Jake Van Ness

2079 Articles

Buell Is Regional Chamber Board Chair

Posted on

Jeff Buell, principal at Redburn Development Partners LLC in Troy, is the chairman of the Capital Region Chamber board of directors for 2022.

The rest of the slate of officers incudes  Andrea Crisafulli, president, Crisafulli Bros. Plumbing & Heating Contractors, Inc., chair elect;  President and CEO Mark N. Eagan, Capital Region Chamber; David R. Harris, Ph.D., president, Union College, secretary; Christopher Cannucciari, partner, Lutz, Selig & Zeronda, treasurer; and Ruth Mahoney, executive vice president and president of wealth management, NBT Bank, immediate past chair. 

Officers for The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County board are Christopher Dowd, president and CEO, Ballston Spa National Bank, chair; and Lisa Avila, CEO, Kitware,  secretary/treasurer. 

Officers for the Center for Economic Growth are John Bennett, MD, president and CEO, CDPHP, chair; and Laura Poltynski, director, customer and community engagement, National Grid, secretary/treasurer. 

Read More

Halfmoon Garden Apartments And Canfield Apartments Purchased By Latham Company

Posted on
The Canfield Garden Apartments in Gansevoort have been purchased by Sunrise Garden Apartments, which also bought Halfmoon Garden Apartments.
Courtesy Sunrise Garden Apartments

Sunrise Management & Consulting in Latham has grown its multifamily apartment portfolio with the purchase of Halfmoon Garden Apartments in Clifton Park and Canfield Apartments in Gansevoort. 

The sale was brokered by Dean and Ryan Taylor of Continuum Commercial Realty, and SEFCU financed the transaction. 

Sunrise will manage the communities.

“Halfmoon Garden Apartments and Canfield Apartments are valuable assets that fit nicely into our portfolio,” said Jesse Holland, president of Sunrise Management & Consulting. “We were impressed with the way the longtime owners cared for the properties and wish them well in their retirement. We look forward to getting to know the residents.”

Read More

Expanded Teaching Classes, More Tubing Lanes Part Of West Mountain Growth In 2022

Posted on
After nine years of an infrastructure rebuild, West Mountain will now embark on Stage 2 of development, a luxury ski/stay resort development at the north side of the mountain.
Courtesy West Mountain

West Mountain kicked off its 2021-22 season, opening Christmas weekend for skiing, riding and tubing.

 “The progress continues at West Mountain,” said Sara Montgomery, general manager of West Mountain. “Our snow sports school continues to grow, and this year we have expanded our learning center to accommodate more skiers and riders. We are excited to welcome newcomers who will be making their first winter sports memories at West. It’s going to be a fun-filled season.”

West Mountain offers beginner through advanced terrain and will be open for day and nighttime skiing, riding, and tubing. There are some additions to the mountain, as well as a continuation of West Mountain’s  lesson programs.

That includes a newly expanded learning terrain/bunny hill and more snow tubing lanes added to the Tubing Park. Being continued are the individual and after school program, the Academy and Club Race Team membership offerings for athletes ages 6-19, and continuation of events like Fire on the Mountain, Slush Cup and more. 

Officials said during non-holiday periods, West Mountain will offer ticket promotions such as Monday and Tuesday $35 for a four-hour ticket specials and breakfast or lunch plus lift ticket specials. 

West Mountain’s Bar and Eatery will be open at full capacity with daily specials such as Burgers, Beers and Bands Wednesdays, Fiddlehead and Fettuccine Fridays and Bloody Mary Sundays.

Read More

Prime At Saratoga Nationals Unveils Heated Pods For Extended Outdoor Dining Options

Posted on

Prime at Saratoga National announced the opening of The Village at Prime, seven solar-powered, heated pods for dining on the patio through the winter months. 

The Village at Prime will be available during the restaurant’s regular lunch and dinner  hours, currently Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and 5:30 p.m. for dinner. 

 The SolarFi pods are solar powered and range in size to accommodate from two to 10 people. They are each uniquely decorated and include medical-grade hepa air filters and USB charging ports. They are 100 percent UV resistant and made from 100 percent recycled material. SolarFi partners with  restaurants by offering lease, or revenue share opportunities, according to the company.  

“People are looking for special dining experiences, even during the pandemic,” said Heather O’Neil, general manager of Prime at Saratoga National. “The Village at Prime is a way for  people to enjoy a special night out, while staying safe and practicing social distancing.” 

Read More

Saratoga Spring Water Co. Business And Products Sold To BlueTriton Of Connecticut

Posted on

Saratoga Spring Water Co., 11 Geyser Road, Saratoga Springs, which dates to the 19th century in the Spa City, has been sold to a Connecticut investment firm.

BlueTriton Brands, Inc. announced in late November that it has successfully completed the acquisition, a nationally recognized producer of premium domestic spring water.

Saratoga Spring Water  is sold throughout the United States and delivers spring water products in premium packaging to customers in the hospitality and retail channels.

“We are thrilled to welcome Saratoga Spring Water Co.’s products into the BlueTriton family,” said Tony W. Lee, managing partner of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC and a member of the board of directors of BlueTriton. “As a leader in the premium spring water segment, the Saratoga Spring Water  business enables us to expand our brand offerings and access a national, upscale beverage market that will contribute to BlueTriton’s strategic growth and success.”

BlueTriton Brands offers an extensive portfolio of highly recognizable water brands for healthy hydration, including Poland Spring brand natural spring water, Splash and Pure Life. The company also owns and operates ReadyRefresh, a customizable water and beverage delivery service.

Adam Madkour, the CEO and sole shareholder of Saratoga Spring Water Co., said “We believe BlueTriton’s leadership and resources will position Saratoga Spring Water’s products for growth while enabling the company to continue producing the high-quality, premium products we are known for. We look forward to our partnership with BlueTriton, who shares our commitment, mission and long-held philosophy of service and corporate responsibility.”

Read More

Work On Joining And Expanding Two Historic Hotels Continues In Saratoga Springs

Posted on

By Jill Nagy

Work is proceeding “slowly but surely” on the conversion of two of Saratoga’s grand old hotels into a resort hotel and apartments, said Helen Watson, general manager of the Adelphi Hotel. 

When completed, the Adelphi and Rip Van Dam hotels at 365 Broadway and in Saratoga Springs will be one unit with a five-story addition behind the current buildings and some 100 underground parking spaces. 

Real estate developers and thoroughbred racehorse owners Michael Dubb and Larry Roth recently gained the city’s approval to begin a $50 million project. They intend to renovate and expand with the goal of reviving a piece of the luxury grand hotel era that once made Saratoga a playground for the wealthy dating back to the 1870s.

Plans are for a total of 78 hotel rooms along with 84 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Both in-house restaurants will be enlarged and work is already underway on that part of the project, said Watson.  Both apartment and hotel residents will have access to concierge services, a gym and spa and a ballroom. Being downtown, they will have easy access to shops and restaurants.

Renovation work is almost complete on the Salt and Char, the Rip Van Dam’s restaurant.Watson expects it to reopen next year toward the end of November. Renovation work is also underway on the other restaurant, Morrissey’s, which is in the Adelphi space. It will be doubled in size and, “hopefully,” the addition will be ready for diners by the beginning of 2022, Watson said. Outdoor seating and part of the restaurant have remained open.

Read More

Survey Shows Shoppers In New York ‘Excited’ About Holidays; Some To Spend More

Posted on

Two-thirds of New Yorkers, up from 59 percent a year ago, are somewhat or very excited about the upcoming holiday season according to a new statewide survey of consumers recently released by the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI). 

While a plurality, 43 percent, plan to spend as they did last year, only 17 percent plan to increase their spending compared with 37 percent that say they will spend less. Nearly half, 47 percent, plan to conduct at least 50 percent of their shopping online, down from 57 percent last year, according to the poll.

 When considering the delays and shortages caused by supply chain disruptions, 70 percent of consumers have already or plan to shop earlier than usual, 52 percent will shop more in person forgoing online shopping and a majority, 56 percent intend to spend less than they had planned. Up from only 26 percent a year ago, over a third, 34 percent, now say that they believe in Santa Claus. 

At the same time, 44 percent believe that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are legitimate currency. “Belief in Santa and Bitcoin is an odd combo this season but perhaps we’re seeing a changing of the guard,” according to Don Levy, SCRI director. “Belief in Bitcoin’s legitimacy is highest among younger consumers and lowest among those age 65 and above while saying I believe in Santa is most difficult for those 18-34 years of age to express.” 

Read More

State Plans To Add 860 Acres To Moreau Lake State Park Along Stretch Of Hudson River

Posted on

New York state is expanding Moreau Lake State Park by 860 acres. The new lands include  natural habitat along an undeveloped stretch of the Hudson River that will be known as Big Bend Point.  

“The acquisition at Big Bend Point guarantees the protection of a critical habitat and pristine natural resource,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Moreau Lake State Park is visited by hundreds of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year for camping, swimming, and exploring its popular trail network. With more people than ever visiting our parks, this acreage will expand options for outdoor recreation in the region and preserve open space in fast-growing Saratoga County.”

The $1.6 million purchase of Big Bend Point was funded by the Environmental Protection Fund. It brings the Moreau Lake State Park’s total acreage to 6,250 acres, making it one of the ten largest parks in the state park system. 

With its proximity to both Lake George and Saratoga Springs, the park is attractive to visitors year-round as it offers ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other winter activities.  

New York State Parks partnered with the Open Space Institute (OSI) to protect the former logging site at Big Bend Point in the town of Moreau. Bounded by two miles of the Hudson River, Big Bend Point includes wide, established logging roads that can be converted into an accessible trail network for year-round walking, bicycling, birding and wildlife viewing, equestrian riding, and non-motorized winter sports such as cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. 

Read More

‘First Fill Spirits’ In Saratoga Springs Sells Unusual Whiskies Fit For The Enthusiast

Posted on
Charles Grabitzky and Holly Seidewand co-own First Fill Spirits in Saratoga Springs.

By R.J. DeLuke

A different kind of liquor store is operating in Saratoga Springs, one that primarily is there to satisfy a growing market of people who enjoy their whiskies—bourbon, Scotch, rye or blends.

First Fill Spirits is the fulfillment of the visions of Charles Grabitzky and Holly Seidewand. Both started with a love of whiskey, the curiosity to learn more about it, and then a vision to make it a business where they can serve others who have a similar predilection for the product.

First Fill Spirits opened in August at 68 Washington St. It is not a place where people will go to buy, for example, Jim Beam bourbon, or Dewar’s Scotch. The stores does have some product that isn’t in the whiskey family. There is some single-cask rum and a few other products. “Everything has to be single cask if it’s not whiskey,” Grabitzky said. “We have a unique license that’s specific to whiskey and then any single-cask, non-whiskey. We have rum …  but 95 percent of everything we have is whiskey.’

He added, “We have a few of the larger brands, but for the most part it’s distilleries or brands that are kind of under the radar. Smaller companies that we’ve discovered through our travels and whiskey careers.”

Read More