Month: April 2018

Outlets At Lake George Add New Shops; Vera Bradley and Michael Kors

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

The Outlets at Lake George is growing with the addition of two new stores.

The Outlets at Lake George, the 102,000-square-foot outlet shopping center serving the region, announced the arrival of two new businesses.

Vera Bradley Outlet opened March 30.

The store will offer a wide array of fabrications, including classic quilted cotton, luxurious full-grain leather and water-repellent poly twill.

The 3,024-square-foot space is located next to Levi’s Outlet Store.

The Outlets at Lake George also said Michael Kors, a luxury and ready-to-wear designer brand, opened in a 4,300-square foot-store located in the center’s east side, will open in time for the summer season.

It features an array of women’s ready-to-wear fashions, footwear and accessories along with watches, eyewear and fragrances for both men and women.

Business Report: A Life Insurance Secret To Know About

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

Brian M. Johnson, director, business development, Advisors Insurance Brokers.

By Brian M. Johnson

Our country is going through a dramatic demographic shift. Baby boomers are now turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day. With this comes planning considerations we must address to protect those we love and the assets we’ve worked for. With proper planning, generational wealth can be created and preserved; however, most people fail to address risks.

One risk that will impact nearly all of us, and potentially decimate the savings of millions of Americans is the need for extended health care or long-term care. We hesitate to use the words “long-term care,” as most associate those with nursing homes. The stark reality is that 80 percent of care is received either at home or in the community, and it’s often provided by family members or other informal caregivers. This raises a few questions:

• Do I want to burden loved ones with my care or would I prefer they supervise the care?

• Do I want to stay home as long as possible?

• Do I want to protect my assets for my children, grandchildren or other philanthropic causes?

• How long can I afford to pay for care out of pocket and how would those costs impact my priorities?

Acupuncture Practioners See Their Service As A Way To Achieve A Natural Balance

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

Katherine “Kat” MacKenzie, center, owner of Acupuncture Nirvana in Glens Falls, poses with office manager Joy MacKenzie, left, and acupuncturist Alyx Soesman.

By Maureen Werther

Acupuncture is the insertion of a fine sterile needle into specific points on the body that achieves not just pain relief but an overall natural balance for the body.

It has become a common practice in the U.S., including the local region.

For Warren MacNaughton of Adirondack Community Acupuncture in Queensbury, his journey to acupuncture came about in an effort to find relief from temporomandibular joint syndrome, or TMJ (pain in the jaw joint that can be caused by a variety of medical problems), that was making him miserable.

MacNaughton was very receptive to trying acupuncture to help alleviate his symptoms.

‘Restore Balance’ Yoga Studio In Glens Falls Plans To Open Second Location For ‘Retreats’

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

Stephanie O’Hanlon Kayalar, owner of Restore Balance, in her yoga room at 451 Glen St.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Stephanie O’Hanlon Kayalar, owner of Restore Balance at 451 Glen St., Glens Falls, said plans are under way for the opening of a second location.

“Our new location will offer classes and trainings in kambal yoga, as well as offer quaint weekend retreats. It will be Restore Balance retreat and training center. We will be renovating the location to have two yoga studios, and housing for eight to 10 people for yoga retreats. The new building will be used for just kambal yoga,”she said.

According to Kayalar, the Glen Street site offers multiple stress-reduction modalities including kambal yoga, which is her own style of restorative yoga. It uses a combination of weighted blankets, massage, reiki, and counseling, as well as acupuncture treatment.

Mark Shaw, Founder Of StoredTech, Plans To Expand Again With New Local Office Building

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

StoredTech owner Mark Shaw, right, with staff members Bret Cofer and Kristen Shaw.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Stored Technology Solutions (StoredTech) in Queensbury plans to use a $250,000 grant awarded by the state Regional Economic Development Council to build an office in Glens Falls allows for a company expansion.

For StoredTech owner Mark Shaw, it marks yet more growth since the company was founded in 2010 as a managed services provider.

“There is an immediate need for more office space as we continue to rapidly expand office operations to support local growth, as well as growth outside our region,” said Shaw.

Business Report: Bank Resources For Entrepreneurs

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

Marc Monahan, is Glens Falls-based vice president of commercial banking for NBT Bank.

By Marc Monahan

With spring at hand, now is a great time to start thinking about new opportunities. As entrepreneurs think about starting or growing their businesses, often the first task that needs to be addressed is funding—whether it’s for new office space, investment in equipment, operating cash, payroll, marketing, or any other aspect of running a business.

Here is some guidance:

1. Use the area’s great resources for entrepreneurs. Banks work closely with and refer many small business customers to work with economic development corporations in the Saratoga region, including the New York Business Development Corp., Empire State Certified Development Corp., and SCORE.

ARCA Ink Grew From A Basement Business Into A Thriving Shop In South Glens Falls

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

ARCA Ink, a screen-printing and embroidery business, started in a basement. Owners Wendy LaFountain-Chadwick and her husband Robert Chadwick now have a store in South Gllens Falls.

By Maureen Werther

In 2008, Robert Chadwick decided to join his wife, Wendy LaFountain-Chadwick, in ARCA Ink, her screen-printing and embroidery business.

She began the company seven years before, first operating from the family’s basement, then in 2013 relocating into a rental space.

Wendy LaFountain-Chadwick has been involved with screen-printing for more than 32 years and, according to her husband/business partner, she is known as one of the best screen printers in the area.

LaFountain-Chadwick seems to embody the adage, “do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” As a team, the pair have steadily grown their business and are currently looking for an inside sales person and another printer.

Business Report: What About Last-Minute Schedule Pay?

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

Michael Billok is a member of Bond, Schoeneck & King, Saratoga Springs office.

By Michael Billok

You just started your own small business. Congratulations. Maybe it’s a delivery service, a retail store or a carwash. Regardless of what it is, you’ve learned the hard way how difficult it is to be an employer.

You’ve arranged for workers compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, payroll tax withholding, work authorization verification, and a host of other regulatory requirements. Well, get ready for one more: scheduling requirements for employees that, if not met, will significantly impact your payroll.

Currently, there is only one “call-in” pay requirement: non-exempt employees who are called in to work for something that isn’t quite their regular shift are currently entitled to call-in pay equal to: (1) the lesser of four hours of pay at the minimum wage or (2) pay for the number of hours in the regularly-scheduled shift at the minimum wage, whichever is greater.

Landscaping Outside, Interiorscaping, Creates A Property That Has Appeal And Functionality

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

This is an example of interior landscaping, a specialty of Lanette Akerson, owner of the Plant Doctor.

By Maureen Werther

With the onset of spring, Landscaping companies are gearing up for what usually is a busy work season.

Jim O’Keeffe, owner of Pure Perfection Landscaping and Services in Hudson Falls, is focusing on spring cleanup, lawn de-thatching and core aeration, clearing out debris left by winter winds and storms, and generally preparing lawns and garden areas for the warmer weather.

O’Keeffe said his main focus is residential properties and he works with both homeowners and developers to create outdoor landscaping that enhances the look of the property and expands the living space for homeowners during the warmer months.

Real Estate Agents Optimistic About Markets For Commercil And Residential Properties

April 12, 2018April 13, 2018

Susan Kassal of All-American Properties says updated three-bedroom homes are in demand.
Courtesy All-American Properties

By Rachel Phillips

Warren County is facing a shortage of inventory in real estate, local agents say.

Despite that, agents said the markets for both residential and commercial real estate are strong and buyers and sellers alike have a positive outlook.

Nicholas Ketter of Levack Real Estate in Glens Falls said the commercial market is strong, but while some aspects of the market are trending nicely, others have remained flat.

“There is strong interest to invest in the apartment market right now,” said Ketter.