just plugging along.”

Clark’s Milk, Clark said, is among many agricultural businesses to see increased patronage through the pandemic. “Judging from what I’ve heard from other people and wholesale customers of mine, I honestly think it’s been a good thing for the local and regional food movement,” he said. “People have really realized, or it’s reiterated, the value of having a quality, secure regional food system. A lot of people that maybe thought it was just a buzz word, find it has a little more weight now.” The aftereffects of such an agriculture boom, he said, remain to be seen. “I went to college for animal science and have my bachelor’s in dairy management, but this is far different than I could’ve ever imagined,” he said. “It will be interesting to see what happens this year, because all these people are going to ramp up production and put resources into growth; it’ll be interesting to see how that supply and demand will affect our local market.”

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2021 OTSEGO | DELAWARE | SCHOHARIE | CHENANGO

Because we’ve kind of maxed out our capacity and we’re processing five days a week, we’re not trying to grow super huge, but we are trying to make things more efficient. Right now, we’re so busy that we’ve grown into inefficiency; we outgrew our facilities and equipment, which we had no way of knowing (would happen). We also want to play around with some fun products and some seasonal products — just explore, experiment and get better at customer service.” Kyle Clark

Kyle Clark, of Clark’s Milk, stands in his Delhi production plant earlier this year.

Clark said such swift growth for a small business has its challenges, especially concerning distribution. Clark’s Milk, he said, is distributed to “smaller, independent groceries, general stores and lots of farm stands,” as well as several area restaurants. “I’m in a weird spot where we grew to our capacity so fast,” he said. “I didn’t even really know what our capacity was — we were buying a lot of expensive equipment on a shoestring and collecting what we could and making it work — so it got to capacity faster than I thought we would. Now, we’re getting spread out — we’re all the way from Sidney to Morris, to Jefferson to Hunter, to Andes and Margaretville, to Walton and back to Delhi — so it’s a big loop for one delivery vehicle. And milk’s especially difficult, because it has a 19day best-buy date, and we have to get it out of our cooler within four days after we make it.” Clark said he manages the creamery with the help of two fulltime plant employees, a full-time delivery driver and “at least one part-timer.” He also works alongside his father, Thomas, on the family’s 200-head Holstein dairy farm. Clark said, while happy for the creamery’s success, the year hasn’t

been without operational worries. “It’s such a small business, the fear of any of us or my team getting COVID and having to quarantine — that could’ve been detrimental,” he said. “Especially myself, because I hold a lot of the licenses you need to operate, so that’s weighed on everybody. Our COVID regs are enforced by (the New York State Department of ) Agriculture and Markets, so we’re really strict in the plant.” Clark said he plans to focus on streamlining and expanding. “Because we’ve kind of maxed out our capacity and we’re processing five days a week, we’re not trying to grow super huge, but we are trying to make things more efficient,” he said. “Right now, we’re so busy that we’ve grown into inefficiency; we outgrew our facilities and equipment, which we had no way of knowing (would happen). We also want to play around with some fun products and some seasonal products — just explore, experiment and get better at customer service.” For more information, or a list of local retailers carrying Clark products, visit clarkdairyfarms.com, find “Clark Farms” on Facebook or follow @clarkdairyfarms on Instagram.

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

Momentum

Franklin restaurant changes with the times BY ALLISON COLLINS Contributing Writer

t The Tulip & the Rose Cafe in Franklin, staying solvent through the COVID-19 pandemic has been about finding ways to feed the community. Hasan Siddiqi, general manager and part owner of the 435 Main St. eatery, said the restaurant began refocusing early on in the pandemic. “Last February, or around the beginning of March, when they did the shutdown order, we had a couple of slow weeks and we were trying to figure out how we would do things,” he said, noting that this is typically a busy time of year, with the start of outdoor dining and catering events. Prioritizing the needs of locals, Siddiqi said, proved fruitful. “We’re known for our tapas menu and our brunch, so we took the spirit of that tapas menu and did limited items — four or five each week — and did a family-size type thing,” he said. “It was trays of food instead of individual dishes, geared toward families of four, but also (available) in half sizes and individual. “For us, our business is very community-oriented, so we didn’t really think of it as a money-making thing, but ‘how can we provide a service to the local community?’” Siddiqi continued. “The thing we settled

ALLISON COLLINS

The Tulip & the Rose Cafe is at 435 Main St. in Franklin. on was to do takeout, but we wanted to do something easier and cost-effective and convenient for people. Weekly to-go menus (became) our strategy going into it, thinking, ‘What would we want for our own families?’ and, fortunately, our community responded very well to that. We’ve done a new menu every week throughout pandemic.” It was that response, Siddiqi said, that kept the cafe going. “When things really slowed down, we thought maybe we could temporarily close and take a

breather,” he said. “But we got such a great response from the community to this takeout transition … and a lot of people came in and said, ‘If you’re struggling, we’ll make sure we order or buy gift cards.’ “Pretty early on, we realized we had such a strong thing for Franklin, Sidney, Oneonta, Walton and all around the area,” Siddiqi continued. “I think, after six years of becoming part of this community, we felt a lot of love and support coming back our way and we really appreciate that.”

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2021 OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

When people are sitting down in a restaurant, you have the luxury of time; they don’t want their food as soon as they sit down, they want time to chat and drink and enjoy. But, when it’s takeout, especially in COVID, they just want to grab their food and go, so that was a little bit tough.” Hasan Siddiqi

A shuba salad of stacked vegetables and housecured salmon gravlax was featured as part of a Tulip & the Rose to-go menu in April. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Plated samosas, made by chefs at the Tulip & the Rose Cafe in Franklin, are shown in this undated photo.

We’ll do indoor dining as soon as things feel comfortable.” Hasan Siddiqi

That outpouring, Siddiqi said, has expanded beyond the restaurant’s Delaware County clientele and spurred reciprocal generosity. “It’s just been really heartwarming and great to see so much support from the local community and even outside, from downstate people who just want to support a local business,” he said. “People know and understand that it’s a tough time for us and go above and beyond just to show support. We have people who order every week and I know they’re not the type to eat out every week, but they want to tell us, in a very tangible way, ‘We’re standing with you and we’ll make it through this together.’ “I never expected that,” Siddiqi continued. “And that’s why we’ve tried to do things with the food pantry here in town and the pet shelter. It’s a small community and we’re all going through this together, so we want to give back as much as we can.” But the restaurant’s saving grace, Siddiqi said, also proved the trickiest adjustment. “Before, takeout was maybe 10% of the orders we did, maybe even 5,” he said. “So, going from that to 100%, it’s a holistic change for a restaurant — from the way you take and convey orders to the back to the way you serve people

and the timing of it. “When people are sitting down in a restaurant, you have the luxury of time; they don’t want their food as soon as they sit down, they want time to chat and drink and enjoy,” Siddiqi continued. “But, when it’s takeout, especially in COVID, they just want to grab their food and go, so that was a little bit tough.” Siddiqi said he and the other owners are “going to play things by ear,” while eyeing a tentative June 1 return to dine-in services. “We’ll do indoor dining as soon as things feel comfortable,” he said, noting that The Tulip & the Rose offered dine-in service briefly at the close of summer 2020. “We’ve been doing more catering and events and we’ve got a good system down that’s COVIDsafe. We want to be somewhere people know they can turn to for catering or a small party at home … and we definitely want to make sure the outdoor space is good, because some people are going to still want to sit outside.” For more information or to view weekly menus, visit thetulipandtherose.com, find “The Tulip and the Rose Cafe” on Facebook or follow @tulipandtherose on Instagram. Also, call 607-829-4040 for takeout.

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

Momentum

Pandemic presents challenges for dance studio BY ALLISON COLLINS Contributing Writer

ALLISON COLLINS

Masked dancers practice at Studio B Performing Arts Academy in Sidney earlier this year.

ebecca Tyler, owner of Studio B Performing Arts Academy in Sidney, said keeping the 30 Main St. studio going through the COVID-19 pandemic has been a hustle. “At the beginning, I was working from home with a newborn, so that was unexpected,” Tyler, whose son was born in February 2020, said. “We brought all of our studio classes online through Zoom and some prerecorded stuff and master classes. We had classes Saturday, March 14, then announced we were closing that night and, by that Monday, we’d brought the entire studio to an online platform. “We didn’t expect to be online as long as we were,” Tyler continued. “I came off maternity leave a lot sooner than I’d planned on — he was four weeks old when everything shut down. I had planned to ease back in, then taught for one day, and then was full-time online.” Transferring dance instruction to a virtual modality, Tyler said, was inherently tricky. “It’s different with a movement-based product,” she said. “We’re trying to teach dance to kids in a 10-by-10 bedroom, half on their bed, hitting a dresser, or in their kitchens. We do something that’s mod-

erately space-specific, so we had to adapt that. (Acrobatics) classes were really challenging, because of course you can’t spot someone on a screen, so we had to revamp our entire curriculum to make sure (students) were still making progress, but in a way that was safe for them to do without us physically being there.” Amid the closure, Tyler said, she and other instructors proved the show must go on, offering a modified, outdoor recital at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge in July. “That came with its own set of unique challenges,” she said. “Nothing was going to be normal or feel right or great, but we just had to do something. The kids needed something — we all needed something — good, whether it was going to be normal or not; a version of something to look forward to was something we all felt really strongly that we needed to do.” Reopening to in-person instruction in July also proved challenging, Tyler said, though Studio B students, ranging in age from 2 to 18, pivoted well. “We reopened as soon as we were able to, literally the first day studios were allowed to open, but under limited capacity and with masks and all the cleaning stuff every business owner has to do,” she said. “The children have adapted much better than any one of us. We were so worried about having them dance in masks … but, actually, the younger the kid, the easier, which was unexpected. We have kids that are 2 and they’re wearing their masks for their 30-minute class. They’re used to following directions in dance class, so they just take it like everything else.” Studio B students, Tyler said, come from Afton, Bainbridge, Franklin, Norwich, Sidney and Unadilla. The most difficult part of studio ownership through the pandemic, Tyler said, has been shifting in time with top-down guidance.

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2021 OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

ALLISON COLLINS

Rylee Noone, of Afton, and Norwich resident Stormi Arnold practice ballet while wearing masks at Studio B Performing Arts Academy at 30 Main St. in Sidney in this February photo.

(Acrobatics) classes were really challenging, because of course you can’t spot someone on a screen, so we had to revamp our entire curriculum to make sure (students) were still making progress, but in a way that was safe for them to do without us physically being there.” Rebecca Tyler

“It’s just the constant changing and the lack of clarity around the rules; if you give us a framework to work within, we can figure it out, but it’s really hard when that framework is intentionally wishy-washy and constantly changing,” she said. “Business owners do not get any heads-up on any changes; they just get published to the state site or, more excitingly, the governor says something on the news and then I’m getting texts and emails and messages, so that’s absolutely been the hardest thing.” But the pandemic has not been without its upsides, Tyler said. “From my perspective, our staff has gotten a lot stronger and closer and really taken a lot of time to invest in training and online training that, prior, would’ve required thousands of dollars in travel,” she said. “We’ve been able to take advantage of those opportunities, which is awesome, and bring in guest teachers that, before, we would’ve had to pay (to fly) from California. Now, they can just Zoom in, and that’s amazing.” Tyler said the pandemic also spurred beneficial changes to class structure. “We’ve restructured our company program and started what we call our elite training program for our more serious kids,” she said. “We did a pod-style schedule with them, so they were always with the same kids and a little safer. “We’ve doubled the number of kids in that program and we’re really happy with the results of the quality of training and the atmosphere they’re able to get, and the consistency, which is something they need but hasn’t been a thing over the last year,” Tyler continued. While enhancing programming, Tyler said, she has worked to prioritize family time — her own and students’. “We’re going to continue with our elite training program and developing that for kids that crave a little bit more structure,” she said. “We’ve made some schedule changes, in part inspired by Teddy’s and my life, but changes to make things more inclusive of the whole family and valuing that time a little bit more. Even with the elite training program, kids only have to be there three days a week, so they still get that family time and we’re going to keep some of those changes going forward.” For more information, find “Studio B Performing Arts Academy” on Facebook, visit studiobperformingarts.com or call 607-5637280.

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

Momentum

Maze of regulations affects fitness center BY ALLISON COLLINS Contributing Writer

icki Parker, co-owner of Greene Community Fitness Center, said she has muscled her way through the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the 7 Canal St. business fit. Parker, who operates the center with husband and doctor of physical therapy Gary Parker, said services run the gamut. “We have it all here,” she said. “Seven thousand square feet of gym, which includes cardio, free weights and a boxing room; a 3,000-square-foot group fitness room that we actually remodeled during COVID; and we have a small space for Colleen (Gaydorus), who does therapeutic massage and yoga, when that’s on.” Parker said, though the physical therapy portion of the business stayed steady through the pandemic, the fitness side lagged. “We were closed down in mid-March and, because the physical therapy office is connected to the gym and that was open, we were allowed to access the gym and social distance patients,” she said. “So, we never had to turn anyone away for PT, because we could spread out in the space.

CONTRIBUTED

Micki and Gary Parker, owners of Greene Community Fitness Center, stand in their 7 Canal St. space with awards from Trusted Safe, a company Micki Parker said she partnered with to ‘ensure safety from illness exposure’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We opened back up in August, but we had a lot of criteria we had to beat,” Parker continued. “We had to have cleaning logs every two hours, screening checkins, special air handlers that we put in that sanitize the air every two hours and everybody is required to clean the equipment before and after they use it, so we opened up under completely new rules that the state imposed. We jumped through all the hoops that were necessary to open and the gym opened first, then, in October, we opened group fitness.” During the closure, Parker said, group instruction went online. “The minute that we closed down, it took us about a week or two and we went online with group fitness classes,” she said. “We offered those free for several months, then we just couldn’t absorb that without any end as to whether we could open. Now, we offer online and in-person classes, as people transition and become more accepting of the mask. The big thing with a gym is the mask … and (wearing) it is slightly challenging, but it’s doable.”

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2021 OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

We had to adapt and change with what was available to us, so we did rise to the occasion. Our gym is really clean. The cleanliness level of our gym has surpassed anything, because of the rules implemented, and I feel very safe here.” Micki Parker

Though restrictions have lifted, Parker said, membership remains affected. “We lost 50% of members when closed, and we’ve now added about 15% more in, so we’re at about 65% of what we were a year ago,” she said. Parker named keeping current with shifting requirements as the trickiest aspect of doing business through a pandemic. “It’s really the lack of communication and interpretation of all the rules and regulations,” she said. “The government entities do not define anything, and they want things implemented without explanation, so then it’s left up to individual interpretation. “We’re the only industry that had this 11-page thing of protocols that we had to open with,” Parker continued. “We’re required to take these questionnaires and keep track of everyone that comes in our facility and we basically have to be walking behind people, cleaning everything, after they’ve cleaned it, yet you’re more likely to get COVID at a gas station.”

Parker said heightened cleaning and technological measures have their benefits. “We had to adapt and change with what was available to us, so we did rise to the occasion,” she said. “Our gym is really clean. The cleanliness level of our gym has surpassed anything, because of the rules implemented, and I feel very safe here. “I’m over 50, and I had to learn not only how to do Zoom, but how to make my music work through the studio and on Zoom,” Parker continued. “My kids are even impressed with my ability to figure this stuff out. The fact that I did learn all that tech stuff has benefited everybody. We remodeled the fitness room and now the music — we upgraded the speakers and I have a mixer — is so that we can have people online in their homes and teach to people who come in, at the same time. And, technology-wise, we implemented an app so people can check in and earn free swag and it’s a fun way for them to interact. I loved that we could still connect even while in total lockdown; that little connection did help us mentally and emotionally.” Parker said she’s focused on helping people and the facility recover. “We’d really like to get back to our full capacity and help everybody meet their fitness goals, at whatever level they are,” she said. “We’ve really noticed … that people have gained weight and have much more pain than they did before, and we want those people to come back, so they feel better. It’s been a very depressing and stressful year and we’d like to see them come back and make their lives healthier, so they can live longer.” Greene Community Fitness Center, Parker said, services “the Greene area, but mostly people from Raymond (Corporation),” located across the street from the gym. For more information, text or call 607-222-2022, visit greenefitnesscenter.com or find “Greene Community Fitness Center” on Facebook.

Construction & Building Services

Personal Services & Care

(General Contractors, Construction, Engineers, Architects)

(Salons & Spas, Funeral Homes, Driver Training, more...)

Beardsley’s Sawmill 589 Rt. 206, Greene.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sawbiz.com | 607-656-7904

Finance & Insurance (Banks, Financial Advisors, Insurance)

Rinker Agency LLC 191 Main St., Afton.. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607-639-1930

Sickler Memorials 557 State Hwy. 80 East, New Berlin .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sicklermemorials.com | 607-847-6549

OTSEGO | DELAWARE | CHENANGO | SCHOHARIE

2021

Momentum

Sports & Recreation (Golf Courses & Country Clubs, Sports Facilities, Sports Teams)

Cobleskill Outdoor Sports 116 France Lane, Cobleskill .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cobleskilloutdoorsports.com | 518-234-2400

Serving the Communities of Central New York State Since 1890

607-432-1000 | 102 Chestnut St., Oneonta | 800-721-1000

Music, Art & Entertainment

In Print & Online

Momentum

2021

| INDEX |

OTSEGO COUNTY

Pandemic provided moving opportunity for Oneonta business 2, 3

Reinhardt Home Heating

Advertising & Media

Real Estate, Moving & Storage

Autos, Motorcycles & Campers

Restaurants & Caterers

Brooks’ House of BBQ

12 12

Oneonta bakers work to sweeten life during pandemic

4, 5

Autos, Motorcycles & Campers

Shopping & Retail

Precision Collision

Weaver’s Farm Market

Thetford’s Body Shop & Towing

Business & Professional Services

The Village Printer

Construction & Building Services

12, 24

DELAWARE COUNTY Autos, Motorcycles & Campers

Construction & Building Services

Entertainment 7

Titan Drilling

Health & Fitness

Sports & Recreation

Helios Care

The College Golf Course at Delhi

New York Skin and Vein

Delhi creamery thrives during pandemic

14, 15

Franklin restaurant changes with the times

16, 17 18, 19

Pandemic upended life for haircutters

8, 9

Home & Garden

Pandemic presents challenges for dance studio

CarpetsPlus COLORTILE

Gilbert Plumbing & Heating

CHENANGO COUNTY

New Asbury Gardens

10, 11

Maze of regulations affect fitness center

20, 21

Construction & Building Services

Finance & Insurance

Personal Services & Care

Legal Services

Scarzafava, Basdekis & Dadey, PLLC

Nonprofit Organizations

Personal Services & Care

SCHOHARIE COUNTY

Public Utilities & Environment

Sports & Recreation

Momentum A publication of The Daily Star, 102 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, New York 13820 © 2021 - All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

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