Category Archives: Business News

By Paul Post

Denver Semon developed a strong following as chef at the former Flight and Aviator restaurants in Glens Falls and Queensbury, respectively.

Now she’s taking off with her own new eatery, Scratch Kitchen, at 199 Warren Street in Glens Falls, directly across from the south end of McDonald Street.

The quaint, tastefully decorated establishment brings a touch of country to the city as Semon makes her own breads, soups and sausage meats complemented by fresh herbs, veggies and colorful cut flowers, available for sale, which she raises at home.

“Everything’s going to be made from scratch,” she said. “My own breads, my own roast turkey. I’ve done this for others for a long time. Chefs work a lot of hours. I just thought, if I’m going to work that many hours I might as well do it for myself.”

Originally from a Finger Lakes small town, Semon moved to Glens Falls in 1998 and has also worked at The Sagamore and as executive chef for Point O’Pines Girls Camp in Brant Lake. Her career also took her to Williamsburg, Va., before moving back to Glens Falls. 

By Susan Elise Campbell

WellNow Urgent Care is one of the fastest-growing providers of urgent medical care, telehealth and occupational medicine services in the United States. With a new location that opened April 10 at 920 Lake George Road in Queensbury, medical care and diagnostic services are now available seven days a week to patients in the North Country, said Beth Pagan, WellNow’s director of market operations for eastern New York.

“WellNow provides a wide array of diagnostics, including X-rays, EKGs, complete metabolic panels, and much more,” said Pagan. 

There are nearly 80 WellNow locations in the state and 200 in the country offering urgent, not emergency, care.

“Our centers offer more services than the average primary care physician so that patients can be treated right away without having to go to a traditional emergency room, where they might face long wait times and an expensive bill,” she said. 

Saratoga Springs rower and Regatta Director for the Saratoga Rowing Association, Kristi Wagner, has been announced as one of the first 21 members selected to go to the Summer Games in Paris this July, by US Rowing. 

Wagner plans the Head of the Fish, among other high school races for SRA, with her doubles partner Sofia Vitas.

Together, Wagner and Vitas won the Bronze medal at the 2023 World Rowing Championships. The two women were part of the first round of rowers selected by the US Rowing Team to compete at the Olympics. 

Together they will be looking to return to the medal podium in the women’s double sculls in Paris. Now a five-time national team member, Wagner will be racing at her second Olympic Games, having finished fifth in the event in Tokyo. Also a five-time national team member, Vitas will be making her Olympic debut in Paris.

In addition to being a full-time athlete and Regatta Director, Wagner is also a podcast host. For the past year, she’s been taking listeners behind the scenes of her journey to qualify to make the Olympic games in her show “The Other 3 Years.”

By Jill Nagy

Shelley Riopelle opened a new skin care facility in February in Fort Edward. Called the Skin Renaissance Studio, it is located at 1461 Route 9.

Riopelle has been providing skin care treatments for 28 years, including 10 years in Saratoga and, most recently, at a day spa she owned in South Glens Falls for two-and-a-half years. 

She describes her new location as “warm and welcoming” and in a great location with easy access and ample parking.

The emphasis at Skin Renaissance Studio is on skincare. “I’m very passionate about skincare; it’s what I love to do,” Riopelle said. She offers a wide range of skin care services, particularly facial treatments. Licensed as a medical aesthetician, her services run the gamut from eyebrow shaping to full body waxing. Services also include light therapy treatments, dermaplaning, chemical peels and more. She specializes in treatments for rosacea, sun damaged pigmented skin, and anti-aging treatments.

Highfield Boats, the world’s leading manufacturer of aluminum rigid inflatable boats (RIBS) and tenders, has announced that it has added a new boat dealer to its U.S. sales network: Queen Boat Co. on Lake George. 

Bolton Landing native Tyler Moseman, recently hired to oversee Highfield North America’s marketing, said, “We see Queen Boat Co. as a great fit to introduce Highfield to the Upstate New York region. They have beautiful facilities, a reputation for providing great customer experience, and a robust service department. All that, coupled with the opportunity to grow the Highfield brand within their Freedom Boat Club, made them a logical partner. I am very excited to work closely with them being a Lake George boater myself.”

Located in Dunhams Bay on Lake George, Queen Boat Co. is a full-service public marina specializing in sales of ePropulsion and Torqeedo electric outboards. In 2023, Queen Boat Co. partnered with Aqua superPower to install the first marine fast charging station in the Northeast. It is also home to the Freedom Boat Club Lake George membership club. A family-owned business, Queen Boat Co. continues to look for innovative products and service offerings to improve the boating experience for existing boaters and the new generation of boaters entering the boating lifestyle. 

Experience the blend of history and natural beauty like nowhere else when you visit Fort Ticonderoga. Explore 2,000-acres of America’s most historic landscape, located on the shores of Lake Champlain, nestled between New York’s Adirondack & Vermont’s Green Mountains. Create lasting memories as you embark on an unforgettable adventure that spans centuries, defined a continent, and helped forge a nation.

Hailed as one of the premier living history sites in North America, Fort Ticonderoga’s staff brings history to life every day. Ticonderoga’s epic history and signature stories are highlighted through innovative story telling on a grand scale, historic trades, daily soldiers’ life programs, thrilling weapons demonstrations, endless outdoor activities, and captivating special events.

This year, Fort Ticonderoga debuts a new chapter in its history. Experience 1774 and the peacetime garrison life for the British soldiers and their families that lived at Fort Ticonderoga 250 years ago. 

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) has announced the application period for their Leadership Adirondack program for 2024-25. The ARCC Leadership Adirondack program is designed for individuals who demonstrate a potential for community leadership and a sincere commitment, motivation and interest in serving the community in which they live or work.

“We are thrilled to welcome applications for our 2024-25 Leadership Adirondack program,” said ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers. “Strong communities are built and sustained by effective local leaders, and our region is a testimony to this. We have seen past Leadership Adirondack participants go on to do great things.”

Leadership Adirondack is a dynamic, interactive program that provides skill development and community immersion experiences that enables participants to grow personally and professionally as they explore issues and opportunities in Warren and Washington counties.

Through a combination of class time and industry tours, Leadership Adirondack develops the leadership potential of participants and builds a solid foundation of informed, action-orientated, productive employees and citizens.

The Glens Falls Earth Day Planning Committee, consisting of Crandall Library, Sustainable PR, and the City of Glens Falls, has announced the centerpiece of this year’s Earth Day celebration – An exclusive presentation by Tony Buettner, the national spokesperson for the esteemed Blue Zones movement. 

This year’s Earth Day celebration will take place on Saturday, April 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Glens Falls City Park, embracing the theme “Sustainable Futures.” At the heart of this year’s celebration lies the profound message of longevity and well-being brought forth by Buettner’s presentation. As the national spokesperson for Blue Zones, Buettner brings a wealth of knowledge and insights garnered from years of research on communities worldwide where residents live remarkably long and healthy lives.

Featured prominently in the Netflix documentary “Live to 100,” the Blue Zones movement advocates for lifestyle and environmental changes to promote healthy living. Buettner’s presentation will delve into the core principles behind the Blue Zones philosophy, offering practical strategies for the Glens Falls Community and its residents to adopt these life-enhancing practices.