Saratoga Business Journal

Vinny’s Barber Shop Opens On Railroad Place in Saratoga; Is Owner’s Second Establishment

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Vinny Frederico, left, owns Vinny’s Barber Shop at 57 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com — Vinny Frederico, left, owns Vinny’s Barber Shop at 57 Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs.
*©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com*

By Jennifer Farnsworth

For over 10 years, Vinny Frederico and his staff have been serving many loyal patrons from Saratoga County at Vinny’s Barber Shop in Malta.

Spinning off of that success, Frederico opened a second Vinny’s Barber Shop location at 57 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs last month. He said the decision was one that was a long time coming.

“For a very long time I thought about opening up a downtown Saratoga location. With the business district, college, and track season, that area needs a barber shop,” said Frederico.

He said even though the Railroad Street location is not far from Malta, he felt bad for his Saratoga customers who had to get on the Northway and drive for a haircut.

Alaturco Mediterranean Grill In Clifton Park Offers Turkish Cuisine With Fresh Ingredients

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Rauf Ziya, owner of Alaturco Mediterranean Grill in Clifton Park, displays his menu of largely Turkish dishes at the establishment he opened in Clifton Park Center on Clifton Country Road. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com — Rauf Ziya, owner of Alaturco Mediterranean Grill in Clifton Park, displays his menu of largely Turkish dishes at the establishment he opened in Clifton Park Center on Clifton Country Road.
*©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com*

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Alaturco Mediterranean Grill owner Rauf Ziya wasn’t sure how well his restaurant would do, but months after the grand opening, he happily reports that the Clifton Park restaurant is exceeding his expectations.

Ziya said the Clifton Park Center location on Clifton Country Road has been a huge asset to his Turkish cuisine business.

“It has been wonderful, it truly has,” said Ziya.

Ziya said that the food they serve in his 2,600-square-foot restaurant is much more than just a meal. Ziya describes each dish as a craft that tells a story of Turkish heritage. The lunch and dinner selections also are all accompanied by unique Turkish wine selections, as well as domestic drink options.

Owners Of Saratoga Polo In Greenfield Eye Residential, Commercial Development On Site

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Saratoga Polo in Greenfield could be the site of residential and commercial development.

By Maureen Werther

Saratoga Polo, the iconic polo venue located in Greenfield, could be the site of some major residential and commercial development, according to plans being developed by ownership.

Jim Rossi, one of the owners of Saratoga Polo, is optimistic about the future of the historic Whitney playing fields and the proposed development plans for the venue located just outside the city of Saratoga Springs.

Negotiations have been in the works for a deal to develop a residential and commercial site around the Saratoga Polo fields since late spring of 2016. Plans are still being finalized. In July, it was reported that Rossi and Bucci were hoping to close a deal before being put into foreclosure by First National Bank of Scotia.

By October, Rossi and Bucci announced a partnership with The Michaels Group, one of the largest homebuilders in the region, and Carver Laraway, owner of the Port of Coeymans, to implement the plans to create a year-round residential and commercial property.

The development would be around the polo grounds and polo matches would continue each year.

“There is a process involved to get to the end result,” said Rossi.

Inaugural ‘Equestricon’ In Saratoga To Have Panels, Celebrities, Book Signings And More

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Equestricon, a first-ever international horse racing convention and industry trade show coming to Saratoga Springs in the summer, will feature more than 45 panels, discussions, events, celebrity appearances, book signings and additional programming.

Equestricon, scheduled for Aug. 13-15 at Saratoga Springs City Center, is being crafted to the interests of fans at all levels of the sport. Officials announced in December an initial sampling of entertainment, discussion topics and seminars for Equestricon 2017.

A sampling of panels and special sessions includes:

Personnel Briefs January 2017

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Peter Beames and Michael Himpele Jr. were promoted to credit analyst II at Ballston Spa National Bank.

They will be responsible for preparing annual reviews and new loan requests for commercial borrowers. They will also support the overall analysis of commercial and other related business credit, and perform various functions associated with the management of the commercial loan portfolio.

Beames joined BSNB in 2015 as a credit analyst I. He received a degree in business administration
with a minor in economics from SUNY Plattsburgh. He is active in the bank’s Volunteers in Action program where he recently participated in a walk to benefit JDRF and a roadside cleanup in Malta.

Himpele joined BSNB in 2015 as a credit analyst I. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Potsdam and a master of business administration in innovation and new venture management from Clarkson University.

***

Franklin Community Center hired Stephany Deuel to the Project Lift team as a family outreach educator.

Stewarts’ Holiday Match Program Sets A New Record, Raising $1.85 Million For Charities

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Stewart’s Shops’ 2016 Holiday Match program set a record for the third consecutive season, raising over $1.85 million for local children’s organizations, the company said.

From Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day, Stewart’s customers donated over $926,000 to the program, which is an approximate $56,000 increase over last season, officials said.

Each individual donation is matched penny for penny by Stewart’s Shops. There are no administrative costs and 100 percent of the funds benefit local, nonprofit children’s organizations.

“We are impressed by our customers’ generosity season after season. They have joined us in supporting local children’s charities for 30 years now, raising more than $24 million,” said company President Gary Dake. “We are giving back to our communities that have given so much to us.”

Saratoga-Based American Natural Gas Adds 18 Fueling Stations With Recent Acquisitions

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

With two transactions announced on Dec. 20, American Natural Gas (ANG), a distributor of alternative motor fuels in Saratoga Springs, has acquired two companies that add 18 compressed natural gas fueling stations to the company.

ANG is a portfolio company within HC2 Holdings. It has acquired Questar Fueling Co. a subsidiary of Questar Corp. including its 11 compressed natural gas fueling stations in Arizona, Kansas, Texas, Utah, California, and Colorado.

It also acquired Constellation CNG LLC, formerly a subsidiary of Constellation, adding seven compressed natural gas fueling stations in Indiana and Ohio.

Alex Shmulsky’s Expanding Business Has Offices In Ticonderoga And Saratoga Springs

January 6, 2017January 13, 2017

Alex Shmulsky has a law office at 18 Division St., Suite 302, in Saratoga Springs. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com — Alex Shmulsky has a law office at 18 Division St., Suite 302, in Saratoga Springs.
*©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com*

By Jennifer Farnsworth

From his two offices in Ticonderoga and Saratoga Springs, attorney Alex Shmulsky has been helping people navigate through the legal system for almost a decade. He is continuing to help countless clients while growing professionally.

Originally from Sheffield, Mass., Shmulsky began his career working in the Massachusetts State Supreme Court, he then gained experience working in security for the Boston Red Sox, along with various law firms in Boston, including his own. He attended Albany Law School for his Juris Doctor and received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University in Boston.

Shmulsky said he feels like Saratoga is a combination of what he considers to be a perfect location.

Recently Opened Senior Housing Project Is Nominated For A National Design Award

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Senior Housing News, an Aging Media Network publication, announced that the Summit at Saratoga, 1 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs, is one of eight independent senior living communities in the nation to be nominated for its architecture and design awards in the Independent Living category. The Summit is among the nominees for the publication’s fifth...

State Has Funds To Help Farmers Enter The New York State Grown & Certified Program

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

New York state has funding to help fruit and vegetable farmers join the New York State Grown & Certified program. Some $1.5 million is available through the Environmental Protection Fund to help farms implement an agricultural environmental management plan and a reimbursement of up to $1,000 is available for growers who participate in a...