Jake Van Ness, Author at Glens Falls Business Journal

Jake Van Ness

2231 Articles

Personnel Briefs – June 2018

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

Thomas K. Flaherty of T.K Flaherty Associates in Queensbury, has received accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA) as a certified public infrastructure inspector (CPII) as well as certification at Level I in underground utilities construction, water and sewer lines by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET).

NICET certification is based on successfully passing an exam demonstrating requisite knowledge, experience and work performance as set forth by the institute. NICET is a division of the national Society of Professional Engineers.

Flaherty has over 50 years of experience in the public utility construction field, including the development of the Queensbury Water System for the town of Queensbury when he served as the town water superintendent.

He is the founder and President of T.K. Flaherty Associates with offices in Queensbury, and Bellwood, Ala. Flaherty is also an associate of Miller Engineering located in Manlius.

Saunders Gallery Of Fine Art Moves Out Of Shirt Factory Into New Location On Bay St.

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

Saunders Gallery of Fine Art @ bjsartworks has relocated to 119 Bay St. in Glens Falls, a more visible location, within walking distance to downtown.

This decision comes after a two-year search to find a space that fit the vision of artist/owner Bev Saunders.

She plans to focus on the quality picture framing services and original art and design services that have been the most successful for the business.

Saunders operated out of the historic Shirt Factory for more than 10 years.

“It is a bittersweet transition,” she said. “My commitment to the success of the Shirt Factory has been great. I have spent many hours over the years working on shared advertising for our retailers along with the annual Holiday Open House planning committees, to make these events and advertising successful and bring attention to the Shirt Factory.

Former Restaurant In Whitehall, Vacant For Two Years, Will Return With New Ownership

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

From left, Eric Ross, Kathy and Mike Putorti, and Cheryl and Francis Putorti, recently partnered with local investors to purchased the former Roma restaurant site in Whitehall.

By Jill Nagy

Five couples, longtime friends with ties to the Village of Whitehall, have purchased the former Roma Restaurant at 209 Broadway (Route 4) in the village and plan to “reopen the restaurant and give it back to the community,” said one of the new owners, Cheryl Putorti.

The restaurant has had a succession of owners since opening as Roma in 1927 and has been vacant for more than two years.

The property was foreclosed upon and sold at auction for $71,000.

Putorti said she and her friends had been thinking about buying the restaurant for some time, but the asking price was too high. When they heard about the auction, they made up their minds to bid on it. The group was one of two bidders at the auction.

Business Briefs – June 2018

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

To ensure regional access to the broadest array of healthcare services available, Glens Falls Hospital announced in December that they would be selling their renal dialysis service to DCI (Dialysis Clinic, Inc.), the nation’s leading nonprofit dialysis provider.

The hospital officially transferred ownership of its outpatient renal dialysis program on Broad Street in Glens Falls to DCI on June 1, officials said. They do not expect that patients will experience any changes to their treatment schedule during this transition.

The new phone number for DCI is 518-252-0008 and the fax number is 518-252-0016.

Business Report: Cash is King!

June 13, 2018May 22, 2019

Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

Walk into Peter’s Diner in Glens Falls and there is a sign on the register: “In God We Trust, all others pay cash.” You’ve seen it many places. It is an affirmation that you only make money when you have the cash. Peter started the business in 1961 and they still charge a very fair price for their food. They keep prices low by making sure they know what things cost, producing a good value meal for people when they eat. What does it mean in your business?

According to Business Finance Magazine the average invoice is paid in 46 days. Many of your payables are older than that. Add the amount of time that the item stayed on your shelf. When you factor in that most of your suppliers are not quite as lenient as you may be, you may soon run short of your own cash.

You are now a creditor. I define creditor as someone whose memory is better than the debtor. And remember 50% of all businesses failures are directly related to a lack of cash.

Freedom Boat Club Adds To Its Fleet; Expects Its Membership Growth To Continue In 2018

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

In its third year of operation, Freedom Boat Club of Lake George has added two new Sweetwater Premium tritoons and a new Four Winns HD200 deckboat to its fleet.
Courtesy Freedom Boat Club

Freedom Boat Club will soon begin its third season of operation on Lake George after ordering four new boats and substantially increasing its local membership base.

As the concept of membership boating has grown and adoption of the sharing economy has spread with companies like Uber gaining in prevalence, the local Freedom Boat Club franchise has become an attractive option for people looking to enjoy boating.

To help meet the demand, as membership grows, Freedom Boat Club has added to its fleet.

Joining this year is a new Regal 23 OBX, two new Sweetwater Premium tritoons, and a new Four Winns HD200 deckboat.

Bug-U Pest Control Seeks To Expand, Opens An Office On Main Street In Hudson Falls

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

Bug-U Pest Control recently opened this new office at 162 Main St. in Hudson Falls. The expansion allows owner Brent Brewer to hire more staff to serve the growing comminity.
Courtesy Bug-U Pest Control

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Bug-U Pest Control has found a new home in downtown Hudson Falls. Owner Brent Brewer said it was time to move into an actual office space and out of his home, where he was previously located.

As owner and operator of the pest control business, serving both residential and commercial properties, opening the new location on 162 Main St. in Hudson Falls, is something Brewer had been contemplating for a while.

“I am now centrally located, by the park. Hudson Falls is really an area that is growing, especially downtown. There are alot of good things going and the area is really undergoing quite a revitalization. Everyone has been so nice and so welcoming,” said Brewer.

NYS Gives Town $343,000 For Infrastructure Work To Protect Lake George Water Quality

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

New York state has awarded a $343,000 grant to the town of Lake George to repair and upgrade wastewater collection infrastructure and to protect the water quality of Lake George.

The funding is provided through the $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act and is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to improve water quality statewide.

“I enthusiastically supported the Clean Water Infrastructure Act to help small communities that lack sufficient financial resources fund important projects just like this one,” said Sen. Betty Little. “Investing in infrastructure that protects our lakes and rivers has so many benefits and will pay dividends for local residents and bolster our tourism-based economy for many years to come. So many visitors are attracted to our region for the beauty and quality of our waterways.”

Business Report: Good Financial Habits Linked To Happiness

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

David Cumming, senior vice president and financial advisor, Morgan Stanley.

By David L. Cumming

From record-breaking stock market returns to falling unemployment, the U.S. has no shortage of positive economic indicators, and the majority of investors say they feel confident about achieving both their short- and long-term goals, according to the latest Morgan Stanley Investor Pulse Poll, which surveyed more than 1,200 investors age 25 to 75 with over $100,000 in assets.

About one in four (29 percent)—or 36 million—U.S. households fall into this category.

Businesses Should Sit Down With Advisors To Review Portfpolios And Examine Strategies

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018

Dale L. Mullin of Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP in Queensbury.
Courtesy Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP

By Jill Nagy

“More than in recent years, there is a need to take a look at the tax impact” when making investment decisions, said Dale Mullin, a certified financial planner with WDR Financial LLC, and a certified public accountant with the accounting firm of Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP, both located in Queensbury.

New, mostly lower, tax rates and new provisions for tax deductions and credits will have an impact on investments in a business, decisions about taking distributions from taxable retirement accounts and decisions about allocating business proceeds between salary, pass-through income and investment in equities.

Mullin said interest rates are beginning to rise and inflation is becoming a possibility. Those factors might indicate that this is a good time to make investments in equipment in order to lock in lower prices and lower interest rates.