Jake Van Ness, Author at Glens Falls Business Journal

Jake Van Ness

2440 Articles

Katy’s Wine And Whiskey Bar Opening In June On South Street In Glens Falls

March 17, 2026

By Carol Ann Conover

A new chapter is being written for South Street. Katy’s Wine & Whiskey Bar, a sophisticated yet approachable destination for wine lovers, whiskey enthusiasts and anyone seeking an elevated evening out, is expected to open in June at 46 South St., in a building dating to the 1890s that has been gutted and rehabilitated by developer Chris Patten.

Behind the venture are two partners who bring complementary strengths: Bill Dingman, a two-decade veteran of the Glens Falls restaurant industry, and Katie Foster, a local real estate agent and wife of the building’s developer. Together, they are betting that the momentum building along South Street is ready to support something new — a bar that is refined without being pretentious, social without being rowdy.

For Dingman, the opening carries personal significance. He got his start in the industry at 14 at the Lake George Pancake House and went on to spend eight years as general manager of Bistro Tallulah — a restaurant he credits as one of the catalysts for the revitalization of the Glens Falls dining scene. He has since managed Morgan and Company, Raul’s Mexican Grill, Craft on 9 and Forged, among others.

“Bistro Tallulah was one of the catalysts for sort of the revitalization of Glens Falls, of the Renaissance of the dining scene in the area,” Dingman said. “I was at the beginning of what felt like a real revitalization — and to now be opening an establishment of my own right here in this downtown setting is a bit of a full-circle moment.”

This is Dingman’s first ownership stake after 20 years in the industry. He will continue in his current role as district operations manager at Spot Coffee while the restaurant ramps up, with his responsibilities expected to evolve as Katy’s finds its footing.

Lake George Regional CVB Posts Record 2025 Results, Boosts Shoulder-Season Demand

March 17, 2026

The Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, the group-business marketing arm of Warren County and the Lake George Area, reported its 2025 year-end results, citing gains in sales activity, digital engagement, room nights and estimated economic impact.

Performance indicators presented at the most recent Occupancy Tax Committee meeting show the bureau exceeded annual targets for lead generation, booked business and economic impact.

In 2025 year-to-date results, the bureau reported 196 leads generated and 127 confirmed bookings, representing 41,485 booked attendees and 33,701 room nights. The bureau estimated the booked business generated $53 million in economic impact.

On the digital side, the bureau reported 155,112 website visits to MeetLakeGeorge.com and 4,984 total social media followers.

Data shared by Warren County Tourism showed strengthening across hotel and short-term rental markets in 2025, particularly outside peak summer months. Hotel occupancy improved to about 54% in 2025. Short-term rental revenue increased more than 8% year over year, with low-season short-term rental revenue rebounding close to 18% after a decline the previous year. Short-term rental bed tax collections rose from $2.26 million in 2024 to $2.45 million in 2025.

According to Visa Analytics, 45% of visitor spending in 2025 occurred during shoulder-season months, matching peak-season performance.

“These results reflect the strategic, intentional work of our team to attract business that supports a year-round tourism economy,” said Gina Mintzer, Executive Director of the Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau. “By focusing on meetings, sports, and group travel, we’re driving meaningful economic impact while supporting partners during shoulder seasons.”

WCLDC And EDC Release Schedule For March Board And Committee Meetings

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026 – WCLDC Audit & Finance Committee Meeting to be held in person at 11 South Street, Suite, 201, Glens Falls at 1:00 p.m. March 19, 2026 – WCLDC Monthly Board of Directors Meeting to be held in person at 11 South Street, Suite 201, Glens Falls at 11:00 p.m. March 19,...

Habitat For Humanity Expands Efforts To Address Regional Housing Shortage

March 17, 2026

Sharon Horton (center), Executive Director, leads Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
Glens Falls Business Journal

By Ann Donnelly

When Sharon Horton took over as executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties in June 2025, she brought extensive nonprofit experience and a deeply personal understanding of the power of homeownership. Today, she is leading the organization through a critical period of expansion to address a severe regional housing shortage.

The need for affordable housing in the area is dire. According to Horton, “Warren County’s overall housing vacancy rate is 3.6%, and the rental vacancy rate is an exceptionally low 0.4%, well below the 5% threshold that signals a housing shortage. Nearly 47% of renter households in the county are cost-burdened, and affordable rentals priced at levels accessible to minimum-wage workers are almost nonexistent.”

“The Warren County Housing Needs Study identifies significant gaps for households earning 0–50% and 50–80% AMI, particularly those seeking affordable starter homes and ownership opportunities below $300,000,” Horton shared. “These shortages are especially acute in communities outside Queensbury and Glens Falls. Also in Hudson Falls in Washington County. The combination of near-zero vacancy, long waiting lists, rapid absorption, and rising costs demonstrates a clear and urgent unmet need for affordable homeownership opportunities in our region.”

To address the crisis, Horton is leaning into Habitat’s core purpose, “to bring people together to build communities, homes, and hope.”

Her path to Habitat was shaped by personal adversity and a strong desire to serve. Horton began her career as a general manager in the hospitality industry before transitioning into nonprofit work with the American Cancer Society in Florida, the American Heart Association in New York and later serving as statewide executive director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Sales Director Builds Business Through Community Ties At Saratoga Casino Hotel

March 17, 2026

By Ann Donnelly

Colleen Carlson’s career at Saratoga Casino Hotel began long before the property added a luxury hotel, a premier steakhouse or a busy casino floor. At 15, Carlson sold race programs at the harness track where her mother also worked. Today, as director of sales, she oversees a thriving corporate and events business built on the property’s decades of expansion.

“I have a long history here,” Carlson said. “I started here when I was 15 years old, selling programs. I moved up the line and worked in the press box, doing all sorts of interesting things. It’s like home to me being here.”

The property’s evolution has reshaped Carlson’s sales portfolio. Years ago, the on-site restaurant Fortune’s regularly hosted 350 guests for lunch and dinner. Today it operates exclusively as a private-event space, reflecting the venue’s broader focus on large-scale hospitality.

“Through the whole changeover of getting a hotel, casino, it’s been a great ride,” Carlson said. “When we got the hotel, it made it more interesting. It really ramped up everything.”

Carlson now oversees multiple event spaces across the Saratoga Casino Hotel campus, including conference rooms, a ballroom, Morton’s The Steakhouse and the Vapor nightclub. A standout venue is The Lodge at Nelson and Crescent avenues, featuring a dark green exterior and Adirondack-style woodwork. A large tent installed on a stamped-concrete slab outside The Lodge allows the property to host larger weddings and galas.

A Leading Advocate Of The Arts In Glens Falls Is Honored With J. Walter Juckett Award

March 17, 2026

Dr. Jacquiline Touba, the founding director of the World Awareness Children’s Museum, stands in front of an exhibit on Thailand, one of many depicting art and culture around the globe.
Glens Falls Business Journal

By Rod Bacon

Dr. Jacquiline S. Touba, the founding director of the World Awareness Children’s Museum, was the recipient earlier this month of the 37th J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award.

It was presented at the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on March 6 at the Sagamore Resort in Lake George.

“Even though I got the award it really belongs to so many people who have participated and supported the museum over the years,” said Dr. Touba. “Some have served on the board of directors, others have volunteered. They’ve helped in so many ways to make it a success.”

A precursor to the museum was the International Arts and Culture Association, established in 1985 to formalize participation by a group of community arts leaders in the International Festival of the Adirondacks. In 1988 the group started the International Youth Art Exchange to share children’s artwork from around the world. In 1995 they applied for a charter for a museum, which absorbed the assets of the association. After years of moving from place to place the board of directors was able to purchase the building at 89 Warren Street, where the museum is currently housed.

East End Rising Effort Advances With Survey On Glens Falls Revitalization

March 17, 2026

By Paul Post

Plans call for a survey of residents, business owners, developers and lenders as a next step in long-range efforts to revitalize the City of Glens Falls’ East End.

The area encompasses roughly four square miles from Ridge Street east to the Queensbury town line and from Dix Avenue south to the Hudson River.

An East End Rising steering committee is seeking inclusion in the state’s Brownfield Opportunity Area program, which would open the door to a variety of funding and technical assistance.

The panel held its second meeting March 5 at Abraham Wing Elementary School with about three dozen residents on hand.

The survey seeks to obtain input from a cross section of stakeholders about ways the East End could be improved.

Committee members also plan to make a walking tour of sites considered prime for economic development. Several parcels have more than 3 acres each, and more than 6,000 cars per day travel both Dix Avenue and Warren Street.

The East End has an eclectic mix of single-family, multifamily, small retail and old industrial buildings spread across deep-rooted ethnic neighborhoods comprised largely of descendants of Irish and Italian immigrants.

The East End also has the greatest concentration of arts venues in the city, from the renowned Hyde Museum to Troy Shirt Factory, which is home to dozens of arts studios and craft vendors.

The Hyde’s Chief Executive Officer John Lefner said Glens Falls may have the “strongest small-city arts and culture sector in the country.”

Washington County Pursues Economic Growth After Loss Of Major Employer

March 17, 2026

By Paul Post

Washington County officials are pursuing several efforts to strengthen the local economy, from industrial development to tourism initiatives tied to America 250.

But the county faces one overriding challenge.

“The loss of our single largest employer, Great Meadow prison, continues to impact the local economy,” said Laura Oswald, county director of economic development. “We are currently working on several initiatives that aim to foster the growth of private-sector industries to mitigate the loss of 659 public-sector jobs as well as working with the state to find possible solutions for redevelopment of the site.”

“The governor has proposed a constitutional amendment that would facilitate redevelopment of prisons within Forest Preserve communities, but unfortunately Great Meadow is not among those proposed for inclusion, which severely limits redevelopment options.”

County officials recently secured approval from Empire State Development to establish a land bank.

A land bank allows the county to acquire, manage and return distressed, county-owned or donated properties to productive use, reducing blight, stabilizing property values and creating opportunities for housing and community development.

The program would not apply to Great Meadow but could help revitalize other sites throughout the county.

“A land bank allows us to turn challenges into opportunities and position our county for sustainable growth,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Henke of Argyle.

Lake George Protection Efforts Could Spark New North Country Industries

March 17, 2026

A sweeping view of Lake George highlights the natural resource that Warren County leaders say could help spur new North Country industries tied to water quality, invasive species control and sustainability.
Courtesy EDC

By Paul Post

Eurasian milfoil, a harmful aquatic invasive species, might have a new use as compost or an ingredient in fertilizer.

Trucks could be modified with a device that works with brine and rock salt to reduce the amount of salt on highways that impacts lakes and streams.

These are just two examples of potential business opportunities that would support ongoing efforts to protect the North Country’s natural resources.

“We should launch companies here that know how to do those things,” said Jim Siplon, president of the Warren County Economic Development Corporation. “You’ll never site an Amazon distribution center in the Adirondack Park. What we have to do is, beyond tourism, what are things we can invest in that will bring economic value and be aligned with the values of the park. Launching industry around protecting natural resources and having it based here is one of those things.”

The EDC is collaborating with other entities such as RPI, the Darrin Fresh Water Institute and the Lake George Association to develop ideas that could be presented to the state for economic development.

At present, there are 16 different clusters, such as financial services, green energy and chip manufacturing, that the state has identified for investment and to attract companies to launch and conduct business in those fields.

SEDC Spurs Major Capital Investment And Thousands Of New Jobs In Region

March 17, 2026

By Paul Post

Saratoga Economic Development Corp. continued to play a huge role in facilitating major capital investment, leading to thousands of new jobs throughout the area during the past year.

One of the most notable achievements is Regeneron pharmaceutical company’s $2 billion plan to transform the former 1 million-square-foot Quad/Graphics facility in Grande Industrial Park into a large manufacturing site.

Plans call for 1,000 full-time jobs and 500 temporary construction jobs over the next five years.

Other capital projects include, but are not limited to:

· The $48.5 million Coca-Cola investment in Halfmoon, retaining 127 full-time jobs while creating 11 new jobs and 95 temporary construction jobs.

· The $166 million 146 Marketplace investment in Halfmoon, the largest mixed-use project of 2025, calling for a blend of commercial, retail and residential uses with the potential for 385 professional, skilled and semiskilled new full-time jobs and 250 temporary construction jobs.

· In Wilton, the $52 million Wilton Commons mixed-use project is one of two health care facilities enabled in the last 18 months that will address the unmet health care needs of residents in northern Saratoga, southern Warren, Washington, eastern Montgomery and Fulton counties. It is also creating 127 residential units that address much-needed workforce housing.

· In addition, substantial investments in distribution, logistics, warehousing and workforce housing projects have been made in Clifton Park and Stillwater.