Category Archives: Business News

By Jill Nagy

Ollie’s Bar and Grill, a new gathering place in Schuylerville, sits at the busy intersection of Routes 9 and 29. 

Since opening in April, business has been “very good, no complaints,” said owner Justin Orozco.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Orozco added, and the location he chose — the former Giapetto’s  Italian Restaurant at 120 Broad Street — seemed ideal. “I’m super happy and super excited to be  here.” 

People are finding their way to Ollie’s and Orozco reports that he already has a group of regular customers, along with tourists and people on their way to or from the track. He offers a casual atmosphere and thinks his customers are finding a bit of a “Cheers” vibe.

In addition to the bar, Ollie’s is a full restaurant, Orozco said: hamburgers, wings, and fries being popular menu items. He grew up helping out at his parents’ establishment, the Green Acres Tavern in  Greenwich. Now his mother, Janice Bravo, is returning the favor as one of Ollie’s chefs; the other is Tom Rieler. Six or seven other employees round out the crew.

By Susan Ellse Campbell

Arrow Financial Corporation has finalized plans to unify its two banking subsidiaries and is soon to reveal a new logo and signage under which the two financial institutions are being rebranded, announced parent company president and CEO David S. DeMarco. 

The 37 branches of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company will be named Arrow Bank going forward, he said. 

DeMarco said the change was years in the making.

“What we are doing is different from an ordinary bank merger, as Arrow Financial already owned these two community banks,” he said.

DeMarco explained that since the two banks have different back offices, the systems behind their operations have to become one to achieve the efficiencies the parent company is seeking.

By Paul Post

Chemical applications have eliminated Eurasian watermilfoil in problem areas of Saratoga Lake, saving considerable money and providing better recreational conditions for boating, swimming, fishing and paddle sports, which contribute to the local economy.

“Milfoil rapidly takes over a lake,” said Cristina Connolly, Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District executive director-administrator. “Years back this lake was pretty much all milfoil. It was so bad you could almost walk across the lake. It out-competes the native plant species and native wildlife and their habitat.”

But in 2020 and 2021, the district hired a private firm to treat the worst sites (54 and 32 acres, respectively) with a chemical called ProcellaCOR, which has been used in hundreds of lakes throughout the country since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved its use in 2017.

While most Saratogians are busy enjoying popular summer entertainment options like SPAC and the track, some event organizers are focused on one of the Spa City’s most popular winter events.

Saratoga New Year’s Eve, originally called First Night and for a short time Saratoga New Year’s Fest, will offer residents and visitors a fun way to ring in the new year in downtown Saratoga Springs. The two-day event will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

New this year, Proctors Collaborative will partner with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga Springs City Center, and the City of Saratoga Springs to present Saratoga New Year’s Eve. Proctors Collaborative will assist in securing entertainment acts to be featured at its Saratoga Springs venue Universal Preservation Hall as well as the Saratoga Springs City Center on New Year’s Eve.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Saratoga County Chamber, Discover Saratoga and the Saratoga Springs City Center and deepen our connection with the vibrant community of downtown Saratoga Springs,” said Teddy Foster, director of Universal Preservation Hall. “This collaboration not only enhances our cultural offerings but also integrates us further into the fabric of this wonderful city. We look forward to many exciting events and opportunities together.”

Local company Death Wish Coffee is once again supporting this community event by returning as a presenting sponsor of Saratoga New Year’s Eve.

By Ann Donnelly

At the heart of Malta, New York, a historic landmark is serving up more than just memories. The 450 E. High location, once the home of the Wiggins-Collamer family, has evolved over time, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of its current owners, Doug Dockendorf and Shelly Walker. Their latest venture, Eggs on the Run, is a testament to their commitment to not only offering delicious food but also transforming a historic landmark into a vibrant community hub.

The concept of Eggs on the Run was born during a winter vacation in Florida in 2023. Dockendorf, an entrepreneur at heart and owner of Priority Electric, saw an opportunity to enhance the offerings at 450 E. High. Their vision? A unique ‘hybrid’ eatery experience – quick yet upscale, with the ambiance of a dine-in restaurant but the convenience of grab-and-go. 

“Customers were coming into The Coffee Bar, located inside Finishing Touches, and asking if we had food,” explained Walker. 

At that time, their offerings were limited to cookies, brownies, and biscotti. Having already established a successful coffee bar in 2022, they were eager to expand their culinary horizons. The introduction of Eggs on the Run in May 2024 proved to be a winning formula.

The secret to their success lies in a carefully curated menu, designed in collaboration with a chef friend. Breakfast takes center stage, featuring classic options with a touch of French flair. The Croque Madame, a decadent ham and cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top, is a customer favorite, alongside the hearty brisket burrito and the timeless bacon and egg sandwich. Prices range from a budget-friendly $3 to $16, ensuring there’s something for everyone. 

Juergen Hahn, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), has been elected to the prestigious European Academy of Sciences and Arts for his outstanding and sustained impact on science and society. He will be formally inducted into the organization in 2025.

Hahn is the first RPI faculty member to be elected to this academy, an international organization of top scientists, artists, and decision makers that includes 38 Nobel laureates. With its deep scientific and technical knowledge, this network of experts is also a resource for government leaders shaping policies and initiatives that impact their communities. 

“This election is a well-deserved recognition of Juergen’s international contributions, visibility, and the impact of his work in the area of human health,” said Shekhar Garde, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Engineering.

“It is nice to be recognized among such a distinguished group and represent RPI in an international forum,” Hahn said. 

New members of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts must first be nominated by their peers and then evaluated and elected by the Academy. 

Hahn has been widely recognized for his contributions to autism spectrum disorder research.

By Jill Nagy

Alex Rodriguez made good use of the COVID lockdown by brainstorming ideas and improvements to reconfigure his restaurant, Gennaro’s Pizza, as well as revamping his menu.

One big change planned was making space for him to bake. Beginning earlier this year, he now bakes fresh focaccia bread and club rolls every day, along with fresh cookies.

The menu features 20 specialty sandwiches, named after cities in Italy and Spain. The sandwiches, on freshly baked focaccia bread, feature fresh mozzarella cheese, imported deli meats, new takes on chicken and eggplant parmigiana, fresh pesto, and fresh vegetables, peppers, and chilis. The menu includes several vegetarian options as well. All are priced at $15.

“Everything is either homemade or imported using very high-end ingredients,” Rodriguez said.

Story edited for a correction. August 23, 2024

By Jill Nagy

Tired feet have a new place to seek relief: the  Adirondack Foot Sanctuary at 6 Phila Street in Saratoga Springs. The spa, owned by Christina Frazier, offers foot soaks and massages, accompanied by essential oils, as well as scrubs, warm wax treatments and head, neck and shoulder massages.

Frazier has a similar facility in Lake Placid as well as a business in Bend, Oregon. She expanded into Saratoga Springs, she said, because it is a larger town and business is less seasonal than in Lake Placid. She operated the Lake Placid center for six years. She opened in Saratoga Springs at the beginning of 2024. 

“I love being an entrepreneur,” she said. She also loves what she does. “My first love is hands-on.”  

Frazier describes her method as “heart-centered,” kind and loving. It is therapeutic touch and massage, concentrating on feet and lower legs. But, she emphasized, she does not try to diagnose problems. 

The award-winning Leadership Saratoga program recently completed four impactful projects for area non-profits and is currently seeking project ideas for the upcoming Class of 2024-25. 

Sponsored by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the program is dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future. As part of the program, the class assists up to four area non-profit organizations to help enhance or re-envision programs, operations and strategies key to their future success.

The Class of 2024, which recently graduated, completed the following projects: 

Saratoga Pride: 

Saratoga Pride is an affiliate of the Pride Center of the Capital Region, a 501(c)3 organization. An all-volunteer organization, Saratoga Pride has served the LGBTQ+ community and allies for more than 15 years. Leadership Saratoga class members helped to create a strategy to expand County-wide programs and opportunities for effective partnerships with businesses and non-profit organizations aligned with the mission of Saratoga Pride. Additionally, Leadership Saratoga helped Saratoga Pride expand its public library partnership program in Saratoga County, helping to serve local LGBTQ+ communities and allies.