Glens Falls Business Journal

Brad LaCross Operates ‘Legendary Auto Salon,’ Helping Protect Car Exterior Finishes

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

Brad LaCross gave up a career in IT and opened Legendary Auto Salon in Queensbury, a business that specializes in protective finishes for automobiles.

By Jill NAgy

A hobby became a full-time business three years ago when Brad LaCross gave up a career in IT to devote himself to automobile detailing.

His Legendary Auto Salon in Queensbury specializes in protective finishes for automobiles.

LaCross recently signed a 10-year lease on a facility at 75 Carey Road, near Exit 18 of the Northway. It is a brand new facility. In fact, “there are a few things to fix” before his certificate of occupancy becomes permanent.

The shop has 3,800 square feet of work space and includes a custom-built clean room and a training facility. The first training session was in October and attracted auto detailers from across the country. He hopes to help build credibility for a new industry, working with colleagues to develop standards and a certification process.

As an information technology person, LaCross worked as a systems administrator and operated data centers. His experience in running a business carried over into the current enterprise. It also helps in his effort to develop standard operating procedures for everything.

At the same time, he was preparing cars for auto shows and doing other detailing work, using space in the back of an automobile service shop.

Downtown Glens Falls Property Will Partner Restaurant With A Golf Simulator Experience

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

This is a rendering of the exterior of 196 Glen St. in Glens Falls that will become One Below Urban Golf Club in 2022. It will be an eatery and also have a golf simulator for people to use.
Courtesy Daniel McGurk

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

A man with local ties to the resort industry is planning to open a new restaurant in downtown Glens Falls, but won’t be ready until 2022.

Daniel McGurk is planning to renovate a three-story structure at 196 Glen St. for a project that is being called One Below Urban Golf Club.

McGurk and partners purchased the building in December 2019 for $435,000. The interior of the building is currently being renovated and modernized. A full modern kitchen, HVAC and modernized plumbing is being installed.

The building will include golf simulator machines for those who enjoy the sport. But, “We want people to be able to enjoy the space whether they golf or not. Having different levels will help separate that,” McGurk said.

McGurk has been working with AJA Architecture on modernization design and branding for the golf club and restaurant.

“AJA Architecture came highly recommended to us by mutual associates of ours at the Garrison and the East Cove. We liked their vision. They’re really good with utilizing our narrow space so it feels more open. It was a perfect fit to work with them,” said McGurk.

He said customers will “still get that club and restaurant feel. The first floor will be a classic restaurant. You wouldn’t know it’s a golf bar unless you actively tried to reserve golf time. It’s pretty separated,” said McGurk of the design.

Entrances to the bottom level and second floor will lead patrons to the golf simulators. Food and drinks will be available on those floors as well.

Dr. Andrew Garner Offers Membership-Based Direct Primary Care (DPC) Plans

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

Dr. Andrew W. Garner, director of Adirondack Direct Primary Care in Glens Falls, has developed a membership-based model for his practice at 8 Harrison Ave.

Adirondack Direct Primary Care is “a concierge level membership model” of care that provides patients with “prompt, personalized, high quality, physician-only medical care” for $100 per month, says Garner in a press release.

The fee for patients age 16-25 is $40 per month. Membership includes all office visit costs. No insurance is required, but patients maintain their health insurance for hospitalization and other services they may require.

He is accepting new patients.

“There is value to this model way beyond the dollar spent,” he said, noting it is “Priceless when you need care.”

He said the service allows a smaller patient panel that allows Dr. Garner to spend more time with patients to provide highly personalized, coordinated and comprehensive care to get to the root cause of problems.

Adirondack Health Institute Starts Network To Strengthen, Promote Better Food System

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

Adirondack Health Institute announced the launch of the Adirondack Food System Network, a collaboration of multiple organizations working together as equal partners to better understand system-wide issues, identify gaps, and develop realistic solutions to help strengthen and promote a more resilient food system.

Officials said that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, market supply chain and trade disruptions have limited food accessibility, especially for vulnerable residents lacking access to transportation and the means to purchase fresh food. At the same time, farmers have been faced with significant disruptions in market access, especially due to the closure of restaurants, retail, and other food establishments, and the threat of the loss of market access for area farmers.

A group of Adirondack food system stakeholders across the region have come together to start the Adirondack Food System Network with seed funding from Adirondack Foundation. The Network aims to help food system stakeholders mount a coordinated effort to build back better food systems as the region recovers from the pandemic, centered on the values of collaboration, equity, environment, and lasting success.

“AHI is pleased to be serving as the backbone organization, the coordinating body that will provide support, facilitation, and guidance, for this much-needed collective impact initiative,” stated Nancy Gildersleeve, executive director at Adirondack Health Institute.

Regional Campaign Mounted To Urge NYS Residents To Get A Coronavirus Vaccine

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

A powerful regional campaign, featuring voices of 15 community leaders encouraging everyone to have the COVID-19 vaccine, was launched today, according to the Capital Region Vaccine Network, led by Albany Med.

Entitled “Don’t Hesitate. Vaccinate,” the campaign supports the work of the Capital Region Vaccine Network established at Albany Med to ensure the safe, efficient and equitable distribution of the vaccine across Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties.

The campaign includes television, radio, print, digital and social media ads that encourage residents to receive the vaccine when it is available to them.

“Don’t Hesitate. Vaccinate.” is underwritten by Albany Med, CDPHP, MVP Health Care, Irving Tissue, KeyBank, The United Way of the Greater Capital Region, and Community Care Physicians, PC. Ads will feature leaders from these organizations, as well as those from the Albany County Department of Health, the Black Nurses Coalition, Inc., the Capital District Latinos, the Capital District YMCA, the Glens Falls and Schenectady chapters of the NAACP and the Albany Med Health System affiliates Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital and Saratoga Hospital.

Lake George Association Members Approve Merger With The FUND For Lake George

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

Lake George Association have overwhelmingly approved its merger with The FUND for Lake George to create a new, preeminent lake protection organization.

The members of the Lake George Association have overwhelmingly approved its merger with The FUND for Lake George to create a new, preeminent lake protection organization that officials called “a historic and inspiring show of support for the future of Lake George protection.”

Ninety-eight percent of LGA voters voted in favor of the merger. The plan now goes to the Office of the New York State Attorney General for final review and approval.

Officials said the newly created organization will retain the LGA name. The LGA was founded in 1885.

“The future of Lake George protection is brighter than ever,” said Pete Menzies, president of the LGA board of directors. “We are thrilled and thankful to the LGA membership for their tremendous vote of confidence in what these two outstanding organizations will be able to accomplish together. As they always do, LGA members have stepped up to protect Lake George.”

Jeff Killeen, chairman of The FUND for Lake George and the chairman-elect of the new organization, said, “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity and responsibility that has been granted to us. With so many water quality threats looming, Lake George has never needed us more. And I can say without hesitation that our combined staff, board of directors, members and many community partners are up for the challenge. The new LGA will bring our Lake’s already-unrivaled level of protection to new and essential heights.”

The new LGA will be focused on action, working collaboratively with public and private sector partners to achieve breakthrough performance in water quality protection programs that are guided by world-class science and supported by community education, awareness and advocacy, officials said.

Protection programs will focus on the Lake’s most pressing threats: harmful algal blooms; nutrient loading from wastewater and stormwater runoff; invasive species, both aquatic and the new terrestrial threat, hemlock wooly adelgid; and road salt contamination; all of which are compounded by the effects of a changing climate.

Business Report: Long Term Care Strategy

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

Brian Johnson, director, business development at Advisors Insurance Brokers.

By Brian M. Johnson

When it comes to where and how you live, and what you do with your money, you want the freedom of choice and confidence that you’re making the right decisions. The same is true with your long-term care strategy, helping you set the stage for the future and legacy you have planned.

Long-term care is quite simply assistance with simple everyday tasks, even as simple as eating or getting dressed. The need for care could arise from an accident, illness, cognitive impairment or the aging process. You may never need it. But, the best time to start thinking about it is before the need arises and while you’re still able to take control.

Many Americans work hard, save diligently for retirement, yet fail to address the single biggest risk to their portfolio and families: extended healthcare.

When it comes to long-term care, do not be swayed by common misconceptions such as:

“It won’t happen to me.”

People unrealistically downplay their personal risk. SOme 79 percent of people put off discussions about long-term care, but 98 percent of financial professionals say they have clients who have needed it. In fact, being healthy presents even a higher risk of needing long-term care services than someone who is managing chronic a condition.

Hacker Boat Co. Is Relocating Operations To A 6.4-Acre Queensbury Site Near Exit 18

March 17, 2021

This ‘Special Sport’ is one of the hand-crafted boats built at Hacker Boat in Silver Bay. The company is investing $3 million to move to a new location in Queensbury.
Courtesy Hacker Boat

The Hacker Boat Co. is in the process of relocating its operations to 315 Corinth Road, Queensbury, just west of Northway Exit 18.

Officials said the corporate offices are already in the new location. The production and restoration operations will move later in the spring.

The company plans to eventually add a showroom and ships store on the site.

Roughly $3 million is being invested in the move to the 6.4-acre Queensbury site.

Mark Levack of Levack Real Estate in Glens Falls brokered the deal on behalf of Badcock. Perkins was represented by Bob Sears of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Blake, Realtors.

Morgan Marine, the company’s Lake George waterfront facility, comprised of a boat yard, storage facility and show room, will remain at 8 Delaware Ave., Silver Bay.

George Badcock, president/CEO, said the move “will benefit our employees and existing and prospective customers. The majority of our employees will have a much shorter commute, and we believe the new location will better enable us to attract new employees. The more convenient location will make it easier for prospective customers to view and discuss purchasing a Hacker-Craft.”

The new facility is 40 percent larger. It will allow the company to increase production of new boats for anticipated new markets in Europe and the Middle East, as well as expanding restoration operations.

The company also announced Tome’s Landing Marina in Port Deposit, Md., is now an official dealer for the Hacker-Craft brand.

Tome’s now has two brand new 2021 Hacker-Craft in stock.

Great Escape Will Reopen On Weekends As Of May 1; Daily Operations To Begin June 24

March 17, 2021

The Steamin’ Demon at the Great Escape will be among rides available when the facility opens in May for weekends and select dates. Full operation is scheduled to start June 24.
Courtesy Great Escape

After a full year closed to the public, The Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor is set to reopen this spring for the 2021 season.

The Lake George theme park, which was not given government approval to open in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled to return this year promising a safe environment, officials said.

The Great Escape will be open weekends and select dates starting May 1, with daily operation beginning June 24. In February, the state announced outdoor amusement parks can open—with a third of their normal capacity—by April 9.

Additionally, the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark will be back to full operation beginning March 26.

“We are ready to welcome our guests back to The Great Escape,” Six Flags Great Escape Resort park president Rebecca Wood said in a press release. “The health and safety of our guests, team members, and community remains our top priority and we are implementing extensive sanitization and safety measures to deliver a safe and entertaining experience for our guests.”

Opening weekend will mark the debut of a new ride called Adirondack Outlaw, which was originally scheduled to open last year.

Once open, The Great Escape will be operating under state and local guidelines for crowd capacity limits.

The park has established attendance caps that will be well below the park’s theoretical capacity in order to allow for proper social distancing.

Bennington Furniture & Mattress Expands In Region After Buying Old Brick Furniture

March 17, 2021

Bennington Furniture, Queensbury, joins stores in rebranding to The Old Brick Furniture name.

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

Bennington Furniture & Mattress, which has a Queensbury location, has acquired Old Brick Furniture + Mattress Co., expanding its footprint in the Capital Region.

Michael Fiacco, owner and president of Bennington Furniture, purchased the property from former owner Henry Turk. Fiacco and Turk had known each other for many years, and had talked casually of a buyout when Turk was ready to retire, he said. Turk reached out to Fiacco in January of 2019.

“I’m from the Capital Region. My businesses are in Vermont, Western Mass and Queensbury. I always wanted to get down to the Capital Region as well,” sad Fiacco.

“We’re super excited for this opportunity,” said Fiacco. “Old Brick Furniture has a great name in the Capital Region. Bennington Furniture has a great name in Vermont. We are like-minded businesses. Bringing them together is exciting.”

Bennington Furniture was started by Fiacco’s mother. The flagship store is located in Bennington. The Old Brick Furniture Co. began in 1960s as a furniture wholesaler under the name C. and D. Distributors.

Bennington Furniture is transitioning its branding to Old Brick Furniture + Mattress Co., a process that is complete for all stores except Manchester and Vermont. The branding transition for those stores will be complete by the end of March, Fiacco said.