Saratoga Business Journal

Business Report: Businesses Should Take To The Offensive

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

John D. Flory III, chief information security officer, Harbor Networks.

By John Flory III
It is time for businesses to play offense against cyber criminals: For the last 200 days the business world has faced unimaginable challenges. These challenges have forced us to stray from our comfort zone, modify our existing tried and true policies as we fought to survive. Going forward we have to anticipate the unexpected and be prepared for anything.
The strength of the American Economy comes from the resilient nature of its’ businesses. Solving for these challenges just makes them stronger.
The speed at which a “work from home” adaptation occurred and the laxing of policies to account for the transition, while closing the doors, has opened an enormous number of windows. While we have been learning how to be “operable”, cyber criminals have been ramping up their capabilities to exploit this new opportunity exposed to them. Where email phishing is still the primary way criminals are stealing from us, their tactics are changing, and we need to take an offensive approach to defending our livelihoods and our homes.

Ravenous Restaurant, A Fixture On Phila St. In Saratoga Springs, Will Close On Nov. 30

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

After 21 years, David Zuka is closing Ravenous Restaurant on Phila Street. Courtesy Ravenous

Ravenous Restaurant will be serving their final sweet and savory crepes and pommes frites at 21 Phila St. in downtown Saratoga Springs at the end of November.
After 21 years, owner David Zuka made the announcement On Nov. 2 that he will close the creperie on Nov. 30.
“It is with heavy heart that I’ve made this decision to close Ravenous and move on to my next chapter,” said Zuka. “I am indebted to this community, moreover, to the outstanding efforts of the staff who have helped me build upon the reputation of Ravenous since I purchased it in 2014. It certainly has been an enjoyable ride.”
Zuka purchased Ravenous in 2014 in a partnership. He became the sole owner in 2018.

Zark’s Angels Hair Salon In Schuylerville Moves Into Larger Space In Same Mini-Mall

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

Shelly Squires has move her business, Zark’s Angles Hair Salon, to new, larger space within the same building at 118 Broad St. in Schuylerville.
©2020 SaratogaPhotographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth
McCarthy’s Zark’s Angels Hair Salon owner Shelly Squires is feeling good about her new space and her working partner—her daughter.
With a recent move to new space within the same building, she said she feels positive about where her business is going.
The business is located at 118 Broad St., Schuylerville.
“Honestly, we feel like we are in heaven right now. We are content and happy with the changes that we made with the move, and of course I have my rock star daughter, Erica, to work with,” said Squires.
The Schuylerville salon had to close in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she and Erica had to split shifts when they tried to reopen in order to operate safely. It was difficult for them to work apart in the old space.

WellNow Urgent Care Facility On South Broadway Expected To Open In Early 2021

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

WellNow, an urgent care provider in the region, will open a new facility on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs after the first of the year.
Courtesy WellNow

By Jennifer Farnsworth
WellNow, an urgent care provider in the region, will open a new facility in Saratoga Springs after the first of the year.
The shuttered Boston Market on South Broadway, near the intersection with Circular Street, is being renovated by the company.
Developer Devin Dal Pos of Laker Development owns the lot. He said renovations are being completed by J. Luke Construction/.He said the layout for the new WellNow location is similar to other locations in the area, with a spacious reception area and six exam rooms. They will be able to perform some lab functions like X-rays and screenings, including COVID-19 testing.

Saratoga Hospital Offering Occupational Medicine Services At Queensbury Location

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

This is the lobby Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine in Queensbury.

Saratoga Hospital now offers comprehensive occupational medicine services in Queensbury to help area businesses maintain safe, healthy environments for employees and clients.
Services are provided by Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine, 959 Route 9, Queensbury.
Members of the practice are experts in preventing, diagnosing and treating workplace injuries, helping businesses comply with regulatory requirements and ensuring safe work environments.

Personnel Briefs: November 2020

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

Morgan Stanley has named Rhonda Viapiano as branch manager of its Albany branch office.
The Albany branch is part of three locations in the capital region for which she has oversight, including the Latham, and Saratoga Springs branch offices.
Viapiano has spent her entire 35 year career in financial services, performing a variety of roles in capital markets, sales, operations and field management.
Outside her role as branch manager, she is co-chair of Morgan Stanley’s National Diversity and Inclusion Council. In September 2018, Viapiano was named among the Top 10 branch managers by On Wall Street. In 2019, she was named a Morgan Stanley MAKER, a class of trailblazing women of accomplishment nominated by their peers. She has also spearheaded several educational forums in support of women business owners.

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Saratoga Hospital’s Saratoga Community Health Center has added a fifth primary care provider, Dr. Sophia Conroy, to help keep pace with increased demand for these services.
She joins Drs. Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote and Alexander Cardiel, family nurse practitioner Claudina Ashelman and physician assistant Kelly McAree on the primary care team.

Momentive Performance Materials Finalizes Sale Of Sealant Business To German Group

November 12, 2020November 22, 2020

Momentive Performance Materials Inc. in Waterford has closed on the previously announced sale of its consumer sealants business to Henkel Corp., a chemical and consumer good company headquartered in Germany.

The sale comprises a portfolio of consumer sealants sold under license from General Electric Com. and available through home-improvement centers, major retailers and hardware stores.

Momentive officials said the transaction does not include the GE-branded construction sealants product line, which will remain a Momentive focus.

City Center Parking Garage To Open Soon And Event Scheduling Is Strong For 2021

October 15, 2020October 16, 2020

Ryan McMahon, City Center executive director, poses in front of the parking garage off Maple Avenue, across the street from the center. A foot bridge takes pedestrians directly to the center.
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Susan Elise Campbell
After a long wait, the Saratoga City Center’s 610-space downtown parking lot between Maple Avenue and High Rock is set to open.
Ryan McMahon, City Center executive director, recently took a drive through the entire garage, top to bottom, the first non-construction person to do so.
“It feels good to get this going,” he said.
At one time the convention and events venue was going to build a 750-space garage on its own, but after some years of negotiations and design changes, construction started in September 2019 in partnership with the City of Saratoga Springs.
“We have great partners in the city,” McMahon said. “All five commissioners voted unanimously before the last election. We could not do this without a strong community partnership.”
The grand opening was will take place at the end of October.

Merger of Center For Economic Growth With Capital Region Chamber Gets Approval

October 15, 2020October 16, 2020

By R.J. DeLuke
Investors in The Center for Economic Growth approved in October the idea pursuing an affiliation with the Capital Region Chamber.
Under the affiliation, CEG would retain its identity and remain a legal entity whose sole member would be the Capital Region Chamber. CEG would have its own board of directors and representation on the Chamber board.
The changer will take place starting Jan. 1. Chamber members approved the idea in September.
The Capital Region Chamber and CEG informed their memberships in June that their boards had formed a Joint Task Force to consider potential affiliation.
“After conducting a comprehensive due diligence review, we are pleased to report that both boards have concluded that it would be in the best interest of the shared missions of each organization for CEG and the Capital Region Chamber to align under one organizational structure with a unified vision and coordinated strategy,” a letter to membership, over the signature of Mark N. Eagan, CCE, president and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber, and Paul Milton, Chamber board chair, said.
Eagan will continue to lead CEG as CEO and president. He plans to hire a senior economic development executive to oversee CEG’s portfolio of work.

Pavilion Grand In Saratoga Transitions From Hotel To Yearly Rental, Extended Stay Units

October 15, 2020October 16, 2020

The Pavilion Grand Hotel at 30 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs is changing to rental units.

By Christine Graf
The Pavilion Grand Hotel at 30 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs plans to rebrand itself as Pavilion Grand Executive Apartments.
In doing so, they will offer 32 yearly rental units in addition to 16 extended-stay units.
The transition will take place on Nov. 1.
According to general manager Susanne Simpson, 30 Lake Ave. was originally built by Cohoes-based Prime Companies to house luxury condominiums. The company decided to change course before the project was completed, and they opened the property as a luxury boutique hotel in 2014.
“The hotel’s building was originally built as luxury condos, so the transition to an executive apartment concept has been an easy one for us,” she said.
Because it was not designed as a hotel, the Pavilion Grand’s units are much larger than conventional hotel rooms. The smallest is 600 square feet, almost twice the size of a standard hotel room. The largest—a penthouse—is larger than many single-family homes. It measures 2,200 square feet and has two bedrooms and 2.5 baths.