Month: March 2026

Saratoga Wellness Studio HEAL To Offer Infrared Sauna And Cold Plunge Therapy

March 16, 2026March 17, 2026

Nicole Lanse sits beside a cold plunge tub and infrared sauna at HEAL in Saratoga Springs, where she plans to open a wellness studio offering private contrast therapy sessions this month. Saratoga Business Journal

By Susan Elise Campbell

Nicole Lanse, founder and operator of HEAL at 433 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, has turned a passion for therapeutic saunas and cold-water plunging into a new career. The business opened in the second week of March.

Last fall, Lanse relocated from the Finger Lakes to Saratoga after her husband accepted a job promotion in Albany. Along with their three children, the couple had been enjoying infrared sauna treatments in their prior community since 2019.

In 2023 Lanse started researching where she might be able to sauna and cold plunge at the same facility and learned that wellness facilities tend to offer one, but not both, types of therapies.

“I thought, I’m just going to create that,” she said. “It seems natural to dive in and do this.”

With a move to the Capital Region in view, she foresaw a career opportunity to make what had been very beneficial to the health of her family available to a broad market.

Elody Restaurant Opens On Phila Street In Saratoga Springs After Malta Move

March 16, 2026March 17, 2026

*Larry Weaver, left, and Patti Weaver pose at Elody Restaurant in Saratoga Springs after moving their restaurant operation from Malta and reopening on Phila Street near Broadway.*
*Saratoga Business Journal*

By Susan Elise Campbell

Elody Restaurant has opened at 54 Phila Street just off Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The owners, Patti and Larry Weaver, closed their Malta restaurant, 13 North, and brought with them their chefs, their staff, and their reputation for “all-American fare and every kind of steak you can imagine.”

“Saratoga is the spot to be,” said Patti Weaver. “A great corner unit with a lot of windows came up for lease in the building and I’m surprised there wasn’t a lot of activity on it.”

The Weavers have been in the restaurant business since retirement. Larry was in the military and Patti was a civilian in the military. They first opened a small pub in Ballston Spa and then their restaurant, 13 North.

The building they leased on Route 9 was in need of repairs that were “getting too costly” to continue there, Weaver said. The logistics of moving the restaurant was challenging because they had to deplete their food and liquor supplies and start from scratch with new ingredients. But she said that Elody is “the final leg” in their restaurant career.

The official re-opening was on December 31, 2025, the day the Weavers’ granddaughter Elody was born.

SEDC Spurs Major Capital Investment And Thousands Of New Jobs In Region

March 16, 2026

J. Gregory Connors, president and CEO of the Saratoga Economic Development Corp.
Courtesy SEDC

By Paul Post

Saratoga Economic Development Corp. continued to play a huge role in facilitating major capital investment, leading to thousands of new jobs throughout the area during the past year.

One of the most notable achievements is Regeneron pharmaceutical company’s $2 billion plan to transform the former 1 million-square-foot Quad/Graphics facility in Grande Industrial Park into a large manufacturing site.

Plans call for 1,000 full-time jobs and 500 temporary construction jobs over the next five years.

Other capital projects include, but are not limited to:

· The $48.5 million Coca-Cola investment in Halfmoon, retaining 127 full-time jobs while creating 11 new jobs and 95 temporary construction jobs.

· The $166 million 146 Marketplace investment in Halfmoon, the largest mixed-use project of 2025, calling for a blend of commercial, retail and residential uses with the potential for 385 professional, skilled and semiskilled new full-time jobs and 250 temporary construction jobs.

· In Wilton, the $52 million Wilton Commons mixed-use project is one of two health care facilities enabled in the last 18 months that will address the unmet health care needs of residents in northern Saratoga, southern Warren, Washington, eastern Montgomery and Fulton counties. It is also creating 127 residential units that address much-needed workforce housing.

Lake George Protection Efforts Could Spark New North Country Industries

March 16, 2026March 17, 2026

A sweeping view of Lake George highlights the natural resource that Warren County leaders say could help spur new North Country industries tied to water quality, invasive species control and sustainability. Courtesy EDC

By Paul Post

Eurasian milfoil, a harmful aquatic invasive species, might have a new use as compost or an ingredient in fertilizer.

Trucks could be modified with a device that works with brine and rock salt to reduce the amount of salt on highways that impacts lakes and streams.

These are just two examples of potential business opportunities that would support ongoing efforts to protect the North Country’s natural resources.

“We should launch companies here that know how to do those things,” said Jim Siplon, president of the Warren County Economic Development Corporation. “You’ll never site an Amazon distribution center in the Adirondack Park. What we have to do is, beyond tourism, what are things we can invest in that will bring economic value and be aligned with the values of the park. Launching industry around protecting natural resources and having it based here is one of those things.”

The EDC is collaborating with other entities such as RPI, the Darrin Fresh Water Institute and the Lake George Association to develop ideas that could be presented to the state for economic development.

At present, there are 16 different clusters, such as financial services, green energy and chip manufacturing, that the state has identified for investment and to attract companies to launch and conduct business in those fields.

Washington County Pursues Economic Growth After Loss Of Major Employer

March 16, 2026March 17, 2026

Washington County’s new logo supports tourism and broader economic development efforts.
Courtesy Washington County

By Paul Post

Washington County officials are pursuing several efforts to strengthen the local economy, from industrial development to tourism initiatives tied to America 250.

But the county faces one overriding challenge.

“The loss of our single largest employer, Great Meadow prison, continues to impact the local economy,” said Laura Oswald, county director of economic development. “We are currently working on several initiatives that aim to foster the growth of private-sector industries to mitigate the loss of 659 public-sector jobs as well as working with the state to find possible solutions for redevelopment of the site.”

“The governor has proposed a constitutional amendment that would facilitate redevelopment of prisons within Forest Preserve communities, but unfortunately Great Meadow is not among those proposed for inclusion, which severely limits redevelopment options.”

County officials recently secured approval from Empire State Development to establish a land bank.

A land bank allows the county to acquire, manage and return distressed, county-owned or donated properties to productive use, reducing blight, stabilizing property values and creating opportunities for housing and community development.

Adirondack Thunder Raises Record $60,016 For Randy’s Fund During Cancer Weekend

March 16, 2026March 17, 2026

*Fans write messages on the ice at Harding Mazzotti Arena during the Adirondack Thunder’s annual Stick it to Cancer weekend, which raised a record $60,016 for Randy’s Fund at Glens Falls Hospital.*
*Courtesy Paul Post*

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.