Category Archives: Business News

Hatchet Hardware Opens In Waterford; Ace Hardware Franchise Also Plans To Expand

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Michael Hawron works as a paint specialist at Hatchet Hardware’s newest Ace Hardware location in Waterford, under the ownership of Angelo, Giovanni and Erika Grasso.

By Jill Nagy

A venerable Waterford hardware store has a new name and new owners.

On Aug. 1, the former Tru-Value hardware store at 42 Saratoga Ave. re-emerged as Hatchet Hardware, an Ace Hardware franchise, owned by Angelo, Giovanni and Erika Grasso.

While big changes are planned during the next few months, the main changes so far have been the gradual replacement of Tru-Value brand products by Ace brand products.

Still, “it’s been rough transition, I’m not going to lie to you,” store manager Jesus Reyes said.

Saratoga PLAN Will Hold Its 14th Annual ‘Feast Of Fields’ Event On September 19

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Saratoga PLAN’s 14th annual Feast of the Fields will return to Saratoga National Golf Club on Sept. 19.

The event, which officials said is likely to sell out to over 600 guests, features farm-fresh produce, meats, dairy products and more highlighting crops produced by local farms. Top area chefs transform the produce and meats into culinary treats.

Feast of the Fields celebrates the agriculture in the Saratoga region. Officials said it remains strong partly due to Saratoga PLAN’s farmland conservation efforts. Proceeds from the event support PLAN’s ongoing efforts to conserve farmland and open space in Saratoga County in perpetuity.

“At Feast of the Fields, guests have a chance to taste locally grown ingredients crafted by the best chefs, meet area farmers who produced the ingredients, learn about local farm businesses, and help raise funds so that Saratoga PLAN can continue helping farmland owners and municipalities permanently protect fertile soil resources and scenic views,” said Maria Trabka, Saratoga PLAN executive director.

State Enacts Workplace Harassment Law Containing Stronger Employee Protections

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

New York state has enacted sweeping new workplace harassment protections that strengthens anti-discrimination laws to ensure employees can seek justice and perpetrators will be held accountable.

It eliminates the restriction that harassment be “severe or pervasive” in order to be legally actionable; mandating that all non-disclosure agreements allow employees to file a complaint of harassment or discrimination. It also extends the statute of limitations for employment sexual harassment claims filed from one year to three years.

“There has been an ongoing, persistent culture of sexual harassment, assault and discrimination in the workplace, and now it is time to act,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “By ending the absurd legal standard that sexual harassment in the workplace needs to be ‘severe or pervasive’ and making it easier for workplace sexual harassment claims to be brought forward, we are sending a strong message that time is up on sexual harassment in the workplace and setting the standard of equality for women.”

GlobalFoundries-Malta Foundation Accepting Applications For Its Annual Grant Program

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

The GlobalFoundries-Town of Malta Foundation is accepting grant applications for its next round of funding to support local community organizations.

Applications for grant funding can be submitted electronically or may be downloaded and mailed to the foundation by Oct. 31.

The foundation plans to award approximately $160,000 in grants to selected organizations by the end of this year.

Instructions and links for the application can be found at the foundation’s website, sites.google.com/site/gfmaltafoundationorg/home.

The Wesley Foundation Grandparent Day Event To Benefit Health Center Renovations

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

The Wesley Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Wesley Community, will host its third annual Saratoga Grandparents Day celebration on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The annual event honors grandparents and great grandparents by providing an opportunity for families of all ages to spend time together on National Grandparents Day. The morning will include activities for all ages, including carnival-style games, face painting, crafts, balloon art, a magician, and photo opportunities, amongst other activities.

The first 100 grandparents to enter the event will receive a special giveaway bag. Admission is free. Donations will also be accepted to support the mission of The Wesley Community.

“We are thrilled to host a unique Grandparents Day celebration in Saratoga Springs for a third consecutive year,” said Foundation President Don Braim. “We look forward to seeing families of all ages spend time together honoring their grandparents on this important national holiday that celebrates the members of our family who do so much for us.”

Saratoga Food Fanatic, Network Saratoga To Host Sixth Annual International Flavorfeast

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

People wait for food samples during last year’s Saratoga International Flavorfeast.
Courtesy Saratoga International Flavorfeast

Area restaurants will offer samples of ethnic cuisine on the streets of downtown Saratoga Springs at the sixth annual International Flavorfeast.

The event, hosted by the Saratoga Food Fanatic and Network Saratoga, will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.

That morning, people can pick up your Flavorfeast “passport-map” of participating restaurants/businesses in front of Fingerpaint Marketing on the corner of Broadway and Division Street.

This map is intended to help people plan the day’s itinerary of travel to a variety of restaurant destinations for $1 food samples from countries all around the world.

A partial list of participating restaurants includes Alaturco, Ben & Jerry’s, Boca Bistro, Burger Fi, Cantina, Dizzy Chicken Rotisserie, Falafel Den, Gaffney’s, Harvey’s Restaurant & Bar, Mexican Connection, Palette Café, Peabody’s, Phila Fusion Noodle Bar, Pig N’ Whistle on Broadway, Prestwick Chase at Saratoga, Ravenous, Saratoga Stadium, Spa Café on Broadway, Sushi Thai Garden, The Mercantile, The Parting Glass, Three Vines Bistro & Bar, Urban Roots, The Wesley Community, and Wheatfield’s Restaurant & Bar.

GlobalFoundries Eyes Growth, More Hiring At 10th Anniversary In Saratoga County

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

Employees of GlobalFoundries formed the number ‘10’ in the plant parking lot in Malta at an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the chip plant in Saratoga County.
Courtesy GlobalFoundries

GlobalFoundries Executive Director Tom Caulfield said this is the first year its plant in Malta has stabalized its business model.
He said GlobalFoundries has hired 517 employees at its Malta manufacturing complex this year and the company is searching for another 200 engineers, technicians and support staff.

‘Queen Of Saratoga,’ Marylou Whitney Is Honored By NYRA, City For Philanthropy

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

The crowd at the Fasig-Tipton building in Saratoga Springs gives a standing ovation during the induction ceremony for Marylou Whitney on Aug. 2. Her husband, John Hendrickson, is seated.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) are honoring the legacy of esteemed thoroughbred owner and breeder, celebrated philanthropist and National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee Marylou Whitney, who died at the age of 93 on July 19.
In tribute to Mrs. Whitney’s passion, commitment and dedication to both racing and the community, the Clubhouse entrance at Saratoga Race Course, which serves as the gateway to the Spa from Saratoga Springs, was officially to be named the “Marylou Whitney Entrance.”

Longtime Bicycler Opens His Own Shop In Schuylerville To Sell And Repair Bicycles

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

John Ceceri has opened Adirondack Ultra Cycling in downtown Schuylerville.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth
Adirondack Ultra Cycling now has a storefront in downtown Schuylerville.
Owner and operator John Ceceri said after being in the bicycle business for over 30 years, he decided it was time to have an actual physical location.
Ceceri opened up the 160 Broad St. location in late June. He said business has been what he expected.

Economic Index: Warehouse And Logistics Industry Has Big Impact On Area Counties

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

Tim Feemster of Foremost Quality Logistics speaks at the warehousing/logistics session.

The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, a Saratoga County-based economic development organization, unveiled in July the inaugural Saratoga County Warehouse and Logistics Index, which it says portrays a thriving industry that employs nearly 2,000 people and generates an annual economic impact of $166 million in the county.
Officials said with nearly 100 transportation and warehousing operations, employment in Saratoga County rose from 1,470 jobs in 2001 to 1,772 in 2017, an increase of 21 percent. Meanwhile, the average annual wage grew from $36,221 in 2007 to $46,755 in 2018, a 29 percent increase that eclipses the Capital Region, New York state, and national averages.