Courtesy Glenn Durlacher
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be a ho-hum affair when there are many options available in the Glens Falls/Lake George area.
Shopping local is gaining in popularity, as more people understand the benefits of supporting local businesses.
Glenn Durlacher has been professionally carving for more than 30 years, first creating ice sculptures as part of his catering business, and now as a carver and sculptor of trees and tree stumps. He opened Glenn Tree Art about 11 years ago, after selling his catering business in Albany and becoming a resident of Glens Falls. While some people may think of animals when they think of tree carving, Durlacher’s sculptures include equine statues, angels, signs and business logos.
One of the more popular items he carves are statues of people’s pets, working from photographs. He said he can typically finish a project in about a week or a little more.
Durlacher also travels to customer’s homes or business locations and creates sculptures right on the property, working with a stump or a whole tree.
When he is not on the road, Durlacher can be found at Glenn Tree Art studio and sculpture garden at 1048 Route 9, Queensbury and can be reached at 522-6025.
Fort Ann Antiques, otherwise known as the Whitehall Antique Mall, is a diverse amalgamation of 38 different vendors under one convenient roof. It welcomes browsers as well as serious buyers, and the selection of items range from architectural pieces to vintage clothing.
Business partners Stephanie Safka and Nicholas Deutsch have been working together since the early 1990s, with Deutsch running the auction side of things and Safka managing the retail business.
“Most of our vendors sell antique items, ranging from glass, jewelry and clothing to things like war memorabilia and antique tools,” said Safka.
She said the best-selling items on the retail side of the business are jewelry, collectibles, and quilts.
“We get most of our business from people who are driving by on their way to somewhere else,” said Safka.
Fort Ann Antiques is open seven days a week and is located at 10120 Route 4, Whitehall. Its website is at www.whitehallantiquemall.com. The phone number is 499-2915.
Also located in Whitehall is Carol’s Collectibles, a 12,000-square-foot space with antiques, furniture, jewelry, clothing, collectibles and other items. The inventory is updated weekly.
Most of the inventory comes from estate sales from around the region and as far away as New 
York City and New Jersey. According to co-owners Carol Winchell and Terry Stevenson, they have customers from across the globe.
“One of our customers from Australia has family here and she buys a lot of sterling silver when she is here visiting,” said Winchell. Another customer from Japan has bought truckloads of items to ship back to Japan and sell in her own store.
Carol’s Collectibles is conveniently located on Route 22 in the Village of Whitehall, next door to the post office. It is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Lake George Olive Oil Co. is more than ready for the holiday season, according to store manager, Letizia Mastrantoni. The family-owned and operated business has been open on Canada Street in Lake George for almost four years, and they will soon be celebrating a one-year anniversary of a second location on Glen Street in Glens Falls.
In addition to an assortment of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, Lake George Olive Oil Co. also inventories a large assortment of locally and regionally produced items, including jams, pestos, sea salts, grilling rubs and a variety of honeys and maple syrups.
In addition to food items, Lake George Olive Oil also sells tea towels, linens and a line of organic bath and skin-care products.
“But, everything we sell is centered around our main product, olive oil,” said Mastrantoni.
Customers can choose from custom-designed and handmade gift baskets, as well as crafted gift boxes. Whether it is for a holiday gift, or a special occasion such as a shower, birthday or anniversary gift, there are items to match the occasion. The family-owned business makes all or their own baskets and gift boxes.
“Each of our gift baskets and boxes are also themed for each season,” added Mastrantoni.
For more information, www.lakegeorgeoliveoilco.com.
Fountain Square Outfitters offer “informed, conscious, and responsible” choices
For people on a holiday gift list who appreciate multi-dimensional apparel for an active lifestyle, it can be found at the store at 1 Ridge Street in Glens Falls. Owners Nancy and Matt Fuller are going into their sixth year of business and they are offering specials throughout November and December, as well as expanded hours.
With well-known lines like Patagonia, Toad and Co. (formerly Horny Toad), Prana and others, Fountain Square offers active-wear that also translates to a night at the movies or the local brew pub.
The Fullers espouse a philosophy of being “one” with the planet, which informs the decisions about what types of clothing and other accessories they keep in their inventory. Their vision is to provide “cross-usable clothing lines that are self-sustaining for years to come.”
During November, Fountain is offering a free pair of Darn Tough socks with the purchase of either Oboz or Asolo boots. Made in Vermont, Darn Tough guarantees their socks for life. Other cold weather gear that people will want to take advantage of include Ibex gloves and Micro Spikes for winter-time hikers.
Fountain Square Outfitters has extended evening hours on Thursdays and Fridays until 7 p.m. through Christmas. For more information, visit them online at www.fountainsquareoutfitters.com.