Category Archives: Business News

By Christine Graf
Local entrepreneur Russ Faden is finishing construction on a $2.2 million, 11,800-square-foot plaza at 894 Route 9 in Queensbury.
The project was financed through Pioneer Bank. Once construction is completed, Faden will relocate his Subway franchise currently at 870 Route 9. In addition to Subway, the plaza will be home to Sports Clips and Spectrum.
There are two additional spaces available for rent, he said. The vacant spaces measure 1,700 square feet and 2,400 square feet.
According to Faden, he hopes to have his Subway relocated and operational by May 15. He expects Sports Clips and Spectrum to open some time in June.
Faden operates 18 Subway locations between Northway exits 9 and 20. He employs approximately 100 full-time and part-time employees. Faden and his wife, Carrie, purchased their first Subway in downtown Saratoga in 2007. At the time, he was a full-time officer in the Saratoga Springs Police Department.

Grey Ghost Bicycles in Glens Falls has opened a new store in Saratoga Springs.
Located at 60 West Ave., the new retail space is more than 2,000 square feet and is part of the larger retail strip building that contains other businesses such as Wolberg Lighting Design & Electrical Supply.
According to Steve Fairchild, general manager of Grey Ghost Bicycles, the existing space only needed light modifications, including cleaning and painting, which is being done by the company.
Launched in 2012, Grey Ghost Bicycles is a full-service bike shop. Along with e-bikes and professional mountain and racing bikes, they also sell bikes for children and casual riders. The company recently moved their main store into the former Post-Star building in Glens Falls.

Saratoga Raceway’s 79th season of live harness racing is underway at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Coupled with the 2020 racing season is the unveiling of the SaratogaBets Simulcast Center, a new trackside venue offering carrel seating, self-service and live teller wagering options, in addition to bar and food service at Diamond Jim’s.
This season the casino will look to build on the success of last year’s performance, officials said, where all-source handle exceeded $48 million and the Saratoga Harness simulcast signal was broadcast to over 400 outlets worldwide.
“We’re very excited to welcome fans back for the 79th year of harness racing,” said John Matarazzo, director of racing operations at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “We look forward to continuing our tradition of exciting and quality racing here at the historic Spa Oval.”

By Andrea Harwood Palmer
The Open Door Mission in Glens Falls recently unveiled expanded space— a clothing pantry, food pantry, barber shop, three new bathrooms, showers and a storage area.
It was built through partnership with area organizations such as CDCHP, Hannaford Supermarket, Habitat for Humanity, Hilltop Construction, Fenimore Asset Management, the Glens Falls Foundation, AJA Architectures, electrician Brian Hayward, area churches, and the UA Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 773 of Glens Falls.
The shelter offers emergency Code Blue shelter to people when temperatures drop in winter months.
Hannaford Supermarket donated funds as well as materials and 100 cases of food to stock the food pantry, in December when the food pantry first opened. The pantry served 218 families in February.

Stewart’s Shops has acquired an area gasoline and diesel distribution business that will allow it to distribute gasoline from Sunoco, Citgo and Mobil to dealers located in some of its coverage area in upstate New York.
The local company acquired the distributorship from Polsniello Fuels, a 68-year-old third-generation company in Rensselaer.
Stewart’s said it plans to continue working with dealers who previously did business with Polsinello, and is considering a remodel for some of the acquired gas stations.
“As we continue to grow our business, this acquisition gives us the opportunity to diversify by expanding deeper into the fuel wholesale business,” said Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake in a news release.
Polsinello now will focus on its lubricant and motor oil supply business. Lou Polsinello, company vice president, said in a release that the business will continue to deal in lubricants and motor oil distribution, and that dropping out of the gasoline retail business will help them to grow in those other areas.
“Finding the right partner to entrust our legacy and customers was our highest priority,” Polsinello said.

By Jennifer Farnsworth
Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe in Glens Falls is enjoying its new location in what is known as the “green roof building” of The Shirt Factory.
Owner Matt Funiciello said the new space has allowed them to expand their vegan menu, including what he is most excited about: pizza.
“People are telling us it is the best pizza in town, and we are just so excited about that type of feedback,” he said. “This space has pizza ovens, giving us more of an entree option for our customers. Our patrons who have followed us up the Northway to our new space know they love our soups and sandwiches. But when they come in we ask them, ‘have you tried the pizza?’”

Glens Falls Hospital officials said the executor of the estate of lifelong Glens Falls resident John E. Herlihy has informed them that he has bestowed a “significant endowment” to th hospiyal and to Crandall Public Library.
Mr. Herlihy, who died in July 2019, bequeathed each non-profit organization with approximately $2.2 million from his estate, officials said.
“We are truly humbled by Mr. Herlihy’s thoughtfulness,” said Kate Herlihy Schwenker, chair of the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation board of trustees. “We will honor his legacy by ensuring that the hospital uses these funds to continue increasing the community’s access to high-quality care.”
“Mr. Herlihy was an important part of this community for so many years,” said Barbara Caimano, president of the Crandall Public Library board of trustees. “As the library begins a new strategic planning process this year, his incredible generosity will impact how we, together with our stakeholders, can continue to best serve the library community.”