Category Archives: Business News

Zobel & Co. Kitchens, a custom kitchen design firm, received the Best Kitchen Design $120,000-plus award from the Capitol Region Builders and Remodelers Association (CRBRA) at the annual Best of Building Awards Night, held in November in Albany.   

The project recognized in the award was a renovation of an 1800s historic Victorian Farmhouse in Schuylerville.  

Typical of old houses, the existing kitchen was in a small room with limited storage, according to the company. By removing a long wall, owner/designer Arthur Zobel was able to create a large kitchen, complete with an expansive island, wine refrigerator, speed oven, wall oven, integrated refrigerator, dining area, and a hutch.

“Kitchens truly are the heart of the home. It’s the room we spend the most time in, the room where we want family and friends to gather, where we work, laugh and create”, said Zobel. “Transforming a kitchen to fit a family’s lifestyle and personality is something I thoroughly enjoy doing.”

by Jill Nagy

Premium Velocity Auto LLC has purchased nine Jiffy Lube franchises that were part of the  the Hoffman Car Wash chain. The sale closed Dec. 15. 

This is the first venture into New York state for the purchaser, which operates 55 Jiffy Lube franchises in 10 other states.

The car wash chain decided to get out of the Jiffy Lube  business and concentrate on expanding the car wash side of thingss, according to owner Tom Hoffman Jr. His last new Jiffy Lube franchise opened in 2004. Meanwhile, other companies were aggressively expanding their Jiffy Lube portfolios.

Hoffman recently opened a 23rd car wash in Yorkville, a suburb of Utica. Plans for 2022 include outlets in Rome, Gloversville, Cohoes, and Queensbury. When Hoffman opens a new car wash in Oneonta, they will be joined by a Premium Velocity Jiffy Lube franchise.

The newly purchased Jiffy Lube franchises “fit our network,” said Don Hill, president of Premium Velocity. The new owner purchased all of the assets of the Hoffman Car Wash Jiffy Lube outlets and plans to continue operating all of them. Seven of the nine franchises are in buildings  owned by Hoffman. The new owners will lease the buildings from Hoffman. 

By Jennifer Farnsworth

After decades of sitting vacant, Wallie’s of Greenwich is once again open for business.

Owner Ted Bearor said the restaurant and pub has gone through a complete restoration on both the interior and exterior of the building at 52-54 Main St., while still maintaining the charm for which it was once known.

Bearor said renovating and re-establishing the business was something he felt confident in taking on because of his industry related background. Taking his experience in the restaurant business, Bearor said, and opening up his own place with a silent partner, felt risky at times, but it was well worth the wait.

“I have been director of food and beverage at the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid as well as the director of operations at the Lodge at Six Flags.  Following my hotel work, my business partner and I have been involved in other area restaurants, notably the iconic George’s in Lake George from 2013 to 2020, and finally opening Wallie’s.  We have been challenged, along with many other businesses, during this time due to the pandemic, however we have been fortunate to have great staff and community support,” said Bearor.

First-floor renovations included taking out apartments to make room for what is now the pub area. He said during the demolition phase, the building was discovered to have had five to six additions over the past century or so. Other renovations included replacing the roof, kitchen, bathrooms, ventilation equipment, along with adding in a separate walk-in cooler that can hold up to 12 kegs

West Mountain kicked off its 2021-22 season, opening Christmas weekend for skiing, riding and tubing.

 “The progress continues at West Mountain,” said Sara Montgomery, general manager of West Mountain. “Our snow sports school continues to grow, and this year we have expanded our learning center to accommodate more skiers and riders. We are excited to welcome newcomers who will be making their first winter sports memories at West. It’s going to be a fun-filled season.”

West Mountain offers beginner through advanced terrain and will be open for day and nighttime skiing, riding, and tubing. There are some additions to the mountain, as well as a continuation of West Mountain’s  lesson programs.

That includes a newly expanded learning terrain/bunny hill and more snow tubing lanes added to the Tubing Park. Being continued are the individual and after school program, the Academy and Club Race Team membership offerings for athletes ages 6-19, and continuation of events like Fire on the Mountain, Slush Cup and more. 

Officials said during non-holiday periods, West Mountain will offer ticket promotions such as Monday and Tuesday $35 for a four-hour ticket specials and breakfast or lunch plus lift ticket specials. 

West Mountain’s Bar and Eatery will be open at full capacity with daily specials such as Burgers, Beers and Bands Wednesdays, Fiddlehead and Fettuccine Fridays and Bloody Mary Sundays.

Prime at Saratoga National announced the opening of The Village at Prime, seven solar-powered, heated pods for dining on the patio through the winter months. 

The Village at Prime will be available during the restaurant’s regular lunch and dinner  hours, currently Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and 5:30 p.m. for dinner. 

 The SolarFi pods are solar powered and range in size to accommodate from two to 10 people. They are each uniquely decorated and include medical-grade hepa air filters and USB charging ports. They are 100 percent UV resistant and made from 100 percent recycled material. SolarFi partners with  restaurants by offering lease, or revenue share opportunities, according to the company.  

“People are looking for special dining experiences, even during the pandemic,” said Heather O’Neil, general manager of Prime at Saratoga National. “The Village at Prime is a way for  people to enjoy a special night out, while staying safe and practicing social distancing.” 

Saratoga Spring Water Co., 11 Geyser Road, Saratoga Springs, which dates to the 19th century in the Spa City, has been sold to a Connecticut investment firm.

BlueTriton Brands, Inc. announced in late November that it has successfully completed the acquisition, a nationally recognized producer of premium domestic spring water.

Saratoga Spring Water  is sold throughout the United States and delivers spring water products in premium packaging to customers in the hospitality and retail channels.

“We are thrilled to welcome Saratoga Spring Water Co.’s products into the BlueTriton family,” said Tony W. Lee, managing partner of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC and a member of the board of directors of BlueTriton. “As a leader in the premium spring water segment, the Saratoga Spring Water  business enables us to expand our brand offerings and access a national, upscale beverage market that will contribute to BlueTriton’s strategic growth and success.”

BlueTriton Brands offers an extensive portfolio of highly recognizable water brands for healthy hydration, including Poland Spring brand natural spring water, Splash and Pure Life. The company also owns and operates ReadyRefresh, a customizable water and beverage delivery service.

Adam Madkour, the CEO and sole shareholder of Saratoga Spring Water Co., said “We believe BlueTriton’s leadership and resources will position Saratoga Spring Water’s products for growth while enabling the company to continue producing the high-quality, premium products we are known for. We look forward to our partnership with BlueTriton, who shares our commitment, mission and long-held philosophy of service and corporate responsibility.”