Category Archives: New Businesses

By Jill Nagy

Business is “exceeding our expectations” at a newly opened vegan restaurant in Queensbury, according to its owner, Tania Sharlow. 

The restaurant, the Birch Bark Eatery, opened Oct. 1 at 989 Route 9.

The vegan menu avoids meat and other animal products like eggs and dairy. Sharlow said she relies heavily on vegetables, beans and “rare flowers” in her cooking. 

However, she also offers “imitation comfort food,” such as the “impossible burger” and imitation meat products made of seitan, a gluten-rich wheat product that can be seasoned like meat and has a similar texture. The burger sizzles on the grill and sheds blood-like juices when bitten into. 

Sharlow estimated that about a third of her clients are, like her, committed to a vegan diet. Another one-third or so, are vegetarian. The rest, she feels, are curious.

By Jill Nagy

After a month’s hiatus, Mikado Japanese Restaurant in Glens Falls is back, a block away and twice the size, at 197 Glen St.

There is a new bar, an expanded menu, some 10 additional staff people and, if all goes well, there will soon be new grills in the six hibachi tables.

Plans for an expanded restaurant had been in the works for some 18 months, according to co-owner Danny Chang. The restaurant, at its previous location, was closed a month ago. That building will be converted to mixed apartments and commercial use. The month in between was used to convert the former home of Adirondack Billiards into a 5,000-square-foot eatery.

A soft opening was held Oct. 5. A

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Cleverdale Country Store at 2660 Route 9L in Queensbury seems to be much more than its name.

Cleverdale is about homemade deli sandwiches and homemade baked goods, as well as breakfast, lunches or dinners. They serve beer and wine, carry seasonal organic fruits and veggies,  and have locally themed gifts. They even have live music on Thursdays.

The owner recently purchased a neighboring space that is now serving as a lake store with cabin, boat and lake goods. Meghan Cesari said the business is strong and they continue to work with local business owners in an effort to keep things fresh, as well as support the community.

By Jill Nagy

Two Glens Falls women parlayed their love for canines into a thriving dog obedience training school in South Glens Falls.

In August, Paws4Obedience moved into new, larger quarters to accommodate a growing clientele.

The new facility, at 1638 Route 9—across the street from the former facility—was opened with an all-day celebration that collected four or five crates of food, toys, and other accessories for shelter dogs. It also raised more than $500 for the shelters and for Woofs for Warriors, a Glens Falls organization that helps veterans acquire service dogs and facilitated the adoption of several rescue dogs.

The two women, Lora Bacharach and Brianna Rabine, opened the business in December. They offer a series of obedience training classes and specialized programs such as therapy dog preparation, off-leash obedience training and competitive sports. 

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Authentic Asian cuisine, served in a popular all-you-can-eat format, is a key to the early success at China Town, a new restaurant in Lake George.

Head chef Jo Sim said don’t be fooled into thinking they are your average buffet. The restaurant, that can seat up to 180 people, is much more than that.

“Our buffet is way beyond that. It is all-you-can-eat from the kitchen and the sushi bar, which is special,” said Sim. It specializes in Thai, Chinese and Japanese food.

By Maureen Werther

Kris and Heather March are working hard to meet a planned opening of Slickfin Brewing Co. in November.

The brewery and tap room will be located at 147 Broadway in Fort Edward.

Kris said he first became interested in brewing when he was in the U.S. Marines, stationed in the Middle East. In 2012, he began developing recipes in earnest, with the help of his friend. They began entering competitions and did well, prompting them to seriously consider opening a brewing company and tap room.

By 2016, the Marchs were out of the military and had a young daughter. Kris was working in the robotics field in Boston and making a weekly commute between Fort Edward and Boston.  After a year, he decided to pursue his passion for craft brewing full-time. He quit his job in 2017 and began renovations at the Broadway location.

“See. Taste. Explore” is the new brand behind an effort designed to position Washington County as one of eastern New York’s most exciting destinations for those seeking to enhance their historical knowledge, take in arts and cultural sights, and find good food.

The marketing campaign began this summer. Officials hope it serves as a driving force for Washington County to become a key player in the New York and New England tourism markets.

“Washington County has always been home to notable historic sites, celebrated arts venues, and critical agricultural operations. Recent economic development initiatives have encouraged not only ongoing preservation of our past but also growth of new industries that naturally evolved out of the county’s legacy strengths,” said Laura Oswald of Washington County Economic Development. “The addition of multiple artisanal agricultural sites and Washington County’s increasing role in eastern New York’s creative economy are prime examples of new flagship tourism opportunities that exist throughout our region.”

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Boats By George is expanding, as ownership has purchased a second marina on Lake George—this one on the east shore of Lake George.

The company made the move earlier this summer in an effort to meet the needs of their customers, particularly those who are looking for a place to dock their boats, said George Pensel, owner of Boats By George.

Prior to the new purchase, Boats By George had a marina on the east side of Lake George at 291 Cleverdale Road in Cleverdale; A showroom at 18 Route 149, Lake George, and a service center at 10018 Route 149 in Fort Ann.

Pensel paid $2.39 million to buy Warner Bay Dockage at 39 Rockhurst Road in Queensbury from Marion DeMarco. The transaction closed June 15,

By Susan E. Campbell

Hunter Werner, owner of Adirondack Knockerball, has introduced a new recreational sport to the region.

Called Bubble Soccer, the equipment is a four-foot inflatable “knockerball” that the player straps himself inside of, encasing their  body from the knee up. The sport is safe, fun, and even a novice can play, said Werner.

“You just need enough weight to hold up the ball,” said Werner,.

He said there is a smaller Knockerball for kids ages 8 through 12 and an extra large for above-average sized adults.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

A new Lake George attraction, Escape LG, provides its customers an opportunity to experience adventures like being on an African safari, visiting a speakeasy, being on a pirate ship, or make their way through a haunted forest—all indoors within the confines of its building.

The attraction also has themed mystery rooms that require visitors to think their way through an adventure. 

Owners Evan and Beth Jalazo said the these interactive adventures have been well received since the Memorial Day grand opening.