Category Archives: Business News

For the first time in its history, the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course generated all-sources wagering handle of more than $800 million, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced.

Having established the new record on Sept. 1, with five racing days remaining in the season, the 2021 summer meet ended with all-sources handle of $815,508,063, a 15.6 percent increase over the prior record of $705,343,949 set in 2019, officials said.

With paid attendance totaling 1,046,478, and excluding 2020 when fans were not permitted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 marked the sixth consecutive season of more than 1 million in paid attendance at Saratoga Race Course. Average daily attendance during the 40-day meet was 26,162.

“Thanks to the energy, enthusiasm and support of the best fans in horse racing, the 2021 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course has been a tremendous success,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “This has been a summer reunion like never before, and we’re especially pleased that the return of fans has translated into strong business for downtown Saratoga Springs and the entire Capital Region community. The summer meet at Saratoga is as strong as at any point in its storied history.”

By Christine Graf

Attorneys Michael O’Connor and Elizabeth Little of Little & O’Connor Attorneys PC of Glens Falls have merged their practice with FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth PC. 

Both attorneys and their paralegals have made the move to 68 Warren St. where FitzGerald Morris is headquartered. Prior to the merger, the firm employed 14 attorneys and a total staff of 32. 

According to FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth managing partner John Aspland Jr., he and O’Connor have been friends for many years. The idea of merging firms began to take root 10 years ago.

“We had some communications about 10 years ago where we started discussing some of the synergies between what he does and what we do and the clients that we have that have some common interests. We started that conversation and occasionally over the years revisited the discussion. He is an icon in the local legal community and has some fantastic clients that are very active,” Aspland said.

They recently revisited the idea and after determining that a merger would enable them to better serve their clients, they decided to move forward. The agreement was finalized on July 8 and took effect Aug. 1.

Glens Falls Hospital President and CEO Dianne Shugrue will retire Dec. 31 after a 14-year career at Glens Falls and 40-year career in health care. 

Paul Scimeca Sr., vice president and chief operating officer, has been named interim president and CEO. 

Shugrue led the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, through significant financial challenges, a historic affiliation with Albany Medical Center and national health care accreditation. 

“Dianne Shugrue took over as president and CEO of the hospital at a crucial time,” said Glens Falls Hospital Board of Governors Chair George Ferone. “Her steady, courageous leadership, collaborative and personal approach and deep knowledge of health care have paid huge benefits for this hospital and this community. She has been a fierce advocate for our physicians, nurses, staff, community and the institution itself. ”

Dr. Chris Mason, president of the Glens Falls Hospital Medical Staff, said Shugrue “has experienced many challenges during her tenure, from navigating the uncharted waters of COVID19 to leading the institution through a major affiliation. This visionary leadership has helped Glens Falls Hospital maintain critical services for the community and provide opportunities for collaboration with partners in the Capital Region. Glens Falls Hospital has a tremendous future ahead due to Dianne’s foresight.”

Tiki Tours has added a new 30-foot tikied pontoon boat to its fleet. 

The second boat allows Tiki Tours to offer more trips to meet growing demand, the company said. 

“Tiki Tours has seen tremendous growth in the last few years and is excited to add another vessel on Lake George,” said Tiki Tours co-owner Gregory Teresi. “This 30-foot tikied pontoon adds a whole new level of comfort to the Lake George experience. We want to thank the Lake George Beach Club, the Village of Lake George, the Lake George Park Commission and the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce for their continued support.”

The 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course will for the first time be available for private events during the racing offseason now through June, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced.

The 1863 Club, which debuted during the 2019 season, is a three-story, climate-controlled hospitality building located on the Clubhouse turn overlooking the historic main track at Saratoga Race Course. The building features differentiated hospitality options for a wide variety of uses and experiences, including weddings, fundraisers, reunions, and corporate dinners.

The first-floor banquet space, The Rail at the 1863 Club, features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the main track and accommodates up to nearly 500 individuals. The second floor, presented by Resorts World, accommodates up to 300 guests. The third floor offers three luxury suites each welcoming between 30 to 45 guests for intimate gatherings.

“We have received tremendous feedback from those who have enjoyed a day at the 1863 Club during the Saratoga racing season and are excited to provide even more guests with the opportunity to experience this unique space year-round,” said Kevin Quinn, NYRA vice president of sales and hospitality. “The 1863 Club, with its sweeping views of Saratoga Race Course, is ideally suited to host events of all shapes and sizes during the off-season.”

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Boats By George founder George Pensel recently purchased the Lake George Forum and envisions it as a year-round boat show.

The company’s purchase of the 50,000-square-foot arena is more than a savvy business move. 

“This is something I have been dreaming about for the past four or five years, but boating has been a part of me since my family began in the business in 1948.  I worked as a dock hand at age 15, and from there continued to learn and work in the business. When my dad decided to step away from it, I guess you could say there was a spark in me,” said Pensel.

“This was a space I had interest in a few years ago but the timing wasn’t right. This time around it was,” said Pensel.

Pensel said although the property needs cosmetic updates, structurally it does not need major renovations. His vision for the space is for visitors to feel as though they are at a boat show. Pensel said there will be memorabilia and other exhibit-type aspects to the facility.

Aviation Mall announced seasonal retailer, Spirit Halloween is open again in the mall’s former Sears space.

With more than 1,400 locations across the United States, Spirit Halloween is among the largest Halloween retailer in North America. 

The store offers a selection of Halloween costumes for the entire family along with accessories, exclusive animatronics, party supplies, home décor, and more. 

Shoppers will find a vast selection of exclusively licensed merchandise at Spirit, including character costumes from Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, Paw Patrol, Scooby-Doo and more.  New lines this year include Suicide Squad 2, Killer Clowns from Outer Space, Disney Princesses and Space Jam.

Spirit Halloween also gives back to the communities where they are located through its “Spirit of Children” program. 

Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga in Saratoga Springs received a $5,600 donation from 100 Women Who Care Northeast Chapter. 

THS is a nonprofit organization that provides psychological therapy services to children and adults through the use of retired race horses that have been rescued by the organization. The donation will be used to build a new run-in shed and make other improvements to their facilities.

100 Women Who Care Northeast Chapter consists of a group of women who are from Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties. 

They support the concept of “collective philanthropy” by pooling their donations for a different non-profit organization each quarter. The group held its first meeting in February 2020, starting with 36 women and gradually growing to the current 70 members. 

To date, the organization has  donated more than $23,000 to local non-profit organizations including Gateway House of Peace, WAIT House, Wellspring, THS, and the Warren/Washington CARE Center.