Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets have announced the closure of their merger announced earlier this year.

Under the terms of the agreement, anniunced Nov. 8, the two companies will be managed locally by their respective leaders and continue to be referred to by their established brand identities, but will be owned and overseen by a new parent company, Northeast Grocery Inc. Scott Grimmett, current president and CEO of Price Chopper/Market 32, will lead the new parent company.

He will also serve on its board of directors as will Frank Curci, former Tops Markets chairman and CEO.

The agreement virtually doubles the two independent chains’ collective footprint in the Northeast, with a total of nearly 300 stores. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re appreciative of the FTC’s diligence in reviewing this merger and grateful to have received all of the necessary approvals,” said Grimmett. “Now, we can dedicate ourselves to bringing these two storied grocery chains together, leveraging best practices, developing new opportunities and finding efficiencies that will help us continue to deliver distinctive shopping experiences,”

The regulatory review process by the FTC mandates the divestiture of 12 of the combined companies’ stores, all Tops locations. Food distributor C&S Wholesale Grocers has been approved to purchase all 12 stores, which will be operated by GU Markets LLC, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers. C&S will continue to recognize the union workforce at these locations.

“We believe that this merger will be a positive for our membership, preserving union jobs and strengthening the company’s prospects into the foreseeable future,” said Frank DeRiso, president of the UFCW Local One. “We are pleased that we have an agreement with the new owner and they are committed to retaining all of the existing union jobs and contracts. This merger will benefit both consumers and union members.”

By Christine Graf

Pilot Knob Marina, one of the oldest marinas on Lake George, was purchased by Massachusetts healthcare software company owner, John Donnelly and his wife, Christine.

The marina is located in Pilot Knob while the sales outlet is located at 655 Route 149 in Lake George.

Donnelly said he has always been drawn to boating. At one time, he and his wife owned a home on Harris Bay. His father also lived in Lake George for 20 years.

“I’ve been around boats my whole life. I’ve sailed. I’ve done ocean racing. I’ve done powerboating. Being around boats is really a passion of mine,” he said. “My wife and I have been talking about buying a marina for a number of years, and we aren’t getting any younger and are in our 50s.”

When the opportunity arose to purchase Pilot Knob Marina from Nick Barber and Mike Smith, the Donnelly’s jumped at the opportunity. Barber and Smith operated the 99-year-old marina since 1986. Pilot Knob is a Chaparral boat and Arctic Cat power-sports dealer.

“It’s a great little marina that’s got a big heart and a lot of potential,” said Donnelly. “They aren’t allowing any more marinas on the lake, so you’ve got this gem that’s been there since 1922. They (Barber and Smith) owned it for 35 years, and it was time for them to pass the baton. I promised them I would keep the torch lit.”

By Christine Graf

Less than one month after celebrating the 100th anniversary of Minogue’s Beverage Center, owner John Minogue sold his business to  brothers Jeff and Paul Vukelic, owners of Saratoga Eagle.

The decision to sell was a difficult one for Minogue, and Jeff first approached him about purchasing the business about 16 months ago.

“When I was first approached by Jeff about the possibility, I was in a position where I really didn’t have a succession plan but I wasn’t totally committed to selling the business at that time,” said Minogue. “It ended up making a lot of sense to me. Selling my business after having been in it myself for fifty-five years was a personal thing for me. There’s a lot of family history, and I’ve had some emotional feelings about the business leaving the family but there really weren’t any options for me.”

Minogue and Vukelic have known each other for many years, and Minogue’s has been one of Saratoga Eagle’s largest customers. Minogue and the Vukelic brothers have much in common, and both operate family businesses that were established by their bootlegger grandfathers in the 1920s.

“I know the business will be well taken care by selling to Jeff,” said Minogue. “They are a class operation.”

According to Jeff Vukelic, he has always respected the way in which Minogue operated his business. It was because he knew that none of Minogue’s children were interested in taking over the business that he asked Minogue if he would consider selling it to him.

The Arts District of Glens Falls is making progress with its multifaceted launch of an arts trail stretching from the Chapman Historical Museum to the Hyde Collection Art Museum and Historic Home.

Plans include banners, bike racks, sidewalk stamps and public art to connect the 10 arts destinations and 14 arts organizations that comprise the Arts District.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for elements of the arts trail.

Bright blue bicycle-shaped bike racks will be placed at the 10 arts destinations, and  opportunities are still available. Sponsor names will be integrated into the wheel of the bike. The cost is $750 per bike rack for a two-year sponsorship, or $1500 per bike rack for a ten-year sponsorship.

There will also be a large Adirondack chair placed at the roundabout.

People who donate $100 can become an official Arts Hero. The Arts District is sending out pins to each Arts Hero who donates $10 or more to 10 different arts organizations in Glens Falls, including the Arts District of Glens Falls, in the year 2021. Donations are tax-deductible.

Donations can be made online at www.artsdistrictgf.com/hero.

“Wear it with pride. Your pinholder status means that we will email you our monthly Arts Bulletins and it earns you access to special privileges, deals and sneak peeks with Arts District organizations,” said Bethanie Lawrence, executive director of the World Awareness Children’s Museum and part of the Arts District of Glens Falls.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Jade Leonbruno says  working alongside her sister, running her own business, is like a dream. But today, that’s what she is doing.

She operates Nash Beauty Bar at 125 Main St. in South Glens Falls. It is a one-stop shop for hair and skin care.

Leonbruno said after working in a chain hair salon business for 11 years, she was ready for a change. When the opportunity presented itself, she decided to take a leap of faith.

“I love what I do. I love making people feel happy and most of all I love being free to be as creative as I have grown to be.⁣ I  want to set new limits and push myself to grow … I always knew I wanted to evolve as a hairstylist in one way or another. This opportunity came up and I ran with it,” she said.

The business offers a wide variety of  hair and skin care services, specializing in “lived in” colors such as balayages, foilayage and babylights. She also does haircuts, styling, Olaplex treatments, teeth whitening, body sculpting, lash lifts and tints, body waxing, and facials. They also provide high-end sculpting services such as radio frequency skin tightening and ultrasonic cavatation.

Leonbruno works as the beauty bar’s hair expert  while her sister, Gennah, a licensed esthetician, provides the facial and body skin care services. It is a partnership that she said makes work that much more enjoyable.

Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore, was honored by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce as the recipient of the 2021 S.T.A.R. Award.

Also, Sandy DeKleine, Diamond Point resident and former receptionist of the Lake George Chamber, was honored with the Sapphire Award.

The awards were presented at the chamber annual dinner in October at the Queensbury Hotel.

STAR stands for Supporting Tourism Around the Region.

The Sapphire Award was established in 2017 at the Chamber’s 65th Sapphire Anniversary Gala to honor a “gem” in the community.

“I am extremely grateful and humbled by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors decision to present me with the STAR Award,” said Moore. “Tourism is crucial to ensuring Warren County’s economy is strong and that the quality of life for our residents and tourists is vibrant. 

Officials said Moore was selected for leading the effort to get the hospitality businesses open successfully throughout the pandemic while navigating the state restrictions and changing guidelines.

“His leadership and collaborative spirit have continued throughout 2021 to procure vaccines, provide daily pandemic updates and more, directly impacting the Lake George regional hospitality industry and the overall visitor experience for the thousands of visitors who enjoy Warren County each year,” the Chamber said..