By Ann Donnelly

After sitting vacant for 12 years, the prominent property at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 197, formerly home to Suzuki and Auto World, is seeing new life as Moreau Commons. This high-traffic site, north of Northway Exit 17, sits at a strategic “gateway” to the town of Moreau, South Glens Falls and Vermont, serving as a visual anchor for the community. An estimated 32,000 cars pass through the intersection daily, making the revitalized hub a focal point for the Route 9 corridor.

The site has a deep historical footprint before being reimagined by developers Ben Alden and Brian McKenzie, owners of Executive Property Services. McKenzie said the building’s evolution was gradual over several decades, with the original structure serving as a gas station that was eventually built around as the business grew. It later transitioned to an RV business and eventually became Auto World, selling cars and motorcycles, before falling into disuse for more than a decade.

The project began when Alden, also the owner of Platinum Protective Coatings, searched for a new location to expand his business, which specializes in accessories and spray-on truck bed liners such as Patriot Liner. Partnering with McKenzie — a builder with extensive experience in steel framing and drywall — the duo chose to rehabilitate the existing structure rather than pursue costly new construction. McKenzie, who hand-crafted the building’s identity through custom metal fabrication and design, said that despite years of neglect and water damage, the property had “good bones”.

By Paul Post

From Schroon Lake to the Mohawk River, thousands of boat owners hit the region’s waterways for outdoor summer fun each year.

But keeping craft in good operating condition can be a challenge.

The first five graduates of a new Marine Technology Program, designed specifically for adults, were recognized during the recent Great Upstate Boat Show at Afrim’s Sports Complex in Queensbury.

“Completing this program is a milestone and we’re excited to recognize the growth, accomplishment and potential each of you has demonstrated,” said Michelle Stockwell, Employment Training for Adults administrator. “This achievement reflects not only on your hard work and dedication, but also your commitment to learning valuable skills that will hopefully open doors in the marine industry. Over the course this program you have gained hands-on experience, developed technical expertise and built the confidence to take the next step in your careers.”

The 145-hour course, held evenings at the BOCES Southern Adirondack Education Center in Kingsbury, trained participants to become entry-level marine service technicians, learning skills such as basic electrical, basic engine theory, seasonal boat preparation, shrink-wrapping, safety, trailering and trailer repair.

By Ann Donnelly

After decades in the insurance industry, navigating family business dynamics, corporate consolidation and shifting market trends, Kevin O’Brien could have easily coasted into retirement. Instead, he co-founded a new venture to blend modern technological efficiency with old-fashioned, face-to-face service.

O’Brien, co-owner of TechFirst Insurance Agency, launched the business in 2023 alongside local entrepreneur Mark Shaw. The agency is located at 543 Queensbury Ave., Queensbury, NY 12801, and can be found online at techfirstInsurance.com. For O’Brien, the move represents the culmination of his extensive career and a deliberate response to an industry increasingly dominated by private equity firms.

A veteran of the industry, O’Brien spent nearly a decade at Travelers before joining his father’s agency, founded in 1957. He was later recruited to Glens Falls National Bank, now Arrow Bank, to consolidate several local acquisitions into what is now Upstate Agency.

Now back to carving his own path as an independent agent, O’Brien said TechFirst Insurance Agency aims to combine strong service with the benefits of technology to offer a “gold seal” client experience by removing the paperwork of the 1980s and 1990s while remaining deeply tied to the community. “We simply want to be more consumer-friendly, because there are more tools out there to make it easier for the customer,” O’Brien said.

However, he emphasized that technology will not replace the personal touch required when disaster strikes. With access to 12 to 15 carriers, O’Brien works to match clients with the right coverage and pricing — a stark contrast to private equity-owned firms, which he said often prioritize investor returns over personalized care.

By Paul Post

World-class racing and top-flight entertainment will deliver a significant economic boost as the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival returns to Saratoga for a third and final year.

The 158th Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes headlines five days of racing from Wednesday, June 3, to Sunday, June 7.

Off-track events add to the draw, including a free Belmont on Broadway concert featuring Fitz and the Tantrums with special guest Vertical Horizon from 7 to 10 p.m. in downtown Saratoga Springs.

“Belmont on Broadway has really become the heartbeat of the week,” Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri said. “It brings a critical mass of people downtown, creates energy for our businesses and showcases the very best of Saratoga Springs. It’s a perfect example of how tourism and community pride come together to create real economic impact. It also shows the world that Saratoga can deliver a world-class experience, and our community shows up in a big way to make it happen.”

Los Angeles-based Fitz and the Tantrums deliver a high-energy mix of indie pop and neo-soul, known for hits such as “MoneyGrabber,” “Out of My League” and “HandClap.” The band’s dual lead vocals and dynamic stage presence make it a staple on major festival circuits.

Vertical Horizon, a multiplatinum alternative rock band formed in Washington, D.C., rose to prominence with late-1990s and early-2000s hits, including “Everything You Want,” and continues to draw audiences with energetic live shows.

The Adirondack Thunder, an ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils and Utica Comets, raised a record $60,016 during its annual Stick it to Cancer weekend Feb. 27-28 at Harding Mazzotti Arena.

The total surpassed the $37,323 raised in 2025 by more than 60%.

Proceeds from the weekend’s games against the Maine Mariners and the Trois-Rivières Lions benefited Randy’s Patient Assistance Fund at Glens Falls Hospital’s C.R. Wood Cancer Center, which helps cover treatment needs for cancer patients.

“We could not be more thrilled with the outcome of this year’s Stick it to Cancer weekend to support Randy’s Fund at Glens Falls Hospital,” said Adirondack Thunder President Jeff Mead. “We thank the local community for showing up in a big way to benefit an invaluable cause during one of our most anticipated events of the year.”

Fans could paint the ice after Friday’s game with a $10 donation, and the team wore special Stick it to Cancer jerseys that were auctioned after Saturday’s contest. A 50/50 raffle was also held during both games to benefit Randy’s Fund.

By Paul Post

Great Escape, one of the area’s oldest tourist attractions and largest seasonal employers, is expected to maintain regular operations following its sale to Kansas City-based EPR Properties.

The $331 Million deal includes six other Six Flags theme parks in the U.S. and Canada.

Founded as Storytown USA by the late Charles R. Wood in 1954, the amusement center was renamed Great Escape in 1983. Thirteen years later, Wood sold it to Premier Parks, which later purchased Six Flags and adopted its name.

“This move allows Six Flags to concentrate on the parks that we believe offer the greatest opportunities for growth and long-term success,” company President and CEO John Reilly said. “Since joining the company, I have been clear that Six Flags’ earnings power has been under-realized. This transaction will simplify our portfolio, strengthen our balance sheet and position us to execute with greater clarity and discipline.”

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter.

Great Escape will maintain the Six Flags brand in 2026 and honor all season passes sold, including multi-park pass privileges at other parks within the Six Flags portfolio.

By Rod Bacon

A haberdashery that has kept men looking their best for over 60 years has a new location.

J. Reid Menswear is now at 174 Glen Street in Glens Falls, just two doors away from where they’ve been serving customers for the past five years.

“It’s important that I stay on Glen Street,” said owner Jeffrey Ives. “This store is a small business that specializes in serving the community.”

Ives purchased the multi-story building, which previously housed the local office of Albany-based Aeon Nexus Corporation, for $750,000. He worked with Leslie D’Angelico and Zane Smith at Arrow Financial Corporation on the small business loan. His real estate agent was Christine McKee of  Hunt Real Estate ERA.

Improvements were done by Argyle-based StraightUp Concrete & Renovations, owned by Jack Ash. 

The menswear company was founded in 1965 by Seymour Segan as Jonathan Reid, named after his son, Jonathan Reid Segan. The store was located in Queensbury’s Northway Plaza. In 1975, he opened a store in Saratoga Springs’ Pyramid Mall and soon after relocated his original store to the Aviation Mall. Throughout the 1980s and ‘90s he expanded his business to include 12 stores in New York state, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The elder Segan retired in 1994 and turned the business over to his son, who downsized it to focus on the Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs markets.

“Within six months of starting work I knew I was going to buy it,” said Ives, who joined the company in 2000. “I didn’t know when and I didn’t know how, but I knew I was going to. So I started keeping a log of everything that worked and everything that didn’t. I did that for fifteen years so the day I bought it I was ready. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”