Saratoga Business Journal

Local Man Becomes Artist-In-Residence At Gideon Putnam; Offers Glassblowing Courses

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

Gregory Tomb runs a Glassblowing studio at the Gideon Putnam Hotel as part of the hotel’s artist-in residence program. He teaches the craft in both day and evening courses.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth
Making a career out of doing what you love may seem like a dream for many, but for Gregory Tomb it is a reality.
The Burnt Hills native has found his niche in the world of glassblowing and those traveling through the Spa City this summer can have the opportunity to see what his passion is all about.
Tomb said he reached out to The Gideon Putnam about their artist-in-residence program, and not knowing what to expect in response, was thrilled when they were interested.

Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs Changes Ownership; New Manager Has Local Ties

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

Kevin Tuohy is the new general manager of Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

by Andrea Palmer
The Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs is under new ownership and management.
Kevin Tuohy, who has ties to Saratoga Springs, is the new general manager of the hotel.
“My company knew what an exciting and dynamic market Saratoga is. They’ve been trying to get into the Saratoga market for quite some time,” said Tuohy.
Fred George is the president and CEO of the new ownership group JLK Global Fund International, based in Canada. The property was purchased for $21.8 million. JLK Funding partnered with New Castle Hotels and Resorts to manage the asset.

State Extends Law Supporting Women And Minority Owned Businesses Enterprises

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

Gov. Andrew Cuomo in July signed a law that reauthorized the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) program for five more years.
He aid it will ensure ongoing and meaningful participation of MWBEs in contracted state projects. The reauthorization of the law includes enhancements that will enable even more MWBEs to participate in and benefit from the program.

Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Gives $25,000 To Mercy House Of Saratoga Project

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

This is a rendering of Mercy House, a building that will be the parish house for Bethesda Episcopal Church, but will also have space to provide support for race course backstretch workers.
Courtesy Mercy House of Saratoga

Mercy House of Saratoga Inc., a new nonprofit group created to provide temporary residences for a wide range of people in need, has received a pledge of $25,000 from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) to support and dedicate accommodations for Saratoga Race Course backstretch workers.

Real McCoy Beer Co. In Delmar To Open Tasting Room At Historic Ballston Spa Site

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

The Abner Doubleday House will be the site of a tasting room for the Real McCoy Beer Co.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

by Andrea Palmer
The historic Abner Doubleday House at 28 Washington St. in Ballston Spa is being put to a new use.
Real McCoy Beer Co. in Delmar is opening a new tap room in the building. Owners Mike Bellini and Alex Scher had been looking for a place to open a second taproom.

Saratoga Wine And Food Festival At SPAC Will Focus On Sustainable Culinary Practices

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

A food station caters to attendees at last year’s Saratoga Wine and Food Festival.
Courtesy SPAC

Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced that its Saratoga Wine and Food Festival will return for the harvest season on Oct. 4-5 with a focus on sustainable culinary practices and cultural experiences.
Celebrating the bounty and talent of the region from the Hudson Valley to the Adirondacks, the destination event will feature a new farm-to-table dinner centering around the theme of “Forest Magic.”
The 2019 festival will feature live music curated by Caffè Lena, sculptures by The Hyde Collection, photography by Terri-Lynn Pellegri, food tastings and culinary talent curated by John Sconzo of Rascal & Thorn and Kim Klopstock of Lily and the Rose, chef demonstrations on sustainability, VIP experiences, and design by Colin Cowie Lifestyle.

King Brothers Dairy In Schuylerville Opens On-Premises Ice Cream Shop; Seats 40 People

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

High school students working at King Brothers Dairy show some of the offerings at its new ice cream shop. Some 34 flavors are offered at the King Road farm.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jill Nagy
A blue ice cream called Cookie Monster is the favorite of customers at the new ice cream parlor and farm store at King Brothers Dairy at 311 King Road in Schuylerville, according to co-owner Jeff King.
The new shop opened in May, although a formal grand opening remains “a moving target,” delayed by bad weather in May and June, activities at the Saratoga County Fair, and the obligations of operating a large dairy farm.
The new, 3,000-square-foot building replaces a much smaller market King Brothers operated at the farm. It offers 34 ice cream flavors, ranging from plain vanilla, chocolate and strawberry to such exotica as coconut cashew crunch, bacon buzz and coffee break (coffee ice cream, fudge swirl, and brownie pieces).

Siro’s Restaurant In Saratoga Springs, Near Saratoga Race Course, Under New Ownership

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

Siro’s owner Scott Solomon, center, with maître d’ Michael Stone and chef David Britton, right.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Christine Graf
The sale of Siro’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs was finalized less than three weeks before the restaurant’s July 8 opening.
It was purchased for $1.2 million by the Spitalny family through the SPS & JPS Family Partnerships. According to Peter Spitalny, president of Albany’s Stein Fibers, the purchase took place over the course of 30 to 45 days.
“The purchase came about very, very quickly,” said Spitalny. “The previous owners were thinking about selling, but said if I was interested I had to move quickly in order to complete the purchase. They were proceeding as if they were not going to sell it. They had someone who was seriously interested in buying it after the meet was closed, but who could not close as quickly as I was able to. We had a handshake deal two-and-a-half weeks before the scheduled opening.”

SUNY Empire State Collaborates With City Schools Determine Best Goals For Students

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

As technology in the classroom continues to play a growing role in primary and secondary education, SUNY Empire State College’s School for Graduate Studies and the Saratoga Springs City School District continue to collaborate to better understand what work best for students.
“Online Math Made Easier,” “Memes to Teach Critical Literacy,” “Things that Cost Less and Do More: Open Education Resources,” and “Distance Learning in the Visual Arts, Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Work,” were among the presentations at the fourth annual Learning with Innovative Technology Conference, sponsored again this year by the college and the district.

Business Report: Receiving A Check To Creating A Check

August 7, 2019August 8, 2019

David Kopyc, president of Retirement Planning Group LLC in Saratoga Springs.

By David Kopyc

Most Boomers do not have a pension plan and need to take their retirement assets they have accumulated over their working careers and create lifetime monthly income. For most of the boomers the defined benefit pension plan has been replaced by 401k plans that leave the responsibility to you and not your former employer.

Before you make a decision on the investment program that is best suited for your appetite for risk and the ability to weather the storm when markets become volatile, you need to consider the drawbacks of each decision you make. Never make a hasty decision that is irreversible that you may regret.