Month: December 2021

State Realtors Group Says Sale Prices Of Homes Rose For 18th Straight Month

December 13, 2021

Closed sales have continued to drop across the Empire State while home prices have risen for 18 consecutive months, according to the housing report released by the New York State Association of Realtors.

After escalating for 13 straight months, closed sales in New York have receded in back-to-back months. Sales fell 10 percent from 15,401 homes this time last year to just 13,867 sales in October 2021. Pending sales dropped as well, falling to 14,108 homes—a 6.45 percent decrease from the 15,069 sales last October. New listings of homes also fell, decreasing from 18,440 listings in October 2020 to 15,507 last month. This marks a 15.9 percent decrease in year-over-year comparisons.

Median sales prices continued to rise in October. The median price of $370,000 last month marks a 10.1 percent increase from the $336,000 price in October 2020. The New York market has now seen 18 consecutive months of median sales increases in year-over-year comparisons.

Moreau Community Center Gets A Grant

December 13, 2021

The Moreau Community Center has received a $50,000 grant to develop job training programs and make facility improvements through a philanthropic initiative launched earlier this year by Spectrum.

The Spectrum Community Assist program is a five-year, $30 million initiative that aims to revitalize local community centers and invest in job training programs in underserved rural and urban communities serviced by the utility company.

“Community centers like Moreau Community Center are hallmarks of our neighborhoods, where people go for support, shared experiences and develop new job skills or find new employment,” Rahman Khan, vice president of community impact for Charter Communications, parent company of Spectrum, said in a statement.

The company aims to provide support to 100 community centers in 41 states by the end of 2025.

Through a partnership with Rebuilding Together of Saratoga County, a nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs to those that can’t afford them, the interior of the Moreau Community Center will be revamped.

Stewart’s Shops Thanks Its Employees For Their Commitment During Pandemic

December 13, 2021

Stewart’s Shops employees, referred to as partners, received a week’s worth of pay as a “thank you” from the company for their commitment during the pandemic.

The bonus checks were distributed in November to approximately 4,900 part-time and full-time workers. The majority received a check equivalent to one week’s worth of pay while employees that started after September 2021 received a $100 check.

“Our committed partners and vertical integration allowed us to keep our shops open and provide essential food and fuel. We can’t thank our partners and customers enough for their patience, cooperation and following of strict COVID protocols throughout the pandemic. This bonus is our way of sharing our success and saying thank you to all of our partners,” said Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops.

Stewart’s Shops has an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and benefits package, but this bonus was extended to all active Stewart’s Shops Partners not just those with ESOP eligibility, the company said.

Bluebird Auto In South Glens Falls Has A Supply Of Cars, Trucks And SUVs

December 13, 2021

Bill Maher has opened Bluebird Auto at 134 Saratoga Ave., South Glens Falls.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Bill Maher, owner of Bluebird Auto, 134 Saratoga Ave., South Glens Falls, said he, his wife Tina, and his father William, have one goal: to sell quality pre-owned vehicles.

Maher also runs Compton’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs. He said he has always worked in some capacity in the auto industry. With the help of his wife, he decided it was time to open up his own business.

“I was always working for others in the car business. My wife said, ‘Why don’t you try this on your own? So here we are. The people in the South Glens Falls community could not be nicer people. So easy to talk to. We are so happy to be doing business here,” said Maher.

When Maher is not at Compton’s he is at Bluebird. When he can’t be there, his father works the lot.

“My dad is there almost all the time, running the place, taking care of the buying and selling,” said Maher.

Bluebird’s Saratoga location used to be a hot dog restaurant.

Flight Wine Bar Presents An Aviation Theme With Signature Culinary Dishes

December 13, 2021December 20, 2021

John Homkey and Melissa Brennan opened Flight Wine Bar and Restaurant at 11 South St. in Glens Falls. The restaurant features a 10-seat bar and a fashionable dining room.
Courtesy Flight Wine Bar and Restaurant

By Ginny Brandreth

Flight Wine Bar and Restaurant is a new restaurant at 11 South St. in Glens Falls.

The restaurant offers an elegant culinary experience in a fashionable, mid-century modern atmosphere. From the décor to the flight attendant uniforms, to the menu, the restaurant has an aviation theme.

Owners John Homkey and Melissa Brennan have been wanting to bring a new twist to the area’s restaurant scene for years. Flight Wine Bar got its start when the pandemic was just beginning, giving the owners time to fully develop their vision. The result is a restaurant they say is thriving as it takes guests on a new culinary adventure.

“Several years ago, I was traveling in Portugal and noticed how the locals savored life. How they took their time to enjoy food, drink, and culture. I decided then that I wanted to bring this experience home,” said Brennan.

“I had always wanted to have a bar and restaurant and knew it would be best to find a business partner,” Homkey said. “I quickly fell in love with Melissa’s vision and the thought building this business together was a big bonus.”

“As we started designing our restaurant, we knew we want to focus on the theme of travel’, said Brennan. “At Flight, our guests are treated to different cultures through international cuisine, wines and beers in a way that mirrors a dinner in a foreign country”.

Guests are greeted by a stewardess that hands them their “boarding pass” and takes them to their first-class seat. Soon, passports will be available that guests can get stamped when they order, thereby accumulating reward points.

Flamingo Resort On Lake George Purchased By Massachusetts Real Estate Developer

December 13, 2021

The Flamingo Resort on Lake George was sold by George Pasternak and his sister Chrystyna Panycia, whose parents started the business. The buyer is a Massachusetts real estate developer.
Courtesy Muroff Hospitality Group

Muroff Hospitality Group announced the sale of The Flamingo Resort on Lake George.

Chris Kozaczka, a Massachusetts real estate investor and tax analyst, and his family purchased the 65-year-old Flamingo Resort located at 3914 Lake Shore Dr, Diamond Point.

The seller was Flamingo Resort Holding LLC and Flamingo Lake George Inc., which is George Pasternak and his sister Chrystyna Panycia, whose parents started the business.

The sales price was $6,5 million.

Mitch Muroff of Muroff Hospitality Group represented the Seller and secured the buyer in an exclusive listing. The business transaction closed on Tuesday, Nov. 30 in Glens Falls.

The Flamingo Resort is in the prestigious Diamond Point section of Lake George. Muroff said the resort has been family owned for nearly 65 years, and the sellers were successful in finding a buyer that would continue their legacy of maintaining a traditional family resort.

The 4.63-acre property features 59 one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins, most with full kitchens, in addition to a spacious owner’s home, all with views of Lake George.

Other features include a private sandy beach, two full-size, heated swimming pools and a marina boasting 17 docks and five charter boat licenses.

The Pasternak family decided a couple years ago that they would be willing to sell the Flamingo if the price was right, but they wanted to find a buyer interested in continuing to run the business as a resort, Muroff said.