Category Archives: Business News

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.

By Susan Elise Campbell

Despite staffing shortages and many rainy days, the summer experience around Lake George is proving to be “a phenomenal season,” according to Gina Mintzer, executive director of Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce.

That’s good news as the country eases out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Lake is beautiful and warm and the campgrounds are full,” said Mintzer. “Everything is open and available. But there is still a pandemic and we are asking people to be safe and on the honor system.”

Television advertising, social media, flyers from businesses, and emails from the Chamber to its members are getting word out that there is an abundance of things to do in this premier resort area, rain or shine.

“There are plenty of indoor activities, such as Hyde Museum downtown Glens Falls and the Warren County Historical Society in Queensbury,” Mintzer said. “Prospect Mountain is open and free” for hiking, picnics, or a short drive offering beautiful views of Lake George.

Special Olympics New York announced the return of State Fall Games, which will be hosted by the Glens Falls community Oct. 22 and 23 at sporting venues throughout the area.

The announcement was made at a Queensbury Hotel press conference with local officials and Special Olympics athletes.

State Fall Games athletes and coaches will compete in seven sports: bocce, cycling, golf, equestrian, soccer, softball, and cross-country running.

“The 2021 State Fall Games will mark two very special milestones for our athletes, coaches and fans,” said Stacey Hengsterman, president and CEO of Special Olympics New York. “This will be our first fall games since we last held them in Glens Falls in 2015, and the first statewide competition we’re able to host in-person since before the global health pandemic. I know I speak for our entire community when I say: Thank you, Glens Falls.”

State Fall Games was eliminated from the Special Olympics New York budget six years ago due to financial constraints, leaving approximately 19,000 fall sports athletes statewide without a state-level competition, officials said. The games were slated to return last October, but they were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special Olympics return to activity protocols require that at least 80 percent of event participants be vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus. Athletes who remain unvaccinated are required to wear masks and social distance at all times.

The Tri-County United Way named Brian Bearor as its new leader, effective Sept. 7.

Bearor will succeed Duane Vaughn, prior executive director, and Peter Aust who has led the organization for the past 10 months as interim executive director during the strategic planning and search process.

Bearor will be responsible for leading the United Way’s strategic goals of inspiring hope, improving lives and creating opportunities for all of Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties. He is also charged with building organizational capacity to support area nonprofits as well as identifying and addressing community issues.

“During our search for a new director, the diligent and dedicated members of the search committee spoke with exceptional candidates across the region. It was a difficult choice, but Brian stood out among the highly competitive field. His vision and clear passion for the Tri- County United Way and our region is exactly what we were looking for in our new leader” said David Krogmann, president of the Tri-County United Way board of directors.

“With Brian’s experience in community development and creating a mission-focused culture, we were convinced that the Tri-County United Way will have engaging and innovative leadership for the years to come.”

Morgan Marine, a subsidiary of The Hacker Boat Co., is now an official dealer for Crownline Boats.

Crownline offers a full line of bow riders, sport deck boats, and cruisers. 

Hacker Boat Co. is a manufacturer of mahogany pleasure craft.

George Badcock, CEO of the Morgan Marine and Hacker Boat Co., said, “joining the Crownline dealership network will diversify our brand offerings.  We will sell the boats exclusively from Morgan Marine, our Silver Bay marina on Lake George, and are confident that there will be a strong demand for the boats in the Adirondack and nearby markets.”

Mark Yurassi, northeast regional sales manager for Crownline Boats, said, “we are delighted with this new relationship with Morgan Marine and the iconic Hacker Boat Co. Our affiliation with this great company will greatly enhance our brand’s visibility in the Adirondack region.”

Crownline got its start in a  small manufacturing facility located in Whittington, Ill., with the first boat produced, a 182 BR, rolling off the production line on March 25, 1991.  Today, Crownline boats are built in a 395,000-square -foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Frankfort, Ill., and are sold all over the world. Its website is www.crownline.com

by Erin Nudi, GlensFalls.com

The Argyle Cheese Farmer, which purchased a spot for expansion in Hudson Falls in 2020, is continuing to sell its popular products, but with an intention to also educate people on how it is made.

The owners, Marge and Dave Randles, said they were looking to expand from the 1,200-square-foot processing facility in Argyle, as demand for products had outgrown the original Cheese House. The Lewis Super Grocery building in Hudson Falls went up for sale and it had the necessary infrastructure they were looking for, including a commercial kitchen, processing and warehouse space. There is also  room for an observation/educational area, and a sizable parking lot.

The idea for an observation room come about from the owners’ observation that people don’t have strong awareness of how food is produced.

“Our observation area at the store, as well as our videos, newsletters, and occasional farm tours, help provide customers with a bit more insight into our food production processes. The observation room is an excellent asset providing customers a chance to see milk being crafted into the delicious dairy products offered at the store,” they said.

The store opened in the spring of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. The business is offering several combined farm and dairy processing plant tours to share with customers information on what goes into bringing products to customers’ tables.

The opening of the store provided an opportunity to partner with Ideal Dairy of Hudson Falls. They provide all of the milk and work together to grow the business. They stopped packaging their milk under their own label in 1987, and this venture provides a  chance to re-engage with the community in a more significant way.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Quantum Chiropractic in Queensbury has moved into new space that the practitioners feel better suits their needs.

Jen Steinberg, certified clinical chiropractic assistant and office manager, said she and her husband, Dr. Bruce Steinberg, are enjoying the  new 357 Ridge Road location.

The practice moved from Mount Royal Plaza in Queensbury.

“The set up of the space that we are in now allows us to better serve our patients, particularly our pediatric patients,” she said. “There is also a resting room for those who have just had an adjustment and want a room that is peaceful and quiet before they leave. Overall it is a better space that fits our needs.”

Quantum Chiropractic specializes in chiropractic care for all ages, including pediatrics.

Dr. Steinberg sees patients with neuro-developmental disorders—such as autism, ADD and ADHD, sensory processing disorders and learning disabilities.

The office uses gentle chiropractic adjustments instead of using drugs and surgeries.