Category Archives: Uncategorized

By Greg Hitchcock

A long-unsed lot on Putnam Street is proposed for the site of a new condominium project in Saratoga Springs.

A design concept by First Fairfield of Connecticut, the $30 million project includes a six-story condominium building and community center at 53 Putnam St., across the street from Saratoga Springs Public Library.

The company said the building will consist of mid-range apartment condominiums, with the hopes of attracting young artists and entrepreneurs.

Laura Manning vice president and COO of First Fairfield, which has an office in Saratoga Springs,  said based on findings from soil remediation of the original property—an abandoned warehouse that at one time housed a dry cleaner before C&B Sanitation used the building to store garbage trucks in the 1980s and 90s—the project had to be scaled back.

“Our original plan when we got approval from the city was to keep the existing building and develop it out,” Manning said.

Because of the age of the building and its location in a historic district, Manning said the company decided to take the whole building down and start from scratch.

“We are hoping to keep the first floor to have some type of commercial aspect to it and above would be condos,” Manning said. “We are figuring how many floors we can go up to be economically viable.”

By Margaret MacDonald

Bennington Furniture Inc., has recently expanded, launching a new storefront in Saratoga Springs.

The business—Bennington Mattress—is located in the Fresh Market Plaza, situated between Smashburger and Charles Schwab, off Marian Avenue.

Founded in Bennington, Vt., the 25-year-old company has grown rapidly—from two to eight stores—the closest being in Queensbury. There are four in Vermont—Rutland, West Dover, Manchester and Bennington—and one in Pittsfield, Mass.

A furniture, mattress, and interior design store, the company boasts “the best customer service in the industry,” highlighted by interior designer staff committed to helping customers find the most satisfactory deal.

“The Saratoga market is more progressive,” said Daniel Sardina, advertising and marketing person with the company. “We love the community.”

By Liz Witbeck

Architectural Glass and Metal (AGM) is moving to a new location.

The firm will occupy 3 Liebich Lane in Halfmoon. The move is tentatively scheduled for mid-August, officials said. The company is currently located at 11B Solar Drive in Halfmoon.

AGM is an architectural contracting firm founded in 1986. They provide glass and metal paneling for commercial properties in the Capital Region.

The new location is 24,000 square feet, the same amount of space as the current location. But there is more warehouse space within the building, which AGM plans to lease out to other companies, officials said.

The facility where AGM is currently housed is two floors, requiring employees to have to move back and forth between levels. The new space will hold the fabrication area all on one floor.

“It’s a better layout and will allow us to be more efficient.  The new building will also give us the opportunity to grow and utilize more space if necessary” said Mike Haverly, company vice president.

The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County held its 50th annual awards celebration on April 26 in front of a packed house at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clifton Park, the community where the organization got its start in 1967. 

For their signature event, the Chamber presented seven awards for excellence to its members, out of a record 30 nominees and 1,500 votes cast, said Pete Bardunias, Chamber president and CEO.

The Connors Agency of Mechanicville took the Endurance Award for longevity while CAP COM Federal Credit Union won the Inspiration Award. 

Field Goods of Hudson received the Innovation Award for region-wide impact, and CDPHP took the Strong Community Award. 

The 2016 Ambassador of the Year was Donna Connor of On The Go Concierge & Events, for her dedication as a volunteer of the organization.

Mike Russo of GlobalFoundries presented the Entrepreneurial Success Award to Louise McManus of Vischer Ferry General Store, the only business located in that hamlet, first erected in 1787. 

Colin Cowie Lifestyle, an event production service, has opened an office in Saratoga Springs.

The company has added Saratoga to a list of existing offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco. Its office is at 60 Railroad Place, Suite 301.

Cowie’s dossier reportedly includes some of the most talked about parties and events around the world. His event orchestration has led him around the globe, delivering services ranging from royal weddings to product launches and things in between.

According to the company, Cowie’s career has taken him over 13 million travel miles in an array of partnerships with hospitality providers and real estate developers.

Cowie is already respected for his role in several private events in the region. The traffic brought in by the racetrack and surrounding amenities has proven to draw several destination weddings and events from all over the east coast, providing ample opportunity for the tasteful elegance he has been known to deliver to clients.

Cowie has also planned events in the Finger Lakes region.

At the helm of the expansion to Saratoga Springs is Maureen Baringer. She will serve as regional business development director for Colin Cowie Lifestyle in Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Lake Placid and the Finger Lakes region.

Baringer began working with Cowie in 2016, when he was hired to produce her daughter’s wedding. Baringer is the founder and president of Baringer & Associates, an events planning company that has worked throughout New York state for over 23 years.

CMK & Associates Real Estate, a licensed New York state brokerage, recently relocated its  Burnt Hills office to Ballston Spa to better serve clients within the Greater Capital Region and to provide a larger facility for its growing team

A ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the grand opening was held recently at the 108 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa facility.

CMK & Associates has experienced more than 30 percent growth in the past year, moving from a sold volume of $63 million in 2015 to over $84 million in 2016, according to said owner and principal broker Christian Klueg.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Bua Thai is a restaurant in Malta’s Ellsworth Commons that provides Asian cuisine. Owner Lek Cameron said customers can expect authentic Thai food in an atmosphere that allows them to visit Thailand, if just for an hour or two.

“With our food and uniforms, people come in and can’t believe it. It is like visiting Thailand. You feel like you are not eating the food but visiting the place,” she said.

“I am really feeling so happy right now with things, we are doing quite well,” said Cameron. The restaurant has benefited from growing surrounding businesses like GlobalFoundries.

Cameron is committed to bringing authentic Thai food to the region. She also appreciates  customer feedback and is happy to accommodate and customize dishes.

“If it’s not on the menu, we can still try to make a requested dish. We want people to experience just how good Thai food should be,” said Cameron.