By Liz Witbeck

Today, thousands of people flock to the area throughout the year, especially during the summer. The Glenmoore Lodge, located on Glen Lake “is the best kept secret around,” said Kerry Smith, who owns it with his wife, Alicia.

“We’re right in the middle of everything. We’re right in between the Great Escape and the shopping outlets, but you wouldn’t know it,” he said.

The lodge, located at 330 Glen Lake Road in Lake George, has been in existence since the 1890s.

The Smiths are originally from Brooklyn. Kerry has a background in hospitality and bartending. He describes himself as a “people person” who was naturally drawn to the industry. Alicia spent her childhood at Glenmoore Lodge. Each summer the family would vacation at the cabins.

“I always thought that I would own it someday,” she said.

That dream came true in 2015, when the Smiths became owners of the property.

The lodge itself is the main facility upon the grounds. There are six rooms available to rent within the lodge. Of the six, two are family suites, each with two large bedrooms. Other rooms include queen or double beds for guests. Each room has a private bath.

The new Southern Adirondack ReStore of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties opened to the general public with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 2

The ReStore, at 1373 Route 9 in Moreau, is the first in the area.

Sustained largely by a team of volunteers, Southern Adirondack ReStore is the Habitat for Humanity-style thrift shop, selling new and lightly used home furnishings, decorative accessories, lighting, appliances, building materials and more.

Donations made by area businesses, decorators, contractors and residents, support the ReStore. Donations go to the store and are tagged for sale. Proceeds of each sale go to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties and its efforts to build and maintain affordable homes.

Through ReStore, Habitat is able to provide affordable home improvement items and furniture to local families, while also diverting usable materials from local landfills each year.

The store is nearly 7,000 square feet.

Adirondack Aquatic Center (AAC) has received its first $1 million pledge from an anonymous donor, marking the largest contribution to date toward the proposed $22 million, 80,000-square-foot facility.

A local group plans to build such a center  along the health and wellness corridor located off of Route 67 in Malta. The property is located across the street from Malta Urgent Care.

“This pledge brings us closer to realizing our dream—to build a state-of-the-art aquatic facility that community members and visitors can utilize for years to come for recreational and wellness, therapeutic and competitive training purposes,” said Kara Haraden, president of the AAC board of directors.

“This $1 million donation will make a big splash in the efforts to build the Adirondack Aquatic Center and bring all of the positive economic impacts it would entail to the town of Malta and to the place where all good things emanate, the 49th State Senate District,” said state Sen. Jim Tedisco.

AAC representatives said an official fundraising campaign will kick off in 2018. The board of directors is seeking both public and private sector funds.

By Liz Witbeck

Feigenbaum Cleaners has moved its downtown Saratoga Springs store to a new location.

It is now at 18 Congress St., on the corner of Congress and Hamilton Streets. Previously they were located on Railroad Place. The new location has more parking.

“Convenience is the number one thing for our customers,” said Todd Feigenbaum, president of the company. “There is plenty of parking. People can park right at the door and come in. This is much easier for people who have their hands full of clothes.”

A grand opening ceremony was held in October.

The company believes that this relocation will be helpful for their customers, and allow them to create a more pleasurable, customer service friendly experience.

Feigenbaum Cleaners operates four locations in total: their original plant in downtown Glens Falls, a Queensbury location at Quaker Plaza; and another location at Wilton Square in Wilton.

Feigenbaum Cleaners is part of the Green Cleaners Council. It utilizes System K4, an ecofriendly, biodegradable dry cleaning service.

The staff at Feigenbaum is equipped to clean just about any material including leather, suede and furs. Items damaged by smoke or fire can cleaned and restored. Customers bring in comforters, bedspreads, cushions, area rugs, and other home items for cleaning.