Category Archives: Business News

By Jennifer Farnsworth 

The 57th Lake George Winter Carnival was one of the best ever for the village, according to Lou Tokos, co-chairman of the event.

The month-long celebration of winter took place each weekend in February and is one of the attractions that brings people to the area in the “off season” away from the summer months when people flock to enjoy the lake.

Lake George is hoping to expand tourism and become a year-round destination.

“The carnival is the engine that fuels the economy during the harsh winter months. Souvenir shops open, restaurants fill up, and the hotels are booked. We have a great crew of people who work tirelessly to make this happen,” said Tokos.

Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, was recently honored during the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) basketball championships at the Times Union Center in Albany.

MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor presented Mintzer with a plaque “in recognition of her many contributions to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and its member schools and student-athletes as host hospitality, hotel and event coordinator for MAAC championships and a key Local Organizing Committee contributor for NCAA Championships bidding and hosting.”  

Mintzer worked on MAAC and NCAA events from 2000 to 2017 during her tenure as the director of sales for the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau.  

Mintzer, who lives in Queensbury, began her position at the Chamber in September.

by Susan E. Campbell

Larry Gonyea traded in a desk job for selling etched glass gifts at his new shop, Adirondack Etching, located at The Shirt Factory.

“I was at Nielsen Media for 17 years, most recently as a systems analyst,” Gonyea said of his former career. “But I always liked working with my hands and making gifts.”

Most gifts were hand-made wood items. Gonyea is a self-described “second generation wood turner,” learning the craft from his father. Woodturning is the art and craft of creating shaped objects on a lathe.

“My father is very good, and I picked up skills from him,” he said.

By Susan E. Campbell

Crafted On The Park is a new retail shop on Main Street enabling 40 different craft vendors from nearby communities to market quality crafts.

The proprietor is Tammy-Lynn Mullen, who opened at 162 Main St. in December. But the business quickly outgrew that space and by early February had moved to the 1,500-square-foot space at 156 Main St. in Hudson Falls.

“So many crafters were interested in joining us,” said Mullen. “Now we have five rooms and the hallways full of crafts of all kinds.” 

By Maureen Werther

The city of Glens Falls is accepting applications for facade improvements to businesses located in the downtown area.

The $100,000 made available for the improvements are part of the $10 million the city received from the state for its Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The money will be awarded to businesses who meet the criteria of the grant.

The deadline to submit applications is April 27 and instructions and applications are available at www.gfdri.org. 

The money will go toward interior and exterior upgrades, which can include window replacement, signs, updating sprinkler systems and other fire suppression systems, fixtures and lighting. The $25,000 limit can only represent 50 percent of the total cost.

Mannix Marketing will be among those  honored with a 2018 Ethics in Business Award (EBA), presented by Adirondack Samaritan Counseling Center in Hudson Falls. 

Mannix, along with Adirondack Technical Solutions in Argyle and Precise Painting and Wallcovering in Hudson Falls will be honored on April 12 at a dinner held at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls.

Established in 2012, the award acknowledges and recognizes businesses that do outstanding work and make their respective workplaces positive and rewarding places to spend time. Honorees also demonstrate ethical conduct, integrity and civic responsibility in dealing within and without their organizations.

By Maureen Werther

Samantha’s Café and catering company is about to welcome Elizabeth “Bea” Morin as its new owner. 

Samantha’s is one of the area’s longest-running catering companies and prides itself on offering “innovative foods made from scratch.” 

Morin is taking over the reins from Samantha’s previous owners, Jennifer Kraft and Elizabeth Wilcox, who have worked for the last seven years to expand the business. 

 “They decided they wanted to sell. They have other endeavors in mind and were ready to pass along the torch,” said Morin. “After working with me for the last few years, they decided I was definitely the one.” 

The Outlets at Lake George, the 102,000-square-foot outlet shopping center serving the region, announced the arrival of two new businesses.

Vera Bradley Outlet opened March 30.

The store will offer a wide array of fabrications, including classic quilted cotton, luxurious full-grain leather and water-repellent poly twill.  

The 3,024-square-foot space is located next to Levi’s Outlet Store.

The Outlets at Lake George also said Michael Kors, a luxury and ready-to-wear designer brand, opened in a 4,300-square foot-store located in the center’s east side, will open in time for the summer season.

It features an array of women’s ready-to-wear fashions, footwear and accessories along with watches, eyewear and fragrances for both men and women.

The Landmark Motor Inn, 1418 Saratoga Road in South Glens Falls, has sold for $3.67 million, according to the Muroff Daigle Hospitality Group, which brokered the transaction with Vanguard-Fine.

The seller was John Naja of Landmark Motor Lodge Corp. and the buyer was Nadeem Lodging Corp., which previously owned the Red Roof Inn in Albany.

A new fan experience area will debut in July at Saratoga Race Course.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) said its improvement project in the grandstand is “designed to create an enhanced hospitality area for racing fans and revitalize the section of the grandstand near the Top of the Stretch.”

The new area is called The Stretch and marks the first significant enhancement to the structure since the mid-1960s.