Saratoga Business Journal

With Uncertainty In Congress About Tax Plans, There Are Ways For Businesses To Plan For 2018

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017

Steve Ellwanger, a CPA in Saratoga Springs, offers a range of accounting services.

By Maureen Werther

Between now and the end of the year, financial planners, advisors and CPAs will be busy working with clients to ensure their future financial security and minimize their tax liabilities for the coming year.

However, this year is fraught with more uncertainty than any other time in recent memory, some advisors say.

With tax reform still being negotiated in Washington, D.C., financial professionals will be waiting to see what the coming months will mean for the year ahead.

According to global financial giant, Wolters-Kluwer, year-end strategies will become clearer as the legislation moves forward. For the time being, they advise flexibility and preparedness. In other words, an accountant should be ready to adjust to whatever changes are brought about and they should be ready to execute effective strategies for clients as late as December.

For larger, well-established companies or high-wealth individuals, their team has already been planning for several different scenarios. For smaller and younger companies, there are also basic strategies they can employ to ensure them from unnecessary vulnerability.

Stephanie Mumford, CPA and partner at Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte, said that on some level everyone can benefit from financial and tax planning.

Tips For Wellness In The ‘Golden Years’

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017

Kym Hance, client care services/aging life care manager with Herzog Law Firm. Courtesy Herzog Law Firm

By Kym Hance, CMC

There are a number of myths regarding aging. Some people may mistakenly believe that aging only means getting sick or disabled, while others may think that all adults face memory loss in their later years.

Even more people believe that once you reach a certain age, there is less that you can contribute to society and that you are done learning. All of these beliefs are absolutely false. In fact, many people find that the years following retirement are filled with health, vitality, and meaning.

Since we are all going to get to those golden years eventually, here are a few tips to consider that may help to make that stage of life some of the best years you’ll ever have:

1. Active Mindset. Keeping the brain active and fit is imperative to the health of older adults. Not only does it help stave off memory-loss illnesses like Alzheimer’s and dementia, but it also fosters executive function. Try word games and recall exercises. For example, find 5 red objects during a walk in the neighborhood and recall them when back home. Routines limit brain stimulation so introduce new foods or new ways of eating the same food. For example, replace canned peaches with freshly sliced ones. Also, try taking a different route to the grocery store or shopping center.

2. Balancing Act. In addition to exercises that build strength and improve flexibility and cardiovascular endurance, make sure to add balancing activities to the daily routine. Good balance requires maintaining a center of gravity over the base of support. Tai chi, yoga, walking on challenging surfaces and water exercises all enhance overall balance.

3. Dancing with the Seniors. Older adults getting regular physical exercise are 60 percent less likely to get dementia. Exercise increases oxygen to the brain and releases a protein that strengthens cells and neurons. Dance involves all of the above plus the cerebral activity present in learning and memory.

‘Metabolic Meltdown’ Provides Individually Tailored Workouts In An Open Classroom Setting

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017

Tyler Hammett, assistant manager and trainer at Metabolic Meltdown on Gick Road in Saratoga Springs, assists one of its clients during her workout. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Rachel Phillips

Metabolic Meltdown opened a new location at 30 Gick Road in Saratoga Springs, marking its fifth facility in the Capital Region. It boasts over 100 new members.

The space, which used to be Saratoga Health and Fitness, is a 5,000-square-foot facility consisting of the main workout area, locker rooms and a gym.

Metabolic Meltdown was founded by Matt Phelps in 2008 when he was working as a trainer for high school and college athletes. The mothers of his pupils were intrigued by his training regimens, and requested he prepare one for them as well, he said. His business grew quickly, jumping from 90 members 2013 to 2,000 in 2017. He had to expand to new locations across the area, including Clifton Park and Green Island.

The success of Phelps’ business is in large part due to the structure of his program. Unlike other workout facilities, Metabolic Meltdown is neither a gym, nor an exercise class, he said.

Each 45-minute session encompasses six different workout stations. The members exercise at each station for a given period of time before moving on to the next, giving them the opportunity to get a full-body workout that merges strength and cardio training. The exercises are considered metabolic training because they’re geared to alter a person’s metabolism, get the blood flowing and make participants healthier.

Clients Come For Healing But Can Leave Spiritually Uplifted At Ageless Acupuncture

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017

Bridgette Shea is the owner of Ageless Acupuncture in Saratoga Springs which offers acupuncture and various other types of Eastern medicine. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Rachel Phillips

After years of working as a yoga instructor, Bridgette Shea, owner of Ageless Acupuncture in Saratoga Springs, felt that it was time for a change.

Though she loved helping people heal physically and spiritually, she wanted to work one-on-one with her clients. Due to her interest in obtaining a deeper understanding of how the body works from an energetic perspective, she said she was drawn to Ayurvedic medicine. However, like yoga, it wasn’t licensed or recognized by the medical community. Opening up an acupuncture clinic afforded her the opportunity to make her aspirations a reality.

Shea’s business has been in Saratoga since 2009. She had been operating out of her home, but has opened a clinic at 2 Franklin Square in Saratoga Springs.

Shea said despite many people’s assumptions, acupuncture isn’t scary.

“Though you may feel the needles, it won’t hurt. If you feel any discomfort, the needles can be removed immediately,” she said.

Many of her clients come in for stress relief and relaxation.

“The intention behind the clinic is to create a space where people can come in and relax, because relaxing is a big part of the healing process … A lot of people come in the door with very physical complaints, but even they are surprised when leaving at how spiritually uplifted they feel.”

Ellis Medical To Build Outpatient Surgery Unit

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017

By Jill Nagy

An outpatient surgery center may soon join Ellis Hospital’s medical center in Clifton Park.

The hospital applied in September for a Certificate of Need from the state Department of Health to build the $13.6 million facility. The certificate is needed to allow construction of the center to commence.

Plans call for a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center in a building at 105 Sitterly Road, adjacent to the emergent care facility that opened in 2012, hospital officials said. The two buildings would be connected.

Initially, the new facility would have two operating rooms on the first floor with room for future expansion to four operating theaters. A second floor would have medical offices. The total building would be just over 40,000 square feet.

Ellis Hospital, a Schenectady-based facility, would build and own the new building and its equipment and lease them to Ellis Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, an entity owned jointly by the hospital and physicians practicing in the new surgical center, officials said.

Ballston Spa Holiday Parade Is Scheduled For Friday Night, Dec. 1, Down Milton Avenue

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017

Santa Claus rides atop a fire truck at last year’s holiday parade on Milton Avenue in Ballston Spa. After this year’s parade, Santa will preside over the annual tree lighting ceremony.
Courtesy BSBPA

The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association’s annual Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting will takes place, Friday, Dec. 1.

The step off time is 6:30 p.m., proceeding on Milton Avenue and ending in Wiswall Park on Front Street with Santa lighting the Christmas tree.

The parade features fire trucks, floats, animals, kids and Santa parading down the main street of the village. Once again this year, the parade will spotlight the Toys for Tots campaign, in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, Saratoga County Sheriff Department and U.S. Marine Corps.

Volunteers from these organizations will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys from spectators along the parade route as well as at the tree lighting.

Organizations, groups or businesses that would like to take part can visit www.ballston.org to register, or contact Ellen Mottola at the BSBPA office at 518-885-2772 or info@ballston.org.

The parade headlines a holiday-themed First Friday, Ballston Spa’s signature monthly event, which celebrated its 13th year in 2017.

Downtown Saratoga Springs Offers Great Variety For People Doing Holiday Shopping

November 1, 2017February 6, 2018

Holiday gift items like these are available at the Crafter’s Gallery in Saratoga Springs. Owner Christina Lowes also oversees the Santa’s Workshop booth on Broadway. Courtesy Crafter’s Gallery

By Maureen Werther

With the holiday season at hand in, businesses in downtown Saratoga Springs are readying their shops and restaurants to welcome visitors.

Many downtown businesses have long been part of well-attended events such as the Victorian Streetwalk and Christmas tree lighting, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Restaurant Week. There are also new businesses and new owners of existing businesses who are eager to become a part of seasonal festivities.

Impressions of Saratoga among the businesses that has been part of the holiday scene since 1978. Maryanne Barker, co-owner and past president of the Downtown Business Association, stressed the importance of bringing people into the downtown area to shop, dine and be entertained.

“All of our employees are local. We pay rent and we purchase as much inventory locally as we can,” she said. Dollars that stay in the city help to maintain the vibrant local economy. Her new business partner is Maddy Zanetti, who started working at Impressions as a teenager. The team has some new events planned for the upcoming season.

One of them is a shopping night dedicated solely to local teachers.

“This was Maddy’s idea,” said Barker. “We are going to offer finger foods from local food partners and tastings from local artisanal producers of hard cider,” she said. Teachers will have the store to themselves to enjoy some pampering while they browse and shop through the store. There will also be a raffle and door prizes.

Zanetti said Impressions will be hosting other groups throughout the season. Working in concert with the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau, they are going to host a similar event in early December for a group of about 80 people from out of the area. Zanetti echoed Barker’s comments about the importance of stimulating local shopping and dining, noting that at least $80 of every $100 dollars spent in town, stays in town.

‘Compliments To The Chef’ Sells Cookware Out Of A New Saratoga Location On Railroad Place

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017

Paul Reardon, co-owner of Compliments to the Chef, moved his business back to downtown Saratoga Springs, occupying space at 33 Railroad Place. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Paula and John Reardon have been serving up quality cookware options to customers for over 13 years. They recently moved from their Marion Avenue location to Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, a move they said so far has been great for business.

While they remain in Saratoga, John Reardon said the move is bringing new life to the business they love. The business was once located on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

“Paula and I missed downtown Saratoga and decided to explore coming back home. Our search ended when we found Railroad Place. It is a perfect size for our concept and brings together both the tourists and the Saratoga locals which is what Compliments to the Chef needs to thrive,” said Reardon.

The Reardon’s purchased Compliments to the Chef from Dave and Andrea LaFrance in July of 2004. They sell high quality cookware items to their “foodie friends” who have been loyal customers, he said.

Reardon said the new locations reflects their efforts to always sell the finest, most innovative tools in the industry.

Label Registration Eased For NY Beverage Makers

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017

New York state has enacted legislation to remove barriers for businesses in New York seeking brand label registration for alcoholic beverages.

“By removing the paper requirement and providing an electronic option for companies to register for brand labels, we’re building on this work, breaking down more artificial barriers for businesses, and helping to ensure the continued strength of this state’s beer, wine, cider and spirits industry,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Currently, the law requires brand label registrations to be filed by certified mail, registered mail or overnight mail.

Under the bill, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law will permit brand label registration applications to be submitted electronically and filed every three years, rather than every year. The bill also permits the authority, or third party, to charge a processing fee for electronic submissions.

“Since day one, this administration has worked to cut red tape, lower costs and roll back burdensome regulations in order to foster more growth, more jobs and more economic activity in New York’s burgeoning craft beverage sector,” said Cuomo.

Tourism Website Shows A New Brand Identity

November 1, 2017November 13, 2017

Discover Saratoga, also known as the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, launched a new website that went live on Oct. 24.

The site, www.DiscoverSaratoga.org, not only showcases the organization’s new brand identity, but will also act as the official Saratoga destination resource for visitors, meeting and event planners, couples planning their wedding, locals and more, bureau officials said.

The website, which was developed by destination marketing firm Simpleview Inc., will also offer more opportunities for members to advertise and promote their businesses via featured listings, strategic ad placement and collaborative editorial pieces, officials said. It has an easier-to-use navigation, is responsive on all devices and has more visuals to further position itself as a platform for individuals and groups seeking information on Saratoga events, attractions, lodging and more.

“We are so excited to launch our new website. The crisp, new appearance reflects our ‘Discover Saratoga’ re-branding campaign, which was launched in May of this year, and offers visitors and planners an invitation to come discover all this great destination has to offer,” said bureau President Todd Garofano.