Saratoga Business Journal

Saratoga County Residential Real Estate Sales Are Expected To Thrive In Foreseeable Future

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

Barry Potoker, marketing director for Roohan Realty in Saratoga Springs.

By Maureen Werther

Anyone who has ever worked in real estate knows the adage, “All real estate is local,” which means that what is happening in other parts of the country is not necessarily indicative of what is currently happening, or what is likely to happen over time in this market.

Take the economic downturn of 10 years ago, for example. While in other parts of the country real estate markets took a nosedive that lasted for a long period of time, the local market did not feel the recession as badly and it recovered more quickly.

Karen Charbonneau of the Saratoga Home Team group agrees with the adage. She has been in real estate for 24 years. Originally from Massachusetts, she has been working with buyers and sellers in this region for the last eight years.

Local Opportunities For Negotiating Leases On Commmercial Properties Appear Strong

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

Alfred Testa, vice president and senior commercial banking relationship manager, NBT Bank.

By Alfred Testa

Regardless of whether commercial property owners have one or multiple properties, are looking to acquire new property, or renovate or develop new space, financing is always an integral part of the process.

In Saratoga Springs, continued growth downtown is bringing more residential development and mixed-use spaces. In Glens Falls, old spaces are becoming new again as a resurgence in millennials is driving new demand.

Whether your focus is on multi-family housing, self-storage, mixed-used properties, office space or retail, the opportunities for commercial property acquisition remain strong. But without a good relationship with a commercial banker, getting through the process can be very challenging.

Michaels Group To Start Site Work This Fall On 49-Unit Subdivision In Town Of Moreau

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

This is a model home that will be part of Winterberry, a subdivision to be built in the town of Moreau by The Michaels Group Homes development company. Forty-nine units are planned.
Courtesy The Michaels Group

By Jill Nagy

Michaels Group Homes plans to begin work this fall on a new 49-lot subdivision at the intersection of Fort Edward and Bluebird roads in the town of Moreau.

The development, called Winterberry, will consist of ranch-style and two-story homes on lots of approximately half an acre each, according to the company

Luke Michaels, principal at Michaels Group Homes in Malta, said he expects to begin work on roads and utilities this fall and have a model home ready to open in the spring. The exact layout of the subdivision has not been determined nor have prices for the homes, he said.

Kari Cook Keeps Her Business, MochaLisa’s Caffe, Competative With Big-Box Operations

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

Kari Cook is the owner of MochaLisa’s Caffe in Clifton Park.
©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jill Nagy

A combination of hard work, ambition, and a creative menu have helped Kari Cook, owner of MochaLisa’s Caffe in Clifton Park, to succeed, despite a Starbucks drive-through almost next door and another independent coffee shop across the street.

“We’ve had to really capitalize on some of the things that we have,” said Cook, the owner of the restaurant at 22 Clifton Country Road in Clifton Park.

The restaurant has evolved from mostly a spot for morning coffee to more of a lunch and evening venue, offering paninis and wraps. Flat breads and soups are coming to the menu with onset of cooler weather.

AnnBritt Newey Runs ABN Design Inc., Giving Unique Looks To People’s Spaces

October 5, 2018October 8, 2018

AnnBritt Newey, owner of ABN Design Inc. in Saratoga Springs.

By Susan E. Campbell

ABN Design Inc. brings a triad of skill sets to interior decoration and renovation that fills a gap as few design firms can.

Over her 20-year career, owner AnnBritt Newey, ASID, has worked at a leading art deco gallery, outfitted high-end townhomes with antiques and fine art pieces, and collaborated with contractors and vendors for the architectural arm of a luxury interior designer. She has learned to speak fluently the languages of architects, contractors and designers.

This unique vocabulary gives her the tools to provide greater integration between traditional interior design and the architectural process, which is the goal and hallmark of her full-service interior design consultation firm.

KeyBank’s Capital Region Market President Will Speak At Women In Business Luncheon

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

Ruth Mahoney, KeyBank Capital Region market president, will be the keynote speaker.
Courtesy Southern Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

KeyBank Capital Region Market President Ruth Mahoney will be the keynote speaker at the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County’s Women in Business annual fall luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 18, at Van Patten Golf Club, 924 Main St., Clifton Park.

Lessons In Leadership is the theme of the event. Registration and a pre-reception runs from 11:15-11:45 a.m., with the luncheon and presentation slated for noon to 1:30 p.m.

There will be door prizes as well as networking opportunities.

Mahoney will share lessons she has learned along the way and incorporated into her life that have helped her become one of the region’s most respected and accomplished leaders. Her talk will touch on competition, overcoming obstacles and the importance of mentorship in growing a career.

Chelsea Henderson Combines Her Love Of Music With Teaching Passion At ‘Rural Soul’

October 5, 2018October 8, 2018

Chelsie Henderson, is the owner of Rural Soul Studio in Schuylerville.
©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com

BY MAUREEN WERTHER

Chelsie Henderson, owner of Rural Soul Studio in Schuylerville, blends the female entrepreneurial spirit with the soul of a musician and the generosity of a teacher.

Originally from Easton, N.Y., Henderson received a degree in music education from the University of Vermont. She was always keenly interested in ethnomusicology, but she also loved teaching.

After graduating from college, Henderson went on to develop a portfolio as teacher, director, conductor and performer. She developed and implemented a choral program and co-directed theater productions in rural Vermont. She honed her conducting skills with the Bella Voce Women’s Chorus of Vermont.

In 2009, Henderson was awarded the title of “Outstanding New Music Educator,” shortly thereafter satisfying her urge to travel and experience ethnic music first hand. Her travels took her to India, Ireland and Italy with, as she says, her “ears and eyes wide open.”

She fell in love with music from West Africa and began studying the djembe and doundouns, drums that come from West Africa.

Taking IT To Next Level Enables A Company To Use It For Their Competative Advantage

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

Allan D. Robison, president and CEO of EXEControl Global Solutions in Clifton Park.
Courtesy EXEControl

By Susan E. Campbell

All business owners look for ways to increase their bottom lines by working smarter and Internet technology often helps them to do just that.

But businesses can rely on technology too much, said Allan D. Robison, president and CEO of EXEControl Global Solutions headquartered in Clifton Park.

“Computer programs are written so that people do the right things at the right time, like order materials before inventory runs out,” said Robison. “But when the software tells you to do something that doesn’t sound practical, someone ought to question it.”

Robison said there was a time in Hershey’s history when its ERP system told the company not to make more chocolate bars.

Look Of Today’s Office Spaces Features Both Open And Private Spaces, Designers Say

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

This is an open office space collaboration area featuring a Rockwell library table and seating by Knoll, available from drb Business Interiors.
Courtesy drb Business Interiors

By Jill Nagy

Today’s offices often combine open areas with private conference space, may be furnished more like a living room or cafe than a traditional office, and allow for people to work either sitting or standing up, according to two Saratoga office designers, Lisa Boyle of the Boyle Group and Dorothy Rogers-Bullis of drb Business Interiors.

Boyle sees a trend toward “well-certified buildings,” similar to LEED-certified but focused on the health needs of the people inside the building.

“It’s a huge trend,” she said.

It may include ergonomically designed chairs, stand-up desks, task lighting that focuses on the work surface, locally controlled heating and cooling, and a lot of greenery. She noted that millenials, who now constitute a third of the workforce, are very concerned about their health and well-being.

StoredTech Named Again By Inc. Magazine As One Of The 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

Mark Shaw started StoredTech in 2010. The company has an office in Saratoga Springs.
©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth

IT provider StoredTech has again been recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fast-growing companies in America.

The company was added to Inc.’s top 5000 list for 2018, something StoredTech owner Mark Shaw said is due to their unwavering focus on customer service.

Inc. is a monthly publication focused on growing companies. It named StoredTech 2,555 out of 5,000 in 2017.

In 2016, the company was ranked 1,113 in the magazine’s ranking of 5,000. According to the magazine, StoredTech showed a 167 percent growth over the last three years.