Glens Falls Business Journal

Woman Goes From Baking At Home To Opening Abby’s Cookie Jar On Glen Street

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

Ashley Kopf, owner of Abby’s Cookie Jar at 128 Glen St. in Glens Falls, works on making a batch of cookies at the shop she opened in October.

By Susan Elise Campbell
A new cookie shop, Abby’s Cookie Jar, opened in October at 128 Glen St. in Glens Falls.
Owner Ashley Kopf said during the first weekend “we had a hard time keeping up with inventory… Many were curious about the new store front.”
When she was a little girl, Kopf watched her grandmother bake. Ultimately, she went into education, taught music for three years, then completed a master’s degree. Kopf was cooking out of her home kitchen when she decided to take specialty cookies to the next level.
The space at 128 Glen St. fit their budget, she said. It had been a cell phone store previously and not equipped with anything for baking batches of cookies or pastries.
Kopf said her husband is a handyman so he did much of the renovating by himself.
“We did hire a local plumber to install a three-way sink to wash, rinse and sanitize,” she said. “Fortunately no walls needed to be moved and we worked together on the decorating.”

Co-Op Owned Malta Farm And Garden Store Sells Grain, Garden, Pet Supplies And More

November 12, 2020November 17, 2020

By Susan Elise Campbell
Malta Farm and Garden, at 2712 Route 9, is now open to shop for farm, garden and pet supplies.
It is the latest of five stores owned by the Millerton Co-op, a group of farmers who have been supporting each other as an enterprise since the 1940s, according to the store’s general manager Paul O’Neil.
The Malta store is the co-op’s northernmost location, O’Neil said. It opened in early October.
“We were bringing four boxloads a week up from the Chatham store an hour away and getting many referrals,” he said. “So we wanted to plant our flag up here and build a retail store to better serve our customers.”
There are five full-time staff working in the warehouse and showroom, plus four part-timers.

Apartment Complex On Cooper Street For Homeless People To Open In The Spring

November 12, 2020November 22, 2020

By Lisa Balschunat
The Warren-Washington County Association for Mental Health (WWAHM) will open a 29-unit apartment complex at 47-50 Cooper Street in Glens Falls in the spring. It will provide permanent supportive apartments to homeless people in the community.
Mercer Construction Co. of Ballston Lake, is constructing the building on the former site of Mullen Iron Works, adjacent to a portion of the Warren County Bikeway.
Despite some challenging road blocks over the past three years—including unexpected litigation expenses totaling $60,000 as a result of a lawsuit attempting to cease or delay construction of the apartment project—Chief Executive Officer Andrea Deepe said she anticipates opening in four months.
“Thankfully, our project was deemed essential by New York state at the beginning of the pandemic, so our contractor and the subcontractors were able to continue building throughout these difficult times,” she said, “Our organization began the process three years ago to design a building that would offer not only apartments, but also common areas for socialization and education programs.

Plattsburgh Group Will Operate Behavioral Health Unit Within Glens Falls Hospital

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN) has received endorsement from Glens Falls Hospital and the Warren/Washington Community Service Board to move forward with becoming the provider for outpatient substance abuse, mental health treatment and child and family services for the Glens Falls region.
Based out of Plattsburgh, BHSN operates 23 programs ranging from behavioral health for adults and children, residential services, care management, and various social programs and is also a certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) designee through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
CCBHCs provide a comprehensive collection of services that create access, stabilize people in crisis, and provide the needed treatment and recovery support services for those with mental and substance use disorders. In harmony with the CCBHC model, BHSN’s care approach focuses on access, care coordination, quantified health outcomes, and treating the whole person, officials said.

Acupuncture Practitioners Say Treating For Depression During Pandemic Is On The Rise

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

Katherine “Kat” MacKenzie is the owner of Acupuncture Nirvana in Glens Falls.
Courtesy Acupuncture Nirvana

By Christine Graf
After being deemed non-essential and forced to close at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, acupuncturists were permitted to reopen in June. During the closure, the Acupuncture Society of New York (ASNY) pushed for the governor to grant the profession essential status.
“We were closed for two-and-a-half months, and then we were granted essential status,” said Katherine “Kat” MacKenzie, licensed acupuncturist and owner of Acupuncture Nirvana in Glens Falls. “We fought for it and got it. We have a very strong association (ASNY), and they went after it and they won.”

Saratoga Hospital Offering Occupational Medicine Services At Queensbury Location

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

This is the lobby at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine in Queensbury, which now has medicine services to help area businesses maintain safe, healthy environments.
Courtesy Saratoga Hospital

Saratoga Hospital now offers comprehensive occupational medicine services in Queensbury to help area businesses maintain safe, healthy environments for employees and clients.
Services are provided by Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine, 959 Route 9, Queensbury.
Members of the practice are experts in preventing, diagnosing and treating workplace injuries, helping businesses comply with regulatory requirements and ensuring safe work environments.

COVID Exposure Notification Mobile App Launched By New York, New Jersey Officials

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

New York and New Jersey launched COVID-19 exposure notification mobile apps in their respective states that officials claim will serve as crucial tools to supplement the effort to trace and contact individuals subject to a COVID exposure.
The apps, COVID Alert NY and COVID Alert NJ, notify users of potential COVID-19 exposure while maintaining user privacy and security.
The states join Pennsylvania and Delaware in creating a regional COVID Alert app network that operates across state lines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Connecticut has also will launch the Exposure Notification System in the coming weeks.
The free mobile apps-available to anyone 18 or older who lives, works, or attends college in New York or New Jersey-are available for download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Aviation Mall Extends Deals Over Days To Avoid Black Friday Crowds During Pandemic

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

Mall officials say the spreading out of sales and discounts throughout the entire holiday season should help minimize Black Friday lines and crowds during the pandemic.
Courtesy Aviation Mall

The 2020 holiday season is already a year like no other, which is why Aviation Mall is announcing new hours and initiatives to make the season safe and memorable for everyone, mall officials said.
Earlier this year, retail marketing experts accurately predicted that retailers would encourage consumers to start holiday shopping earlier by extending exclusive deals throughout the season in lieu of the traditional high-trafficked Thanksgiving/Black Friday kickoff. Aviation Mall’s Marketing Director Teresa Hanley said many of Aviation Mall’s tenants are following the trend.

Gift Shops Report Holiday Business Is Steady As They Adapt To Trends During Pandemic

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

James Joseph, owner of Sharp Presents in Queensbury, says candy, candles, small consumables and clever household items are selling well thus far for the holiday season.
Andrea Harwood Palmer

Andrea Harwood Palmer
The gift-giving season has arrived and area businesses are gearing up.
James Joseph, owner of Sharp Presents in Queensbury, has seen an increased interest in shipped and hand-delivered gifts during the pandemic.
“It can be as non-touch process as people want it to be. You don’t have to come into the shop to order something. I text my clients photos to validate, change or approve the design. I send email invoices. The product can be hand-delivered or shipped. It’s always how I’ve done a lot of business, and it has certainly increased this year,” said Joseph.
The company specializes in curated gift boxes and crates.
Jeff Strief, owner of Rude Betty in Glens Falls and Happy Jack in Bolton Landing, said about product trends, “We’re seeing that candy, candles, small consumables and clever household items are doing well. Small gifts are continuing to do well. They’re a cheap and cheerful way to improve someone’s mood or disposition.”

Financial Advisors Urge People Not To Panic Amid The Uncertainty Caused By COVID-19

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020

By Jill Nagy
Get your life in order, think about possible tax changes and, above all, don’t panic. That is the advice of area financial advisors for surviving in the age of COVID-19.
“It’s never been more important to attend to your estate plan,” said Jeff Vahanian of Vahanian & Associates in Saratoga Springs. “We are very aggressive about this. People have had to adjust their behavior in many ways. I hope they refocus on things that matter.”