Category Archives: Business News

The Arts District of Glens Falls is making progress with its multifaceted launch of an arts trail stretching from the Chapman Historical Museum to the Hyde Collection Art Museum and Historic Home.

Plans include banners, bike racks, sidewalk stamps and public art to connect the 10 arts destinations and 14 arts organizations that comprise the Arts District.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for elements of the arts trail.

Bright blue bicycle-shaped bike racks will be placed at the 10 arts destinations, and  opportunities are still available. Sponsor names will be integrated into the wheel of the bike. The cost is $750 per bike rack for a two-year sponsorship, or $1500 per bike rack for a ten-year sponsorship.

There will also be a large Adirondack chair placed at the roundabout.

People who donate $100 can become an official Arts Hero. The Arts District is sending out pins to each Arts Hero who donates $10 or more to 10 different arts organizations in Glens Falls, including the Arts District of Glens Falls, in the year 2021. Donations are tax-deductible.

Donations can be made online at www.artsdistrictgf.com/hero.

“Wear it with pride. Your pinholder status means that we will email you our monthly Arts Bulletins and it earns you access to special privileges, deals and sneak peeks with Arts District organizations,” said Bethanie Lawrence, executive director of the World Awareness Children’s Museum and part of the Arts District of Glens Falls.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Jade Leonbruno says  working alongside her sister, running her own business, is like a dream. But today, that’s what she is doing.

She operates Nash Beauty Bar at 125 Main St. in South Glens Falls. It is a one-stop shop for hair and skin care.

Leonbruno said after working in a chain hair salon business for 11 years, she was ready for a change. When the opportunity presented itself, she decided to take a leap of faith.

“I love what I do. I love making people feel happy and most of all I love being free to be as creative as I have grown to be.⁣ I  want to set new limits and push myself to grow … I always knew I wanted to evolve as a hairstylist in one way or another. This opportunity came up and I ran with it,” she said.

The business offers a wide variety of  hair and skin care services, specializing in “lived in” colors such as balayages, foilayage and babylights. She also does haircuts, styling, Olaplex treatments, teeth whitening, body sculpting, lash lifts and tints, body waxing, and facials. They also provide high-end sculpting services such as radio frequency skin tightening and ultrasonic cavatation.

Leonbruno works as the beauty bar’s hair expert  while her sister, Gennah, a licensed esthetician, provides the facial and body skin care services. It is a partnership that she said makes work that much more enjoyable.

Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore, was honored by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce as the recipient of the 2021 S.T.A.R. Award.

Also, Sandy DeKleine, Diamond Point resident and former receptionist of the Lake George Chamber, was honored with the Sapphire Award.

The awards were presented at the chamber annual dinner in October at the Queensbury Hotel.

STAR stands for Supporting Tourism Around the Region.

The Sapphire Award was established in 2017 at the Chamber’s 65th Sapphire Anniversary Gala to honor a “gem” in the community.

“I am extremely grateful and humbled by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors decision to present me with the STAR Award,” said Moore. “Tourism is crucial to ensuring Warren County’s economy is strong and that the quality of life for our residents and tourists is vibrant. 

Officials said Moore was selected for leading the effort to get the hospitality businesses open successfully throughout the pandemic while navigating the state restrictions and changing guidelines.

“His leadership and collaborative spirit have continued throughout 2021 to procure vaccines, provide daily pandemic updates and more, directly impacting the Lake George regional hospitality industry and the overall visitor experience for the thousands of visitors who enjoy Warren County each year,” the Chamber said..

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Outcast Athletics of Glens Falls is a business described by owner Adam Walker as a personal growth center disguised as a functional fitness facility. 

Walker recently moved his business inside the Chase Sports Complex, 22 Hudson Falls Road, Suite 36, South Glens Falls. He said it is a perfect space to provide fitness training to area residents.

“We were looking for a place to make a permanent home, and this is it. This space gives us the opportunity to really be able to meet the needs of those who come to us. It just suits us,” said Walker.

Renovations were needed, including the addition of a rubber floor, new paint, and a shower and bathroom installation. Since Walker started in the fitness business three years ago, he said he finally feels like the pieces are all coming together.

“I feel like our new location allows us to really build that camaraderie with our clients that is so important. It allows us to get in the trenches and get to work, but still have fun while doing it,” said Walker.

The Adirondack Winery ninth annual Drink Pink breast cancer awareness fundraiser brought in a record $14,800 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Adirondacks, organizers said.

During the month of October, a portion of every purchase made at Adirondack Winery was donated to Making Strides. With the support of its customers, the winery was able to raise nearly $3,000 more than the initial $12,000 goal it set in September.

“We are once again honored to be the top fundraiser of our local Making Strides celebration,” said Adirondack Winery President and co-owner Sasha Pardy. “This disease has touched far too many people and our Drink Pink fundraiser gives us an amazing opportunity to give back to our community and support this incredible organization.”

Adirondack Winery was the flagship sponsor of the local Making Strides event in Glens Falls on Oct. 24. Together, dozens of teams raised $50,000 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Adirondacks.

Making Strides is an event held across the country, organized by the American Cancer Society.

Over the past nine years, Adirondack Winery has raised over $80,000 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Adirondacks during its Drink Pink fundraiser.

By Christine Graf

In 1921, Irish immigrant Michael Minogue purchased a soda bottling plant and distribution center in Granville, NY. After Prohibition ended in the U.S., he was issued the 34th wholesale beer license in New York state.

Today, the business he founded is thriving under owner John Minogue Jr. He said it is the oldest continuously operated family owned and operated beer distributor in New York state.

This year, it has been celebrating 100 years in business.

Minogue’s Beverage Center has locations in Queensbury, Saratoga Springs, Wilton, and Malta. Stores carry a wide variety of beer including seasonal varieties and craft beer. They also feature a large selection of ciders, growlers, kegs, seltzers, and sodas.

Minogue was 14 when he first started working part-time for his father, John Sr.. At the time, his father operated just one beverage center in Queensbury.

While Minogue was pursuing a degree in economics from College of the Holy Cross, a friend of his father  who was a retired F.B.I. agent suggested that Minogue consider a career with the F.B.I. Intrigued by the possibility, he moved to Washington, D.C., and entered the bureau’s clerk -to-agent program after he graduated from college in 1976.

“You could work for the bureau as a clerk assisting agents in their work, and after a three-year period, you would be given an opportunity to take the (agent) exam,” he said.

After the program was eliminated, clerks were no longer guaranteed the opportunity to take the exam. As a result, Minogue made the decision to leave the F.B.I. in 1977.