Category Archives: Business News

By Paul Post

Warren County officials say a sales tax increase is inevitable as the state keeps passing costly programs on to local government.

Medicaid, juvenile detention and mental health services are among the fiscal burdens contributing to a $4 million gap in the county’s proposed $207.1 million 2025 budget that’s $14.3 million higher than this year’s spending plan.

A public hearing is scheduled for November 15.

“Costs are going up, we’re going to have to find revenue somewhere either now or in the future,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Geraghty, of Warrensburg. “We do get aid from New York State, but they always seem to find a way to shift costs to us each year.”

Budget Officer and Stony Creek Supervisor Frank E. Thomas said a 1 percent sales tax hike from 7 percent to 8 percent would raise an estimated $12 million, enabling the county to cover rising costs for at least several years. The county would keep approximately half this amount with the rest distributed to towns and the City of Glens Falls.

Christopher R. Dowd, president and CEO of Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB), has announced that Amber Hensley has been named assistant vice president/business development officer.

In this role, Hensley will be responsible for developing and cultivating relationships with business banking customers across the Capital Region. She will play a pivotal role in expanding commercial banking opportunities, retaining existing business, and driving growth in the bank’s market share through the acquisition of new customers. Hensley will also leverage her experience to identify cross-sell opportunities for BSNB’s full suite of business services, including cash management, loan, deposit, investment, and insurance products.

Hensley joined BSNB following a successful tenure at Pioneer Bank in Albany, where she served as a business banking relationship manager. Prior to that, she also managed Pioneer’s headquarters branch, overseeing sales performance and business growth initiatives. Now on board with BSNB and joining the bank’s new business development team, she will be located at the bank’s Guilderland location, 

“Amber grew up in the Capital Region and her expertise in business banking and her proven track record of building strong relationships with customers make her an invaluable asset to our team,” said David Omicinski, vice president of commercial banking. “Her deep understanding of the industry, combined with her dedication to our local businesses that are the backbone of our economy will be instrumental in furthering BSNB’s mission to serve businesses in our community.”

The Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center completed its third season of operation with a record number of visitors, a series of improvements both inside the center and throughout the park, and plans for further program enhancements under the coordination of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance.

Alliance President John DiNuzzo reported that the total 2024 VC attendance of 3,492 represents a 45 percent climb over last year’s figure of 2,409. Fresh additions, which elevated the visitor experience this season, include two adjacent resin park orientation signs that interpret the role of the Battlefield Park during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, at the VC’s entrance. The signs were funded by the Lake George Park Commission and installed by the State Department of Environmental Conservation. DEC also constructed a new paved walkway which connects the VC to the network of walkways in Battlefield Park.

According to Russell Bellico, a former Battlefield Park Alliance trustee who remains active on its curation committee, French and Indian War exhibits in the VC were expanded by the addition of two circa 1758 13-inch diameter mortar bombs, which had been raised offshore from the park during the 1960s. A scale model of a colonial military bateau was completed and displayed, helping to explain the case of original bateau artifacts from Lake George. The model was built by Paul S. Andriscin from a kit donated by Joseph W. Zarzynski.

Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), one of the region’s premier discount retail chains with 153 stores across the Northeast, has announced it will open a new store in Queensbury in the first quarter of 2025. The new location, in the former Big Lots space, will be OSJL’s 16th store in New York and its first in Warren County.

Located in Glen Square at 751 Upper Glen Street, the leased location will provide more than 30,000 square feet of shopping space for customers. Co-tenants include Tractor Supply Co., Aldi, and Dollar Tree. Currently, the closest OSJL location is about 30 miles away in Ballston Spa.

“We are excited to open our 16th store in New York and first in Warren County,” said Pat Bridgett, district team leader, Ocean State Job Lot. “We look forward to bringing our vibrant, exciting and value-focused shopping experience to Queensbury early next year.”

OSJL will hire for up to 50 positions, including supervisory; and full-time, part-time, and seasonal associates. The company offers competitive pay and benefits packages, including flexible hours; medical, vision, and dental insurance, if eligible; profit participation; service awards; paid time off; 401K; 30 percent store discount and more. The online application process for full-time hiring begins in mid-November with part-time positions following in early December.

The Rockwell Falls Inn and Wine Bar in Lake Luzerne, under the new ownership of George and Mary Haleem, officially opened last month. The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB hosted a ribbon cutting.

The wine bar features a curated selection of wines from around the world, as well as beer options. 

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to experience the ambiance of the Rockwell Falls Inn and Wine Bar with live music. The inn offers 12 beautifully appointed bedrooms, each featuring modern amenities such as private bathrooms, gas fireplaces, and Jacuzzi tubs.

“We are excited to open the doors of Rockwell Falls Inn and Wine Bar, where timeless elegance meets modern comforts,” said George Haleem. “Our goal is to create an unforgettable experience for guests, blending warm hospitality, exquisite wine, and tranquility. We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy our unique wine selection, relax in our charming rooms, and discover the warmth and character of this special place that we hope will become a cherished destination for relaxation, celebration, and connection.”

By Jill Nagy

Fleshia Volpe has opened a new office, Home Haven Real Estate Group, in Glens Falls. The agency represents buyers and sellers of residential and commercial properties in Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties. 

Volpe has been in the real estate business for five years, gaining experience by working for another local agency. Therefore, she had an established clientele and, she said, she has been very busy. Since opening her office she and her associates have closed 10 deals. Currently, her business is based on more than 80 percent referrals from satisfied clients. Top Agent magazine named her Best of the Region First Time Homebuyers Agent in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

A resident of the Adirondacks for more than 30 years, she has built strong relationships in the business community that serve her well in her new endeavor. To support the community she volunteers with the Salvation Army during the Christmas season. 

By Lee Coleman

Opening Mark’s Hometown ‘Cue at 3951 Main Street in Warrensburg this summer was a kind of homecoming for owner Darrell Langworthy.

Langworthy was born in Warrensburg but moved to Florida with his parents when he was 6. He came back in the 1990s but moved to Vermont where he served in the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard over a 15 year period. Langworthy’s wife, Sarah, is also an Air National Guard veteran. The couple has two children, a girl aged 11 and a boy 8.

It was also in Vermont where he started a Texas-style barbecue business in a food truck in Essex, Vt, and eventually opened his own restaurant in South Burlington, Vt. Langworthy has a culinary degree from Adirondack Community College and is a certified chef with the American Culinary Federation.