Saratoga Business Journal

Hatchet Hardware Opens In Waterford; Ace Hardware Franchise Also Plans To Expand

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Michael Hawron works as a paint specialist at Hatchet Hardware’s newest Ace Hardware location in Waterford, under the ownership of Angelo, Giovanni and Erika Grasso.

By Jill Nagy

A venerable Waterford hardware store has a new name and new owners.

On Aug. 1, the former Tru-Value hardware store at 42 Saratoga Ave. re-emerged as Hatchet Hardware, an Ace Hardware franchise, owned by Angelo, Giovanni and Erika Grasso.

While big changes are planned during the next few months, the main changes so far have been the gradual replacement of Tru-Value brand products by Ace brand products.

Still, “it’s been rough transition, I’m not going to lie to you,” store manager Jesus Reyes said.

Saratoga PLAN Will Hold Its 14th Annual ‘Feast Of Fields’ Event On September 19

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Saratoga PLAN’s 14th annual Feast of the Fields will return to Saratoga National Golf Club on Sept. 19.

The event, which officials said is likely to sell out to over 600 guests, features farm-fresh produce, meats, dairy products and more highlighting crops produced by local farms. Top area chefs transform the produce and meats into culinary treats.

Feast of the Fields celebrates the agriculture in the Saratoga region. Officials said it remains strong partly due to Saratoga PLAN’s farmland conservation efforts. Proceeds from the event support PLAN’s ongoing efforts to conserve farmland and open space in Saratoga County in perpetuity.

“At Feast of the Fields, guests have a chance to taste locally grown ingredients crafted by the best chefs, meet area farmers who produced the ingredients, learn about local farm businesses, and help raise funds so that Saratoga PLAN can continue helping farmland owners and municipalities permanently protect fertile soil resources and scenic views,” said Maria Trabka, Saratoga PLAN executive director.

Business Report: Health Savings Account For Your Retirement

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

By David Kopyc

The average 65-year-old couple will spend $285,000 on medical expenses in their retirement and this figure does not include any long-term care expenses.

Healthcare continues to be one of the greatest expenses and concerns for retirees and individuals considering retirement in the near future.

Unlike your parents’ generation, most of you will not have any employer or union-sponsored health benefits. Therefore, healthcare costs will likely consume a larger portion of your budget in retirement and you will need to plan for this well in advance of your date of separation.

Small Businesses Should Consider Risk Management Policies To Mitigate Damages

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Thomas Flynn is co-founder, president and CEO of Jaeger & Flynn.

By Rachel Phillips

The nature of business often requires some level of risk taking, but not all risks a business owner faces are under their control.

For example, an employee may be injured in an accident, or a security breach could result in data loss or theft. While no one can completely avoid all potential risks, partnering with a qualified insurance or risk management provider can identify where they might be vulnerable and create a plan to manage and mitigate damages.

Thomas Flynn, co-founder, president and CEO of Jaeger & Flynn, with offices in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park and Glens Falls, said all risk management processes follow five basic steps: Identify the risk, analyze the risk, evaluate or “rank” the risk, treatment, and monitoring the risks regularly to assess whether they’ve changed.

Business Report: Compensation Package Concerns

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Rose Miller is president of Pinnacle Human Resources LLC.

By Rose Miller

With the frequent changes in wage and hour laws, many companies are struggling with decisions regarding increases in pay. Minimum wage will be increasing again in December. The end of the year is also a time when employers are evaluating performance and employees are evaluating their jobs and their pay.

Although pay dissatisfaction is only a symptom of job unhappiness, it can be the excuse on whether an employee decides to stay or leave. Many companies have advertised their company’s record high in sales and profits yet not have it translate to increases in pay for workers. The new laws passed regarding pay history and pay equity have female and other workers wondering if they are being paid equally and fairly.

State Enacts Workplace Harassment Law Containing Stronger Employee Protections

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

New York state has enacted sweeping new workplace harassment protections that strengthens anti-discrimination laws to ensure employees can seek justice and perpetrators will be held accountable.

It eliminates the restriction that harassment be “severe or pervasive” in order to be legally actionable; mandating that all non-disclosure agreements allow employees to file a complaint of harassment or discrimination. It also extends the statute of limitations for employment sexual harassment claims filed from one year to three years.

“There has been an ongoing, persistent culture of sexual harassment, assault and discrimination in the workplace, and now it is time to act,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “By ending the absurd legal standard that sexual harassment in the workplace needs to be ‘severe or pervasive’ and making it easier for workplace sexual harassment claims to be brought forward, we are sending a strong message that time is up on sexual harassment in the workplace and setting the standard of equality for women.”

Curtis Lumber To Open New Bathroom Design Center At Its Ballston Spa Facility

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Timothy Minholz, kitchen and bath designer, stands in the new bathroom design center that will be unveiled Sept. 12 in Curtis Lumber Co.’s Ballston Spa location.

By Susan E. Campbell

Curtis Lumber Co.’s Ballston Spa location will unveil a new bathroom design center this month.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday Sept. 12, and there will be a weekend of special events, including tours of the new showroom and the opportunity for “spectacular savings,” according to Elmer Manzer, facility coordinator for the store at 885 Route 67.

A 34-year employee at Curtis, Manzer has seen the rise in popularity of the showroom concept, especially over the last two decades.

“The design centers have been growing for nearly 20 years,” he said. “There is a massive project center that is like a year-round home show, featuring ideas for patios, lighting, kitchen cabinets and counters, a one-car garage and many other aspects of home building and renovation.”

Business Report: Sustainable Energy Saving Options

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Lee Evans, partner with ReWire Group LLC energy advisory firm in Saratoga Springs.

By Lee Evans

Running a household or a small business can be expensive. However, many people don’t consider the choice and control they have over their energy expenses.

Now the emerging green economy combined with high connectivity has given birth to a bold new era of energy saving options for everyone. What follows is a list of essential, straightforward items that both homeowners and businesses can check off to trigger the type of cost reduction they’ve always wanted in terms of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

In general, the three main steps you can use to unlock the maximum amount of energy savings for your home or small business: Reduce, electrify and replace.

Business Report: Homebuyers Should Get Chimney Inspection

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

Jamie Wallace is the owner of Chimney Heroes of Saratoga Springs.

By Jamie Wallace

People considering buying a home should not neglect getting a chimney inspection.

Here are five reasons why.

1) Chimneys are one of the most neglected structures in a home

Did you know that very few chimneys that vent a furnace or fireplace have ever been professionally inspected? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 211) is the national standard for chimneys and vents and states that a chimney shall be inspected annually. A chimney is always under attack by corrosive flue gasses which wreak havoc on its flue liner.

NYSERDA Launches Second Phase Of Its Home Energy Rating Pilot Program

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has launched the second phase of a multi-year Home Energy Rating Pilot initially launched in February.

NYSERDA is seeking applications from licensed home inspectors to deliver home energy ratings during pre-purchase inspections to support homebuyer remodeling of a newly purchased one- to four-family home.

Alicia Barton, president and CEO of NYSERDA, said reducing energy use in homes “provides a foundation for greater statewide energy savings and advances us another step towards meeting Gov. Cuomo’s energy efficiency target by 2025. Piloting home energy ratings with home inspectors offers New York homebuyers access to a useful and informative tool that will identify energy efficient needs, features and upgrade opportunities to inform future remodeling decisions that will help them lower energy costs and increase the comfort of their homes.”