Saratoga Business Journal

Owner Of Palette Cafe In Saratoga Springs Plans To Open A Second Cafe In Schenectady

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

Catherine Hover owns the Palette Cafe in downtown Saratoga Springs. She is planning a second location, this one in Schenectady on State Street.
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com

Jill Nagy

Only months after opening the Palette cafe and workspace in Saratoga Springs, Catherine Hover is planning a second location, this one in Schenectady.

The Saratoga cafe opened last June. The upstairs co-working space opened in November. The Schenectady location will probably open in late spring or early summer, she said.

For now, things are slow due to COVID-19 restrictions but, “We’re hanging in there,” she said. The cafe is restricted to curbside pick-up, delivery, and takeout.

“We’re doing as we are told, trying to make the best of it and stay cheerful,” she said. The cafe still offers members a menu of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, soups, and homemade baked goods. Baker Sam Pierre remains on staff and, in fact, “We’re not laying off anybody.”

Custom Wooden Sign Maker In Malta To Make Signs For Yellowstone National Park

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

Jim Thomson, owner of custom wooden sign company Adirondack Jim’s, made these signs for the Adirondack Park and does work for other North Country and local entities.
Courtesy Adirondack Jim’s

By Christine Graf

Malta resident Jim Thomson, owner of custom wooden sign company Adirondack Jim’s, recently secured a contract to make signs for Yellowstone National Park’s historic Lake Lodge.

The lodge was built in 1891 and is undergoing a $19 million makeover. According to Thomson, it was well-known Montana historical architect Ken Sievert who recommended he be chosen to make the interior and exterior signs for the lodge.

The signs will measure between 5-8 feet in length and will be framed in logs. Scott Phillips of Adirondack LogWorks in Schroon Lake will be making the frames.

SCORE Mentorship Program Provides Entrepreneurs With Hands-On Assistance

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

By Christine Graf

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, small business owners are facing unprecedented challenges, according to Bill Edwards, local coordinator of SCORE of Northeast New York. He said his team of volunteers is prepared to offer assistance to these business owners in whatever way possible.

SCORE is a network of volunteer expert business mentors. Founded in 1964, the nonprofit group has grown to include a nationwide network of more than 10,000 volunteers and approximately 300 chapters. It offers its services free of charge and receives it primary funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). As a result, they only work with businesses that are considered small business based on SBA criteria.

FuzeHub Has Grants For Innovative Projects

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

FuzeHub, the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, has opened a new grant fund as part of its Build4Scale NY initiative, a program that helps innovators and manufacturers take new products to market and more rapidly expand their operations in New York state.

The Build4Scale NY fund will provide startups and product innovators with grants of as much as $10,000 to launch or accelerate manufacturing projects.

Jennifer Vucetic Named Secretary/Treasurer Of NYS Association Of Realtors For 2020

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

Jennifer Vucetic, broker/owner of EXIT Realty Empire Associates in Clifton Park. Courtesy EXIT Realty Empire Associates

Jennifer Vucetic, broker/owner of EXIT Realty Empire Associates, has been named the 2020 secretary/treasurer of the New York State Association of Realtors.

In her role, Vucetic will be responsible for all records and financial reporting to the Association’s board of directors, as well as keeping meeting minutes and issuing calls for meetings.

Prior to being sworn in as the secretary/treasurer, Vucetic was also presented with the highly acclaimed New York State Women’s Council 2019 Member of the Year Award.

“This achievement demonstrates Jennifer’s willingness to be involved and help others,” said John DiBlasi, co-owner of EXIT Realty Empire Associates.

“When I see Jennifer, I see a leader. I see someone passionate about connecting people and serving others, as well as sharing her wisdom to help those around her grow and prosper,” said Craig Witt, president, U.S. Division, EXIT Realty Corp. International. “This unselfish method of leadership is indicative of influencing people by example. We are proud to have her in our company and excited to see what the future uncovers.”

Alyssa Hackett Passionate About Her ‘Wolf Hollow Home Inspections’ Business

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

Alyssa Hackett does home inspections in counties including Warren and Washington.

By Christine Graf

Alyssa Hackett opened Wolf Hollow Home Inspection last year and is certified to perform both home and mold inspections and works in numerous counties including Albany, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington.

She is willing to travel within a 1.5 hour radius of Albany.

Just six months after graduating from high school in 2001, Hackett enlisted in the Navy. She had no intention of entering the military but felt a call to serve after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A few months later, she deployed to the Middle East aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy.

After serving, she returned home and worked at a variety of different jobs before earning a degree in social work from the College of Saint Rose.

Real Estate Agents Get ‘Essential’ Status, But Still Move Cautiously With Aid Of Technology

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

Equitas Realty owner Janet Besheer says that her more than 20 agents are relying on technology to connect with their buyers and sellers.

By Christine Graf

Local real estate agents and brokers have been forced to change the way they do business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Until this month, the work of real estate agents was considered non-essential, creating a severe hardship. This month, that was relaxed somewhat, but challenges still exist.

New York state opened up part of the real estate market on April 1 with a the ruling that residential and commercial showings and some other limited functions are essential businesses and can continue.

Agreement Allows SUNY Empire State To Help IHA Hospital Employees Get Degrees

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras and Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA) President and CEO Gary J. Fitzgerald have signed a partnership agreement to lower barriers to college degrees for IHA’s 54 hospitals with 300,000 employees from Buffalo to Albany through SUNY Empire State College’s Corporate and Community Partner Benefits program.

The program will also be offered to retirees, and family members.

Through the partnership, SUNY Empire will waive the registration fee and all full- and part-time matriculated students will receive a $100 Presidential Scholarship.

Business Report: Empower Recovery For Your People, Business

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

Brian Johnson, Director, Business Development at Advisors Insurance Brokers.

By Brian M. Johnson, MBA, CLTC

The COVID-19 crisis is an event like no other in our lifetime. It is forcing us to live life in a new way. In some cases we feel we have lost control of our future and lives.

Fear of the unknown and perceived loss of control are just two of the issues all of us are dealing with in our personal lives and in business. It’s now safe to say there will be no going “back to normal.” Instead, what we are currently experiencing IS the new normal and it will be this way for a while. So, how do you protect your business, operate during this unprecedented crisis, and emerge stronger on the other side?

Business Report: COVID-19 Estate Planning Issues

April 9, 2020April 10, 2020

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

By David Kubikian, Esq.

When did COVID-19 first enter your radar as something that would change our lives? Was it news about South Korea? Italy? Was it when Tom Hanks announced he had contracted the coronavirus? Or when every sport suspended its season?

For estate planning attorneys, who by nature contemplate the future more than most, the radar had a blip in early February. It is about then that the casual conversations we normally have with clients prior to the serious business of estate and elder planning began to change. Conversations about their recent trips or future travel plans included some reference to that “virus thing”.

A few weeks of government directives for closures and social distancing later, we are adjusting to pandemic life. Thankfully, food and supplies are available in local grocery stores and supermarkets. The banks and postal service are still running. And of course, the internet still works. Thank goodness for that.