Due to increased COVID-19 cases, Discover Saratoga has decided to reschedule Saratoga Chowder Fest ‘N Tour for the safety of our community, local businesses and event goers. Saratoga Chowder Fest ‘N Tour will take place Saturday, March 19, through Saturday, March 26. Event goers will have the opportunity to dine-in or purchase pints and...
Hoffman Car Wash Sells Its Jiffy Lube Stores, Will Continue To Expand Rest Of Operations
by Jill Nagy
Premium Velocity Auto LLC has purchased nine Jiffy Lube franchises that were part of the the Hoffman Car Wash chain. The sale closed Dec. 15.
This is the first venture into New York state for the purchaser, which operates 55 Jiffy Lube franchises in 10 other states.
The car wash chain decided to get out of the Jiffy Lube business and concentrate on expanding the car wash side of thingss, according to owner Tom Hoffman Jr. His last new Jiffy Lube franchise opened in 2004. Meanwhile, other companies were aggressively expanding their Jiffy Lube portfolios.
Hoffman recently opened a 23rd car wash in Yorkville, a suburb of Utica. Plans for 2022 include outlets in Rome, Gloversville, Cohoes, and Queensbury. When Hoffman opens a new car wash in Oneonta, they will be joined by a Premium Velocity Jiffy Lube franchise.
The newly purchased Jiffy Lube franchises “fit our network,” said Don Hill, president of Premium Velocity. The new owner purchased all of the assets of the Hoffman Car Wash Jiffy Lube outlets and plans to continue operating all of them. Seven of the nine franchises are in buildings owned by Hoffman. The new owners will lease the buildings from Hoffman.
Ballston Spa Native Creates Painting Business He Hopes Grows Through The Region
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Mike Meier of Ballston Spa is the owner of a new painting business, 518 Mr. Paint.
Meier said after receiving his degree in architecture from the University at Buffalo, he decided to find work in a trade. He said he really took to painting.
“I’ve been painting for almost 10 years. I’ve worked for various companies. A couple years here and there for each company. I would tell my employers that with my education, I can come up with estimates and project management, but none of them ever took me up on my offer,” said Meier.
Meier said when COVID hit his hours were cut and at that point he began to rethink his situation.
“Even though I knew I was very skilled and valuable, I was told I should feel lucky to even have a job. So while other more established companies struggled to get painters and other painters went on unemployment, I started my company with only $1,500 in my bank account,” he said.
Vermont-Based Product Supplier To Convert Warehouse Into Storage And Assembly Plant
By Christine Graf
Vermont-based electrical product supplier Green Mountain Electric Supply is moving forward with plans to convert a 64,000-square-foot warehouse at 823 Main St. in Clifton Park into a wire cutting, storage, and assembly plant.
The Saratoga Economic Development Corp. assisted the company in applying for tax incentives which have been awarded in the amount of $338,329. In addition to a $33,000 mortgage tax exemption, the company was awarded a $57,400 sales tax exemption and a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement that will amount to $247,929 over 10 years, officials said.
Green Mountain Electric Supply, a third-generation family-owned company, has been in business since 1953. Since that time, it has grown to include 20 locations throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York, and 280 employees.
“We distribute electrical products meaning that we buy material from manufacturers or rep agencies and sell it mostly to commercial contractors,” said Luc Choquette, vice president of operations.
Among its products are large reels of copper wire that are cut and repackaged on smaller reels.
Wallie’s Of Greenwich Is Open For Business Again Following A Complete Restoration
©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jennifer Farnsworth
After decades of sitting vacant, Wallie’s of Greenwich is once again open for business.
Owner Ted Bearor said the restaurant and pub has gone through a complete restoration on both the interior and exterior of the building at 52-54 Main St., while still maintaining the charm for which it was once known.
Bearor said renovating and re-establishing the business was something he felt confident in taking on because of his industry related background. Taking his experience in the restaurant business, Bearor said, and opening up his own place with a silent partner, felt risky at times, but it was well worth the wait.
“I have been director of food and beverage at the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid as well as the director of operations at the Lodge at Six Flags. Following my hotel work, my business partner and I have been involved in other area restaurants, notably the iconic George’s in Lake George from 2013 to 2020, and finally opening Wallie’s. We have been challenged, along with many other businesses, during this time due to the pandemic, however we have been fortunate to have great staff and community support,” said Bearor.
First-floor renovations included taking out apartments to make room for what is now the pub area. He said during the demolition phase, the building was discovered to have had five to six additions over the past century or so. Other renovations included replacing the roof, kitchen, bathrooms, ventilation equipment, along with adding in a separate walk-in cooler that can hold up to 12 kegs
Buell Is Regional Chamber Board Chair
Jeff Buell, principal at Redburn Development Partners LLC in Troy, is the chairman of the Capital Region Chamber board of directors for 2022.
The rest of the slate of officers incudes Andrea Crisafulli, president, Crisafulli Bros. Plumbing & Heating Contractors, Inc., chair elect; President and CEO Mark N. Eagan, Capital Region Chamber; David R. Harris, Ph.D., president, Union College, secretary; Christopher Cannucciari, partner, Lutz, Selig & Zeronda, treasurer; and Ruth Mahoney, executive vice president and president of wealth management, NBT Bank, immediate past chair.
Officers for The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County board are Christopher Dowd, president and CEO, Ballston Spa National Bank, chair; and Lisa Avila, CEO, Kitware, secretary/treasurer.
Officers for the Center for Economic Growth are John Bennett, MD, president and CEO, CDPHP, chair; and Laura Poltynski, director, customer and community engagement, National Grid, secretary/treasurer.
Halfmoon Garden Apartments And Canfield Apartments Purchased By Latham Company
Courtesy Sunrise Garden Apartments
Sunrise Management & Consulting in Latham has grown its multifamily apartment portfolio with the purchase of Halfmoon Garden Apartments in Clifton Park and Canfield Apartments in Gansevoort.
The sale was brokered by Dean and Ryan Taylor of Continuum Commercial Realty, and SEFCU financed the transaction.
Sunrise will manage the communities.
“Halfmoon Garden Apartments and Canfield Apartments are valuable assets that fit nicely into our portfolio,” said Jesse Holland, president of Sunrise Management & Consulting. “We were impressed with the way the longtime owners cared for the properties and wish them well in their retirement. We look forward to getting to know the residents.”
Expanded Teaching Classes, More Tubing Lanes Part Of West Mountain Growth In 2022
Courtesy West Mountain
West Mountain kicked off its 2021-22 season, opening Christmas weekend for skiing, riding and tubing.
“The progress continues at West Mountain,” said Sara Montgomery, general manager of West Mountain. “Our snow sports school continues to grow, and this year we have expanded our learning center to accommodate more skiers and riders. We are excited to welcome newcomers who will be making their first winter sports memories at West. It’s going to be a fun-filled season.”
West Mountain offers beginner through advanced terrain and will be open for day and nighttime skiing, riding, and tubing. There are some additions to the mountain, as well as a continuation of West Mountain’s lesson programs.
That includes a newly expanded learning terrain/bunny hill and more snow tubing lanes added to the Tubing Park. Being continued are the individual and after school program, the Academy and Club Race Team membership offerings for athletes ages 6-19, and continuation of events like Fire on the Mountain, Slush Cup and more.
Officials said during non-holiday periods, West Mountain will offer ticket promotions such as Monday and Tuesday $35 for a four-hour ticket specials and breakfast or lunch plus lift ticket specials.
West Mountain’s Bar and Eatery will be open at full capacity with daily specials such as Burgers, Beers and Bands Wednesdays, Fiddlehead and Fettuccine Fridays and Bloody Mary Sundays.
Prime At Saratoga Nationals Unveils Heated Pods For Extended Outdoor Dining Options
Prime at Saratoga National announced the opening of The Village at Prime, seven solar-powered, heated pods for dining on the patio through the winter months.
The Village at Prime will be available during the restaurant’s regular lunch and dinner hours, currently Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and 5:30 p.m. for dinner.
The SolarFi pods are solar powered and range in size to accommodate from two to 10 people. They are each uniquely decorated and include medical-grade hepa air filters and USB charging ports. They are 100 percent UV resistant and made from 100 percent recycled material. SolarFi partners with restaurants by offering lease, or revenue share opportunities, according to the company.
“People are looking for special dining experiences, even during the pandemic,” said Heather O’Neil, general manager of Prime at Saratoga National. “The Village at Prime is a way for people to enjoy a special night out, while staying safe and practicing social distancing.”
Hotel & Lodging Association Predicts Move To Recovery Will Be Uneven, Volatile
The hotel industry will continue moving toward recovery in 2022, but the path will be uneven and potentially volatile, and full recovery is still several years away, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)’s 2022 State of the Hotel Industry report. The report, which reveals shifts in consumer and business sentiment, was...