Roohan Realty announced that Emmy award-winning cinematographer and director Derek Hallquist has joined the company.
He will be handling professional real estate photography, including drone piloting, video production, editing, signage and graphic design. He will provide images of locations and properties.
Courtesy Cole’s Woodwinds
Cole’s Woodwind Shop has temporarily relocated to 6 Butler Place (behind 3 Franklin Square), while renovations take place at the historic 47 Phila Street address that also houses Caffè Lena.
Saratoga’s Bonacio Construction is doing a major renovation at the 55-year-old Caffè Lena. The company will also construct a mixed-use building on the corner of Phila and Henry streets. The project will feature an elevator and stairwell shared with the Caffè and the eight apartments that will be on the upper floors of the mixed-use structure.
“These are exciting times,” said owner Bill Cole, who is known internationally for his personal service, unique inventory and deep knowledge of wind instrument history, construction and repair. “The long-anticipated renovation of the Caffè is finally happening and we’re proud to be a part of the project.”
Cole’s shop, in operation in Saratoga Springs since 1977, will also benefit from the extensive renovation. Cole said he is grateful for the support of the Caffè and Bonacio Construction Inc., which is handling the construction work.
Courtesy Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy
By Maureen Werther
Orthopedic & Spine Physical Therapy PC is celebrating its 20th year in business.
Owner Denise Buher opened the business in 1996, after working for several years as a senior therapist on the staff of Glens Falls Hospital. Buher is a certified therapist in mechanical diagnosis and therapy of the spine from the McKenzie Institute. She is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Starting out as a solo practitioner, she hired a physical therapy assistant the following year, and he is still part of the practice today.
Gradually, she added more employees and now, 20 years later, she manages a staff of 15 people, including four full-time and two part-time physical therapists, one full-time and two part-time PT assistants, with six administrative and support staff.
Courtesy Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte CPAs, PC
Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte CPAs, PC marked its 45th anniversary in July.
John Chiaramonte, a founder of the public accounting firm, now serves as chairman of the firm. He recently shared his reflections on doing business throughout the region, including Saratoga County, for 45 years.
“The automation and tax complexity has definitely changed from then to now, but the way we do accounting has always been the same,” said Chiaramonte. “It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve really been blessed with good fortune and associates and we’ve grown because of them.”
The namesakes of the firm, Ron Teal, Larry Becker, and John Chiaramonte, founded TBC in 1971. Ron Teal, who last worked at TBC during tax season in 2015, congratulated TBC on its 45th anniversary.
“I’m glad I was a part of it for many years and that they are continuing,” said Teal. “I always enjoyed working with all of the people. It was a very friendly atmosphere to work in, and I think that helps to make the firm continue.”
By Molly Congdon
Sitwell Enterprises LLC plans to build a series of office and retail buildings at 2443 Route 9 in Malta.
Company officials said the project will consist of three one-story buildings. The first will be an office building of 15,300 square feet. The other two will house retail businesses. One will be 14,186 square feet and the other 13,830 square feet.
The company hopes to break ground within the next two months, according to the project’s engineer Scott Lansing of Lansing Engineering in Malta.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Liz Witbeck
Oh Corn! Arepas, a Venezuelan restaurant, in Halfmoon gives local diners a different alternative.
The business opened in April at 1505 Route 9 in Halfmoon.
An arepa, one of its specialties, is a flat, round patty of white corn. The dough can be baked, grilled or fried. Once the arepa is cooked, it is filled with various kind of ingredients a person may like. Some meat choices include shredded beef, pulled pork and chicken. Customers can also select from a number of vegetables, such as avocados and chick peas.
“Your imagination is the limit,” said owner José Theoktisto.
He said the most popular item on the menu is the reina pepiada, which means “the queen” in Spanish. The sandwich is made with chicken breast, avocado, mayonnaise and cilantro, stuffed inside an arepa.
Arepas are a staple in Venezuela, as well as in Colombia. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Often arepas are found available at roadside stands and eaten as street food.
RealtyUSA has merged into the Howard Hanna family of companies based in Pittsburgh, combining the largest residential real estate broker in New York state with the largest broker in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The merger was announced at a press conference held in Buffalo on July 13 by Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna, III chairman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, and Merle L. Whitehead, president and CEO of RealtyUSA.
RealtyUSA has offices in Saratoga County and throughout the Capital Region.
“I have known and respected the Hanna family for years,” said Whitehead. “Their growth in the last decade has been amazing. A common theme of commitment to our agents by developing the best in products and services for customers and clients will assure our combined success.”
Whitehead will become chairman of the combined company in New York state.
RealtyUSA is the top broker in the state of New York with 65 office locations covering western and central New York, Northern New York, the Capital Region and the Southern Tier. The company reports more than 2,200 sales associates and employees and is ranked the ninth largest real estate company in the country with 23,023 closed transactions last year, based on the REAL Trends 500 report, May 2016, which ranks the 500 largest real estate brokers in the U.S. by 2015 closed transactions.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Liz Witbeck
Willows Bistro, a new restaurant in Saratoga County, is a casual fine-dining establishment that opened in June.
Owners of the restaurant, at 11 Prospect St. in Ballston Spa, are Sandra James and Kiersten Houck.
Houck previously operated a food truck in Ballston Spa, the Lunch Brake. Before then, he worked at Saratoga Winery.
James served in the National Guard and U.S. Air Force and has a degree in culinary arts. The two teamed up together for their first experience operating a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Adirondack Trust Co. will soon break ground for a new branch located at Luther Forest Boulevard and Route 67 in Malta.
The bank is looking to serve not only the area near Northway Exit 12, but is looking to specifically take advantage of the locations’ close proximity to GlobalFoundries said Charles V. Wait Jr., executive vice president.
The branch office is expected to open sometime this fall.
Wait said the branch will differ from the others as it won’t be a stand-alone property. It is part of a building owned by Stewart’s Shops and the office will adjoin a Stewart’s store. Adirondack Trust will rent the space from Stewart’s.
Courtesy The Wesley Community
The Wesley Community, a leading provider in housing and services for independent seniors and those requiring all levels of care, announced that one of its staff members has been recognized for extraordinary dedication to senior care services by LeadingAge New York.
Laurie Wetsel, resident financial services manager at The Wesley Community, received the 2016 LeadingAge New York Employee of Distinction Award during a rÂÂecent ceremony at Wesley campus in Saratoga Springs.
The award recognizes the efforts of front line staff of nonprofit senior care and services organizations in New York state. Only 18 people are chosen for the award every year.