Month: August 2016

Laoban, a 27-1 long shot, wins his first race on July 30 at Saratoga Race Course, which was the Jim Dandy Stakes. NYRA said opening day this season saw an all-sources handle of $17.8 million.

Courtesy NYRA

By R.J. DeLuke

Matt Jones, chairman of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, mentioned at the Chamber’s breakfast meeting in July at Longfellows Hotel, Restaurant and Conference Center, that pushing the plan to privatize the New York Racing Association (NYRA) “was not fully successful, but that effort will continue.”

It was one of few mentions of the situation regarding NYRA, which controls the three major thoroughbred horse racing tracks in the state–Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct.

The board was to revert to private, nonprofit status in 2015 and again this year. But Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not liked the proposed bills and has proposed capping the amount of money that would go to track operations.

That spawned the creation of Concerned Citizens for Saratoga Racing which is lobbying, with the support of the Chamber, to push re-privatization while ensuring steady funding.

A new agreement extended state control until October 2017.

Jones remarks were made prior to the keynote address by Chris Kay, CEO of NYRA, who spoke mainly about improvements made for the 2016 season, which is in progress, having begun on July 22.

These docks on Saratoga Lake are part of 550 Marina and Board on the Lake Local property.

BY Molly Congdon

Lake Local, the restaurant located on Saratoga Lake just off Union Avenue, has spawned a marina and dock rental business on the property that expanded its space and rental offerings this year.

The marina’s name is 550 Marina and Board, the same address as Lake Local, and both are a part of the same property, said marina manager Matthew Rickard. “The core owners are John Boyle, Michael Phinney and Ray Bryan, with some silent partners.”

Lake Local, the bar/restaurant located at 550 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs, is known for its pub fare, catch-of-the-day and farm-to-table locally grown veggies.

This summer, the boat business expanded on the property, growing from last year’s 40 dock spaces to 110.

This is a rendering of apartments Conifer Realty plans to build on Route 67.

Courtesy Barton Partners

By Susan E. Campbell

A 17-acre plot on Route 67 next to East Line Road will soon provide 163 apartments for people working in and around Ballston Spa, according to the developer, Conifer Realty of Rochester, which closed on the purchase of the property on July 1.

The land was purchased from Hal Schultz, a real estate developer who had been working to develop and market the property since 2007.

Brian Donato, project manager at Conifer, said his company paid approximately $2.5 million for the land that will become Blue Heron Trail, a four-phase residential development that may also include about 10,000 square feet of commercial lease space in the final phase.

That’s approximately $150,000 per acre and on the low side of market value, Donato said.

“The property was appraised for more,” he said. “Things are going for up to $200,000 per acre in the area.”

Cole’s Woodwind Shop has temporarily relocated to 6 Butler Place while renovations take place at the historic 47 Phila Street address that also houses Caffè Lena.

Courtesy Cole’s Woodwinds

Cole’s Woodwind Shop has temporarily relocated to 6 Butler Place (behind 3 Franklin Square), while renovations take place at the historic 47 Phila Street address that also houses Caffè Lena.

Saratoga’s Bonacio Construction is doing a major renovation at the 55-year-old Caffè Lena. The company will also construct a mixed-use building on the corner of Phila and Henry streets. The project will feature an elevator and stairwell shared with the Caffè and the eight apartments that will be on the upper floors of the mixed-use structure.

“These are exciting times,” said owner Bill Cole, who is known internationally for his personal service, unique inventory and deep knowledge of wind instrument history, construction and repair. “The long-anticipated renovation of the Caffè is finally happening and we’re proud to be a part of the project.”

Cole’s shop, in operation in Saratoga Springs since 1977, will also benefit from the extensive renovation. Cole said he is grateful for the support of the Caffè and Bonacio Construction Inc., which is handling the construction work.

Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy PC has been in business for 20 years.

Courtesy Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy

By Maureen Werther

Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy PC is celebrating its 20th year in business.

Owner Denise Buher opened the business in 1996, after working for several years as a senior therapist on the staff of Glens Falls Hospital. Buher is a certified therapist in mechanical diagnosis and therapy of the spine from the McKenzie Institute. She is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Starting out as a solo practitioner, she hired a physical therapy assistant the following year, and he is still part of the practice today.

Gradually, she added more employees and now, 20 years later, she manages a staff of 15 people, including four full-time and two part-time physical therapists, one full-time and two part-time PT assistants, with six administrative and support staff.

John Chiaramonte, a founder of the public accounting firm Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte CPAs, PC, now serves as chairman of the firm, which celebrates its 45th anniversary.

Courtesy Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte CPAs, PC

Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte CPAs, PC marked its 45th anniversary in July.

John Chiaramonte, a founder of the public accounting firm, now serves as chairman of the firm. He recently shared his reflections on doing business throughout the region, including Saratoga County, for 45 years.

“The automation and tax complexity has definitely changed from then to now, but the way we do accounting has always been the same,” said Chiaramonte. “It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve really been blessed with good fortune and associates and we’ve grown because of them.”

The namesakes of the firm, Ron Teal, Larry Becker, and John Chiaramonte, founded TBC in 1971. Ron Teal, who last worked at TBC during tax season in 2015, congratulated TBC on its 45th anniversary.

“I’m glad I was a part of it for many years and that they are continuing,” said Teal. “I always enjoyed working with all of the people. It was a very friendly atmosphere to work in, and I think that helps to make the firm continue.”