by Susan E. Campbell

Saratoga restaurants are handling the challenges of the coronavirus crisis with a sense of family, social responsibility, and grace.

When the governor’s mandate to close sit-down services for all restaurants and bars went into effect on March 16, establishments across the state were forced to deal with the hardship. Many have had to shut down completely and await the fate of their business as the pandemic continues.

The option for restaurants is making take-out available for curbside pickup, or delivering. Some restaurants who were previously not involved in either practice are implementing them to stay afloat.

New York state’s restaurant industry is among the most impacted, losing $1.9 billion and more than 250,000 jobs, according to a recent report by the National Restaurant Association. A nationwide survey of more than 4,500 restaurant operators, conducted from March through 26, found that an estimated $25 billion in sales and more than 3 million jobs were lost in the industry in the first 22 days of March 2020.

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

PrimeLink Fiber Optic Internet and Phone Services is being acquiring by FirstLight, a fiber-optic data, internet, data center, cloud computing and unified communications services provider.

Vicki Marking, marketing manager for PrimeLink, said the sale would be complete later this year.

“We are really excited about it. It will be our local team and FirstLight’s extensive resources. FirstLight’s infrastructure goes all over New York state. It’s a great compliment to them. The local team will remain in place. The transition will be slow and over a long period of time,” she said.

The New York Racing Association selected Chicago restaurant and concessions giant Levy as the new food and beverage vendor for Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park.

The multi-year contract will bring several hospitality companies to the tracks, including Mazzone Hospitality of Clifton Park.

Levy is the concessions manager for the home stadiums of the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. The company also is the food and beverage vendor at several auto and thoroughbred racetracks including Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Churchill Downs in Kentucky.

“Few venues and events match the impact Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park have had on our sports culture,” said Andy Lansing, Levy president and chief executive.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

With the coronavirus pandemic gripping the nation, using hand sanitizer is one of the strong recommendation of health agencies around the globe.

To help bolster supplies locally, some businesses have turned completely away from their normal mission and are making sanitizer.

Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery in Queensbury is one, since distilleries have the necessary equipment to transition to sanitizer, which has a high percentage of alcohol.

Since the state ordered the temporary closure of bars and restaurants last month,    owner Matt Colucci is responding to the need for sanitizer.

By Dorothy Rogers-Bullis

I’ve had so many calls over the last two weeks from clients preparing to work from home.  drb Business Interiors is known for designing and furnishing the most productive spaces to work in, and now is doing so for clients conducting “business and school out of the home” sessions  for the next few months.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the new work space standard calls for multiple workspaces for multiple types of work. From the business professional who needs to conduct Zoom calls throughout the day, to the children who are being homeschooled, all are sharing the same home and space. It can get very stressful just to find a productive space to work, especially in your own home.

It’s important to plan when you work remotely. Here are some tips:

• Test your technology and plan ahead for all logistics. Do you have all your necessary tools?  Cords, headset, mouse?  Have you tested all your technology? Does Zoom work?  How do you look to others? What is your backdrop?  There is much to consider here.