Editor’s Note: Arrow Financial Corp.—the parent company of Saratoga National Bank and Glens Falls National Bank—announced in May that David S. DeMarco is the new president and chief executive officer of the company.

DeMarco was chief banking officer and senior executive vice president at the company. He replaces Thomas J. Murphy who terminated his employment. The Glens Falls Business Journal recently caught up with DeMarco.

By Paul Post

The Digital Age has made communication faster and more far-reaching than ever with email and various social media platforms.

But it’s also led to a breakdown of face-to-face, interpersonal relations that a strong community bank needs to serve customers most effectively.

That’s one of the biggest challenges Dave DeMarco sees in his new role as president and CEO of Arrow Financial Corp., and its subsidiaries Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co.

“Technology has changed the banking industry dramatically,” he said. “We’re in the relationship building business. It’s hard to do that with someone who’s taking a picture of a check and banking on their cell phone or computer instead of coming to the bank. You couldn’t do that when I joined Glens Falls National 35 years ago.”

“We don’t see customers as much as we used to,” he said. “So we basically have to get out of the office to meet people and build relationships.”

DeMarco, 61, a Saratoga Springs resident, has been intimately involved with many facets of the evolving industry during his lengthy banking career.

The Lake Luzerne Regional Chamber Of Commerce and the town of Lake Luzerne announced the inaugural Food Trucks and Music Extravaganza series this summer.

The event will take place from 5-8 p.m. on six consecutive Wednesdays beginning July 12 and ending on Aug. 16 at the Pavilion Park located at 248 Lake Avenue in Lake Luzerne.

The events will bring together a diverse selection of food options from various food trucks offering items including tacos, fish and chicken sandwiches, gourmet mac and cheese, lemonade, doughnuts and more.

Organizers said the live music will feature local bands and regional artists, adding to the ambiance and creating a festive atmosphere.

In addition to offering food and music, the extravaganza will hold a 50-50 raffle to raise money for the Lake Luzerne food bank and local scholarships. All proceeds from the raffle will go directly to support these community organizations.

“We are thrilled to launch the inaugural lake luzerne food trucks and music extravaganza,” said Pam Petteys of the Lake Luzerne Regional Chamber Of Commerce.”

By Christine Graf

A&W restaurant, a Lake George staple since 1959, will open for the season under new ownership.  

Hao Yang, a restaurateur from Albany, purchased the franchise from Wayne Pelak for $605,000 in May. Just one year earlier, Pelak purchased the restaurant from Dave Madden who owned it for 44 years. 

America’s first franchised restaurant chain, the first A&W was established in Sacramento in 1923. Today, there are more than 900 A&W restaurants operating throughout the world. Of the 550 that are located in the U.S., just seven are in New York state. New franchises continue to open throughout the U.S., Canada, and Southeast Asia.

A&W’s is known for its root beer, made fresh at each restaurant and served in frosty mugs. They also serve a variety of fast food items including their 1963 invention, the bacon cheeseburger.

“The A&W has been operating very successfully in Lake George for about 50 years. It’s an iconic restaurant. The location is outstanding, and they have a very loyal clientele,” said Mitch Muroff, owner of real estate brokerage firm Muroff Hospitality.

According to Muroff, Pelak was forced to sell due to health concerns.  

By Paul Post

One of America’s favorite summer pastimes has nothing to do with baseball or backyard barbecues. Coast to coast, an estimated 6.5 to 9 million garage sales are held throughout the U.S. each year.

 For some, it’s a fun way to earn an extra couple hundred dollars, but can provide an economic impact worth millions for communities that host town-wide events.

“It’s bringing people in to let them know what else we have to offer, like the Betar Byway (Hudson River walking trail) or the town Rec Park,” said Jean Gutheil, South Glens Falls-Town of Moreau garage sale coordinator. “Maybe they stopped in Stewart’s, Cumberland Farms, Common Roots brewery, The Pepper Mill Restaurant or Sorrentino’s market for a garage sale map. They might have bought a coffee, ice cream cone or stayed for lunch. It lets people know we’re back in business.”

 This year’s sale, which dates back several years, was the first since the pandemic. More than 75 homes and organizations took part.

 Similar town-wide events are held throughout the region, in addition to countless others hosted each weekend by individuals and neighborhood groups.

 In Saratoga County, Charlton held a garage sale weekend in May, Ballston Spa’s was held June 10-11, while Galway and Greenfield hold theirs in August and September, respectively.

Common Roots Brewing Co. in South Glens Falls is under contract to acquire the assets of CH Evans Brewery at the Albany Pump Station. 

Common Roots will purchase the building and take over the full operations at the iconic downtown Albany location this November, the company said in a statement.

In announcing the acquisition, Christian and Bert Weber, owners of Common Roots, said, “We are both excited and humbled to be continuing the CH Evans legacy while bringing this historic building into the Common Roots family”. 

 CH Evans owner Neil Evans made the decision to sell the operations and was looking for a buyer who would continue the tradition and help elevate the business to the next level. A mutual acquaintance brought the brewery owners together and an agreement was reached in late March.

 “We are thrilled to be able to continue the historic operations at the Albany Pump Station while expanding the Common Roots brand there,” the Webers said.

Common Roots has agreed to continue to brew some CH Evans original recipes and will supplement this with Common Roots beers and a newly revised menu after the anticipated sale is finalized in November 2023. This will be Common Roots Brewing’s first expansion outside of its original South Glens Falls locations and satisfies the company’s established goal to open a Capital Region location.