By Paul Post

Eighteen-year Aviation Mall employee Shannon Stafford has been promoted to manager of the Queensbury shopping center, which was purchased at auction recently for $21 million.

She succeeds James Griffith, who left shortly after the acquisition to pursue opportunities in real estate.

Stafford began her career at the mall as a customer service representative in October 2007 and worked her way up through a series of roles, including administrative assistant, operations coordinator and operations manager, before assuming her new position.

The 50-year-old mall was purchased Sept. 10 by Eric Jacobov, principal of the Manhattan-based investment firm Concord Capital New York. Previously owned by Syracuse-based Pyramid Companies, the property went into receivership in July 2024 and was managed for the following year by The Woodmont Company of Fort Worth, Texas, on behalf of Deutsche Bank and M&T Bank.

The auction, held at the Warren County Municipal Center, concluded the judicial foreclosure process. Jacobov outbid the only other party present, a group of investors led by Michael Vopelak, which dropped out after offering $19 million.

By Paul Post

With the click of a switch Mike Gerarde can take people from cold, wintry Glens Falls to beautiful Pebble Beach Golf Course in sunny California.

You can almost taste and smell salty ocean mist as waves pound the shore around the iconic seventh hole.

It’s all possible thanks to the high-tech, colorful simulators at Gerarde’s new business, Hometown Golf and Social, which occupies a former Trustco branch office at the top of Glen Street hill, across from Harding Mazzotti Arena.

Patrons can choose from one of 85 courses. Like Pebble Beach, some are among the most difficult in the country and host major events such as The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, the Phoenix Open at Scottsdale or Bethpage where the Ryder Cup was held last September.

Or customers can play local links such as Hiland, Glens Falls Country Club and The Sagamore.

It’s quite a venture for Gerarde, who never played golf competitively in high school or college, but is now one of the area’s most accomplished teaching pros.

A Queensbury High School and Syracuse University alum, he discovered a knack for identifying and correcting problems in the games of people he played with. “I started giving tips, suggest they consider doing this or that and you’d see some pretty good improvement,” Gerarde said.

By Carol Ann Conover 

As Hudson Headwaters Health Network looks toward 2026, the nonprofit organization is advancing a growth strategy centered on capital investment, workforce sustainability and long-term financial stability — priorities that increasingly shape the region’s health care and economic landscape.

As one of the North Country’s largest nonprofit employers and safety-net providers, Hudson Headwaters is moving forward with a multiyear plan to expand dental and primary care capacity across its seven-county service area, while working to protect critical revenue streams that help offset rising operating costs and persistent reimbursement challenges.

A recent Northern Border Regional Commission grant will serve as a catalyst for expanding dental services — an area leaders identify as both a pressing community need and a significant operational investment. The funding supports planning and early development for expanded dental capacity in Ticonderoga, the addition of a new dental site in northern Saratoga County, and upgrades to HHHN’s existing dental office in Warrensburg.

By Ann Donnelly

After years of honing his craft, from a cheap home espresso machine to commercial roasting, Ryan McNaughton has realized his goal of opening a dedicated brick-and-mortar coffee shop: Stinky’s Coffee Co. The shop is the anchor tenant in the newly developed Moreau Commons commercial hub at 1377 Route 9. McNaughton hopes to transform the highly visible former Suzuki dealership, which sat vacant for roughly 10 years, into a central community gathering spot.

The Moreau Commons project, which aims to bring more local development to the area, is led by local entrepreneurs Brian McKenzie and Ben Alden. Stinky’s was reportedly the first business to sign on. McNaughton cited the location’s traffic and accessibility as key factors in his decision. “It’s perfect. It’s got parking. It’s got access to a traffic light,” McNaughton said, noting the constant flow of traffic heading to and from the Northway Exit 17 and Saratoga.

A 2005 graduate of South Glens Falls, McNaughton initially took an interest in coffee after becoming fascinated by lattes. “I started drinking lattes, and I was like, ‘Well, I want to make my own lattes,’” McNaughton recalled. This pursuit led him to upgrade his equipment and eventually question the beans’ origins, prompting him to learn about the roasting process. McNaughton bought his first roaster in 2021, and the company began by selling fresh-roasted coffee at farmers’ markets and venues like SPAC, always with the goal of creating a permanent coffee shop. 

By Ann Donnelly

For three years, Judy Viger operated Salon V out of a “hidden” location off Exit 16 in Wilton. It was a modest start, intended to be a quiet venture for Viger and perhaps one other stylist. However, business grew at a pace that demanded a larger stage. Following her father’s long-standing advice to “walk before you run,” Viger decided it was finally time to sprint.

On Dec. 1, 2025, Salon V officially opened its doors in the newly developed Moreau Commons. Located south of South Glens Falls on the busy corridor toward Northway Exit 17 and Saratoga, the move marks a significant evolution for the business, trading seclusion for a high-traffic storefront and an expanded suite of wellness services.

Viger, a veteran of the local hair industry with nearly 20 years of experience, did not always envision herself as a salon owner. For much of her career, she was content renting booths at various shops along the same route where her new business now sits. Her priority was always flexibility; as a mother of four sons, she refused to let a career interfere with their milestones.

“I have four sons that are grown now, but I was lucky to be able to make my own schedule for the most part,” Viger said. “I never missed out on their games and their practices and important things. My clients were great; they knew that I was a mom first and a hairdresser second.”

The shift toward ownership only came when her youngest son left for college, leaving behind a quiet house and a new sense of professional restlessness.

“I kind of felt like an emptiness,” Viger said. “I felt like I needed to find something else to do. I found a location and was like, ‘I’m going to do this.’ I was able to finally put more time into myself and my career and do something that I’d never been able to do before.”

By Paul Post

A sales tax hike is inevitable as skyrocketing, unavoidable costs continue to mount, Warren County officials say.

Health insurance, retirement, salary and Medicaid increases are just some of the items that caused expenses to rise $6 million this year alone.

Also, demand for Emergency Medical Services continues to grow and more funds are needed to keep roads, highways and bridges safe.

“What concerns me is that the vast majority of costs are going to be back next year, another $6 million increase,” Budget Officer Frank Thomas said. “I don’t see that slowing up any time soon.”

Officials discussed such issues during a recent panel discussion hosted by Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, with dozens of business and civic leaders on hand, at Crandall Public Library.

“The biggest challenge for us is that only 25 percent of our budget ($215 million) is discretionary,” county Administrator John Taflan said. “The rest of that is state or federally mandated. That pretty much ties our hands.”

By Paul Post

Washington County officials are baffled by the state’s apparent undermining of its own environmental program and local economic development initiatives.

Montreal-based Boralex has plans for a100-megawatt solar project covering 567 acres surrounding a DEC Wildlife Area where rare grassland birds nest and breed in southern Fort Edward.

The state is fast-tracking large-scale solar and wind projects with a goal of having all electricity coming from renewable energy sources by the end of this decade. But projects such as this might come at considerable cost.

The endangered short-eared owl and threatened Northern harrier are among many species that need wide open grassland to survive. These two birds alone attract large numbers of naturalists and birding enthusiasts, contributing to the county’s ongoing tourism efforts.

The site in question is about two miles from the Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Viewing Area on County Route 42 where people come to see and photograph scarce species. A separate, fairly large solar complex has already been built just beyond the Viewing Area’s eastern boundary.

By Paul Post

Santa has something extra special for a select group of people this year.

At Kringle Kottage, kids and adults alike can enjoy personal one-on-one meetings with St. Nick, telling him exactly what they want for Christmas.

The attraction is designed specifically for people with sensory sensitivities or neurological disorders such as autism and attention deficit-hyperactivity.

Sound, light and décor may be adjusted to suit each visitor’s comfort level to create the most calm, safe environment possible.

Kringle Kottage was developed by Roger Allan, of Hadley, who plays Santa Claus professionally. It’s located on the grounds of Fort William Henry Hotel in Lake George.

Allan understands special needs persons because his adult son is autistic, and he wants everyone to experience the joy and excitement of a meeting with St. Nick.

“The magic of Christmas should be comfortable, accessible and meaningful for every child, every adult and every family,” he said. “Kringle Kottage was created to fill a gap, a place where the lights aren’t too bright, the crowds aren’t too large and the experience meets each guest where they are.”

“Every detail was designed with comfort and care so that every visitor feels seen, supported and included,” Allan said. “This Kottage is more than a building; it is an affirmation that everyone deserves a holiday experience that feels right for them.”

By Ann Donnelly

Felicia Lynn launched Hometown Board Shop with the goal of rebuilding the snowboard community she remembers growing up with in Queensbury. The shop operates within Inside Edge on Glen Street, though Lynn said it already feels far more established than its short history suggests. The 2025-26 season will mark its first official winter season.

Lynn and her husband, Matt, are Queensbury High School graduates who returned to the area after 10 years of coaching competitive freestyle skiing and snowboarding in Vermont and Minnesota. Lynn said the idea for the business was sparked by a simple question: Where did the snowboard shops go? The name Hometown Board Shop grew from a suggestion by Matt referencing Glens Falls’ “Hometown USA” nickname, with community forming the core of the brand.

Lynn brings extensive experience in ski, snowboard and outdoor sports retail. She raced for Queensbury in high school and studied outdoor recreation at Cortland. For a decade, she and Matt coached high-level youth athletes in freestyle skiing and snowboarding. That background now shapes her approach to staff training and mentoring young riders who visit the shop.