By Paul Post

 Warren County officials are counting heavily on Lake George winter attractions to boost declining sales tax revenue caused by ongoing national economic woes.

 Such income was running 10 percent ahead of last year’s numbers, but declined to 2.9 percent by the end of the third quarter. At the same time, inflation has forced up spending across the board, from higher salaries and retirement costs to rising fuel and utility expense.

 “It’s not sustainable,” county Budget Officer and Stony Creek Supervisor Frank Thomas said. “I think the economy is slowing. Interest rates are way up. People don’t have as much money as they would like.”

 About $5 million in funding requests for things such as paving projects and new vehicles were denied in the tentative $192 million, 2024 budget unveiled on November 3.

 Thomas, board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Geraghty of Warrenburgh and new county Tourism Director Heather Bagshaw discussed such issues during a “State of the County” event held at the Park Theater in downtown Glens Falls with several dozen business and local government officials on hand.

 The highly-popular Ice Castles at Charles R. Wood Park in Lake George has been redesigned for a different type of experience called Winter Realm this year. Plans call for a large glycol-cooled skating rink surrounded by colorful light installations, a Polar Pub ice bar and a variety of beautifully designed ice sculptures.

 More than 60,000 people visited Ice Castles during its inaugural presence in 2022.

 And on Dec. 8, Fort William Henry will unveil a large new Winter’s Dream multi-sensory attraction designed by Montreal-based Moment Factory, which is expected to draw even larger crowds throughout the winter months. The county allocated $3 million in occupancy tax money for the project, which is scheduled to have a five-year run in Lake George.

 Moment Factory has done more than 525 shows around the world featuring a blend of advanced lighting, video, architecture, music and special effects that transform venues and events. Clients have included the likes of Sony, Microsoft, Toyota, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, the NFL and pop star Madonna.

 Bagshaw took over as tourism director about six months ago. For the past 10 years she held a similar position in her native Greene County, home to Hunter Mountain and Windham ski resorts.

 She outlined several steps her office is working on to bring more visitors to Warren County throughout the year.

 A top New York state-based design companyhas been hired to produce and bring back an an annual travel guide for distribution to travel centers throughout upstate New York, New England, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

 Also, plans call for launching a newly designed website next spring with more detailed information that will prompt people to look for various recreation and dining experiences the area has to offer.

 In addition, Bagshaw believes there’s significant untapped potential for marketing the entire Lake George region internationally. “They’re here already,” she said. “You hear different languages and accents from different countries. I think we can do a lot more.”

 But she also stressed the need for improved business-to-business connections. For example, Lake George visitors should be made aware of upcoming Glens Falls holiday events and vice versa, and front desk personnel at area hotels should know what’s scheduled so they can direct people to events and places to eat.

 “We have great opportunities this winter,” Bagshaw said. “We have fabulous attractions. The goal is to get everybody to move around. The only way to do that is through partnerships and communication.”

 Bagshaw said the Tourism Department is also conducting an economic development study, which could lead to funding opportunities for much-needed projects that can promote growth and job creation.

 Gore Mountain, for example, is one of the state’s busiest ski centers, but there isn’t a major hotel in North Creek in large part because of water and sewer service limitations. Securing funding for such infrastructure would encourage a lodging company to invest in the community, which might attract other small businesses, stimulate the local economy and create jobs for area residents.

 “It’s not just tourism, you’ve got to look at it from a growth perspective,” Bagshaw said.

 On another front, officials discussed pros and cons of short-term rental properties, which generate occupancy tax, another important form of revenue for the county. Occupancy tax money is primarily used to support tourism-related events and activities.

 But many hotel and motel owners don’t like short-term rentals because of the competition it presents.

 Geraghty said Warrensburg has a local law regulating short-term rentals that is effective because it’s enforced. Sites must undergo a county inspection before welcoming guests.”To me it’s all about safety,” he said.

 Bagshaw said she’d like to see a place on the website where all short-term rental properties are listed, and allows them to book stays as well.

 Like sales tax, occupancy tax revenue fell off considerably during the third quarter as well, which Thomas also attributed to overall economic conditions.

 However, he said county wide assessed valuation is  up 5 percent this year, a reflection of business and residential development, helping keep the tax rate down. Of the $192 million tentative budget, approximately $49.8 million will come 

from property taxes, an increase of $1.2 million (2.5 percent).

 Among the major costs contributing to increased spending are salaries and retirement costs, which are going up $1.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

 Like many area businesses, Geraghty said the county is experiencing staffing shortages, especially in the Public Works Department, which has 16 vacancies. There’s also a need for more corrections personnel at the county jail, he said.

The post Warren County Leverages Enchanting Winter Offerings To Boost Spirits And Sales Tax Revenue appeared first on Glens Falls Business Journal.

By Joe Legault

The 2023-2024 winter season in Lake George, NY, is shaping up to be a truly memorable one for both residents and visitors to the area. This winter will include not one, not two, but three amazing events: Lake George Winter’s Dream, Winter Realms, and Lake George Winter Carnival.

Wondering what to expect? Explore the differences between each event, and why you should add all three to your family’s winter itinerary.

Lake George Winter’s Dream

Lake George Winter’s Dream is an all-new immersive experience where lights, original music, sounds, and interactivity come together to showcase the magic of winter. It will be held at the Fort William Henry Historical Fortress in Lake George, specifically the outdoor courtyard and on all four bastions.

This extraordinary attraction is being created by the award-winning multimedia studio Moment Factory, which has designed over 500 unique projects worldwide. Lake George Winter’s Dream will feature a series of multimedia installations that draw on the rich emotions, sensations, and wonder of the season.

It’s a family-friendly event intended for ages 7+, and exploration of the attraction will take 40-60 minutes. Lake George Winter’s Dream will be held December 8, 2023 – March 31, 2024 (Sunset-10PM), and it will be open every day except Tuesdays (special open/closed dates for the holidays). Tickets are available now at lakegeorge.wintersdream.com

Winter Realms

Located at the Charles R. Wood Park Festival Commons in Lake George, Winter Realms is a new “wintertainment destination” that will enchant visitors with outdoor ice skating, larger-than-life motifs, dazzling lights, a sculpture park, igloos, Santa’s Village, a Polar Ice Bar, and other winter attractions.

Winter Realms is being brought to Lake George by the creators of Ice Castles, and their goal is to create a winter wonderland where fairytale adventures can be discovered around every turn. Bring the whole family as you enter this otherworldly landscape and bask in the radiance of the Northern Lights.

Winter Realms will be open November 24, 2023 – March 3, 2024, 4PM-10PM, Thursday – Sunday + Holiday Dates. Tickets are available now at winterrealms.com

Lake George Winter Carnival

For those who have never been, the Lake George Winter Carnival is an annual winter celebration that’s held every weekend in February. Now entering its 62nd year in 2024, the Lake George Winter Carnival will feature a variety of activities and events on a frozen Lake George (weather/ice permitting) and throughout the Village.

Highlights of the Lake George Winter Carnival typically include games and contests, cook-offs, car races, outhouse races, children’s activities, fireworks shows, and much more. Admission is free, so you’ll definitely want to stop by during your visit to Lake George this season.

Are you ready for another amazing winter?

The post Explore Lake George’s Triple Thrill, Winter’s Dream, Realms, And Carnival appeared first on Glens Falls Business Journal.

“This is a game-changing development for bringing new businesses, jobs and economic growth to Washington and Warren Counties,” said IDA Chairman Dave O’Brien. “We are grateful to Gov. Hochul and Empire State Development for recognizing the potential in this Park and helping the IDA take it to the next level of readiness for prospective tenants. We also owe a great deal of gratitude to the team at the Lake George-Lake Champlain Regional Planning Board for joining with us to prepare our application and champion the attributes of this tremendous property. This was truly a regional effort that will have region-wide benefits for years to come.”

The Canalside Energy Park is an 80-acre, industrial-zoned site featuring two industrial buildings of 41,000 and 25,000 square feet, with considerable acreage for expansion and new construction. The Park has an on-site rail yard located next to a Class 1 rail line and the New York State Champlain Canal, and also features an extensive concrete tarmac, robust industrial power, fiber optic service, and extensive stormwater controls. The IDA acquired the Park — formerly the home of General Electric’s de-watering facility during the Hudson River dredging project  —  in January 2022 and is actively marketing it for agribusiness, industrial machinery manufacturing, renewable energy manufacturing, and other uses.

The new funding, awarded through the state’s Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York grant program, will be used to install a sewer line and connect the Park to Washington County Sewer District #2 in the Village of Fort Edward, replace the Park’s water main, and construct a 340,000-gallon water tank at the Park for enhanced fire protection and operational storage capacity. Preliminary engineering for the sewer line and water main work has already been completed, thanks to a combined $1.5 million in federal grants through from the Northern Border Regional Commission and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“An industrial sewer system is the final piece we need to attract quality businesses to the Canalside Energy Park,” said IDA Chief Executive Officer Chuck Barton. “Interest in the Park has been great in recent years, but time and again the lack of a sewer system has led prospective tenants to look elsewhere. No more. Once these improvements are complete, the Canalside Energy Park will provide an ideal setting for a wide variety of businesses to invest and grow and contribute to our region’s economic prosperity.”

The Warren-Washington IDA provides incentive-based assistance to encourage and help businesses start, expand, or move into the bi-county region – creating jobs for local people and driving economic activity in local communities. The IDA also owns the Airport Industrial Park on the border of the two counties, in addition to the Canalside Energy Park. The IDA’s business assistance programs are self-funded and not supported by taxpayer dollars. For more information on how the IDA can help your current or future business, call (518) 792-1312 or visit warren-washingtonida.com.

The post Warren-Washington IDA Receives $4.7M Boost For Infrastructure Development appeared first on Glens Falls Business Journal.

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) hosted their annual Business Expo on November 8th at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls. This business showcase featured over 85 exhibitors, ranging from all types of industries and business sizes. From nonprofits  and human service organizations to health and wellness and professional services, the event was buzzing with activity.

“It is always amazing to watch all of the business connections happening in real time,” said ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers. “Our business community is so amazing in that they support each other in every way possible.”

This year’s business showcase had something for everyone. Many businesses featured demos of their products, such as Mahoney Alarms, who had a great setup of their camera and security systems. Adirondack Winery, Lake George Wine Outlet, and Springbrook Hollow Distillery were all giving out samples of their beverages. And Park Street Hospitality delighted guests with some yummy Autumn themed treats. For the golf enthusiasts, PSG Golf set up a putting green, and The Luxury Box had a golf simulator. And for those who like their toys to drive, float, or ride the Expo had a vehicle from Romeo Toyota of Glens Falls, and a boat & snowmobile from Pilot Knob Marina & Powersports.

Many of the exhibitors also made their way around the rooms to chat and network with other businesses. 

“A few exhibitors mentioned that they had met businesses they had never heard of and were looking forward to continuing conversations after the event. At the end of the day, this showcase is about community. It’s about getting to know your neighbors and making new friends & connections,” said ARCC Marketing Director Amanda Blanton.

The ARCC Business Expo is held annually in the Fall. Stay tuned to the ARCC website for announcements on other business networking opportunities at www.adirondackchamber.org. 

The post ARCC’s Annual Expo: A Showcase Of Business Connections And Community Support appeared first on Glens Falls Business Journal.

By Paul Post

 Gregg Singer and Larissa Ovitt are bridging a gap in Glens Falls’ downtown revitalization, which took a giant leap forward with the long-anticipated groundbreaking for a $4.5 million Market Center on South Street. 

State and city officials tossed shovels full of dirt to mark the momentous occasion, the latest in a series of projects contributing to Hometown USA’s rebirth.

While dust was still settling, Singer and Ovitt welcomed guests to their new cozy business, Golden Monkey Lounge, directly across the street. They’ve spent more than a half-million dollars refurbishing the building near the west end of South Street, which is also home to a new Taco Kings Jalisco eatery. 

“The city wants to turn this into an event block,” Ovitt said. “We’re working on this building to make something that works in collaboration with everything that continues, not just across the street, but coming up South Street and downtown as a whole. It’s certainly very encouraging now that they’re running full speed ahead with the Market Center.”

 South Street’s revitalization will link small businesses around the corner, on Broad Street, with the city’s core on Glen Street, Singer said.

 The 6,000-square-foot Market Center will become a year-round home for Glens Falls Farmer’s Market and is designed to host a wide variety of community events. Eventually, it could be the focal point of large outdoor festival-type gatherings when South Street is temporarily closed off.

 South Street long ago earned the nickname “street of dreams” because it was a place where people with hope, hard work and a little money could earn a slice of the American pie. More recently, the term was used derisively because the street had fallen into a state of decline evidenced by closed, boarded-up storefronts in several buildings.

“We hope this Market Center will catalyze the entire block,” Mayor Bill Collins said. “We dream of a day when events are so large, requiring us to close down both ends of South Street. When that happens we will have a new name, the ‘street of dreams come true’.”

Funding for the project comes from a $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant the city obtained in 2017. A separate $500,000 grant is expected to pay for a new pocket park on the site, adjacent to the former Hot Shots tavern building.

Work on the Market Center, by Latham-based Bunkoff General Contractors, is expected to start soon and be completed next fall.

“I am hoping for September 30 (2024), but so much seems to be at the mercy of outside forces these days,” said Jeff Flagg, city director of economic development.

 Singer and Ovitt are among the many entrepreneurs investing large sums in downtown Glens Falls in recent years. They purchased their building (58-66 South Street) last February for $325,000 followed by extensive renovations.

Plans call for opening a third first-floor business, an eco-friendly market offering everything from “green” household cleaning products to spices, teas and cut flowers in the near future. The building’s second floor is also being remodeled to house boutique-type apartments where out-of-town tourists and visitors can make short-term stays.

“We’re happy that we’re helping advance the street,” Singer said. “We just wanted to be part of it; kind of get the rush going as it expands.”

Golden Monkey Lounge has a modern craft cocktail bar on one side, and a relaxing space with carpeting, couches and ottomans on the other, separated by a wall adorned with books and hanging plants. A new garage-type overhead door has been installed, creating an open-air atmosphere for summer nights. Out back, there’s a small stage for live entertainment.

But this building and the new Market Center are only small parts of a major South Street overhaul expected to unfold during the next few years.

 Spring City Development, a subsidiary of Saratoga Springs-based Bonacio Construction, has plans for a large commercial-residential structure (69 apartments) where Glens Falls Farmer’s Market is currently located. The building will wrap around the former Sandy’s Clam Bar, which the firm plans to rejuvenate in addition to the former Hot Shots tavern.

 Also, a business incubator will be located behind Hot Shots at 36 Elm Street.

 Flagg said the city will soon turn its attention to the future of a large, vacant building directly across from Hot Shots at the corner of South and Elm streets. The structure has several boarded up storefronts and broken windows overhead.

 “I believe there are approved plans from the owner, Chad Nims, to rehab this building into a mixed-use structure, but I have neither seen nor heard of any activity of late,” Flagg said.

 The city’s $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant is one of many awarded across New York, designed to provide multi-pronged financial support for communities to re-imagine their downtown areas, restore or replace downtrodden buildings, create walk-able spaces, foster economic growth and leverage increased private investment, Collins said.

“In short, to revitalize the tired parts of our cities,” he said.

 Lesley Zlatev, New York State Department of State revitalization specialist, said the new Market Center will create “new exciting opportunities for local retailers, entrepreneurs and farmers.”

“With the Market Center’s completion, the economic and business development of South Street will experience more gains with the creation of more business and job growth,” she said. “The Market Center is bringing new life to this corridor of Glens Falls.

 It will be a transformative project for downtown, which has become a magnet for redevelopment.”

 Some of the $10 million grant funded SUNY Adirondack’s culinary center move to 14 Hudson Street, creating jobs and expanding the local area’s culinary talent. Money has also paid for a public arts trail with six murals completed to date and more in the planning stages.

 And a portion of the grant established a fund to help small business owners pay for improvements in the wake of the extremely challenging COVID-19 pandemic.

Collins cited former mayors Jack Diamond and Dan Hall and the city’s late economic development director, Ed Bartholomew, for obtaining and overseeing sound use of the $10 million state grant.

 “Today developers, business owners and entrepreneurs are moving into the downtown area restoring buildings, setting up businesses, directly and indirectly supported by the shot in the arm the DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) has provided,” he said.

The post Reviving Dreams: Construction Underway At South Street Market Center Project appeared first on Glens Falls Business Journal.

 By Paul Post

 The Adirondack Thunder averaged a franchise record 3,657 fans per game last year, boosting business for area firms that supply Cool Insuring Arena with food and beverage products.

 The team drew nearly a dozen sell-out crowds during its late-season drive to the ECHL’s Kelly Cup playoffs and based on early season-ticket sales, attendance is expected to reach another all-time high this year.

 That’s good news to firms such as Fitzgerald Brothers Beverages, and Argyle Brewing and Cooper’s Cave Ale companies along with advertisers such as Upstate Ford Dealers that reach more people as the team’s fan base grows.

 “Our main source of revenue for hockey is ticket sales,” said Jeff Mead, Cool Insuring Arena manager and Thunder general manager. “The more fans that come to the arena the more food, beverage and merchandise we sell and the more apt corporate partners are to support us. I’d love to see 3,800 average attendance this year. We’ve got a pretty good schedule with a lot of weekend home dates so I think that’s attainable.”

 Mead said he expects season ticket sales to reach 1,600, up from last year’s figure of 1,450. Ticket revenue accounts for 60 percent of the team’s income followed by corporate sponsors (30 percent) and food, beverage and merchandise sales (10 percent).

The franchise is a roughly $3 million operation whose expenses have tripled since it joined the ECHL in 2015. But fueled by on-ice success and growing support from fans and corporate sponsors alike, the team netted a $100,000 profit last year.

 “We have a lot more staff than we used to,” Mead said. “Salaries, Workers’ Compensation, hotels, flights, buses and player housing have all gone up. We’re faced with the same increased expenses as everyone else in our community. Minor league sports is a very challenging business. The good thing is that our revenue has gone up significantly since we took over, too.”

 Digital marketing such as Facebook and Instagram, and broadcast ads with the Regional Radio Group are primary ways of reaching people. Last year, the Thunder also began advertising on Capital District television stations WRGB, WTEN and WNYT and Spectrum, which paid handsome dividends.

 But face-to-face contact is vitally important, too. “All of our board members are local, which has a big impact,” Mead said. “I think it resonates with fans that we’re a locally owned and operated team. Most of the staff is from our area. So when we go out in the community pretty much everyone knows us. That helps when we’re trying to get business partners to support the Thunder or to get people to come see the team. We’ve got a pretty good rapport and relationship with our community.”

 Numerous special promotions are scheduled including a first-ever NYRA Day held Sunday, Nov. 12 when Saratoga Race Course 64-ounce cooler jugs  given to the first 3,000 fans followed by a post-game Thunder autograph session in newly-renovated Heritage Hall, which underwent a million-dollar makeover this summer.

 Other upcoming events include Military Appreciation (1,000 T-shirts to first 1,000 fans) on Saturday, Nov. 25, Miracle On Ice Night (Saturday, Dec. 7) when Adirondack pays tribute to the 1980 Olympic U.S. Men’s Hockey Team and Firefighter Night (Saturday, Dec. 16) when Saratoga Springs and Worcester, Mass. firefighters will square off (1 p.m.) prior to that evening’s contest between the Thunder and Worcester Railers.
Second-year Thunder head coach Pete MacArthur, of Clifton Park, is a prime example of the way pro hockey has contributed to the greater Capital Region economy since the Adirondack Red Wings first began play in 1979.

 As a young boy, MacArthur accompanied his father, Bill, to numerous Wings games, which inspired him and countless other kids to pursue high school, college and pro careers of their own. A former Thunder captain and ECHL All-Star, MacArthur had a 15-year minor league career before taking over as head coach last year.

 “At our level the players are more accessible than say at the NHL or even the AHL level,” he said. “People can connect more frequently and get a better understanding of what these guys are all about. Usually, they’re just like everyday humans, but they work in a public space. I think it’s important for the next generation to realize you can achieve the dream of being a professional athlete. It takes discipline and lots of hard work, but it can be done.”

 MacArthur and Assistant Coach Mike Bergin, of Saratoga Springs, are among the roughly 30 players, coaches, equipment and training personnel that comprise Thunder hockey operations. The front office employs about 10 more people and on game nights the team provides part-time jobs to 15 off-ice officials plus arena security and concessions staff, all of which helps the local economy, too.

 Visiting teams stay overnight at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, giving the establishment significant extra revenue.

 Young children and teens are a big part of the Thunder fan base. As more kids play and join youth leagues, the more local stores such as Pure Hockey in Clifton Park and Sports Zone of Queensbury benefit from equipment sales.

 But some of the biggest beneficiaries from the Thunder’s presence are Glens Falls taverns and restaurants, especially on weekend game nights.

“Coach Bergin and I quite often mention how nice it is to see so many people in and out of shops and restaurants downtown.” MacArthur said.

 “Places like the Bullpen, Fenimore’s, Downtown Social and Downtown City Tavern, all the local restaurants are positively impacted for hockey games and events,” Mead said. “An economic study in 2018 said our impact was $13 million per year. That’s probably doubled since then, just based on the amount of events we have now and the people who come to them.”

 A new junior hockey team for aspiring college players, the Adirondack Junior Thunder, began play in Glens Falls last year, adding another 15 to 17 games to the list of arena events. And the team rents ice time, which provides added revenue.

 Cool Insuring Arena hosted the two-day Adirondack Stampede Rodeo earlier this month and the New York State Girls High School Volleyball Championships are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19.

 “All of these things bring people to Glens Falls and Warren County for overnight stays,” Mead said.

The post Adirondack Thunder’s Record-Breaking Fan Turnout Spurs Boost For Local Businesses appeared first on Glens Falls Business Journal.

Mr. Rusate is responsible for managing the Internal Audit Department, which provides oversight over organizational risks and controls. He performs the same duties for Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company and Upstate Agency, which are part of the Arrow Family of Companies. Mr. Rusate reports independently to the Board Audit Committee on risk and audit issues and to the Chief Operating Officer on internal and administrative issues.

Mr. Rusate brings more than 10 years of experience to the role, most recently as Senior Internal Auditor for New York Independent System Operator, a non-profit organization that manages New York’s electric grid and competitive wholesale electric marketplace. He was previously a Senior Associate with KPMG.

Mr. Rusate received a master’s degree in accountancy and a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and global perspectives from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Mr. Rusate also attained his Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) and Certification in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA).

Mr. Rusate is a published author on numerous internal audit topics with Internal Auditors Magazine and is active in his community. He currently serves on the Town of Wilton, New York Ethics Advisory Board and on the Institute of Internal Auditors Albany Chapter Board of Governors.

A native of Southbury, Connecticut, Mr. Rusate lives in Wilton, New York.

***

Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties recently hired Francine Tyler, a native of Hudson Falls, to the position of Nutrition Outreach and Education Program Coordinator for Washington County. Francine will assist residents apply for the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) as well as to promote the WIC (Women, Infants & Children), School Breakfast & Lunch, and Senior Meals Programs and compliment the work of Warren County NOEP Coordinator Ben Driscoll. Francine and Ben share an office at 35 Broad Street in Glens Falls

 The Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau (LGRCVB) announced its newest hire, Emily Frost, for the position of Senior Sales and Services Manager.  Frost peviously served as Membership Manager for the Lake George Chamber f Commerce.A Queensbury native and a graduate of SUNY Potsdam, Frost will manage a team promoting sales and services for event planners looking to book meetings and events in Warren County. 

The post Personnel Briefs: November 2023 appeared first on Glens Falls Business Journal.

By Paul Post

 Common Roots Brewing Company, best-known for its popular craft beer and ale, now helps people start their day right by serving up fresh coffee, roasted on site, and a selection of  tasty breakfast sandwiches.
The Café, open 7 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, is located in the firm’s spacious new multi-purpose building, which Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado christened during recent ribbon cutting ceremonies.

 “We started roasting our own coffee because it’s an important ingredient for some of our beers like our Coffee Cup stout,” said Bert Weber, who co-owns Common Roots with his son, Christian. “It became kind of a progression after that. While we’re making coffee we thought it might be a nice way to introduce the public to this space. So we have a lot of people coming in now for coffee and an egg sandwich or breakfast burrito. It’s exposing the space to people who might see it as a nice place to have a celebration or party.”

 The new building, called Bierhall & Barrel House, is on the south side of Common Roots’ restaurant and brewery, at 58 Saratoga Avenue in South Glens Falls.

 The $3.6 million structure, aided by $450,000 in state economic development funding, can accommodate up to 200 people and has already hosted a wedding and a travel program about a local adventurer’s trek to the Himalayas in Nepal.

 “This gives us a lot of opportunities,” Weber said. “The acoustics are pretty good so we might use it as a live music venue at some point, too. It’s multi-functional. There’s a full kitchen so there’s a special menu for events like weddings, banquets and celebrations. When there’s no event going on, we can use it to handle overflow from the restaurant and serve the same menu that’s over there.”

 The building was originally planned to provide warehouse space for brewery cans and kegs, which come in by the tractor-trailer load.

 “Then we thought, while we’re at it, if we’re going to build a warehouse maybe we can take care of our event needs, too,” Weber said.

 A blaze in the large stone fireplace creates a warm, cozy atmosphere that’s especially welcome on cold North Country mornings. Handsome wall designs are patterned like mountain peaks, a reflection of Weber’s passion for hiking and outdoor recreation.

 The Classic breakfast sandwich is comprised of a farm-fresh fried egg served with a choice of cheese (American, cheddar or gouda) on a brioche bun. The Breakfast Burrito is farm-fresh scrambled eggs and choice of cheese in a whole wheat tortilla.

 Add-ons, for a nominal extra price, include but are not limited to chipotle or kimchi aioli, bacon, sausage or black bean patty and fried potatoes.

 In addition to The Café and banquet hall, the new building also has a separate “wild brewery” area. At the main brewery, all ingredients that go into beer are tightly controlled.

 “That’s our clean ale program,” Weber said.

 At the “wild brewery,” young beer is brought over and fresh air flows in on nice cool spring and autumn evenings. “We allow nature to kind of infect and inoculate the beer with bacteria and yeast,” he said. “It’s very exciting because you’re never really sure what you’re going to get. It becomes a very interesting process for our brewers. It’s a niche market for us. This new space allowed us to bring those beers back into our portfolio.”

 Activity at the new Bierhall & Barrel House has created several new jobs and plans call adding more staff next year with the return of warm weather.

 Common Roots will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024. The brewery was completely gutted by a devastating fire in March 2019, but the Webers bounced back quickly by making plans for a bigger, state-of-the-art facility with a restaurant, which the old building didn’t have. There’s also a highly popular outdoor beer garden where guests congregate on summer nights.

 The breakfast venue is one of several ambitious new ventures the Webers are pursuing in their rapidly-growing business.

 They also recently completed the $3 million purchase of Albany Pump Station from its parent company, C.H. Evans Brewing. The brewpub, which opened in the late 1990s, is housed in an historic brick building at Quackenbush Square in downtown Albany.

 “We started negotiating last March,” Weber said. “They were looking to sell to a family-run business and our distributor recommended us to them. It really came out of the blue to us, but we love that building and that area. It’s really cool. As a company we were looking to get more involved in the Albany market, too. It’s a really good opportunity for us. Everything just came together.”

 The site is currently closed for renovations. Plans call for reopening about two months from now with a new name: Common Roots Brewing Company, Albany Outpost.

 “We wanted to re-brand it,” Weber said. “All of our beer is still scheduled to be brewed up here. It’s much more efficient for us. The brew system down there will stay intact and we’ll use it for small batches. We’re also re-doing the kitchen and changing the menu a little bit to reflect what we do up here.”

 “It just needs some updates because it’s an old building,” he said. “We’re happy and honored to take it over.”

 On yet another front, Christian Weber and his wife, Melanie, recently purchased the oldest building in Glens Falls, a quaint brick structure at the foot of Glen Street hill on the south side of the Sawyer building, directly across from Cool Insuring Arena.

 Dating back to about 1800, it once housed an early blacksmith shop.

 Workers have already given the structure a new roof and refurbished the brick exterior. Christian and Melanie simply admired the building and wanted to see it restored before suffering irreversible deterioration.

 Plans call for shifting coffee roasting operations, under the direction of employee John Reed, from Common Roots’ brewery to the basement of the old Glens Falls building so that coffee aroma doesn’t impact beer and ale flavor.

 There are no immediate plans for the Glens Falls building’s upstairs area.

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By Jill Nagy

There was such a large crowd at the October 27 opening of the AllTown Fresh market in Fort Edward,” that “it was very difficult to move,” exulted Holly Kitchen, manager of the new market. There was a state senator, two town supervisors, president of the Adirondack Chamber of Commerce, the local radio station, many company officers, several chefs, and, of course, the neighbors, “a fantastic turnout,” Kitchen said.

After the ribbon-cutting, party goers sampled the food, visited a coffee trailer, played games, and toured the new shop. 

The store is located at 1401 Saratoga Road (Route 9) between South Glens Falls and Gansevoort.

AllTown features chef-run kitchens, preparing sandwiches, salads, and full meals, made with organic, locally sourced foods and ingredients. They offer vegan and gluten-free selections. The markets are open around the clock, with the kitchen open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Available beverages include beer as well as coffee and soft drinks. There is free wifi on the premises and outdoor patio seating. Another big draw, according to Kitchen, is “fantastic gas prices.”  .

This is the third AllTown Fresh market in the area, the 16th overall for the parent company, Massachusetts-based Great Global Village. The first capital region outlet opened in Schenectady three years ago. The company’s first market opened in Plymouth MA five years ago. 

The general contractor for this AllTown, and well as the other two local AllTown Fresh outlets, was Schaghticote-based F.H.Alexander Inc. 

Kitchen has been with the company for one and a half years. Before opening the Fort Edward market, she managed the Schenectady store. currently there are 25 employees at the new location.

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The Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne, New York, broke ground on Circle H Lodge, a new residential lodge for camp staff and volunteers, in late September. Double H Ranch launched its public phase of a $5.5 million capital campaign project in March 2023 to support four areas of focus: the new Residential Lodge, Adaptive Playground, Outdoor Pavilion expansion, and Camp-A-Theater. Backed unanimously by its Board of Directors, the Double H Ranch has secured $5.3 million of its goal.

Dave Michaels, Chair of the Facilities Committee, stated: “It is exciting to be here today breaking ground at the new Circle H Lodge. Double H makes a profound difference in the lives of our campers year-round, and our staff team and volunteers work hard to make the program possible.  This new lodge will provide our counselors and volunteers with a place to recharge and rest, helping them to be the best they can be for our campers.  This new cabin will offer year-round housing, build program capacity, and enhance energy efficiency, and will offer common rooms for meeting and gathering.”

Charlie Crew, Board Chair, stated: “Thank you to all our donors who have collectively contributed 5.3 million towards our campaign. Double H campers look forward all year to experiencing the life changing impact of camp, and they will benefit from these capital improvements for years to come.”

This is the Ranch’s second Capital Campaign endeavor led by Lisa and Robert Moser, who launched the campaign with a $1.5 million leadership gift. “Double H Ranch wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community. We are grateful for the individuals, foundations, businesses, and organizations that have provided generous funding in the initial stage of our campaign. We are inspired by the progress we have made and look forward to meeting our campaign goal in 2023 with the help from our community,” state the Moser’s.

Neil Golub, co-chair of the campaign, provided a $1 million challenge, matching gifts made by Board Members and early stakeholders. “For those of us who have had the privilege of leading the Double H groundbreaking for new facilities, it has always been a source of enormous pride,” says Mr. Golub. “Every new facility ensures our longevity. Knowing that our kids will be attending a special place for mind, soul, and body gives us a very warm feeling. I hope with all my heart that our friends will join us in this very special journey.”

For over 30 years, the Double H Ranch has provided outdoor Adirondack adventures for children living with a serious illness. During that time, over 80,000 children have visited this safe place, where health challenges do not define them. The Capital Campaign will secure funding to ensure a continued experience of excellence for children and their families who participate in the year-round programs offered at camp, provided at no charge.

The projects were identified in a Master Site Plan to address the critical need to replace or renovate existing structures that do not meet the needs of our programs. The new Circle H Residential Lodge will offer year-round housing and help build program capacity. The current outdoor pavilion has been doubled in size to accommodate outdoor cabin gatherings, meals, and activities.

New to the camp will be the Camp-A-Theater and Adaptive Playground. The Camp-A-Theater will be located at the heart of camp and will provide a large, outdoor gathering space for campers and counselors to congregate for morning assembly and talent shows. The “RayMax Camp-A-Theater” will be named in honor of Max Yurenda, founding CEO, and Dr. Ray Walsh, founding volunteer physician.

The Adaptive Playground will be customized to the needs of our campers from KOMPAN’s Playground Equipment Company. The playground has been generously supported through a gift from Business for Good and Lisa and Ed Mitzen. Elements will include graduated challenges keeping the play fun, adventurous, and exciting. The new playground will give campers a unique space to freely engage with peers, participate in meaningful play, and build confidence in their own skills.

Double H Ranch has a phased construction timeline, with the Outdoor Pavilion Expansion completed in Spring 2023, Circle H Residential Lodge and Adaptive Playground beginning in the Fall 2023, and Camp-A-Theater in Fall 2024.

At the Groundbreaking Ceremony Alison Wilcox, CEO, stated: “Thank you to everyone who has made this possible for the future of our Double H community.  We are nearly at the finish line with $200 thousand left to fund these critical projects, and we invite new community members to join us to support the future of Double H campers.”

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