Category Archives: Business News

Small Business Association Eyes Its 2022 Achievement Awards, Seeks Nominations

December 13, 2021December 13, 2021

Nominations are being accepted for the 2022 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards. The NSBW Awards recognize the achievements of SBA-assisted small businesses and the contributions they have made to their communities and our nation’s economy.

“The SBA Upstate New York District is excited to further support our small businesses and entrepreneurs in 2022. We’re looking for your nominations for the Agency’s 2022 National and District Small Business Week Awards, including our Small Business Person of the Year,” said District Director Bernard J. Paprocki.

The SBA Upstate New York District serves 34 counties across upstate New York, including Saratoga, Warren and Washington.

“The past 20 months have been challenging as small businesses have adapted and pivoted to meet the demands of COVID across our 34 county coverage area. That’s why we’re asking our neighbors to nominate a small business owner who has used an SBA program like the Paycheck Protection Program, COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant or any of our traditional funding programs or resource partner services,” Paprocki said.

“Self-nominations are also accepted to help further highlight our vibrant small business community from Central New York, the Capital Region and North Country to the Hudson & Mohawk Valleys, Southern Tier and Finger Lakes,” he said.

To nominate a small business owner located in the Upstate New York District, apply online at sba.gov/nsbw. Learn more about nomination guidelines, downloan the required background and nomination forms and submit them via the proper national or district upload link. For National Small Business Week 2022, no paper or mailed forms will be accepted. All nominations must be made online.

AARP Fraud Watch Network Survey Shows Holiday Online Senior Shoppers Targeted

December 13, 2021

An AARP Fraud Watch Network report is alerting consumers of scams they could encounter over the holidays. Of those surveyed, 75 percent percent reported they have been targeted or experienced at least one form of fraud that can be tied to the holidays.

“Scammers are out in force during the holidays to try to steal money or sensitive information from consumers,” said Kathy Stokes, AARP director of fraud prevention programs. “Online shopping, shipping gifts and even charitable donations can become tools for scammers to use in their schemes. Knowing the warning signs is the first step you can take to spot and avoid scams.”

Three quarters of adults surveyed said they plan on shopping online for the holidays, but consumers need to know the red flags before logging in. Over a third of adults reported they experienced fraud when buying a product through an online advertisement. Some online advertisements can download malicious software onto devices or lead the shopper to a cloned site of a legitimate store.

Officials said scams can also occur when shoppers search online for customer service contact information. Nearly half of adults surveyed believe the customer support number found at the top of an online search can be trusted. Online ads that appear to be a legitimate company’s customer service information can be a scammer’s attempt to get consumers to call them instead.

Use a billing statement or other information obtained directly from the company to find legitimate numbers, officials advised. Also, a retailer will never ask for your log-in information when providing customer support.

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.

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.

New Eagle Crest Golf Club Owners Plan To Expand Services, Entice Customers All Year

November 14, 2021

From left, new owners Scott Battiste and David Battiste stand with director of golf John Peterson at the Eagle Crest Golf Club in Clifton Park.
©2021 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Eagle Crest Golf Club on Route 146A in Clifton Parkis under new ownership.

Scott Battiste has taken over the business. He has been a part of the golf course since the age of 15. He said seeing his lifelong dream come true feels a bit surreal.

“I started at the course at the age of 15, and since then have always been here in some capacity. I’ve been the head pro for the past five seasons. I think getting involved as an owner is a good decision for everyone, and I am so happy to be where I am,” said Battiste.

The new ownership became official in September when the Battiste Group and Galvez Group purchased the course for around $2.3 million. Battiste said they are already in the process of renovating the property, including the addition of a patio with firepits, golf simulators, and an expanded bar.

They expect to have the bar and restaurant area done by February, with much of the additional work completed by April.

“We are excited to add simulators and transform the bar into more of a sports pub feeling where people will want to come and spend time here year round. We are retouching any surface that needs to be updated or repaired. We are starting with the first-floor areas and then working our way up,” said Battiste.

Eagle Crest is a public golf course with daily fees only.

Plans Proceed For Project That Will Expand YMCA And Create New Senior Center Home

November 14, 2021

This is a rendering of the 17,000-square-foot addition to the Saratoga Regional YMCA that will become the new home for the Saratoga Senior Center.
Courtesy Saratoga YMCA

The Saratoga Regional YMCA has obtained initial city approval to proceed with a 17,000-square-foot addition to its Saratoga Springs Branch that will become the new home of the Saratoga Senior Center.

Construction of the facility is likely to begin in the spring, officials said.

The Y expansion and collaboration with the Senior Center will allow each organization to expand upon programming geared toward older adults, and provide cross programming that will engage and serve more seniors than either organization can serve on their own, according to the YMCA.

The collaboration is being made possible by a $2 million anonymous charitable gift that will allow the Senior Center to occupy its new space on the YMCA campus rent free. The organizations would conduct capital campaigns to seek additional donor support for the project.

In addition, the Senior Center is launching a market analysis/feasibility study in preparation of the new facility. The analysis, conducted by Camoin and Associates, will identify in-demand and viable programming for the space, including needs of seniors, potential commercial uses, and space for revenue driving businesses that would benefit seniors and YMCA members.

Officials said funding for the feasibility study is being supported by an Empire State Development grant, recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council as part of the state’s Regional Council initiative.

Minogue’s Beverage Center Business Now Owned And Operated By Saratoga Eagle

November 14, 2021

Minogue’s Beverage Center was sold to brothers Jeff and Paul Vukelic, owners of Saratoga Eagle.

By Christine Graf

Less than one month after celebrating the 100th anniversary of Minogue’s Beverage Center, owner John Minogue sold his business to brothers Jeff and Paul Vukelic, owners of Saratoga Eagle.

The decision to sell was a difficult one for Minogue, and Jeff first approached him about purchasing the business about 16 months ago.

“When I was first approached by Jeff about the possibility, I was in a position where I really didn’t have a succession plan but I wasn’t totally committed to selling the business at that time,” said Minogue. “It ended up making a lot of sense to me. Selling my business after having been in it myself for fifty-five years was a personal thing for me. There’s a lot of family history, and I’ve had some emotional feelings about the business leaving the family but there really weren’t any options for me.”

Minogue and Vukelic have known each other for many years, and Minogue’s has been one of Saratoga Eagle’s largest customers. Minogue and the Vukelic brothers have much in common, and both operate family businesses that were established by their bootlegger grandfathers in the 1920s.

“I know the business will be well taken care by selling to Jeff,” said Minogue. “They are a class operation.”