Saratoga Business Journal -

Shelby Schneider Is Named President Of Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership

February 10, 2020February 25, 2020

Shelby Schneider is the president/CEO of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership.
Courtesy Saratoga Prosperity Partnership

Shelby Schneider, a 17-year veteran of economic development in Saratoga County, is the new president/CEO of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, a county-based economic development organization.
The announcement followed the resignation of Marty Vanags as president, effective Jan. 8. Vanags left in order to pursue new opportunities, the organization said.
For the last month, Schneider had served in the position as the interim president and CEO of the agency.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Partnership and lend my experience to leverage new public and private investment bringing more jobs and opportunities to our communities,” Schneider said. “I look forward to working closely with the board and am committed to fully engaging all of our stakeholders including elected officials, businesses, and community leaders.”

Stewart’s Shops Buys Gasoline Distribution Business, Eyes More Future Diversification

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

Stewart’s Shops acquired a fuel distribution business that it may expand in the future.
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com

Stewart’s Shops has acquired an area gasoline and diesel distribution business that will allow it to distribute gasoline from Sunoco, Citgo and Mobil to dealers located in some of its coverage area in upstate New York.
The local company acquired the distributorship from Polsniello Fuels, a 68-year-old third-generation company in Rensselaer.
Stewart’s said it plans to continue working with dealers who previously did business with Polsinello, and is considering a remodel for some of the acquired gas stations.
“As we continue to grow our business, this acquisition gives us the opportunity to diversify by expanding deeper into the fuel wholesale business,” said Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake in a news release.
Polsinello now will focus on its lubricant and motor oil supply business. Lou Polsinello, company vice president, said in a release that the business will continue to deal in lubricants and motor oil distribution, and that dropping out of the gasoline retail business will help them to grow in those other areas.

Officials Say 140,704 Chowder Samples Sold At 22nd Annual Saratoga Chowderfest

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

Huge crowds turned out in downtown Saratoga Springs for the 22nd annual Saratoga Chowderfest. According to Discover Saratoga, more than 30,000 people attended.

Organizers of the 22nd annual Saratoga Chowderfest held om Feb. 1 said 93 vendors participated, including 11 first-time contestants.
According to Discover Saratoga officials, some 140,704 bowls of chowder were served and over 30,000 people attended the event in downtown Saratoga Springs and at various outlying venues.
Event-goers sampled a variety of chowder from participating vendors for $1 and voted for their favorite.
Winners were chosen in 10 different categories, which was announced at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center during the annual award ceremony.

John Munter Sr. Is 2020 Recipient Of The Chamber Of Commerce Joseph Dalton Award

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

John Munter Sr. received the 2020 Joseph Dalton Community Service Award.
Courtesy Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

John Munter Sr. was presented with the 2020 Joseph Dalton Community Service Award at the annual dinner of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 23 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Munter is the third individual to receive this award following Steve “Sully” Sullivan in 2018 and Tom Roohan in 2019.
To be eligible to receive this award, nominees must have a minimum of 25 years of faithful and loyal service to the Saratoga community.
During his career, Munter has helped organizations such as Saratoga PLAN and The Wesley Community and assisted in efforts that include saving Camp Boyhaven in Milton and creating the Bog Meadow Trail in Saratoga Springs.
Munter is a 1962 graduate of Clarkson University. His career started as a rocket test engineer with GE at the Malta Test Division. In 1972, he left GE to form Munter Enterprises, a general contracting construction operation. More than four decades later, Munter Enterprises is now run by his two sons, John Jr., and Mike.

Mangiamo On Woodlawn Avenue In Saratoga Springs Offers All Kinds Of Homemade Pasta

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

Rose Contadino owns Mangiamo, where she makes a variety of pasta products.
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Christine Graf
When Rose Contadino relocated from Connecticut to Saratoga Springs, she was unable to find a store where she could purchase fresh pasta. As a result, she traveled to Arthur Avenue (Little Italy) in the Bronx twice a month to stock up on the Italian staple.
When explaining her willingness to travel so far in search of fresh pasta, Contadino said food has always been important to her. She grew up eating homemade pasta made by her parents, Italian immigrants who left Italy in search of a better life.
“As a child, pasta and food was pretty much our life,” she said. “Every Sunday was spent making pasta. My mother made everything homemade.”
Two years ago, Contadino decided to pursue what she described as a lifelong interest in cooking and the food industry. She began making fresh pasta in a shared-space commercial kitchen and started selling it at the Saratoga Farmer’s Market. She named her business Mangiamo which means “let’s eat” in Italian.

Personnel Briefs: February 2020

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

Herzog Law Firm PC announced the addition of Daniel S. Glaser, Esq., to head its growing real estate division.
Glaser spent the past 11 years building and managing his own law firm. He concentrates his practice in residential and commercial real estate representing buyers, seller, and lenders while also handling title insurance.
He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Real Property Section of the New York State Bar Association.

Taquero On Putnam Street In Saratoga Springs Makes, Sells Tacos And Doughnuts

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

Brady Dillon, left, Corey Melancon, center, and Ryan Reed are the owners of Taquero, a business on Putnam Street specializing in tacos and doughnuts.
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Andrea Harwood Palmer
Hand-made tacos and made-to-order donuts can be found at a new business, Taquero, at 68 Putnam St. in Saratoga Springs.
Owners Corey Melancon, Ryan Reed and Brady Dillon collaborated with a local investor group to make their vision become reality.
The three Saratoga Springs natives have over 45 years of restaurant experience between them and met while working together in their parents’ restaurants in their youth.

Chris Dowd Is Chairman Of The Board For The Chamber Of Southern Saratoga County

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

Chris Dowd is the 2020 chairman of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.
Courtesy Chamber of Southern Saratoga County

In late 2019, members of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County (CSSC) voted overwhelmingly in favor of affiliation with the Capital Region Chamber, setting in motion the most far-reaching changes in the organization’s 53-year history.
Ballston Spa National Bank President/CEO Chris Dowd was tapped to lead the CSSC board for 2020, helping direct the transition along with former CSSC President/CEO Pete Bardunias, who now serves as senior vice president, community advancement to Capital Region Chamber President/CEO Mark Eagan.
Dowd has been with BSNB since July of 2001. Starting as senior vice president of lending, he moved to the president/CEO role in August of 2004. He currently serves on the boards of BSNB, CEG, Independent Bankers Association of NYS, the CSSC/Capital Region Chamber, and the Saratoga Economic Development Corp. board of governors.
“It is an honor to be asked to lead the board of this organization into a new and very important relationship with the Regional Chamber,” said Dowd.

Business Briefs: February 2020

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

The Saratoga County Foundation’s Veterans Business Council recently elected a new slate of officers for 2020.
Elected to two-year terms were Jason Collins, SUNY Empire State College, chairman; Erica Choi, Bank of America, as vice-chair; Robert Scheurer, Adirondack Trust Co., secretary; and Tom Dingley, Mosaic Wealth Advisory, treasurer.
Outgoing Chair Karen Charbonneau of Saratoga Home Team was recognized for her outstanding leadership the past two years. During her time as chair, the council helped to coordinate funding and construction of a 7,700-square-foot fieldhouse at the Naval Support Activity Base in Saratoga Springs, implemented a new scholarship program to aid Veterans pursuing higher education, and established a new fundraiser to help raise money for veterans initiatives in Saratoga County.

Beef Jerky Outlet Opens On Broadway In Saratoga Springs With Country Store Feel

February 10, 2020February 10, 2020

Michael Kinnally, left, and Tim Kinnally are co-owners, along with Corey Leggiero, of the Beef Jerky Outlet that opened late last year on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth
The new Beef Jerky Outlet location is more than what is in its name, according to Cory Leggiero, a partner in the locally owned franchise .
The shop at 514 Broadway in Saratoga Springs specializes in everything from beef, to salmon, to venison, and elk. The location has a country store feel, offering jams, jellies and old fashioned candies.
“We want to be a place that has that small town feel, where when you walk in we know who you are and you know our employees,” said Leggiero.
He owns the franchise with brothers Michael and Tim Kinally.