Saratoga Business Journal

Beth Moeller’s Consulting Firm Helps Solve Digital Marketing Problems For Nonprofits

October 17, 2021

Beth Moeller, PhD., is the owner of Interactive Media Consulting LLC.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

By Susan Elise Campbell

Interactive Media Consulting LLC owner Beth Moeller, PhD. is helping solve digital marketing problems for small businesses and nonprofits—markets she said she slipped into during the company’s earliest beginnings.

The company is marking its 25th anniversary this year.

“It was First Night 1996 and we were involved in organizing communications to create a web site,” said Moeller. “There was no money to pay us, but I knew we would do it.”

An arts enthusiast, Moeller has donated valuable professional services ever since to sustain and establish the arts and art education from her alma mater, Clarkson University in Potsdam, down to the Capital District.

She was teaching at Clarkson and was about to get married when she decided to create an LLC. That decision led the couple to the Saratoga area and the pro bono web site that introduced her programming and web design skills to the merchants and sponsors of Saratoga’s First Night.

“Some of those companies called and asked me to do their websites, and some of them are still clients,” she said. “I was at the right place at the right time with the right expertise.”

Moeller started her company at a time when the HTML programming language was “taking off” and more and more advertisers were promoting their websites on TV and in print, she said.

Kylie Holland Gained The Needed Experience As She Prepares To Head The Family Business

October 17, 2021

By Christine Graf

While still a student at Galway High School Kylie (Curtis) Holland started working at the front counter at Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa. Today, the sixth-generation member of the Curtis family is preparing for the day when she will take the helm of the family business.

Her father, Jay Curtis, currently serves as CEO and president of the 131-year old company that has 23 locations and approximately 700 employees. He took over in 1991, the same year that Holland was born.

During the four years that Holland attended college at SUNY Cortland, she made a five-hour round trip each weekend in order to continue working at Curtis Lumber. After graduating with a degree in criminal justice in 2012, she considered attending law school.

“I was faced with a choice of either you go to law school or you work (at Curtis Lumber),” she said. “Because of the intensity of law school, I knew I couldn’t do both. That was kind of my moment where I had to choose. I just couldn’t imagine what it would look like to walk away from Curtis Lumber. I loved it, and I loved the people. That’s when I decided this was the path for me after all.”

Although her older brother, Christopher, also works for Curtis Lumber, he is not interested in taking over when their father retires.

Commercial Real Estate Market Declines As Pandemic Reigns, But Optimism Exists

October 17, 2021

Gerard Wise is an associate broker at Roohan Realty in Saratoga Springs.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

By Christine Graf

Unlike the residential real estate market which has boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the commercial real estate market has experienced a significant decline, according to those in the industry.

The demand for commercial space has been impacted by pandemic-related business closures and the changing demographic of the workforce. According to a Gallup poll, 72 percent of white-collar workers were still working remotely in May 2021.

Many companies are expected to switch to a hybrid model or to allow employees to continue working exclusively from home after the pandemic ends. If this happens, the demand for commercial office space could drop significantly.

The pandemic also led to a dramatic increase in Ecommerce, which was already a threat to brick and mortar retailers who now fear that consumer behaviors that changed during the pandemic may become permanent. A record number of stores closed in the U.S. in 2020 leaving 159 million square feet of retail space vacant.

Despite these concerns, Howard Denison, associate broker at DeMarsh Real Estate in Glens Falls, said the local commercial real estate is rebounding after being “under the weather” for the past year.

He has been working in real estate for 31 years and attributes much of the recovery to the Route 9 sewer project in Moreau. The addition of a municipal sewer system in the town’s commercial corridor is expected to lead to development and economic growth in area where growth had stagnated.

Wellspring Organization Moves Offices From Saratoga Springs To A Location In Malta

October 17, 2021

This is a rendering of a new structure being built for Wellspring, the organization that provides crisis and support services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Saratoga County.
Courtesy Wellspring

For nearly 40 years Wellspring, the organization that provides crisis and support services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Saratoga County, has operated from an out-of-sight basement office on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

Now, after decades of planning and a successful fundraising campaign, Wellspring is moving into a new mission-based facility located just south of Northway Exit 12 at 2816 Route 9 in Malta.

Similar to Wellspring’s current location on Broadway, domestic violence and sexual assault are often hidden from view.

“Because relationship abuse is so private, and understandably so, I don’t think many people realize that there is a deep demand for Wellspring’s services throughout our county. Last year we responded to over 1,300 hotline calls,” said Wellspring Executive Director Maggie Fronk. “Even so, we know that there are many victims who we are still not connecting with. This new building will make Wellspring much more visible, and we hope this means that more people will know that we are here as a resource.”

Wellspring’s new home will expand their ability to serve more clients, she said. Many times victims of relationship abuse are unable to leave because their abuser has prohibited them from having their own source of income. The agency’s new building will have program space for workforce development to enhance clients’ job skills for career growth and financial literacy classes for self-sufficiency.

In addition to new client services, Wellspring’s new location will include ample space for community prevention and education programs.

Business Report: Preserving Vacation Home For Future Generations

October 17, 2021

David Kubikian is a principal with Herzog Law Firm in Saratoga Springs.
Courtesy Herzog Law

By David A. Kubikian, Esq.

When people own something of sentimental value, they are sometimes unsure of how to pass it down to their family for future generations to enjoy. This is especially the case with a vacation home or camp that has been in the family for years.

Example: You own a beach or lake-front vacation home for years in a now sought-after area. You have seen your children (and grandchildren) grow up there and recall memories of watching sunsets over the water, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and teaching the kids how to swim. It may be difficult to think that this home will be sold out of the family when you die and would like to preserve it for enjoyment of generations to come.

How can you best insure this property will be there for future generations to enjoy (and at times cohabitate), as your family tree grows or in future after your passing?

Who will be responsible for paying the Insurance? Taxes? Repairs? Maintenance? Fees?

Who decides which family members or friends use it and when?

What impact would future divorces or bankruptcies have on the property?

How can you protect the property from a Medicaid spend down?

Residential Real Estate Is Experiencing A Boom As The COVID-19 Pandemic Eases

October 17, 2021

Janet Besheer is a real estate broker who runs the independent Equitas Realty firm.
Courtesy Equitas Realty

By Christine Graf

The residential real estate boom that is occurring throughout the country has Capital Region real estate agents scrambling to find homes for their clients. Much of the demand is being fueled by millennials who are in their prime home-buying years and make up the county’s largest demographic.

The decline in interest rates that took place during the past year has made purchasing a home especially attractive. Mortgage rates dropped in 2020 and reached a record low of 2.65 percent in January. Those in the industry say demand far exceeded supply of homes, and low supply has been the primary driver for the rapid increase in home prices.

“It’s nuts,” said Howard Denison of DeMarsh Real Estate in Glens Falls. “People are offering up to 10 percent more than asking. There was a two-family ranch that sold within four hours. Potential buyers are getting upset and disgusted.”

According to Susan Kassal of Hunt Real Estate, during her 19 years in real estate she has never witnessed such high demand for residential properties. Many of her customers make offers on three to four houses before securing a winning bid, and a surprising number are making all cash offers. Although the majority of the cash buyers are relocating from cities, she said some are local.

Business Briefs: October 2021

October 17, 2021

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame changed its hours in October and will be open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The museum will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays through May. It will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25), Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), Christmas Day (Dec. 25), New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31), and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1).

The museum’s new signature film “What It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame” will be shown daily at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the museum or online at www.racingmuseum.org.

Families visiting the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as part of the Discover Saratoga Family Fall Event weekends on Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30-31 will receive a fall take-away bag with goodies and autumn-inspired activities.

The museum is also offering free admission to students ages 6-18 and college students with school identification from Friday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 28. Families visiting those days can take part in a museum-wide scavenger hunt. Children ages 5 and under are always free with an accompanying adult.

For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, call (518) 584-0400 or visit www.racingmuseum.org.

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Adirondack Winery Breaks Ground On $2.6M Winemaking Facility And Tasting Room

October 17, 2021October 17, 2021

Michael Pardy and Sasha Pardy, owners of Adirondack Winery, with, from center, Tim Barber, Marissa Barber and Peter Barber of JAG Construction at the facility groundbreaking Oct. 7.
Courtesy Adirondack Winery

Ground was broken Oct. 7 on the Adirondack Winery project that will result in a $2.6 million, 14,100-square-foot winemaking facility and tasting room at the site of its current Queensbury headquarters.

Company officials said the new building will provide the family run winery with the space it needs to triple its wine production over the next 10 years.

The new building will house an all-new tasting room, where the winery plans to offer new services customers have long desired, such as wine by the glass, outdoor seating, and light dining.

The winery will introduce classes and launch tours of the new facility. There are also plans to rent event space for private events and conferences.

The goal is to complete the construction by April, in time for the winery’s 14th anniversary celebration.

“This groundbreaking is the start of a new chapter for Adirondack Winery,” said Adirondack Winery president and co-owner Sasha Pardy. “This company started as a small family business, making wine in the back room of our Lake George tasting room almost 14 years ago. Now we’ve grown to the point where this new building is the only way we are going to keep up with demand.

Officials Hope ‘Ice Castles’ Tourist Attraction Helps Businesses Stay Open In Winter

October 17, 2021

Ice Castles CEO Kyle Standifird announces details of the new tourist attraction.
Courtesy Lake George Chamber of Commerce

The Lake George Chamber of Commerce says the winter of 2021-22 promises to be unlike no other in the area as a new venture—Ice Castles—brings its display of sculptures, caverns, ice slides, lighting and more to Charles Wood Park’s Festival Space.

The new winter event that has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to numerous communities around the country, officials said, with ice displays that feature LED lights that change color.

Lake George will be its sixth location in the United States, joining sites in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Utah and Colorado.

The event was formally introduced at a news conference on Oct. 5.

“We are excited to bring the magic of Ice Castles to Lake George this winter,” said Ice Castles CEO Kyle Standifird. “Our mission is to create a fun and safe outdoor experience where people can escape from the hustle of daily life for a moment and step into a frozen fairy-tale world.”

‘The Bunker’ Golf Simulator Business Is Expanding In Clifton Park; Saratoga Is Next

October 17, 2021

Owners of The Bunker, their golf simulator pictured here, are expanding to space that was once Bellini’s restaurant in Clifton Park. The original location is in Guilderland.
Courtesy The Bunker

By Jennifer Farnsworth

An early October opening of The Bunker, a golf simulator business, will bring new life to space that was once Bellini’s restaurant in Clifton Park.

The Bunker co-owner Troy Miller said after Clifton Park, they will be focusing on a third location in Saratoga Springs.

He said the Clifton Park location is something they have been highly anticipating, given it’s prime location.

“Renovations are complete and we are ready to be in this new space. I sparked up a conversation with Bellini’s about keeping the staff and from there we were able to work something out,” said Miller.

The Bunker is a Guilderland-based business that brings golf simulator technology in an indoor, country club-like setting to golf enthusiasts. Miller is the owner and broker at CM Fox Real Estate and also owns Troy Miller Construction. He said he loves to golf when not working and a conversation in the car with his business partner led to the concept of the now growing business.

“We were literally just driving down the road one day and started talking about it, and it just grew from there,” said Miller.