By Christine Graf

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many offices throughout the country, landscapers who spruce up businesses and homes saw a dip in business.

According to Jessica Marquard, managing member of LARCH Landscape Architecture and Engineering in Saratoga Springs, her company experienced a ten percent decline in gross revenue.

She has clients throughout the state and is working on projects in the Capital Region as well as in Newburgh, Rome, and Syracuse. Her current clients include GE Global Research Center and Bonacio Construction.

According to Craig Monroe, owner of Craig’s Mowing and Landscaping in Ballston Lake, business in 2020 exceeded expectations, and 2021 is on track to be another strong year. Last year was marked by major supply chain issues that continue to plague the industry.

Glens Falls-based Plant Doctor lost half of its commercial clients.

“Most all of my business is commercial—a lot of law offices,” said owner Lanette Akerson. “The lawyers are, by and large, working from home and I lost half of them. Half of them still retain our services even though the offices are half-manned or not manned at all.”

The interior and exterior plant design service company has customers throughout the greater Capital Region and Lake George. But many of Plant Doctor’s previous corporate clients are re-enlisting her services as they transition their staff back into their offices.

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

The Adirondack Trust Co. opened a new branch at 79 Main St. in Queensbury, near Northway Exit 18.

The branch opened for business on April 5.

The new branch has two drive-thru lanes, parking, a free WiFi hot spot, Saturday hours, a private conference room, and 24-hour ATM access with image capture capabilities.

Munter Enterprises of Middle Grove was the general contractor and Balzer & Tuck Architecture of Saratoga Springs designed the building.

Charles Wait Jr., CEO, said the bank has been seeking a convenient location with more building space for quite some time. The nearby Maple Street branch in Glens Falls did not have a drive-thru. The Maple Street branch is closed. The Bay Road branch will remain open.

“Our desire was to build a bigger and better location that was more convenient for our customers,” said Wait. “We’ll be able to service all of our customers from all of our major business lines, from one convenient location.”

by Andrea Harwood Palmer

J. Reid Menswear has moved from its Aviation Mall location to Downtown Glens Falls at 166 Glen Street.

The menswear store, formally known as Jonathan Reid, has rebranded with a new name along with its new location. The store will continue to provide menswear and tuxedo rentals, suits, jackets, shirts, ties, shoes and tailoring services. The store has ancillary items and accessories as well.

“I wanted to return J. Reid Menswear to its original location in Hometown USA,” said owner Jeffrey Ives. “With all the negatives that COVID-19  has brought, I have needed the support of everyone associated with the business community of downtown Glens Falls.”

J. Reid Menswear originally had an office on Glen Street, when former owner Jonathon Segan ran the company, until the mid 2000s. The store has been in operation for 53 years.

It will continue to provide menswear and tuxedo rentals, as it did at its Aviation Road location.

Circa ‘21 is proudly both a majority female and veteran owned business with over 100 years combined hospitality experience across the partnership.

“We think this team is the final ingredient needed to make McGregor Links a top shelf club again,” said owner Joe Kehn. “They are experts in the hospitality industry. Coupled with the addition of new head pro Mike Decker, I’m really looking forward to being able to focus my efforts on the golf course itself. We are so excited.”

The name Circa ‘21 was born from the history of the grand opening of McGregor Links Country Club in 1921.

Circa ‘21 not only honors the centennial anniversary of golf at McGregor Links, but also celebrates the opening of the restaurant by its owners in 2021.

“We are so honored to work with Joe, Bill, and their incredible team, especially when we found out this is the centennial for McGregor. We are truly excited to bring our experience and love for an amazing customer dining experience to the membership and general public.” said partner Wendy Lawrence, who heads their Circa ‘21s events.