By Maureen Werther

Warren County is “successfully growing its tourism economy,” according to Joanne Conley, director of the county’s Tourism Department.

In the last two years, the department completed what she called a “much-needed overhaul,” including increased social media engagement and digital campaigns directed toward a diverse audience.

Conley said that her department has transformed at least six niche-focused print publications into one consolidated and content-rich, year-round travel guide.

She said that her first order of business when she took over the department two years ago was to “find our famous.” She said every vacation destination has something that sets it apart from other locations. She and her staff brainstormed to find a marketing message that would be a cornerstone for years to come.

“The end result was the revelation that the Lake George area is ‘the original vacation,’” said Conley.

“This is the destination that inspired mid-1800s city dwellers to travel by train to the lakes and mountains. This is a branding gold mine that eluded the department for more than 80 years and is the perfect platform for year-round promotion,” said Conley.

This year, Conley’s department launched a responsive, mobile-first website with search engine optimization. The site offers more than just listings. It is based on content people are actively searching for. As a result, Conley said that user sessions in the first five months totaled more than all of 2016. She added that outbound clicks to business partners totaled 205,000. A “book now” button facilitates direct booking with properties that have online booking capabilities.

Warren and Washington counties will get a total of about $9.1 million in grants from New York state to support four essential drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

The funding is part of nearly $44 million allocated by the state in grants to support 24 different projects in the Capital Region. These grants are part of a $255 million statewide investment, funded through New York’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, as well as the new Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program.

In Warren County, the town of Hague will get a $99,000 grant for its water infrastructure project. The cost estimate is $394,000. The village of Lake George will receive a $4.3 million grant that will support a project estimated at $17.1 million.

In Washington County, the county’s Sewer District 2 will get grants for two projects. One grant is $3.7 million toward the project cost of $14.8 million. The district will get another $976,000 grant toward a cost of $3.9 million.

“This unprecedented investment continues New York’s commitment to helping municipalities develop necessary infrastructure to protect our water resources,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “These investments are crucial to supporting the health and safety of our communities, and help lay the foundation for future growth and prosperity in every corner of this great state.”

By Liz Witbeck

Today, thousands of people flock to the area throughout the year, especially during the summer. The Glenmoore Lodge, located on Glen Lake “is the best kept secret around,” said Kerry Smith, who owns it with his wife, Alicia.

“We’re right in the middle of everything. We’re right in between the Great Escape and the shopping outlets, but you wouldn’t know it,” he said.

The lodge, located at 330 Glen Lake Road in Lake George, has been in existence since the 1890s.

The Smiths are originally from Brooklyn. Kerry has a background in hospitality and bartending. He describes himself as a “people person” who was naturally drawn to the industry. Alicia spent her childhood at Glenmoore Lodge. Each summer the family would vacation at the cabins.

“I always thought that I would own it someday,” she said.

That dream came true in 2015, when the Smiths became owners of the property.

The lodge itself is the main facility upon the grounds. There are six rooms available to rent within the lodge. Of the six, two are family suites, each with two large bedrooms. Other rooms include queen or double beds for guests. Each room has a private bath.

The new Southern Adirondack ReStore of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties opened to the general public with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 2

The ReStore, at 1373 Route 9 in Moreau, is the first in the area.

Sustained largely by a team of volunteers, Southern Adirondack ReStore is the Habitat for Humanity-style thrift shop, selling new and lightly used home furnishings, decorative accessories, lighting, appliances, building materials and more.

Donations made by area businesses, decorators, contractors and residents, support the ReStore. Donations go to the store and are tagged for sale. Proceeds of each sale go to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties and its efforts to build and maintain affordable homes.

Through ReStore, Habitat is able to provide affordable home improvement items and furniture to local families, while also diverting usable materials from local landfills each year.

The store is nearly 7,000 square feet.

Adirondack Aquatic Center (AAC) has received its first $1 million pledge from an anonymous donor, marking the largest contribution to date toward the proposed $22 million, 80,000-square-foot facility.

A local group plans to build such a center  along the health and wellness corridor located off of Route 67 in Malta. The property is located across the street from Malta Urgent Care.

“This pledge brings us closer to realizing our dream—to build a state-of-the-art aquatic facility that community members and visitors can utilize for years to come for recreational and wellness, therapeutic and competitive training purposes,” said Kara Haraden, president of the AAC board of directors.

“This $1 million donation will make a big splash in the efforts to build the Adirondack Aquatic Center and bring all of the positive economic impacts it would entail to the town of Malta and to the place where all good things emanate, the 49th State Senate District,” said state Sen. Jim Tedisco.

AAC representatives said an official fundraising campaign will kick off in 2018. The board of directors is seeking both public and private sector funds.

By Liz Witbeck

Feigenbaum Cleaners has moved its downtown Saratoga Springs store to a new location.

It is now at 18 Congress St., on the corner of Congress and Hamilton Streets. Previously they were located on Railroad Place. The new location has more parking.

“Convenience is the number one thing for our customers,” said Todd Feigenbaum, president of the company. “There is plenty of parking. People can park right at the door and come in. This is much easier for people who have their hands full of clothes.”

A grand opening ceremony was held in October.

The company believes that this relocation will be helpful for their customers, and allow them to create a more pleasurable, customer service friendly experience.

Feigenbaum Cleaners operates four locations in total: their original plant in downtown Glens Falls, a Queensbury location at Quaker Plaza; and another location at Wilton Square in Wilton.

Feigenbaum Cleaners is part of the Green Cleaners Council. It utilizes System K4, an ecofriendly, biodegradable dry cleaning service.

The staff at Feigenbaum is equipped to clean just about any material including leather, suede and furs. Items damaged by smoke or fire can cleaned and restored. Customers bring in comforters, bedspreads, cushions, area rugs, and other home items for cleaning.