Saratoga Business Journal

Couple Opens Tattoo Studio And Art Gallery In Ballston Spa In The Former Lincoln Hotel

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

Michael Ransom Backus opened Ransom Tattoo Galley in Ballston Spa. He also creates artwork that can be found hanging on the shop walls and is for sale.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

By Jill Nagy

After 10 years as an itinerant tattoo artist, Michael Ransom Backus and his co-owner and fiancee, Sharon McCarty, have opened a tattoo studio and art gallery in Ballston Spa.

Ransom Tattoo Gallery is in the former Lincoln Hotel, now a combination apartment and commercial space at 104 Milton Ave.

A Saratoga Springs native, Backus said he has “a decent following” and business has been good.

In addition to tattooing, he creates the artwork that can be found on the walls. Along those lines, he is about to begin a large commission, “the largest watercolor painting I have ever done.” The painting is for the wall of a client’s new home.

He also does India ink drawings on paper, fabric and wood.

Backus said as a tattoo artist, he does mostly larger tattoos, many in a Japanese style. Tattoo art, he explained, began in Asia and was brought to the United States by sailors and seamen who visited Asia. Many of the original designs they brought remain popular.

Southern Adirondack Realtors Hire New President, CEO To Administer Operations

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

Densay Sengsoulavong is the new CEO of the Southern Adirondack Realtors.

Southern Adirondack Realtors has a new chief executive officer.

The association has hired Densay Sengsoulavong as CEO.

Sengsoulavong will administer the association’s operations including its financial management, governance, and member services. He will also collaboratively engage with elected officials, community leaders and other stakeholders on behalf of Southern Adirondack Realtors.

The hiring follows the retirement of Luisa Craige-Sherman, who led SAR affairs going back to 2015.

Sengsoulavong was selected after a nationwide search conducted by SAR’s Personnel Committee headed by Southern Adirondack Realtors 2020 President Catherine McDonough.

“We look forward to having Densay join us as our association grows over the coming years. His vast experience will help ensure SAR and its members continue serving the community and their clients through ever changing times,” said McDonough, emphasizing the association and real estate industry’s anticipated growth.

“Realtors are woven into the fabric of the community, and a vibrant housing market is the foundation for achieving great quality of place. It’s only fitting that SAR be engaged in the public conversation and its members be thought leaders,” said Sengsoulavong. “I admire the Southern Adirondacks Realtors commitment to the community. They demonstrate that for a region to grow and prosper, purposeful collaboration is needed, and I am excited to join those efforts.”

Gallery, Art Studio And Teaching Space Is Planned For Part Of New Rexford Building

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

By Jill Nagy

Cynthia Romano had her eye on space in the basement of a new shopping center. She thought it would make a nice artist’s studio.

Then, the idea “just grew,” and she is now developing a gallery, a studio, and a teaching area at Rexford Landing, a shopping center that her husband, Bob Romano, is building on Grooms Road in Rexford.

The business will be called the Blooming Artist.

“It’s going well but everything takes so much time,” Romano said, but “I am not rushing to open.” For one thing, she would like a pre-COVID style opening with live people walking around and socializing. She is aiming for a June opening date.

The gallery itself will be on the main floor of the building. She foresees exhibiting the work of six or seven established local artists at a time in the main gallery. Work by other, “up and coming,” artists will be hung in the lobby. For opening receptions, Romano will open the doors between the gallery and the lobby. How often to change shows is, she said, “a big question.” For now, she contemplates keeping each show up for four to six weeks and then closing down for two weeks to freshen up the space and hang the next show.

A second floor room with a huge picture window will, at her husband’s suggestion, be devoted to painting and pottery classes. She also plans a framing studio in that space and a shop selling specialized art supplies.

Owners Of Smoke Shop In Malta Laying Groundwork To Open Cannabis Dispensary

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

Robin Barkenhagen, who owns a smoke shop in Malta, wants to open a cannabis dispensary.

By Christine Graf

Local businessmen Robin Barkenhagen and Brian Bronzino, partners in 42°, a smoke shop and functional art glass gallery in Malta, are pursuing plans to open a marijuana dispensary at 56 Glen St. in Glens Falls.

The pair also have a 42° store at 206 Glen Street, Glens Falls. In February, they established a new business called Warren County Cannabis LLC.

In recent years, Bronzino has purchased several buildings in Glens Falls, including the 5,000-square-foot property at 56 Glen St.

Because marijuana has not been legalized at the federal level, dispensaries must be operated out of properties without loans or mortgages from federally chartered banks.

But Bronzino “owns the building which is instrumental” in the process, said Barkenhagen.

The state Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law on March 31 and legalizes the recreational use of marijuana for those ages 21 and up. The state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) was established to oversee the industry, but they have not yet begun issuing licenses for growing, distributing, processing, and selling.

When MRTA was enacted, government official estimated that it would take approximately 18 months before the first recreational marijuana businesses would open in the state.

Camp Rockaway In Schuylerville Offers Camping With Amenities And Scenic Views

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

This is the interior of one of the camping tents at Camp Rockaway, a facility outside Schuylerville. The tents are pitched on raised wood platforms.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

Camp Rockaway, a campground with many amenities, is open on the banks of the Hudson River and the Champlain Canal in the Schuylerville area.

Located less than a mile from the village of Schuylerville and surrounded by revolutionary war history, the campground is designed for families, friends, couples and solo travelers looking to get away yet still have easy access to activities and amenities.

“I’m really excited to have Camp Rockaway opening in our region,” said Pete Bardunias, senior vice president, community advancement, for the Capital Region Chamber. “We have so many opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities in the Schuylerville area, and introducing ‘glamping’ to the mix will ensure that this historic community is on the cutting edge of today’s recreation choices.

“Visitors from New York City and other areas will be able to try activities ranging from fishing, bicycling and kayaking to boat cruises, waterfront dining, shops, a brewery, historic tours, nature walks and even apple picking, all within walking distance.”

Camp Rockaway at Schuylerville will feature fully furnished safari-style canvas tents, set on the banks of the historic canal near Lock C-5.

Sites include a pre-pitched 10×12 tent on a raised wood platform, a front deck with lounge chairs, and a shaded back porch with a hammock. Families and pods can add on a pre-pitched “pup” tent with cots and sleeping bags for kids or friends.

Jolt Consulting Merges With A N.H Company

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

Jolt Consulting Group LLC in Saratoga Springs and Forcivity Inc., B2B technology consulting companies, announced plans to merge their businesses.

The company will operate under the Forcivity name. Forcivity offices are in Manchester, N.H.

Jeff Oskin, founder and CEO of Jolt, has been named CEO and Steve Baines, founder and CEO of Forcivity, has been named president and chief growth officer.

“Combined under the Forcivity brand, we will draw on our decades of experience to push the boundaries of customer experience and remain focused on delivering outstanding technology capabilities and best-practices to our customers,” said Oskin.

The organizations are combining to capitalize on shared strengths, skills, and values that will help accelerate growth and make an impact in a strong market within the industry.

SEDC Conference Set For May 18 On Zoom

May 17, 2021May 18, 2021

Saratoga Economic Development Corp. will host the 2021 Economic Summit, a virtual conference, on Tuesday, May 18, via Zoom.

The conference will run from 1-3:30 p.m.

Dennis Brobston, SEDC president, said the 2021 summit with top business and county leaders as presenters will focus on the current state of affairs surrounding infrastructure in Saratoga County. The summit will provide community resources, information and organizational knowledge for sustaining our region’s quality of life and competitiveness.

Presenters will cover essential topics for attracting, expanding and retaining industry. They will discuss existing capacity issues and outline processes for expansion of current systems as well as timeline concerns for growth.

With decades of experience as the driving force of economic growth and retention for a variety of industries in Saratoga County, SEDC has a true understanding of what is needed for the development and retention process, said Brobston.

“This year, as we strategize with our community partners and continue to promote, retain and grow our region’s economic vitality, we present this economic development summit to inform, engage and connect you with current processes, policies, forecasts and timelines for industrial and operational development investments,” he said.

In Construction Industry, Current Business Climate Contributes To Ongoing Labor Woes

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

Doug Ford is one of the leaders of the Workforce Development Taskforce.

By Christine Graf

According to a 2020 survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, 81 percent of construction firms are finding it difficult to find employees. This trend has worsened in 2021 due in part to extended unemployment benefits that have been made available by the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The cost of labor has gone up 25 to 30 percent. It’s putting a lot of people out of business. We’re competing with the government for employees because people are getting paid to stay home while millions of jobs go unfilled,” said Todd Drake, owner of Cornerstone Construction. His company works throughout the Capital Region and the Adirondacks.

“It’s absolutely outrageous policy and fiscally disastrous and quite frankly socially disastrous because it’s creating complacency among people who should be working. Certainly there are those who have been able to find work that they are capable of doing. I certainly get that. But for the vast majority of people, they aren’t even calling. I know businesses—including ourselves—that run ads and get no responses at all. None.”

The origins of the labor shortage started long before the pandemic and can be traced back to 2008 recession when the bottom fell out of the construction industry and skilled workers moved to other professions, those in the industry say. The problem was compounded by a reduction in the number of young people seeking careers in the trades.

Doug Ford, vice president of sales and purchasing at Curtis Lumber, is committed to promoting trades to high school students. He is one of the leaders of the Workforce Development Taskforce, a collaboration between Curtis Lumber and Saratoga Builders. Their mission is to bring awareness to the career opportunities and benefits that are available in the construction/trade industries. Stakeholders include Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, Habitat for Humanity, and Workforce Development Institute.

Hinman Construction Project In Saratoga Earns Award From Capital District Group

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

This kitchen is part of a remodeling project that won Hinman Construction an award.

by Andrea Harwood Palmer

Hinman Construction of Saratoga Springs won the Best Overall Remodel category in the 2020 Capital Region Builders & Remodelers Association building awards.

The project is located at 41 Webster St. in Saratoga Springs. The single-family home was built in 1918 and purchased in 2018 by new owners Brynya and Derek Ablamsky.

Kim Hinman said the construction company worked with the new owners for over a year developing renovation plans. Hinman used 3D photorealistic CAD design for the project.

The entire house is black and white, including stair rails, kitchen, bathrooms and interior and exterior paint. The exterior is stucco. Hinman Construction hired a mason to extend the original cobblestone fireplace up through the second floor.

“I challenge anyone to look at the cobblestone fireplace and find where the old one ends and the new addition begins,” said Hinman.

She said the timing of the project was very fortuitous. The Certificate of Occupancy was issued by the city building department the last day they were open before the COVID shutdowns in 2020.

“The property is about two blocks from the racetrack. It was purchased by a wonderful young couple who moved here from Boston. They just knew that’s what they wanted to do with the home. They bought what I would call a four-square home. We basically brought it into the 21st century,” said Hinman.

Showcase Of Homes To Have 12 Area Builders

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

The 2021 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee will include a lineup of 14 homes from area builders for the annual new home tour event.

Celebrating 25 years, the annual tradition will be presented over three fall weekends: Sept. 18-19, Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 2-3.

Officials said in honor of the silver milestone anniversary, tickets will be $25. They go on sale in early August.

“We are looking forward with hope, optimism and great anticipation to once again present the Saratoga Showcase of Homes this autumn as we move out from this pandemic,” said Saratoga Builders Association’s Executive Director Barry Potoker. “Our goal is to present a live tour for the enjoyment of our community while providing the needed help for our two charities who benefit from its proceeds. In planning ahead, our pledge to everyone involved with this event is to take all the necessary steps to follow state, NAHB and CDC health and safety guidelines.”

There are 12 builders committed to this year’s event. They are BDC Group, Beechwood Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, Bonacio Construction, Caruso Homes, Kodiak Construction, McPadden Builders, R & M Builders, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction.

Corporate sponsorships are now available to support the event. For a detailed sponsorship opportunities packet, contact Potoker at 518-366-0946 or via email bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org or visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com/sponsors to download a packet.