Glens Falls Business Journal

Adirondack Regional Chamber Awards Jacky Touba For Community Museum Leadership

March 17, 2026

Tricia Rogers ARCC President with Dr. Jacquiline “Jacky” Touba, recipient of the J. Walter Juckett Award.
Courtesy ARCC

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) welcomed 260 guests at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, N.Y., for its annual dinner celebration Friday, March 6, 2026. During the event, the chamber honored Dr. Jacquiline “Jacky” Touba with its 37th Annual J. Walter Juckett Award.

The program included a resolution presentation by Senator Dan Stec and Assemblyman Matt Simpson, and a proclamation presentation by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. The boards of supervisors of Warren and Washington counties also prepared proclamations for Dr. Touba. A video tribute highlighted Dr. Touba’s accomplishments, including the creation of the World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls, N.Y.

In her remarks, Dr. Touba thanked family and friends and spoke about working together as a community. She said J. Walter Juckett was among the first donors during fundraising for the children’s museum. With more than 50 years as an artist, Dr. Touba drew on her work as a college professor and her world travels to help children and adults explore a diverse world through interactive play and learning.

March 17, 2026

Fenimore Asset Management has hired Carina Trudell as senior operations associate and Jim Haley, CFP®, as senior director, the firm said.

Trudell, a Voorheesville resident, has 25 years of investment industry experience and previously was vice president and head of corporate onboarding and experience at Goldman Sachs Ayco.

“We are very pleased to have Carina on the team,” said Liza Baran, Director of Shareholder Services & Operations. “As Fenimore continues to grow and evolve operationally, Carina will be integral to our strategic vision and adoption of new technologies to better serve investors.”

Haley, who is based in South Carolina, has nearly 30 years of experience and works with individuals, families, nonprofits and institutions. He previously served in management at Dividend Assets Capital.

Founded in 1974, Fenimore manages $5.06 billion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2025, through its Cobleskill and Albany offices.

Provided by Fenimore Asset Management; edited for style and length.

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North Country Media Network, a multimedia podcast network based in Glens Falls, New York, has launched and is accepting applications for a limited “Founding Member” cohort, the company said.

Founder Ann Donnelly said the network provides studio or mobile recording options and handles production, editing and publishing.

NCMN will accept one participating expert per industry for the cohort, offering category exclusivity, the release said.

Founding Members who commit to a six-month weekly podcast schedule under the Authority Pro package will receive top placement in network listings, preferred monthly pricing and waived start-up fees.

Professionals can inquire by emailing ann@northcountry.media.

Provided by North Country Media Network; edited for style and length.

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Arrow Financial Plans Acquisition Of Adirondack Bancorp In $89 Million Deal

March 17, 2026

An Arrow Bank sign stands outside the company’s main Glens Falls headquarters as Arrow Financial Corp. moves ahead with its proposed $89.1 million acquisition of Utica-based Adirondack Bancorp.
File Photo

By Paul Post

Glens Falls-based Arrow Financial Corp. expects to double its geographic territory with the proposed $89.1 million acquisition of Utica-based Adirondack Bancorp, which has 19 branch offices from the Mohawk Valley north to the Canadian border.

“Part of our strategic plan is mergers and acquisitions,” Arrow President and CEO Dave DeMarco said. “To continue to provide shareholder value in our business, you have to grow. We’re celebrating our 175th year. The timing couldn’t be better to find a willing partner to join forces.”

“We’ve been actively looking for a bank or banks that fit our mold, a community-based bank that looks, feels and acts like we do,” he said.

Adirondack Bancorp serves the same types of communities as Arrow, which makes the deal a good one culturally, DeMarco said.

But with $4.5 billion in assets, Arrow is much bigger than Adirondack ($942 million in total assets) and offers a broader range of services including wealth management and insurance. Based on financial results as of Dec. 31, 2025, the combined company would have pro forma total assets of $5.4 billion, total deposits of $4.8 billion and total gross loans of $4.1 billion.

Lagoon Restaurant Partners Purchase Village Mall Property In Lake George

March 17, 2026

Lake George Village Mall on Canada Street was recently purchased by the partners behind The Lagoon, who plan phased renovations to the longtime retail property in the village’s downtown core.
Glens Falls Business Journal

By Carol Ann Conover

The partners behind one of Lake George Village’s most recognizable waterfront restaurants have added a new chapter to their story, acquiring the Village Mall — the 50-year-old retail complex on Canada Street where their business was born.

Joe Mondella, Mark French and John Grillo, equal partners in GNSD Enterprises LLC, recently completed the purchase of the Village Mall in the village of Lake George. The trio opened The Lagoon restaurant inside the mall in 2018, leasing from the Quirk family, which previously owned the property.

“As we opened the business and started running the restaurant, we quickly realized that the location — right on the lake in the heart of Lake George — had just a ton of potential,” Mondella said.

From its original single-level footprint, The Lagoon has expanded to occupy six of the mall’s 16 storefronts, adding a second kitchen and patio on the lakeside level below. The partners installed a pizza oven, built out a prep kitchen and remodeled the bar as they invested steadily in the space they did not yet own.

“Without owning the property ourselves, it seemed like: are we going to continue to invest in this property that we don’t own?” Mondella said. “After a really short period of time, we said to ourselves, if we’re going to invest all this money and we’re going to be here, it would really be in our best interest to own the building.”

Business Report: FTC Targets Fake Online Reviews

March 17, 2026

Jeffrey B. Shapiro of J. Shapiro Law PLLC. jbs@jshapirolegal.com
Courtesy J. Shapiro Law PLLC

By Jeffrey Shapiro

For many local businesses, Google reviews function as a public trust score that can influence whether a customer chooses one company over another. Because online reviews play such a significant role in consumer decision-making, regulators have increasingly focused on preventing review manipulation.

In response to widespread abuse, the Federal Trade Commission’s Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (16 CFR Part 465) took effect Oct. 21, 2024. The rule gives the FTC a new enforcement tool: the ability to seek civil penalties for knowing violations.

This column outlines the rule’s primary prohibitions and offers practical compliance steps for businesses.

What Does the Rule Cover?

The rule targets specific review-manipulation practices across platforms, including Google Business Profiles, Yelp, industry directories, retailer sites and social media. It focuses on fake or false reviews or testimonials, improper incentives, insider reviews without disclosure, review suppression, review hijacking (repurposing reviews) and fake indicators of influence such as followers, likes and views.

The rule prohibits creating, selling, buying or disseminating reviews or testimonials that are fake or false, including reviews from people who did not have the claimed experience. This can include fabricated Google reviews, AI-generated reviews presented as genuine consumer experiences or reviews from individuals who never used the product or service.

Katy’s Wine And Whiskey Bar Opening In June On South Street In Glens Falls

March 17, 2026

By Carol Ann Conover

A new chapter is being written for South Street. Katy’s Wine & Whiskey Bar, a sophisticated yet approachable destination for wine lovers, whiskey enthusiasts and anyone seeking an elevated evening out, is expected to open in June at 46 South St., in a building dating to the 1890s that has been gutted and rehabilitated by developer Chris Patten.

Behind the venture are two partners who bring complementary strengths: Bill Dingman, a two-decade veteran of the Glens Falls restaurant industry, and Katie Foster, a local real estate agent and wife of the building’s developer. Together, they are betting that the momentum building along South Street is ready to support something new — a bar that is refined without being pretentious, social without being rowdy.

For Dingman, the opening carries personal significance. He got his start in the industry at 14 at the Lake George Pancake House and went on to spend eight years as general manager of Bistro Tallulah — a restaurant he credits as one of the catalysts for the revitalization of the Glens Falls dining scene. He has since managed Morgan and Company, Raul’s Mexican Grill, Craft on 9 and Forged, among others.

“Bistro Tallulah was one of the catalysts for sort of the revitalization of Glens Falls, of the Renaissance of the dining scene in the area,” Dingman said. “I was at the beginning of what felt like a real revitalization — and to now be opening an establishment of my own right here in this downtown setting is a bit of a full-circle moment.”

This is Dingman’s first ownership stake after 20 years in the industry. He will continue in his current role as district operations manager at Spot Coffee while the restaurant ramps up, with his responsibilities expected to evolve as Katy’s finds its footing.

Lake George Regional CVB Posts Record 2025 Results, Boosts Shoulder-Season Demand

March 17, 2026

The Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, the group-business marketing arm of Warren County and the Lake George Area, reported its 2025 year-end results, citing gains in sales activity, digital engagement, room nights and estimated economic impact.

Performance indicators presented at the most recent Occupancy Tax Committee meeting show the bureau exceeded annual targets for lead generation, booked business and economic impact.

In 2025 year-to-date results, the bureau reported 196 leads generated and 127 confirmed bookings, representing 41,485 booked attendees and 33,701 room nights. The bureau estimated the booked business generated $53 million in economic impact.

On the digital side, the bureau reported 155,112 website visits to MeetLakeGeorge.com and 4,984 total social media followers.

Data shared by Warren County Tourism showed strengthening across hotel and short-term rental markets in 2025, particularly outside peak summer months. Hotel occupancy improved to about 54% in 2025. Short-term rental revenue increased more than 8% year over year, with low-season short-term rental revenue rebounding close to 18% after a decline the previous year. Short-term rental bed tax collections rose from $2.26 million in 2024 to $2.45 million in 2025.

According to Visa Analytics, 45% of visitor spending in 2025 occurred during shoulder-season months, matching peak-season performance.

“These results reflect the strategic, intentional work of our team to attract business that supports a year-round tourism economy,” said Gina Mintzer, Executive Director of the Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau. “By focusing on meetings, sports, and group travel, we’re driving meaningful economic impact while supporting partners during shoulder seasons.”

WCLDC And EDC Release Schedule For March Board And Committee Meetings

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026 – WCLDC Audit & Finance Committee Meeting to be held in person at 11 South Street, Suite, 201, Glens Falls at 1:00 p.m. March 19, 2026 – WCLDC Monthly Board of Directors Meeting to be held in person at 11 South Street, Suite 201, Glens Falls at 11:00 p.m. March 19,...

Habitat For Humanity Expands Efforts To Address Regional Housing Shortage

March 17, 2026

Sharon Horton (center), Executive Director, leads Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
Glens Falls Business Journal

By Ann Donnelly

When Sharon Horton took over as executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties in June 2025, she brought extensive nonprofit experience and a deeply personal understanding of the power of homeownership. Today, she is leading the organization through a critical period of expansion to address a severe regional housing shortage.

The need for affordable housing in the area is dire. According to Horton, “Warren County’s overall housing vacancy rate is 3.6%, and the rental vacancy rate is an exceptionally low 0.4%, well below the 5% threshold that signals a housing shortage. Nearly 47% of renter households in the county are cost-burdened, and affordable rentals priced at levels accessible to minimum-wage workers are almost nonexistent.”

“The Warren County Housing Needs Study identifies significant gaps for households earning 0–50% and 50–80% AMI, particularly those seeking affordable starter homes and ownership opportunities below $300,000,” Horton shared. “These shortages are especially acute in communities outside Queensbury and Glens Falls. Also in Hudson Falls in Washington County. The combination of near-zero vacancy, long waiting lists, rapid absorption, and rising costs demonstrates a clear and urgent unmet need for affordable homeownership opportunities in our region.”

To address the crisis, Horton is leaning into Habitat’s core purpose, “to bring people together to build communities, homes, and hope.”

Her path to Habitat was shaped by personal adversity and a strong desire to serve. Horton began her career as a general manager in the hospitality industry before transitioning into nonprofit work with the American Cancer Society in Florida, the American Heart Association in New York and later serving as statewide executive director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Sales Director Builds Business Through Community Ties At Saratoga Casino Hotel

March 17, 2026

By Ann Donnelly

Colleen Carlson’s career at Saratoga Casino Hotel began long before the property added a luxury hotel, a premier steakhouse or a busy casino floor. At 15, Carlson sold race programs at the harness track where her mother also worked. Today, as director of sales, she oversees a thriving corporate and events business built on the property’s decades of expansion.

“I have a long history here,” Carlson said. “I started here when I was 15 years old, selling programs. I moved up the line and worked in the press box, doing all sorts of interesting things. It’s like home to me being here.”

The property’s evolution has reshaped Carlson’s sales portfolio. Years ago, the on-site restaurant Fortune’s regularly hosted 350 guests for lunch and dinner. Today it operates exclusively as a private-event space, reflecting the venue’s broader focus on large-scale hospitality.

“Through the whole changeover of getting a hotel, casino, it’s been a great ride,” Carlson said. “When we got the hotel, it made it more interesting. It really ramped up everything.”

Carlson now oversees multiple event spaces across the Saratoga Casino Hotel campus, including conference rooms, a ballroom, Morton’s The Steakhouse and the Vapor nightclub. A standout venue is The Lodge at Nelson and Crescent avenues, featuring a dark green exterior and Adirondack-style woodwork. A large tent installed on a stamped-concrete slab outside The Lodge allows the property to host larger weddings and galas.