By Paul Post A crowd of well-wishers braved freezing temperatures recently for a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming Queensbury’s newest retailer to town. An Ocean State Job Lot store, at Glen Square on Upper Glen Street, is the Rhode Island-based company’s 153rd location in a territory that encompasses all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania...
The Adirondack Thunder Setting Attendance Records With Strong Support From Area Fans
Courtesy Adirondack Thunder
By Paul Post
The Adirondack Thunder set a three-game franchise attendance record of 14,869 during a March 8-10 weekend series against the Wheeling Nailers, highlighted by a crowd of 5,426 that turned out for Country Night festivities.
The Thunder have already had 13 sell-outs and are expected to surpass last year’s regular-season total (14) with six more home games on tap including Stick it to Cancer Weekend (March 28-29) and Fan Appreciation Weekend (April 11-12).
More than 900 season tickets, almost half this year’s total (2,150), have already been sold for next year including 90 new customers
The Thunder won’t make this spring’s Kelly Cup playoffs, but are battling hard to build momentum for a successful 2025-26 campaign. Adirondack’s beat Wheeling, one of the ECHL’s top teams, twice with shutouts including a dramatic 1-0 victory in overtime.
“Finishing strong and competitive is very important to the team and our fan base,” Thunder President Jeff Mead said. “For the players, it allows them to continue to showcase their talents to the organization and for future opportunities. To our fans, we need to make sure they are aware that we understand it’s our job and obligation to give 100 percent until the very end.”
From Girl Scout Cookies to CEO: Wendy Waldron’s Journey to Entrepreneurial Success
Courtesy Glens Falls Business Journal
By Ann Donnelly
Wendy Waldron’s journey is far from conventional. “I’m actually just a grown-up Girl Scout,” she begins, a statement that encapsulates her approach to business: strategic, collaborative, and driven by a desire to “win the game.” Even as a young girl, she understood the power of understanding the rules and working together.
“I sold the cookies, and I sold those cookies by the case because it was easier. And so I won all the prizes. Then, the next year, I taught all my little Girl Scout friends to sell them by the case whenever they could. And then we all won the prizes.”
This early lesson, honed through record-breaking cookie sales, laid the foundation for her current success as CEO of her own company, WaldronWorks. “We just have to make sure we understand what the rules of the game are,” advises Waldron. “And then stick together and find a way to go win the game. And so, in a way, I’ve pretty much been doing that ever since.”
Her path wasn’t a straight line. After graduating from Colgate University on a scholarship, where she took on an unexpectedly demanding role managing student housing, she ventured to Mozambique, Africa, for a year of volunteer work. This transformative experience broadened her perspective and instilled a deep appreciation for opportunity.
Upon returning, a chance encounter with her future husband at a wedding led her to rural Pennsylvania and a temp job at a healthcare facility. “I was at the front desk with a day and a half training, trying to figure out if I pressed F11 or F9,” she recalls. Despite the initial chaos, she quickly rose through the ranks, eventually managing Cardiovascular Services at the Guthrie Clinic.
Boardrooms To Backsplashes: Ginny Brandreth’s Entrepreneurial Journey To Glens Falls
Courtesy Glens Falls Business Journal
By Ann Donnelly
Ginny Brandreth, COO of Zobel & Co. Kitchens, is a shining example of an entrepreneurial woman. Her journey, a rich tapestry woven with marketing expertise, international experiences, and a sharp eye for opportunity, is a testament to the power of adaptability and networking. Brandreth’s career has been a masterclass in embracing change and leveraging connections, from crafting hand-drawn package designs to navigating the digital landscape with finesse.
Brandreth’s professional life began with a marketing degree from Clarkson University and a rapid ascent in consumer products in Syracuse and Rochester. “It was the most fun time,” she recalls. “The company was dynamic and growing, and I got to see so many different kinds of business. Everything from a little ‘mom and pop shop’ to making presentations at Walmart and Home Depot, and traveling overseas for our business over in Europe.” Before the rise of digital marketing, this period involved hands-on work with design firms, meticulous package mock-ups, and late-night press runs. “It was just so much work,” she laughs, contrasting it with today’s streamlined digital processes.
Her career took an unexpected turn when she moved to Dublin, Ireland, as a “trailing spouse.” Though initially unable to work, Brandreth quickly found opportunities, first with a relocation agency and then volunteering for Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camp, a sister camp to Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne. Brandreth notes the stark contrast between her high-paced corporate life, “You went from being at 60 to 70 hours a week as a Product Manager to a housewife in Ireland where the stores close at five o’clock.”
Light & Lens Studio: Fostering Community for Photographers & Other Artists in Glens Falls
By Ann Donnelly
In a move sparking excitement among local artists, Light & Lens Studio, opening on Broad Street in Glens Falls later this month, offers a unique space for digital and traditional film photography enthusiasts. Unlike other studios, Light & Lens Studio, founded by the passionate photographer Jess Keller, is not just a rental space but a community hub for creatives.
Keller’s journey to opening this studio is a testament to her love for photography and entrepreneurial spirit. A self-described “hobby photographer,” Keller’s interest in the art form began in her teenage years. “I’ve been interested in photography since I was a teenager,” Keller explains. Her passion deepened during her time at Hofstra University, where she worked in the photo lab, eventually managing it and learning the intricacies of film development in a darkroom.
The inspiration for Light & Lens Studio stemmed from a desire to create a space that offered more than just a studio rental. “I knew I always wanted to start a business, preferably in the art world,” Keller said. “And when it comes to the darkroom and studio, there weren’t places where people could go and rent the space – or even just artistic hangout spaces.” This realization fueled her desire to create a space that was both accessible and inspiring.
“The equipment is expensive, setting up a darkroom is… you gotta get the chemicals, you gotta get everything,” Keller noted. She wanted to make these resources more accessible, fostering a community where photographers could share knowledge and inspiration. The studio offers a fully equipped darkroom and a modern studio space with lighting, catering to both film and digital photographers.
Saratoga Economic Development Corp. Touts Region’s Rich History And Lifestyle Options
By Paul Post
Saratoga Economic Development Corporation leveraged its million-dollar budget to help bring $177 million worth of new investment to Saratoga County, create 651 new full-time jobs and retain 214 more, last year alone.
The roughly 250-member, non-profit entity strives to attract and support large and small business alike in all sectors of the local economy.
Vibrant downtowns and a high quality of life with diverse recreational and cultural offerings continue to attract employers. But SEDC President Greg Connors says assets such as Saratoga County’s rich history, the Hudson and Mohawk rivers on its borders, and proximity to the Adirondack Park have considerable potential, too, for boosting the local economy.
“We really run the gamut of being able to support economic sectors that are familiar to Saratoga County and some of the ones that may not be as familiar such as life sciences, industries that support thoroughbred breeding, farming and agriculture,” he said. “Renewable energy has emerged, too, and of course the 21st century advanced manufacturing supply chain.”
Business Report: Managing Retirement Assets vs. Working Years
By David Kopyc
Asset management is a critical component of financial planning, particularly as individuals transition from their working years to retirement. The strategies used to manage assets during these two life stages are inherently different due to varying financial goals, risk tolerance, and income sources. Understanding the key differences in managing assets during retirement versus working years is essential for long-term financial success and peace of mind.
During the working years, the primary focus of asset management is growth. Individuals in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s are typically in the accumulation phase of their financial lives. The primary sources of income during this period are wages from employment, business ventures, and any passive income streams. The goal is to grow wealth, save for future milestones such as purchasing a home, funding education, and eventually accumulating enough savings to retire comfortably.
In the working years, individuals tend to have a higher risk tolerance. Since they are still years or even decades away from retirement, they can afford to take on more risk in their investment portfolios. This often translates into higher allocations in stocks, mutual funds, or other growth-oriented investments that carry more volatility but offer higher returns over time. Investment strategies might focus on assets that have the potential for long-term capital appreciation, such as equities, real estate, and business ventures.
During the working years, individuals contribute regularly to retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s, IRAs, or pensions. These contributions help to build the foundation for future retirement income. The strategy in this phase is to maximize contributions, particularly by taking advantage of employer matching contributions to retirement accounts. For individuals who want to maximize their retirement savings, it’s often advised to contribute the maximum allowable amounts to retirement accounts each year.
The Table Rock Group Named To Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Courtesy of Table Rock Group
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) recently announced that The Table Rock Group based in Glens Falls has been named to Forbes Magazine’s 2025 list of America’s Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms.
Young Chef Brings Family Tradition to Glens Falls with Buono Notte Café
By Paul Post
Don’t let Matthew Killian’s very Irish sounding name fool you.
There’s a great deal of Italian influence in his family, which explains the name of his new restaurant, Buono Notte Café & Catering, opening next month at 6 Maple Street in downtown Glens Falls.
“Not all Italian cuisines are the same,” he said. “Everyone has a different style of cooking. I feel like I can bring a very good Italian ethnicity here. That’s my main goal, to bring in Italian food that we can improve on by adding to what other people have done.”
“We’re using creativity,” he said. “We don’t want to offer the same specials over and over again. What’s going to set us apart is specials like Chicken DiCapo – red-brown sauce, spinach, chicken tender breasts.”
Steak and seafood specials will highlight the menu, too.
The 21-year-old Killian grew up surrounded by good food. His father, Robert, worked at several New York City restaurants and was head chef at the former Orfino’s in upscale Briarcliff, Westchester County.
“Being that close to the city there’s a lot of culinary experiences, a lot of cultural differences,” he said. “I couldn’t find some of the things I found in the city when we moved up here. I began thinking, maybe there’s a way we could bring different styles of cooking to what people here are already offering.”
Business Briefs: March 2025
Arrow Bank National Association has announced the promotion of Nicholas Puccia to U.S. Avenue Branch Manager in Plattsburgh.
Puccia is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the branch and meeting the financial needs of the community. He has five years of banking experience, all of which have been dedicated to Arrow Bank, formerly named Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company.
Puccia earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam. The Ogdensburg, N.Y. native is active in the community, supporting Elmore SPCA, Beth’s Furry Friends and Adirondack Coast.
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Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced that it has appointed Jana Gordon as its new Senior Vice President of Development. This new role is part of SPAC’s continued growth and efforts to expand its donor base, build relationships with the community, and support the long-term sustainability of the organization. Gordon will help to raise the visibility of SPAC as a non-profit organization, overseeing all philanthropic activities in alignment with SPAC’s ambitious goals for the future.
“SPAC is a premier, globally recognized venue attracting best-in-class artists and visitors from all over the world. Recruiting a new SVP of development with decades of international arts experience is a critical step in supporting SPAC’s on-going growth and vision,” saysElizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Jana brings with her a wealth of knowledge and fundraising expertise from her past roles at organizations such as the Stratford Festival in Canada, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the English National Opera. We look forward to introducing her to our community.”