By Ann Donnelly
Supporting the businesses of South Glens Falls and the town of Moreau, the South Glens Falls Chamber of Commerce started meeting again in February.
Over the time of the pandemic, many of the existing board members retired and decided not to participate any longer.
“While this slowed starting the Chamber back up, it has provided an opportunity to bring on board fresh faces,” said Cheryl Lawyer, director of marketing and outreach at the Moreau Community Center who is now president of the Chamber.
“We were motivated to keep going by the amount of community interest in the concert series. The free Concert in the Park series will take place in the village’s historic Park Pavilion on Saturdays from 5-7 p.m., July 1, through Aug. 19. The concerts give people a reason to cross the bridge and see what South Glens Falls offers,” she said.
The local chamber is a way for businesses and other organizations to network and work together to benefit themselves and the community.
Other officers are Patty Van Dyke, vice president, and Kathy Scherer, secretary.
The village of South Glens Falls is known for its high community support for charitable causes, like the annual South High Marathon Dance, which has raised over $10 million from the 46 dances held over the years.
An event of this magnitude requires skilled organization and collaboration from all corners of the community: school and school district staff, students and their families, local government and local businesses. This type of collaboration has proved to be an asset for companies that start up in South Glens Falls.
An example of this is the success of Common Roots Brewery and how the business came back after a devastating fire in 2019.
“It is part of our ethos to be part of the community,” said Christian Weber, who founded Common Roots with his father, Bert. Looking for a space in the Saratoga and Glens Falls area they found the former Overhead Door building on Saratoga Avenue in South Glens Falls.
“We knew that South Glens Falls is a big corridor between Glens Falls and Saratoga … It fit everything we were looking for,” he said.
When Common Roots opened in December 2014, it became a favorite of locals. Also, it attracted beer lovers from further afield and the space needed to be larger. They acquired an apartment building next door to expand the taproom, add a kitchen, and expand the brewery.
“We had dug the foundation, but the fire was the day before the cement was to be poured,” Weber said. Even with a devastating loss, the Webers barely skipped a beat, opening a temporary facility to continue. “The community got together and did all of these fundraisers for our staff. We were able to keep our staff completely whole. Six brewers were doing the work of one brewer. It was important to keep them in work.”
In June 2020, Common Roots moved back into a rebuilt state-of-the-art brewery and expanded taproom at its original location. And, across the road from the main facility, construction is in process for a new warehouse with room to expand, maybe as soon as July.
Humbled by the experience, the Webers created the Common Roots Foundation. It gives out close to $50,000 annually for community projects and organizes fundraising events.
Common Roots owners were also looking to expand into the Capital District. Earlier this year, they came to an agreement with Neil Evans, owner of C.H. Evans brewery in Albany, about acquiring the business. It will give Common Roots a presence in the Capital District, in the historic Pump House facility, and C.H. Evans beers will be added to their brands.
Kingpin’s Alley Family Fun Center is another successful South Glens Falls-based business expanding into the Capital District. In January, owners Doug and Alison Bohannon purchased Spare Time Entertainment in Latham from its owner Bowl New England.
In 2013, the Bohannons saw an opportunity to purchase the lanes in South Glens Falls. In addition to success with bowling leagues, Kingpin’s Alley hosts four high schools during the bowling season and many fundraisers throughout the year.
“Our whole goal around here is to keep people in the village. I am not a resident of the village, but there is a ton of potential here,” says Bohannon. ”After the pandemic, bowling is a great way for people to congregate, with friends, family. It’s wholesome, and it’s fun. People don’t need to go all the way up to Lake George.”
The food menu was also upgraded.
Bohannon brings some prominent national bowling tournaments to the village, like in 2021 when the Professional Women’s Bowling Association held its Albany Open.
In 1985, Gay Congdon opened Fantasy Fitness Salon in South Glens Falls’ Midtown Shopping Center and became one of the first gyms to offer strength training specifically for women. After a rebrand with a move further south down Saratoga Avenue and a few ownership changes, Kathy Scherer took over the business in 2014, and it is still going strong today as Go-For Fitness.
“Most of our customers are from South Glens Falls. We pride ourselves on our welcoming, non-judgemental atmosphere and on being able to help people of all ages,” said Scherer.
“Our staff of six talented and dedicated women makes the gym the success it is today. Everyone who works at Go-For Fitness has nationally recognized certifications to ensure that we provide safe and effective exercise programs and classes.”
South Glens Falls’ location, just over the bridge from downtown Glens Falls, in Saratoga County, yet adjacent to Warren and Washington counties, benefits those doing business in those three counties.
While the availability and price of suitable commercial property are common factors attracting business, the infrastructure is also improving. Soon the work at the newly designed Northway Exit 17 will be completed, and, according to Mark LeVack of LeVack Realty, “The new sewer line coming is a very attractive infrastructure improvement that will no doubt lead to more growth and development on Route 9 in South Glens Falls.”