Category Archives: New Businesses

By Maureen Werther

Rude Betty is a new business in downtown Glens Falls that sells toys, books and other gifts at 18 Exchange St.

It is the second store owned and operated by Jeff Strief, who is originally from Iowa City and relocated to Bolton Landing in 2002. His background is in live theater, film and television, where he acted and worked with stars like Kirsten Dunst and Shaun Cassidy. He also worked with the famous Blue Man Group in Chicago.

After leaving the entertainment industry, Strief visited Bolton Landing and immediately “fell in love with the place.” He said he has always wanted to live in a resort community surrounded by forest and water. 

By Maureen Werther

Waterhorse Adventures LLC is a new business that offers training and instruction in scuba diving, with classes for students of all ages and levels of ability. 

Owners James and Kimberly VanHeste opened Waterhorse, at 6 East Washington St., Glens Falls, in January. They have both been scuba diving for 30 years.

They also perform  commercial underwater work, repairing moorings, docks and boat lifts.  The sell and service equipment. 

Classes are held at the Washington Street building. The schedule is available on the website, www.waterhorseadventures.com.

By Rachel Phillips

With the rise of the internet, telecommuting and freelancing is more abundant than ever.

Some of these individuals may be content working from home. But one local woman realized the need for an alternative workplace for work-from-home entrepreneurs and professionals in the area. 

WorkSmart Network, at 3 Warren St. in Glens Falls, is the coworking facility she developed. 

By Jennifer Farnsworth

The little secret at the Queensbury Hotel may not stay so little or so secret. Danika Hajeck, a medical aesthetician and hair, eyelash and makeup artist, has set up shop at the hotel, offering services to a variety of clients, including bridal parties. 

Since the grand opening of Our Little Secret Beauty Bar in February, she has been busy providing her services at the hotel, and building a business that she hopes will continue to grow.

“I am delighted to be located at the Queensbury Hotel and have [an] opportunity to provide a unique experience for wedding parties,” said Hajeck.

By Liz Witbeck

People looking to get in shape and achieve their weight loss goals have another area option—ILoveKickboxing.com in Queensbury.

ILoveKickboxing.com is a franchise that started in 2009. Since then, the company has spread across the United States and Canada.

“I have always loved everything to do with fitness and was looking for a franchise opportunity that met my passions and goals to help people change their lives,” said Dana Moraci, a Long Island native who moved to the area 12 years ago.

Moraci and her husband were members of the Clifton Park branch of ILoveKickboxing. When she found out about the opportunity to have franchise, she seized the moment.

“I enjoy healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle and I wanted to share my passions and change the way people thought of fitness,” she said.

By rachel phillips

With the Adirondacks so close, there has always been a market for rustic furniture in the area. For one local business, rustic furniture isn’t just a local trend.

Square Nail Rustics, located in Glens Falls, makes hand-crafted farmhouse furniture and wide-plank flooring. Though the business is only a few years old, its widespread popularity both locally and across the country has necessitated the leasing of additional space, according to ownership.

It now has a new showroom and offices at 24 Pine St. in Union Square.

Owner and founder Eric Mattison started Square Nail Rustics in late 2014 out of his garage. In the three years since it began, the company has grown and now employs almost 30 people. At any given time, the business has hundreds of pieces in production at their Dix Avenue facility.

All of Square Nail Rustic’s customizable furniture is made from locally sourced pine board, milled just outside of Lake Placid. Customers have the ability to choose furniture designs in a range of sizes and finishes.

A new Dunkin’ Donuts shop has opened at 69 Catherine Street in Fort Ann.

The location features a drive-thru focused design, which company officials said is the first of its kind in the region, accessible from both Route 149 and Catherine Street.

The new restaurant also offers a walk-in lobby with counter service, free Wi-Fi and on-the-go ordering. It is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, and employs 20 crew members, officials said.

Donuts of Rutland Inc., which currently operates 15 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in New York and Central Vermont, is the Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee for the Fort Ann location. Donuts of Rutland is a family-owned company based in Rutland, Vt., and is currently celebrating 25 years of business.

AAMCO Transmissions, Inc. has plans to open eight new service center locations with new and existing franchisees across the country, including one at 599 Aviation Road in Queensbury.

Company officials said that over the next several months, AAMCO locations will open in Queen Creek, Ariz.; Upper Marlboro, Md.; Lauderhill, Fla.; Winchester, Va.; Hackensack, N.J.; Spring, Texas and Cutler Bay, Fla. in addition to Queensbury.

“Over the past year, we’ve been extremely focused on growing AAMCO’s presence across the country, particularly in markets where there is a need for very specialized auto repair shops,” said Brian O’Donnell, senior vice president of franchise sales at AAMCO Transmissions, Inc. “This announcement is a true testament to the momentum we have gained through our efforts and we look forward to entering 2018 with an even stronger focus on aggressive growth as the leading powertrain specialist.”

By Jennifer Farhsworth

An architect, a mom, and now an entrepreneur, Jen Dennis, has followed her heart and instincts, leading her to the brink of owning her own business. This mother of two said she needed to find how she could do what she loved, while not compromising her priorities.

“I knew I wanted to be able to be present with my young children, but I also always had this dream of owning my own boutique,” said Dennis.

The former Poblano’s Authentic Mexican Food at 14 Ridge St. in Glens Falls will soon be home to Shine Style Boutique. Denis is hoping to officially open sometime between mid-February and early March. After spending some time working with LuLaRoe, designer and seller of women’s clothing, Dennis gained experience and a client base, all while finding her niche in the industry.

By Liz Witbeck

It has been a little more than a year since Eric Vreeken and his wife Erin Hunnewell purchased the Moose on the Loose Deli, located in the French Mountain Outlets in Lake George. Already they have expanded, following the success of the first location.

A vacancy opened up across the street, in a space previously occupied by Sammy D’s, in the Adirondack Outlet Mall. Vreeken and his staff seized the opportunity to open up the second location.

Vreeken is a veteran of the restaurant industry. He started his career with his first business, a food distribution company. He sold it to purchase the original Moose on the Loose Deli with his wife. He has worked in food and restaurants for the past 15 years.

The new restaurant, Moose on the Loose Café, opened in November at 1444 Route 9 in Lake George.