Month: October 2021

Business Report: Preserving Vacation Home For Future Generations

October 18, 2021

David Kubikian is a principal with Herzog Law Firm in Saratoga Springs.
Courtesy Herzog Law

By David A. Kubikian, Esq.

When people own something of sentimental value, they are sometimes unsure of how to pass it down to their family for future generations to enjoy. This is especially the case with a vacation home or camp that has been in the family for years.

Example: You own a beach or lake-front vacation home for years in a now sought-after area. You have seen your children (and grandchildren) grow up there and recall memories of watching sunsets over the water, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and teaching the kids how to swim. It may be difficult to think that this home will be sold out of the family when you die and would like to preserve it for enjoyment of generations to come.

How can you best insure this property will be there for future generations to enjoy (and at times cohabitate), as your family tree grows or in future after your passing?

Who will be responsible for paying the Insurance? Taxes? Repairs? Maintenance? Fees?

Who decides which family members or friends use it and when?

What impact would future divorces or bankruptcies have on the property?

How can you protect the property from a Medicaid spend down?

Commercial Real Estate Market Declines As Pandemic Reigns, But Optimism Exists

October 18, 2021

Howard Denison, associate broker at DeMarsh Real Estate in Glens Falls.

By Christine Graf

Unlike the residential real estate market which has boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the commercial real estate market has experienced a significant decline, according to those in the industry.

The demand for commercial space has been impacted by pandemic-related business closures and the changing demographic of the workforce. According to a Gallup poll, 72 percent of white-collar workers were still working remotely in May 2021.

Many companies are expected to switch to a hybrid model or to allow employees to continue working exclusively from home after the pandemic ends. If this happens, the demand for commercial office space could drop significantly.

The pandemic also led to a dramatic increase in Ecommerce, which was already a threat to brick and mortar retailers who now fear that consumer behaviors that changed during the pandemic may become permanent. A record number of stores closed in the U.S. in 2020 leaving 159 million square feet of retail space vacant.

Despite these concerns, Howard Denison, associate broker at DeMarsh Real Estate in Glens Falls, said the local commercial real estate is rebounding after being “under the weather” for the past year.

He has been working in real estate for 31 years and attributes much of the recovery to the Route 9 sewer project in Moreau. The addition of a municipal sewer system in the town’s commercial corridor is expected to lead to development and economic growth in area where growth had stagnated.

EDC Warren County Disc Golf Tournament Raises Some $10,000 For ‘The Ed’ Fund

October 18, 2021

Hudson Headwaters Health Network team, one of several area businesses entered in the disc golf tournament benefitted the Edward M. Bartholomew, Jr. Memorial Fund.
Courtesy EDC Warren County

The disc golf tournament held by EDC Warren County on Sept. 17 at Crandall Park in Glens Falls raised nearly $10,000 for the newly established Edward M. Bartholomew Jr. Memorial Fund to be used for internships at Warren County nonprofits and small businesses.

The fund is known as The Ed.

“We had such a wonderful event,” said EDC spokesperson Amy Potter. “For the majority of the players, it was their first time trying the sport. We know Ed was proud of this park as it keeps growing, adding a diverse attraction to the city of Glens Falls.

“Thank you to the Crandall Park Beautification Committee, Elizabeth Little Hogan, and her family for tending to the course just hours before tournament time to make sure the players had the best experience. Course steward and co-host Greg Hill from Innova provided the necessary structure to run a successful event while also providing pro tips to the players. We thank all our volunteers, Ed’s family and close friends, and the event sponsors as we look forward to launching the internship program.”

John Gable Opens Edward Jones Financial Office On Main Street In Warrensburg

October 18, 2021

John M. Gable joined Edward Jones Financial after a 30-year career in the IT business.
Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

By Jill Nagy

Good financial advice from an Edward Jones Financial advisor enabled John M. Gable to retire in his 50s after a 30-year career in the information technology business.

Gable is now one of those financial advisors and, three years into his new career, he looks forward to providing the same kind of common sense investment advice to his North Country neighbors from his new office at 3755 Main St., Suite 101, in Warrensburg.

The office is housed in a 200-year-old building that was, according to Gable, previously many things including a grocery store, a pharmacy, an interior decorator’s shop and a purveyor of rustic handmade furniture.

The Edward Jones Investments office is located on the first floor of the building.

Now, after a $100,000 facelift, the building houses Warrensburg’s first financial advisor.

Although he lives in Lake George, Gable said he considers Warrensburg “kind of my home town.”

The office was located in Queensbury while the renovation work went on. In Warrensburg, “there is a lot of really good positive energy flowing through here,” he said, as well as “pockets of wealth” ready to benefit from his guidance.

New Farm-To-Table Restaurant, Mint, Is On Its Way To Downtown Glens Falls

October 18, 2021

Construction continues on a new restaurant, Mint, on Warren Street in Glens Falls.

By Jill Nagy

Mint, a new farm-to-table restaurant at 80 Warren St. in Glens Falls, will be the latest addition to the vibrant downtown center.

The eatery will feature organic or sustainably farmed ingredients and crafted cocktails—“inspired plates and crafted potions,” according to owner Johanna von Geldern.

Plans to open in October have been postponed while von Geldern awaits delivery of windows. “You can’t do indoor work without windows,” she said. She is looking now at a late November or early December opening.

Von Geldern was the owner and operator of Sweet Beet Bistro in Cambridge for almost six years, but both the town and the space were too small to sustain a viable restaurant business, she said. She received good reviews and had a cadre of enthusiastic customers, many of whom traveled long distances to eat at Sweet Beet.

However, there was no space for outside dining and only eight tables inside. There was also no room for a bar and lunch business was sparse, she said. Then there were limitations imposed by the COVID pandemic.

“It was a heart-wrenching decision,” to close Sweet Beet Bistro, she said.

Business Briefs: October 2021

October 18, 2021

Cool Insuring Arena and Adirondack Thunder announced their protocols for the 2021-22

The Adirondack Thunder will not permit more than 5,000 fans inside the arena for any game. Fully vaccinated guests are recommended to wear a facial covering. Unvaccinated guests are required to wear a facial covering at all times except when actively eating or drinking.

In the event of a COVID-positive guest is found to be at a game, the team will work with Warren County health officials to notify all attendees of such a result.

Smoking will not be permitted inside or outside the arena during the season. Re-entry will not be permitted.

Guests will not be permitted to enter or exit through the Oakland Avenue entrance nearest to Glen Street. Guests will not be permitted at any time to gather near the Adirondack Thunder locker room or any of the locker room areas.

Only authorized, credentialed personnel will be permitted inside the ECHL established “hockey operations” area for the season.

“We understand that this season will be unique and potentially challenging for our players, staff, and our fans,” said a team statement. “We pride ourselves on being a community-minded team. Our players take pride in being close to our fans; being at community and school events, signing autographs, and being a part of our community”

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The Adirondack Stampede Rodeo is coming to Cool Insuring Arena for the 30th year on Nov. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m.

With rodeo action enhanced by a professionally produced sound show, the Adirondack Stampede offers a two-hour performance with hardcore competition and a show for all ages to enjoy.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. each night. The rodeo performance begins at 7:30 p.m. All spectators party at 10 p.m. in Heritage Hall on both Friday and Saturday nights. Party admission is $2 per person.

Ticket prices start at $20 for adults and $12 for youth and seniors. Group discounts are available by calling the box office at 518-798-0202. They are available through the SeatGeek Box Office at Cool Insuring Arena or via www.coolinsuringarena.com.

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Glens Falls Hospital has been recognized on the Forbes list of Best-In-State Employers 2021 as one of the best places to work in New York.

This award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., a leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

America’s Best-In-State Employers 2021 were identified in an independent survey based on a vast sample of approximately 80,000 Americans working for companies with more than 500 employees in the U.S. Across 25 industry sectors, 1,329 employer brands were ranked among the top employers. Brands were able to win in more than one state.

The evaluation was based on direct and indirect recommendations from employees who were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Employees were also asked to evaluate other employers in their respective industry and state that stood out either positively or negatively.

Glens Falls Hospital is the only hospital in the Capital Region to achieve the award and was ranked number 12 among all hospitals in the state.

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Officials Hope ‘Ice Castles’ Tourist Attraction Helps Businesses Stay Open In Winter

October 18, 2021

Ice Castles CEO Kyle Standifird announces details of the new tourist attraction to open in Lake George this winter, as local elected officials and tourism leaders look on.
Courtesy Lake George Chamber of Commerce

The Lake George Chamber of Commerce says the winter of 2021-22 promises to be unlike no other in the area as a new venture—Ice Castles—brings its display of sculptures, caverns, ice slides, lighting and more to Charles Wood Park’s Festival Space.

The new winter event that has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to numerous communities around the country, officials said, with ice displays that feature LED lights that change color.

Lake George will be its sixth location in the United States, joining sites in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Utah and Colorado.

The event was formally introduced at a news conference on Oct. 5.

“We are excited to bring the magic of Ice Castles to Lake George this winter,” said Ice Castles CEO Kyle Standifird. “Our mission is to create a fun and safe outdoor experience where people can escape from the hustle of daily life for a moment and step into a frozen fairy-tale world.”

Ice Castles is scheduled to open in Festival Commons in Lake George in early January, with the opening date dependent on weather conditions, officials said. It will combine with Lake George Winter Carnival and Lake George Winterfest.

Local officials hope the new event has a major impact on extending the tourism season into thew winter, helping local businesses.