The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) announced that Eric Gilbert, is serving the last year of his two-year term as chair of the board of directors of the organization in 2020.
Gilbert has been a member of the board since 2013.
The ARCC also recognized Tim Jansen, of Wel-Dun Air & Water Systems, as the immediate past chair of the board.
“Our community is so blessed to have volunteer leaders like Eric Gilbert and Tim Jansen. Tim has put his heart and soul into the ARCC. Eric has certainly carried on his legacy,” said ARCC President/CEO Michael Bittel.
The Chamber announced five new board members in 2020, including:
• Damian D’Angelico, Director of Sales & Marketing, at Fitzgerald Bros. He began his career in the beverage distribution industry in a warehouse role, then moved onto a route driver role. He joined Fitzgerald Bros. in 1994 as a salesman and moved into a management role years later.
Sensations Play Gym In Fort Edward Provides A Safe Environment For Kids To Have Fun
Courtesy Sensation Play Gym
By Jill Nagy
Sensations Play Gym in Fort Edward offers children a safe place to play and exercise all of their senses, according to the owner and operator Gayle Pliscofsky.
The facility opened shortly before Christmas in a former billiard hall at 49 Broadway.
Pliscofsky is an occupational therapist with 30 years of experience, much of it working with children. She now works in early intervention and preschool services for children with special needs.
While the environment at her new center is “very therapeutic,” she said it is “appropriate for children of all abilities.”
JUST Water Expands Its Product Line, Now Operates Out Of A Facility In Queensbury
By Susan E. Campbell
JUST Goods is a brand that been growing rapidly over the past few years. As a result, it is expanding its spring water product line—JUST Water, its signature packaged water product that has been experiencing strong growth locally—and moving it into a new facility at 276 Dix Ave. in Queensbury, according to spokesperson Kara Rubin, vice president of brand development.
The company has been bottling JUST Water at the plant at 31 Broad St. in Glens Falls since 1995, site of the former Alphonse Church. But that facility is on the market now.
Glens Falls Business Person Opens Shop In Saratoga Springs To Make, Sell Doughnuts
Andrea Harwood Palmer
By Andrea Harwood Palmer
After gaining a strong following in the Adirondack Region, Darling Doughnuts is opening a new location at 441 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. Doors will open in March.
Owner Natascha Mansman entered the food scene in 2018. Previously operating out of the Temple Bethel kitchen in Glens Falls, she began eyeing a larger, more practical location.
“It was always my dream to be able to open a brick and mortar location for Darling Doughnuts, but I knew that on my own it would be very difficult to make that happen,” said Mansman.
Adirondack Zombie Hunters In Aviation Mall Offers Simulated Shooting Ranges
By Rachel Phillips
Adirondack Zombie Hunters LLC has relocated to the Aviation Mall in Queensbury.
Formerly located in Lake George, Adirondack Zombie Hunters, or ADKZH, first opened in 2018. Co-owner Grant Fish II said that part of the reason he and his family started the business in Lake George was to provide indoor entertainment, which he felt was lacking in the Adirondack area. They had always intended to move into Queensbury to be more accessible to their regulars.
“We scouted several locations. The mall had the best space for our needs,” said Fish.
The new location is around 3000 square feet, located between Spencer’s and Peter Harris.
Holly DeKleine Of nePROMO Named ARCC Ambassador Of The Year For Third Time
Courtesy ARCC
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce announced that Holly DeKleine, of nePROMO is the recipient of the 2019 ARCC Ambassador of the Year.
The award goes to a volunteer of the Chamber, who has gone above and beyond in their service. This is the third time DeKleine has been given the award.
DeKleine is an account executive with nePROMO serving Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties. She is a local leader in the promotional products industry guiding businesses and nonprofits to success through proper use of branded merchandise.
She has over 14 years experience in business development. Some of her past sales experience include, but are not limited to, office supplies, water and coffee service and building stone.
DeKleine became an ambassador in 2015 and was named Ambassador of the Year in 2016 and 2017.
John Munter Sr. Is 2020 Recipient Of The Chamber Of Commerce Joseph Dalton Award
Courtesy Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
John Munter Sr. was presented with the 2020 Joseph Dalton Community Service Award at the annual dinner of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 23 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Munter is the third individual to receive this award following Steve “Sully” Sullivan in 2018 and Tom Roohan in 2019.
To be eligible to receive this award, nominees must have a minimum of 25 years of faithful and loyal service to the Saratoga community.
During his career, Munter has helped organizations such as Saratoga PLAN and The Wesley Community and assisted in efforts that include saving Camp Boyhaven in Milton and creating the Bog Meadow Trail in Saratoga Springs.
Munter is a 1962 graduate of Clarkson University. His career started as a rocket test engineer with GE at the Malta Test Division. In 1972, he left GE to form Munter Enterprises, a general contracting construction operation. More than four decades later, Munter Enterprises is now run by his two sons, John Jr., and Mike.
Radici Kitchen & Bar In Glens Falls Has Handmade Pasta, House-Butchered Fish, More
Courtesy Radici Kitchen & Bar
By Andrea Harwood Palmer
Radici Kitchen & Bar is a new restaurant on Ridge Street in Glens Falls.
Carly Mankouski and business partner Mike Graney co-own the business at 26 Ridge St. Mankouski’s life partner, Brian Bowden, will be the executive chef.
The menu features handmade pastas, house-butchered whole fish, snacks and small plates, several salads and larger entree courses.
Bowden said everything is handmade, in-house, and as locally sourced and as seasonal as possible. “We don’t even have a freezer in this space, so it will all be done fresh, and daily.”
“We have 14 craft beer lines on tap, and an approachable, but interesting, wine list. We just hired a bar manager with experience up and down the east coast. He’s going to create some stunning craft cocktails,” he said.
Owner Of Pack-It-In Dumpsters Opens ‘New Finish’ Sealcoating Based Out Of Glens Falls
Courtesy New Finish Sealcoating
Chaz Wilson has opened New Finish Sealcoating in Glens Falls. A native of the Glens Falls area, Wilson is the owner of Pack-it-in Dumpsters.
New Finish Sealcoating will serve the area including Glens Falls, Queensbury, Lake George, Schroon Lake, Saratoga Springs, and Clifton Park.
He said the sealcoating company will follow in the same footsteps as his dumpster company.
“Folks in Glens Falls can trust that New Finish Sealcoating will deliver the same ethical, reliable service that they’re already familiar with from Pack-It-In Dumpsters,” Wilson said.
Business Report: Are You Working On Your Business?
by Stephen Ferraro,
CPA/ABV/CFF, MAFF, CVA, CEBC
Business owners need an ongoing planning process to grow, maximize business value and create the most successful business transfers. It’s just as important to work on your business as it is to work in your business.
The process should coordinate business valuation, growth planning and business transfer analysis with personal retirement planning. The ultimate goal…successfully operate, grow and transfer your business on your terms and time frame, while maximizing and protecting your personal wealth.
Maximize Business Value
To determine how fast you can get to where you want to go, you need to know where you are now. That’s why business valuation is so important. As part of the process, you should review the profits and cash flow generated by your business so you can understand the range of values the market will place on your business as it is today and in the future.