Category Archives: Business News

The Tri-County United Way named Brian Bearor as its new leader, effective Sept. 7.

Bearor will succeed Duane Vaughn, prior executive director, and Peter Aust who has led the organization for the past 10 months as interim executive director during the strategic planning and search process.

Bearor will be responsible for leading the United Way’s strategic goals of inspiring hope, improving lives and creating opportunities for all of Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties. He is also charged with building organizational capacity to support area nonprofits as well as identifying and addressing community issues.

“During our search for a new director, the diligent and dedicated members of the search committee spoke with exceptional candidates across the region. It was a difficult choice, but Brian stood out among the highly competitive field. His vision and clear passion for the Tri County United Way and our region is exactly what we were looking for in our new leader” said David Krogmann, president of the Tri County United Way board of directors.

“With Brian’s experience in community development and creating a mission-focused culture, we were convinced that the Tri County United Way will have engaging and innovative leadership for the years to come.”

Bearor has served as the CEO at the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area for 12 years and the Y Movement for 29 years. While there, he has driven significant growth in partnerships, supporting those most vulnerable, and philanthropic support. He launched new initiatives including expansion to serve the Southern Adirondacks by opening the YMCA Adirondack Center in Brant Lake as well as the YMCA Regional Wellness Center in Chestertown.

Back after a one-year hiatus, the Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival, will occupy the Saratoga County Fairgrounds on Aug. 27- 29. 

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the festival organizers moved from the traditional Father’s Day weekend to the new dates in late August.

Friday, Aug. 27, features the DareDevil Trained Dog Show, balloon launching at about 6:30 p.m.

Saturday is the longest day with more dog shows, tethered balloon rides, helicopter rides, and the evening balloon launch. On Sunday there are two new additions, a car show with 100 vehicles from 11 a.m.  to 3 p.m. and the New York Steak Cook Off with dozens of teams competing for prizes.

Thoughout the festival, the Kids Zone will be  in full swing with bounce houses, pony rides, a petting farm, face painting,  a magician, a balloon twister, and games.

There is live music daily in the music barn next to the beer garden serving craft beer, wines, and wine slushies.  There is a wide choice of food including four BBQ rigs and  an award-winning pit master from Ohio—the Smoke Shack—plus Jamaican jerk chicken,  brick oven wood-fired pizza, turkey legs, burgers, and more.

There is also a marketplace with  artists, artisans, specialty food makers, eclectic household items, wine and distilled spirits.

By Christine Graf

After being shut down for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 4,800-seat Cool Insuring Arena in downtown Glens Falls reopened at limited capacity in April. At that time, event attendees were required to wear masks and present negative COVID test results. Those restrictions are no longer in place.

“In the middle of June of this year we were able to reopen normally which was a breath of fresh air,” said arena manager Jeff Mead. “As long as we have under 5,000 people in the building, there are no restrictions.”

Seventy-five percent of the arena’s staff have returned to work, and the rest are expected to return by the end of August, he said. Mead and his operations manager were the only two employees who remained working throughout the shutdown.

The arena hosted four dance events and three graduations during the month of June. Some occurred while the mask and testing mandates were still in effect.

“There were unfortunately a few people who weren’t the happiest of customers,” said Mead. “They either didn’t want to wear masks or didn’t think they should have to show a negative test. It was unfortunate, but I would say that 97 percent of people understood.”

Because of the pandemic, the arena was forced to cancel the 2020-2021 season for its East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) team, the Adirondack Thunder. An affiliate of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, the team will play its home opener for the 2021-2022 season at the arena on Oct. 23. 

By Lisa Balschunat

National Commercial Solar Advisors Inc., with its office in Queensbury, is harnessing energy for businesses and residential properties in New York state, New Jersey and Vermont, and has its sights on Florida next, according to president and founder Brent McDevitt.

Established in 2019, the company has simplified the process of “going solar” for businesses, communities and public organizations by providing customers with a comprehensive proposal and package that makes the process seamless. With nine years of experience in the solar industry and previously aligned with Apex Solar, McDevitt said that he “knew the industry would pop” and wanted to be a part of it.

“When businesses invest in commercial solar energy they can significantly reduce their operating costs and potentially save tens of thousands of dollars over time,” McDevitt said. “This allows businesses to free up cash flow to use in other areas, and of course, utilize a green energy source that is good for the environment.”

Solar panels do not require any additional maintenance to a building or property and McDevitt stated that most systems are guaranteed for up to 25 years. 

“Businesses who invest in solar energy receive a 26 percent federal income tax credit and 100 percent bonus depreciation” he said.  The company offers customers looking to go solar with a total package of upfront services including a comprehensive proposal, site visit, design plans, state and federal application assistance through to a final contract.

Promenade Apartments, a $20 million affordable and supportive housing development located in downtown Saratoga Springs, has been completed.

Financed in part with $16.5 million in low-income tax credits through New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the development is providing 63 affordable homes, including 10 apartments reserved for homeless veterans.

Promenade Apartments consist of a four-story building with 41 apartments and three two-story townhouse-style buildings with a total of 22 units. Altogether, the development features 31 one-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom, and six three-bedroom apartments—all affordable to households earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income, state officials said.

It was developed by Norstar Development USA, LP, and the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority. Supportive services will be provided by the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition.

Amenities include Energy Star appliances, a community room with laundry facility, a fitness room, storage space for tenants and an outdoor playground area. The development is also located within a half-mile of retail stores, schools, bus transportation lines, pharmacies, banks, libraries, health centers, grocery stores and restaurants.

The units are at 1 South Federal St., on he same property at Stonequist apartments.

By Jill Nagy

Roma Foods Importing Co., an Italian specialty foods company with stores in Saratoga Springs and Latham,  has a new owner and will soon have a new name, expanded menus, and enlarged facilities.

Cardona’s Market, a similar business located in Albany, bought the Roma business in June. They are building a large production kitchen at the Latham location and expanding the kitchen in Saratoga at 222 Washington St., according to Robert Cardona, one of the three brothers who own the company.  In time, the Roma locations will be renamed Cardona’s, he said.

The Cardona brothers, August, Robert Jr., and  Anthony, are the third generation to own the business which was founded in downtown Albany in 1945. Roma also traces its roots to Albany, where it was founded by Frank Bolognino in 1946. His four sons ran the business at the time of the sale. They plan to retire but Frank’s granddaughter, Nicole Bolognino, who manages the Latham store, is staying on through the transition.

The Saratoga store “cranks out sandwiches like crazy,” said Robert Cardona Jr.

Under the new ownership, the store will continue to feature sandwiches but will offer a greater variety, he said. Cardona’s catering menu will be introduced to the Saratoga Springs store, along with expanded take-out items, a steam table for hot food, more “grab and go” offerings, and a few cafe seats for customers who prefer to eat inside.

The new owners expect to move some equipment around and change the layout of the store for better customer flow and shorter waits, Cardona said.

Muroff Hospitality Group announced the sale of The Lake George Suites, 3678 Lake Shore Drive in  Lake George.

The owner of a Long Island air conditioner and pump manufacturing company has purchased the resorts, a six-bedroom home and 20 boat slips for $3.2 million.

R.E. Hansen Industries Inc. of St. James is the new owner.

Mitch Muroff of Muroff Hospitality Group represented the Seller and secured the buyer in a confidential listing presented only to qualified buyers.

The transaction closed on Tuesday, June 15, Muroff said.

The manager who previously oversaw the property will continue in the same position under the new ownership, he said.