By Paul Post
Gregg Singer and Larissa Ovitt have a vision for what some call the “street of dreams” in the city of Glens Falls.
South Street is called that because it’s a place where people with hope, hard work and some money could earn a slice of American pie.
For many years, those aspirations gave way to a state of dismal decline evidenced by closed, boarded-up storefronts in several buildings. But now there are strong efforts to bring it back to life. Singer and Ovitt are contributing to the rebirth with an ambitious, multi-faceted business plan.
In February, they purchased the building at 58-66 South St. for $325,000. A half-million dollars worth of upgrades later, three new first-floor enterprises are expected to open this summer, with four high-end apartments overhead for short-term rentals.
“We’re sort of a South Street trailblazer by taking on this building and starting it up,” said Singer, a 56-year-old Brooklyn native. “What really attracted us was the upstairs. Glens Falls doesn’t have enough short-term accommodations for people and yet they’re trying to get people to come here. The city is excited that we’re bringing people into town where they’ll go to shops and restaurants, spend money here, maybe visit Lake George and Saratoga, but stay here and really enjoy the Glens Falls for what it is.”
Long-time Glens Falls businessman Thomas O’Neill believes South Street’s resurgence will spread throughout the neighborhood, including Broad Street where his Union Square building with a dozen business tenants is currently for sale.
“I don’t see where there’s any choice,” he said. “They have to expand. There’s only so much that can get built in the city center. Glens Falls has come a long way in the last 20 years.”
He credited the late EDC Warren County director Ed Bartholomew for South Street’s revitalization.
“He understood that the West Side had been neglected forever. His dream with the DRI was to change that. The West Side, South Street in particular, is an important part of the city. If you’re coming in from the Northway, this is the path you take. There needed to be investment on this side of town.”
Singer and Ovitt, a 2003 Lake George High School alum, co-own Empire Rental Group Inc. as well as the new Golden Monkey Lounge, an upscale casual night spot that may open this month at 58 South St. It’s in a space most recently occupied by Glens Falls Bagels.
The interior has been completely overhauled with a modern craft cocktail bar on one side, and a relaxing space with carpeting, couches and ottomans on the other, separated by a wall adorned with books and hanging plants. A new garage-type overhead door has been installed, creating an open-air atmosphere on summer nights. There’s a small stage for live entertainment along with a cozy patio out back.
Plans call for operating 5-11 p.m., Fridays through Tuesdays.
“We want to be open Mondays because not much else is open then,” Singer said. He sees the lounge as an alternative to the somewhat noisy bar scene.
Next door, at a former Off Track Betting space, a tenant plans to run an eco-friendly apothecary-style market offering everything from “green” home cleaning supplies, soaps and detergents to plants, cut flowers and bulk herbs. Customers can buy bottles of supplies and come in to have them refilled, instead of buying new ones, which helps the environment by keeping containers out of the waste stream.
“These items are popular in more urban markets around the country right now, but are still very earth-based, community driven and focused,” Ovitt said. “We’re catering to people who are used to a little bit more metropolitan experience, but still want that really local hometown feel.”
Ovitt said the South Street apartments will have a boutique, hotel-type atmosphere. They may be rented individually or together for large parties such as out-of-town families visiting for a wedding, or people pursuing year-round recreation from skiing to boating on Lake George.
At the south end of the building, plans call for leasing a third storefront where Irish Pizza was previously located. Singer and Ovitt hope to a attract a breakfast, café and sandwich shop owner.
“We’ve installed cabinets and marble counters, all new lighting, electrical and HVAC and given it a new paint job,” Singer said. “The decorative tin siding and ceiling is original. There’s a little patio out back here, too, with a little garden already where they could put bistro tables.”
Ovitt said the three ground-floor businesses and second-story apartments all complement each other. For example, overnight guests may go to the lounge at night, the breakfast spot in morning, and purchase supplies they need at the market.
“All of the spaces sort of fit together,” she said.
The entire structure from 58-66 South St. has been painted white with black trim. “It’s sort of retro, but modern, kind of both,” Singer said. “We’re trying to work with what’s going on with the city, with their plans, and create a space that’s gong to fit with the new project that’s going on across the street.”
Directly opposite, plans call for a new multi-use Market Center pavilion that can host a variety of events throughout the year.
Spring City Development, a subsidiary of Bonacio Construction, has plans for a large commercial-residential structure (69 apartments) where Glens Falls Farmer’s Market is currently located. The building will wrap around the former Sandy’s Clam Bar, which the firm plans to rejuvenate in addition to the former Hot Shots tavern.
Also, a business incubator will be located behind Hot Shots at 36 Elm Street.
Singer and Ovitt believe their venture will benefit greatly as these other South Street projects take shape.
“I remember what South Street used to be when I was a kid,” Ovitt said. “I’ve seen the transformation of downtown and the plans for South Street are extremely encouraging.”
“I’ve always loved to walk through empty spaces,” she said. “I go through and listen to what the building tells me. I know the community so well and know what’s coming. It was sort of a no-brainer in terms of wanting to make it happen and helping the city revitalize that part of town.”
“Glens Falls has some amazing restaurants,” Singer said. “I feel like they’re better than in Saratoga where everything is so fast-paced. Here it feels like they cook with love.”
Singer previously worked in advertising, but decided five years ago to leave New York City and that high-pressured lifestyle behind for a dramatic career change. Moving to the Spa City, he founded Saratoga Property Developers Inc. and began buying up and renovating business and residential sites throughout the Capital District to sell or lease out.
Empire Rental Group, which he co-owns with Ovitt, already has several short-term apartments in Glens Falls, Lake George and Saratoga Springs.
Singer is doing much of the hands-on renovation at South Street himself, while hiring local firms for specialized work. The door is always open, and he always takes time to let people know what’s going on.
“I feel like people in Glens Falls genuinely want to get to know you, they’re interested in who you are,” he said. “I find it really endearing to talk to people here. They honestly care about who you are and what you’re doing.”