Category Archives: Business News

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

Business Network International, known as BNI, has revamped its networking approach in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The group, which has chapters in Saratoga and Warren counties, refers to the transition as a “brand refresh.”

The international organization has more than 9,500 chapters worldwide. Eleven of these are in the Albany and surrounding region.

Attorney Kim Salerno, of Salerno Law, is the president of the Saratoga Winners Circle chapter in Saratoga Springs. It continues to meet weekly online via Zoom, to network and pass introductions and referrals to members. She has been part of the group for nine years.

“I was impressed with how quickly BNI put together an entire Zoom platform. They also put together a Power Point for our group to use. I’m not that tech savvy, so I was nervous at first because I was the one who would have to run the Zoom meeting for 34 people. But it’s been working out very well,” said Salerno.

The first publicly announced coronavirus antibody testing that’s open to the general public is coming to the Capital Region.
COVID-19 molecular and antibody testing is available at all WellNow locations, seven days a week, with no appointment needed, the company said.
The locations are:
• 438 Western Ave., Albany.
• 445 Balltown Road, Schenectady.
• 1694 Route 9, Clifton Park.
• 446 N. Farview Ave., Suite 200, Hudson.
Facilities are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Tests will be administered to those who display symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, the company said.
Results will return in three to five days. Patients in New York can get results by registering for an account at www.mybostonheart.com.

By Jennifer Farnsworth
Since the beginning of the “NY on Pause” shutdown brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, Katie Camarro, owner of Sundaes Best Hot Fudge Sauce, started thinking about what she could do to help.
At first, she provided gift baskets to first responders which, she said, served as a pick-me-up that reminded them that they are recognized for all they are doing.
Soon after, Camarro decided to reach out to her community’s healthcare workers. Sundaes Best donated chocolate to medical staff at the Wilton Medical Arts and Urgent Care, as a way to honor those who work on the front lines, facing the challenges of the virus outbreak.
“We simply thought it would be a nice thing to do, and it was so well received by the staff,” said Camarro.
Next, Camarro plans to deliver Chocolate Farmer dip and pretzels to each hospital department, with the help of her husband and co-owner Jeff Shinaman.
The two have had to adjust the business after realizing that they would not be able to market the product in venues that would normally bring in revenue. Camarro said she is thankful for her wholesale business.

By Rachel Phillips
In an effort to help first responders who daily put themselves at risk during the coronavirus pandemic, a local restoration company is disinfecting area firehouses and police stations free of cost.
Kennedy Property Management (KPM) restoration is primarily a water damage company, but when the pandemic hit Saratoga County owner James Kennedy decided to expand services to help the community.
The company sends cleaners each week to perform the services. After wiping down each surface using industrial strength, CDC-approved disinfectants, they use an aerosol fog machine loaded with another sanitizing solution. According to Kennedy, he is deploying OSHA-certified technicians, who are trained specifically to deal with hazardous conditions.

By Jennifer Farnsworth
Saratoga Saddlery and International Boutique closed its shop at 506 Broadway in Saratoga Springs will operate, when businesses are allowed to re-open in New York state, at 392 Broadway.
“We loved where we were. It was a beautiful store, but this is a spot with much better foot traffic. We are very happy with it,” said owner Sabine Rodgers.
The current state regulations have forced her to close her “new” doors, so Rodgers has turned her focus to online orders. She said the first two weeks after the shutdown were devastating.
“For two straight weeks we had no orders, nothing. Now we have started to receive some business, but not what we are used to,” she said.
Rodgers acknowledges this is a challenging time to keep any small business open, including her own where she has had to layoff 12 employees. She said she wants to get them back to work as soon as possible.
“I worry about them. I want to get them back. As soon as I get the green light I am hoping to be able to,” said Rodgers.

By Todd Shimkus
It seems kind of ominous now. But on Friday, March 13, the leaders of the Saratoga County Economic Development Corp., Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga City Center, Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, the Downtown Business Association and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce all met at Wheatfield’s, in downtown Saratoga Springs.
It was clear on that Friday that the world was about to change. Gov. Cuomo was starting to shut things down to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The six of us gathered at this meeting decided that from this point forward that we would work collaboratively to do whatever it took to protect Saratoga County’s economy and to help local employers through the crisis.
Since that time, we’ve communicated relentlessly among ourselves and with everyone in our database. We decided that it didn’t matter if an employer was a member, an investor, or not. We were going to help every business and nonprofit in Saratoga County. We would help as many organizations as we could and hope than when times were better that they’d help us too.