Saratoga Business Journal

Business Briefs: May 2017

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

The Adirondack Trust Co. Community Fund is accepting grant applications from eligible nonprofit charities headquartered in the Saratoga, Warren and Washington county areas.

The grant window is open through Sept. 25. Grant information and application forms may be obtained from the Community Fund website at www.atccf.org/nonprofits

The fund was established in 2009 to build an endowment that acts as a perpetual source of funding for the broad array of nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in the community and to assist them in addressing issues of common concern. The fund also seeks to foster a community spirit of giving by providing donors with flexible ways to manage charitable donations. In 2016, the Community Fund awarded $42,270.00 in “lend-a-hand” grants to 23 local, nonprofit organizations, supporting programs in such diverse areas as veteran’s outreach, mental health services, wildlife education, homelessness prevention, youth services, and the arts.

Grant recipients will be announced by the independent advisory committee in December.

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Saratoga Springs Public Library will hold the next edition of its Brown Bag Lunch lecture series from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at the library’s H. Dutcher Community Room, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs.

The program is titled “The Burning of the Piping Rock: The True Story Behind the Novel,” presented by author Joseph Cutshall-King.

The historical mystery novel is based on the still unsolved arson of Piping Rock Casino in Saratoga Springs in 1954. The author has woven real people and events into a fictional “solution” of this crime. He will discuss the actual people, including his own family, and events of the Saratoga Springs of 1954 that drove his writing this novel.

It is produced by the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center in partnership with the library and is free of charge.

For more information contact the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center at 587-3241.

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Curtis Lumber, In Its 127th Year In Business, Makes Some Changes To Its Leadership Team

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

By Maureen Werther

It has been about three months since Curtis Lumber transitioned several key people into new positions within the organization. According to Kylie (Curtis) Holland, a sixth-generation member of the Curtis family, the new corporate management realignment and promotions are working out well for the 127-year-old, family owned and operated lumber and retail store.

During the January transition, Holland moved into the newly created role of director of organizational development, in charge of overseeing human resources, employee training and employee development initiatives. The job allows for a more structured approach to employee training, safety and security programs and it creates a central corporate outreach location for all 21 stores across New York and Vermont, she said.

The other major change involved the creation of three vice president positions. Jon Hallgren, now a senior vice president, began his career with the company 44 years ago and is planning to retire in 2018.

“When Jon transitioned into the position of vice president, we were a much smaller company,” said Holland. “In the past 10 years, we have doubled in size. Jon’s upcoming retirement in 2018 presented a good opportunity to create the new vice president positions,” she added.

In addition to Hallgren’s role as senior vice president, the new positions are held by Liz Irish, who is vice president of information services; Doug Ford, vice president of sales and purchasing; and Rich Keating, vice president of sales and marketing.

According to Holland, Irish’s previous position had incorporated information systems under the umbrella of HR and employee relations. When the separate information systems position was created and Irish transitioned into that role, it left a gap in human resources that Holland could step into.

Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival Lauded By Legislature As 40th Edition At SPAC Nears

May 5, 2017May 8, 2017

From left, William Sullivan of Freihofer’s, Sen. Kathleen Marchione, Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and SPAC CEO Elizabeth Sobol pose in Albany where the Saratoga Jazz Festival was lauded.
Courtesy SPAC

The Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival was recognized for its landmark 40th anniversary by the State Legislature on April 25 in a joint resolution sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Marchione and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.

Presented annually by Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) since 1978, the two-day festival is one of the longest running and most acclaimed events of its kind. Present for the occasion were Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC’s president and CEO; festival producer Danny Melnick, president of Absolutely Live Entertainment; and William Sullivan, director of sales for Freihofer’s Baking Co., the title sponsor of the festival since 1998.

“The 40th Anniversary of the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival is a milestone worth celebrating, not only for the longevity it represents, but for its contributions to this extraordinary, uniquely American art form, which marks its own 100th anniversary this year,” said Sobol.

“In each of those 40 years, this festival has showcased the jazz giants, innovators and rising talents whose music has kept the genre thriving, evolving and expanding to new audiences. At its most personal, this event has been, and continues to be, a meaningful and joyous part of the lives and memories of countless people, including many for whom it’s an annual tradition. It all adds up to an impressive legacy and one that grows with each new season,” she said.

The event is also an annual boost to tourism in the city.

The festival, originally titled the Newport Jazz Festival – Saratoga, was founded in 1978 by iconic jazz impresario George Wein, the creator of the celebrated Newport Jazz Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and several other nationally recognized music events.

Business Report: Condo Construction Is Justified

May 5, 2017May 8, 2017

Scott Varley is a licensed real estate associate broker with Keller Williams.
Courtesy Scott Varley

By Scott Varley

Yes, we as Saratogians are as diverse in our opinions about the growth in Saratoga as there are places to eat and drink throughout our fair city. You’ll hear comments stating that every square inch of downtown is being built on, usually with some sort of mildly unpleasant undertone as if property owners have some nerve allowing the free market to express itself through the demand and popularity of prime Saratoga Springs real estate.

I’m in real estate and I’m extremely proud of what has been built here in the last 30 years. Having been born and raised here I remember the downtown of the 1970s. Shopping for clothes with my mom and sister, Boy Scout uniforms from Starbucs department store (later Lillian’s restaurant and not to be confused with Starbucks coffee), the Community Theatre for a movie (now Roohan Realty), the House of G Chinese restaurant (on the corner of Broadway and Spring Street), the old library (now the Arts building at Broadway and Spring Street), the lunch counter at Woolworths’ on Broadway (the site where the Gap is).

It was not a very fancy or upscale place and downtown was very quiet except for during the horseracing meet. Things looked kind of run down, but to me it was home and we loved growing up here as kids.

Today, it’s a different place. The high-rise condos (first appearing almost 20 years ago) on Division Street replaced the Saratoga Bowling and filled in the old abandoned railroad property. The first building was slow to sell and most locals felt there was not a market for this type of urban-style living.

It’s a different story today. While there are still a few new high-end condos at 38 High Rock and Park Place on Broadway left for sale from before the real estate crash, you can now see the demand for these downtown maintenance-free style housing units.

New projects underway on Division Street, Phila Street, Excelsior Avenue, Union Avenue and so on, are a sign that we are not over-built and that the market is demanding these types of products for housing. These are all selling and for some record-setting prices.

‘Blue Peacock Bistro’ Opens At Pavilion Grand Hotel; Offers Breakfast And Lunch In Cafe-Style Setting

May 5, 2017May 3, 2021

Susanne Simpson, left, general manager of the Pavilion Grand Hotel on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs, poses with chef Alexandra Tibbatts in the hotel’s new Blue Peacock Bistro.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

The Pavilion Grand Hotel on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs has opened the Blue Peacock Bistro within its Pavilion Square.

Blue Peacock, an urban-chic bistro, is open to the public as well as guests of the hotel, officials said.

Blue Peacock Bistro, located on the Pavilion Place street side of the hotel, offers breakfast and lunch daily, as well as a selection of wines and craft beers with artesian meat and cheese, and dessert

Hotel officials said platters are “vibrant upscale, yet casual.” Both indoor and outdoor dining is available.

“Blue Peacock Bistro aims to be a go-to spot for a cozy coffee, casual lunch or quiet business gathering just off Broadway,” the company said. The bistro is also a carrier of cold-pressed juices and wellness shots from Saratoga Juice Bar. It will also carry French macarons from TC Paris in Saratoga Springs.

There will also be panini sandwiches and a light menu.

The bistro will be open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

“We are thrilled with the concept and creation of Blue Peacock Bistro,” said Susanne Simpson, general manager of Pavilion Grand Hotel. “It has become a favorite cozy spot for its customers to enjoy a special coffee with a friend or a wonderful conversation with wine and cheese.”

Regional Economic Development Council Opens Its Annual Competitive Grant Process

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

New York state has launched Round VII of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative, officially kicking off the annual competition for more than $800 million in state economic development resources.

The Consolidated Funding Application opened to applicants on May 1, enabling businesses, municipalities, nonprofits and members of the public to begin applying, through a single application, for assistance from dozens of state programs for projects that create jobs and help to revitalize communities.

“The Regional Economic Development Councils have successfully brought local communities together like never before, spurring economic growth from the ground up and creating jobs across New York,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “With the seventh round of the REDC awards, the state will continue its partnership with local governments and community leaders—making smart investments in our cities, towns and villages to give the Regional Councils the tools needed to build their communities for years to come.”

Through six rounds of the REDC competition, the Capital Region REDC, which includes Saratoga and Warren counties, has delivered $436.9 million for 608 projects, officials said.

Round VII of the REDC initiative will award more than $800 million in state resources across all 10 regions, including up to $225 million in performance-based grants and tax credits from Empire State Development, and approximately $575 million from two dozen state agency programs.

The governor said the REDC process has transformed New York state government’s approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up economic growth and streamlining the application process for state funding. Since 2011, the first year of the initiative, over $4.6 billion has been awarded to more than 5,200 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 210,000 jobs statewide.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who heads the Regional Economic Development Councils said, “By empowering the people who know their communities the best, the governor has transformed this state’s economic development strategy into one that is not only successful, but is built to last. As the chair of the Regional Councils, I have seen proof that this investment in innovation and technology has revitalized our economy and there is a new confidence among local elected officials. Projects initiated with REDC funding are redeveloping our downtowns, retaining and expanding businesses, and rebuilding our infrastructure for the 21st Century.”

Circus Smirkus Returns To Saratoga This Summer; Will Benefit The Waldorf School

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

This high-wire act was part of the 2016 Circus Smirkus show. This year, the troupe will be in Saratoga Springs as part of its 30th anniversary tour.
Courtesy Circus Smirkus

Circus Smirkus, an international youth circus, returns to the outdoor soccer field at the Saratoga Casino Hotel for four performances this summer.

It is a fundraiser for the Waldorf School on York Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

The event on July 11 and 12 is part of the circus’ 30th anniversary “big top tour.” Performances are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day. Tickets are $25 for adults 13 and older and $20 for children 2-12. Children younger than 2 are free on an adult’s lap.

This year’s tour continues the tradition of Smirkus theme-based shows. This year it is “Midnight at the Museum.” It creates the excitement of an adventure through the hallowed halls of a magical museum. Attendees “will embark on an enchanted journey with astonishing aerialists, courageous clowns, and wily wire walkers as they explore a museum that springs to life when the clock strikes midnight,” circus officials said in a news release.

It features 30 budding circus stars ages 12 to 18 from 13 states—California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington—as well as Canada and Zambia.

The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs first brought Circus Smirkus to Saratoga in 2007 as a fundraising and outreach event.

Tourism Bureau: Saratoga City Center Had Big Jump In Events In 2016 With $57M Impact

April 7, 2017April 7, 2017

The Chowder Festival in Saratoga Springs is one of the city’s major tourism events.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

The Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau held its 32nd annual meeting and dinner at the Saratoga Springs City Center in March where the organization highlighted the successes of 2016, reviewed initiatives for 2017 and welcomed new members to its board of directors and Executive Committee.

Successes were listed in the 2016 annual report. It showed that the convention/group business continued to grow throughout 2016. More corporate group, sports and wedding leads and associations signed multi-year contracts again in 2016.

The year saw 627 events hosted, compared to 422 in 2015. Those events resulted in 90,908 room nights, up 11.8 percent from 2015. The estimated economic impact of those figures was $57 million last year, compared to $45 million in 2015.

The report said the group market contributes one in five room nights in Saratoga Springs.

Recognized at the dinner were those elected to serve on the Executive Committee for 2017-18. They are Cindy Hollowood, chairperson, Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs; Thomas Newkirk, immediate past chairperson, Saratoga National Golf Club; AJ Bodden, incoming chairperson, Townsquare Media Group; Marianne Barker, treasurer, Impressions of Saratoga; and Robert Berrey, at-large officer, The Gideon Putnam.

Jeff And Deane Pfeil Met Many Challenges, Had Many Successes In Real Estate Careers

April 7, 2017

Jeff and Deane Pfeil created Pfeil & Co. Real Estate in Saratoga Springs in the 1990s.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

As Jeff and Deane Pfeil prepare to transition out of their commercial real estate and development careers and into their new lives on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, they have a lot to be proud of and a lot to be grateful for.

The husband-and-wife team created Pfeil & Co. Real Estate and moved to Saratoga Springs from Westchester in 1994. Both were commercial real estate brokers and they started out managing shopping center developments, moving into doing historic restorations and adaptive re-use apartments. Deane was born and raised in Troy, while Jeff comes from the small town of Carmel, in Putnam County.

Looking back on their careers, Deane recalls that there was no internet when they first began and it took a lot of cold-calling to develop a client base, something at which she excelled.

“We liked to joke that I would get them on the line and Jeff would reel them in,” she said.

The Pfeils first major project in Saratoga Springs was the office building at 340 Broadway.

“The property had been sitting vacant since 1969, and we kept asking ourselves why nothing had been done with it,” she said. Deane zeroed in on Eddie Bauer and “barraged” them with flyers, mailings, and information about Saratoga Springs.

R.S. Taylor & Sons Farm Brewery Plans To Open A Tap Room In Congress Plaza

April 7, 2017

This sign welcomes people to R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewery in Salem.

By R.J. DeLuke

Congress Plaza in Saratoga Springs will soon be the home of a new taproom selling craft beers from a Washington County farm brewery business.

R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewery is renovating a 1,600-square-foot space in Congress Plaza. The business will go into the end unit in the southern portion of the plaza that was formerly Bubbles Laundromat.

Renovations involve putting in a bar and tap service. “It shouldn’t take long to do what we need to do,” said Rich Taylor, owner of the farm brewery business and its chief brewer. The main issue is getting all the necessary operating permits.

“We hope to be open by Memorial Day weekend,” he said.

The company currently operates a tap room on the farm property where people go to quaff the locally made product and occasionally listen to music. Under the farm brewery license, companies like R.S. Taylor & Sons are allowed to open up to five tap rooms.

The one in Saratoga Springs will be the second. A third is being planned in the Albany area, Taylor said.

R.S. Taylor & Sons specializes in brewing English-style ales with a brewing system custom crafted by Portland Kettle Works in Portland, Ore. They use a combination of home-grown hops, hops grown for them at nearby Cold Spring Hop Farm in North Hebron, and a selection of British-grown hops. The water is from the artesian wells on the farm.