“I D on’t Smoke, Drink , or D o Drugs, But I’m Compulsive about Ar t!” Destination: the Laffer galler y pg. 4
Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 adver tising@518mag com
CO N t R I b u tO R S
Carol St Sauveur Ferris, K aren Richman, Rona
, Joseph Raucci, Adirondack Winer y, Cr ystal Cober t Giddens, Nellie Ackerman-Vellano I t
a bounty of grains and vegetables find their way to our table Baked g o o d s fi l l o u r h o m
cloves. I personally love the fall. The transition over to warm sweaters, s c a
delivers the growing anticipation for holiday decorating and time with the family.
S o grab a sof t blanket, a hot beverage and curl up on the sofa with this months issue of 518 PROFILES. As always, our goal is to deliver authentic, and unique content about creative people and interesting places We hope you enjoy it as much as we do
518 PROFILES is the place to connec t with your favorite ar tisans and small businesses throughout New York and abroad
Enjoy!
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
What ’s the meaning of Solid? the Furniture house
A Histor y Spanning 40 Years, Solid Professionals Who Know Their Business, Solid Wood, Solid Value pg. 14
“It ’s Deep and Rich” munson Williams Proc tor ar ts Institute: Not Just a museum pg 22
a Lasting Venture in Old Schuyler ville How proactive citizens in Schuyler ville saved their downtown pg. 34
“I Don’t Smoke, Drink, or Do Drugs , But I’m Compulsive about Art!”
Destination: The Laffer Gallery
by Rona Mann
Schuylerville is a small village east of Saratoga with a population that hovers around 1300 Named for American Revolution General, Philip Schuyler, it’s a little bit of Main Street America with an early history dating back to the Revolution and Continental Congress; a place where linen and cotton mills powered by the Hudson River and Fish Creek once flourished; and home to arguably one of the most exceptional fine art galleries in New York But why would anyone want to create a fine art gallery in a tiny village with an even tinier population?
The answer is simple. When you offer the highest quality product held to the highest standards and constantly work to better it with each exhibit, people will come. And come they do, from hundreds of miles because The Laffer Gallery is as much a draw in this tiny enclave as the Home of General Schuyler
o r t h
H o w does such a prestigious gallery with a world-class reputation wind up here?
Once again, the answer is simple It’s because Erik Laffer wound up here, and he’s not going anywhere just ask him Fact is, when you ask Erik Laffer anything about his art or those he champions in his carefully curated gallery, you can barely get him to stop talking! He is neither boring nor intrusive, he is just so proud of what he has and wants to share it with others. It’s been his life since he started drawing at an early age, since his days in high school when he had to be pried out of the art room to attend class, since he d ro v e t o S o H o e v
d i s playing his work on Manhattan streets, hoping to attract attention, since he displayed his work at Starbucks on Wolf Road, selling paintings for little and thinking it was all the money in the world
By his own admission, Laffer says, “I work h
p a
of the reason that every single opening at The Laffer Gallery draws between 200-300 p
, “ a n d consistently so for the last nine years, ” Erik adds proudly
Left - Erik Laffer with Wife Helaini Laffer-Zobel at 2016 Art Expo New York Pier 94
Laffer was born in Long Island, but landed in this part of the world (Greenwich and Easton) when he was three “I loved my childhood,” he enthuses “We had a crazy household - five brothers, two sisters, and foster kids my parents always took in when I was growing up So it was always loud and fun, a madhouse all the time ”
From the first, Laffer excelled both in art and athletics “I started skiing a t a g e t h re e a
football, but from 9th grade on, it was all art, all the time He was so good t h a t h e w
p
struggled academically “Art became my voice ” That’s not just a throwaway line that sounds good in a magazine article, since Laffer explains, “There is no right or wrong to art If it speaks to you, that’s what’s important If it brings you joy, then a particular work of art should be yours ”
It is on that principle that he directs The Laffer Gallery While he is very discriminating in whose work he chooses to exhibit, he recognizes that
Second floor studio work space
“Green Atmosphere III” oil on canvas 36 x 36
a p p re ciates and respects the tastes of others
When Erik graduated from high school he was accepted at Boston’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts, “but I chose not to go on with my education I didn’t want to spend money taking courses in which I had no interest I just wanted to paint So he started painting - oil on canvas being his medium -and taking great delight in what he was doing. When the Starbucks on Wolf Road agreed to hang s o m e of
his work, he was delighted, never dreaming h e ’ d s e l l a l l the paintings he had brought for between $200$400 each Erik thought he had won the lottery “I told my roommate at the time I had no idea what to do with all that money ”
From Wolf Road, Erik graduated to craft fairs and art-in-the-park events a n d
Photo by Lawrence White, left to right- Guillermo Barreto, Miguel, Erik Laffer, Billy Russomano in NYC
NYC Soho selling on the street
Packing car in Albany to drive to NYC Soho to sell painting on the street
w a s h i r e d b y a f r a m e r i n S a r a t o g a “ I didn’t k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t f r a m i n g , b u t he taught me everything and how to do it well,” Laffer said. Then on the advice of a friend, he packed up his paintings and tried his hand at marketing his art on the streets of Manhattan along with 100 other artists who populated the pavement of SoHo each weekend. “When I sold one for $1000, I thought I was on my way!”
Thus it became routine to work in the gallery in Saratoga during the week, sleep in the car
every Friday and Saturday night, and drive to SoHo each weekend where he managed to sell three to four paintings weekly However, 2008 came along and with it the Great Recession, a n d L a f f e r l i k e m a n
a re versal of fortune.
He next ventured southward to Naples, Florida to his first outdoor art show He stayed with his father in Tampa using the home as a base when traveling east to west participating i n a r t f a i r s f o r t w o m o n t h s e a c h winter The
other months of the year Laffer worked art shows in the Northeast, promising himself if he did well, he’d open his own gallery That had always been his dream so he could display not only his own work, but that of other artists he had met during his sojourns in SoHo and Florida. Erik credits both family and friends for their ongoing support.
The thing everyone learns and learns quickly upon meeting Erik Laffer is when he sets his mind to do something, he does it, does it to
“Red Atmosphere IV” oil on canvas 30x80
“Starry Night” oil on canvas 36 x 73
p
p e riod, the artist renovated a space in downtown Schuylerville and built himself an apartment in the back so he could save money and always be near his job “When I was finished, I had created a b e a u
high-end custom framing for both individual clients and corporate accounts; yet I always received amazing help from friends and family and those I ultimately hired to manage the gallery website and help at opening receptions
Laffer is a big believer in the diversity of the work he presents, so The Laffer Gallery constantly showcases a mix of contemporary fine art from realism to abstraction with exhibits rotating every
“ We welcome our patrons, collectors, friends and relatives, and those of the artists represented, as well as people who just drop i n to see what’s going on We have lots of wine
p l a c e f o r p e o ple to look at art and see what speaks to them ”
Every December there is also a juried show at the gallery that from the first has garnered 120150 applications each year from artists anxious to compete for a space in a place where the bar has always been set so high
T h e L a ff e r G a l l e r y i s m o re t h a n a c o l l e c t i o n o f the work of others. It is an evolution and compilation of Erik Laffer himself, who he is a n d w h e re h e ’ s b e e n . I t i s n
h e re There is laughter, much as there was throughout the home in which Laffer grew up, surrounded by the kids his parents fostered It is a place of community as well as a place for the appreciation of art and has grown into a destination, not just another gallery
Ever the perfectionist, Laffer admits he repaints the walls between every show “I always make the extra effort even though I usually have just a week between shows to take down everything, rearrange, paint, and hang the new work. I’m obsessive, so it has to be just right. I like how paintings interact with one another, so I have to find the right placement every time ”
east of Saratoga, a place of history, and also a destination for fine art, custom framing, and the home of one ridiculously hardworking director who adores what he does and does so well.
The Laffer Gallery is located at 96 Broad Street in Schuylerville. (518) 695-3181 www.thelaffergallery.com
Left to right: Michael DiSiena, Emily DiSiena, Bennett DiSiena, Diane DiSiena, Mario DiSiena
Photo by Steve Lisciani
What’s the Meaning of Solid? The Furniture House
A History Spanning 40 Years , Solid Professionals Who Know Their Business , Solid Wood, Solid Value
By Rona Mann
Photos by Stephanie Sittnick
“I’m a visionary,”
Mario DiSiena begins
N
i n c re d
f u eled by the genuine passion he has for his business, offering many reasons why you should become a customer of The Furniture House
Whether you ’ re reading this in Saratoga, Manhattan, Miami, or Vail, Colorado, what he does every day is for you Yes, that’s where his customers live – all over the
U
c o n cept offered by The Furniture House
DiSiena has always been way ahead of the curve, on the very cutting edge of his industry
As homes and styles changed in this country, so have the operating concepts of The Furniture House No longer are homes, condos, and townhomes being built with walls separating rooms living space today is much less formal, wide open, and with varying traffic patterns that often include and incorporate two or three
tral focal point of the way many people live, the walls have come down, the formal dining room is gone, and everything flows into one area for mingling and entertaining The living room has evolved as well from the traditional formal, staid space to perhaps a great room Walls have come down between both the living room and family room and can now be utilized for entertaining, a media area, children’s play area, whatever the creativity and imagination dictate One thing, however, is certain There is no one way, no right and
wrong, and that’s where The Furniture House leads the way, not only in seeing the curve in the road, but in creating it
M
b u s i ness in Mechanicville in 1978, and in 1980
The Furniture House was born, powered by his ongoing vision, passion, and commitment t o d e l i v
u l t i mate value to customers around the corner or around the United States
Queensbury location Saratoga Springs location on Saratoga Lake
Photos by The Furniture House
L e s t o n e t h i n k D i S i e n a h a s e s c h e w e d t r a ditional furniture, they could not be more wrong “If someone comes in here and has a formal living room and wants that sofa, chairs, love seat, of course we have them and in a variety of beautiful woods and upholstery When people come here for the first time they usually gasp when they come through our door because we have not only the traditional, b u t a l s o c o n t e m p o r a r y, f a r m h o u s e , t r a n sitional, and the exquisite old world craftsmanship of the Amish (my son, Michael and I frequently make trips to the Amish and Mennonite craftsmen around the country to bring back the best). Everything is customizable -there is absolutely nothing we can’t do.”
DiSiena attributes the ongoing success of The Furniture House to a concept of strong principles of which he is passionate So much so, he has built his business of four decades around these concepts
First, everything has to be quality
A l l t h e t i m e E v e r y t h i n g N o exceptions That’s why Mario hand selects products of premium quality that last for years to come a n d a l s o w h y o n c e a s h o p p e r
b e comes a customer, they come back again and again, bringing others with them to experience a whole new way to decorate a home
Next, DiSiena prides The Furniture House on their unique brand of creativity His s t a f f i s c o m p r i s e d o f h i g h l y t r a i n e d d e signers including his daughter, Emily who has amassed an extensive education and unique flair for design “When today’s customer shops for fine furniture, they want input, not a sales pitch,” says Mario. “Everyone who works for us shares that passion for what they do, so they don’t sell you furniture, they help you shop the industry to create the look and feel you want in your home.”
When customers first come in to The Furniture House they sit at a work station with one of the store’s highly trained designers “We love shoppers,” DiSiena says with a smile “Go ahead, look at the internet, shop other stores, then come to us But take some measurements before you come, bring in some blueprints or p h o t o s s o w e k n o w w h o y o u a r e , w h a t y o u want, how you live Then we’ll take it way beyond what outside decorators and
other stores do. We give customers insight, a n d w e s h o w t
environment with just a few pieces of furniture The environment that they want, that reflects who they are and how they live, not something thought up by a decorator ”
In a great room setting, DiSiena and his staff favor the conversation sofa, a stationary piece where arm and seating sections slightly curve or angle inward These conversation sofas then free-float within a large room setting without looking out of place or having to complement the outside perimeter of the room
For those who are down-sizing from a large home to perhaps a condo, The Furniture House has a large selection of Amish-built
Murphy beds in stock that
u n d e r neath the bed allowing for practical use of the room when the bed is not in use M
o f upstate New York), from coffee tables to desks to ten foot long dining tables These slabs are unique pieces of wood finished and filled with epoxy, river stones, or gold flecks E a c h i s a n
n d i v i d u a
w o r k o f a r t a n d a re
f u l l y c u s t o m i z a b l e p a i r i n g w i t h m e t a l
b a s e s , f a r m house bases, and single, double, or t r i p l e - s t u m p b a s e s O n c e a g a i n , M a r i o
r e i t e r a t e s , “ We c a n b u i l d a n d d e s i g n a n y thing at The Furniture House ”
Va l u e . “ O u r f u r n i t u r e i s b o t h e x t r e m e l y w e l l made, but also affordable. Yo u d o n ’ t h a v e t o b u y i t a l l a t once. Come in and b u y a c o n versation sofa, then come back a few months later f o r a c h a i r o r t a b l e Yo u ’ l l b e g e t ting the finest quality for a reasonable price every time ”
Service When you come to the Furniture House, you don’t just m a k e a p u r c h a s e “ Yo u g e t a l l our people,” says Mario, “from designers who help you create an environment that suits you, t o o u r d e l i v e r y g u y s w h o g o a l l over the country, to everyone i n b e t w e e n T h a t s i g n a t u r e w e put on our trucks is who and w h a t w e a r e a l l a b o u t :
Electronic Murphy Bed
Conversation Sofa
“
T H E UNUSUAL, AS USUAL.
”
Mario DiSiena doesn’t think outside the box When i t c o m e s t o h i s p a s s i o n f o r c r e a t i n g b e a u
e n v i ronments in people’s living spaces, he believes there really is no box, there are no rules There are just different customers with different needs and d i
,
T h e Furniture House can satisfy them all one customer at a time, one room at a time, one house at a time
It all adds up to one word: Solid A solid four decade-plus successful history in the furniture business, a solid family behind it, solid values, solid woods, a solid future
Visit the main store at 1254 NY-9P in Saratoga Springs on Saratoga Lake (518) 587-9865
In Queensbury, at 1060 Rt. 9 (518) 798-0133 www.thefurniturehouseny.com They deliver anywhere – nationwide!
“It’s Deep and Rich”
Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute: Not Just a Museum
by Chandler Stevens
It would be an insult to call it just a museum
The word “ museum ” oft times conjures up a
s t a i d , d u s t y p l a c e f i l l e d w i t h a b u n c h o f
“ o l d s t u f f ” t h a t h a s l i t t l e r e l a t i o n t o t h e
p e o p l e w h o v i e w i t T h i s c o u l d n ’ t b e m o r e
o f a c o n t r a d i c t i o n w h e n y o u c o n s i d e r a
v i s i t , a n o t h e r v i s i t , f r e q u e n t v i s i t s , a n d
u l t i mately a membership to Munson-Williams
- P ro c t o r A r t s I n s t i t u t e i n U t i c a . H e re i s a
place that is positively alive – vibrant, offering t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l a r t s e x p e r i e n c e s t h a t , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r m i s s i o n s t a t e m e n t , “ c u l t i vate curiosity and creativity, enlighten, educate, and inspire ”
All under one roof? No! All on one campus, f o r M u n s o n - Wi l l i a m s i s t a n t a m o u n t t o a c o l lege campus with 28 buildings on 10 acres right in the center of downtown Utica, with
offerings that attract appreciators, curiositys e e k e r s , a n d f i r s t - t i m e r s f ro m a 2 6 - c o u n t y a re a i n N e w Yo r k S t a t e S o m e e x h i b i t i o n s h a v e d r a w n a s m a n y a s 2 4 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e f ro m 8 countries and 48 states Pretty impressive, right? Keep reading
Fact is, a trip to Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute is an event, for you cannot possibly breeze in and out of this total arts experience
that is known not just in Oneida County, nor just within the confines of New York State, n o r e v e n j u s t w i t h i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s M u n son- Williams is internationally known and highly respected for its Museum of Art collection, a collection which President and C E O , A n n a D ’ A m b ro s i o s a y s , s u r p a s s e s a n y thing in New York State outside of the New York City region and, possibly, until you reach Buffalo. With a renowned permanent collection of more than 13,000 works (“our collection is deep and rich,” says D’Ambrosio with obvious pride), plus eight special traveling e x h i b i t s p e r y e a r, a n d a s t a ff 1 8 0 s t ro n g , Munson-Williams is a unique treasure in the world of art and worth a visit from anywhere
Let’s begin with some history MunsonWilliams-Proctor Arts Institute was established in 1919 to be an artistic, musical, and social center Named for three generations of one Utica family, it was Alfred Munson who had a c c u m u l a t e d
i n d u s trial interests He and his wife had two children, Helen and Samuel Helen married a U t i c a l a w y e r, J a m e s Wa t s
b e came involved with his father-in-law’s business interests Helen was a well-known
c o l lector of 19th,century decorative and fine arts It was she who gathered the core of what
l lection One of James and Helen’s three
a local hotel owner, while another of their daughters, Rachel married Proctor ’ s half-brother, Frederick, who in today’s terms would be called a venture capitalist. E
a m
y history was the inheritance of a collection of fine and decorative arts In 1936, the MunsonWilliams-Proctor Arts Institute opened to the public
Fountain Elms, a Victorian house built in 1850 which was the Williams home, has been maintained as a house museum, and its offerings include the Proctors’ paintings, prints, and
nucleus of the massive permanent collection
The family strongly believed in arts education, and since 1941 the Munson- Williams School of Art has offered community arts education classes to students of all ages In 1999, MunsonWilliams joined forces with Pratt Institute to create Pratt MWP College of Art and Design Pratt’s extension campus provides an intimate upstate campus where students can spend t h e i r f i r
B FA degree. The combination of MunsonWilliams’ distinguished arts community and Pratt’s strong reputation and curriculum has developed into a focused, passionate, and supportive learning environment that attracts artists from all over the world
“Our faculty is both dynamic and
d e d i c a t e d , ” A n n a D ’ A m b r o s i o s a y s ,
“and the education these students are receiving is first-rate in every aspect.”
Fountain Elms Fountain Elms Parlor
Pratt MWP College of Art and Design
Munson-Williams is equally proud of their Performing Arts division, which while still shuttered at this time due to the pandemic, regularly
ff e
s c
s i m u l casts, entertaining audiences of more than 16,000 annually D’Ambrosio feels confident that live performances will once again be back delighting audiences in 2021
In the meantime, everything – yes everything else, is open to the public and is clean, safe, and perfectly socially distanced for your enjoyment and what many do not realize, the Museum of Art is admission free.
Munson-Williams cannot be pigeon-holed into one neat little package nor phrase because as the very arts center of the region it is education, e
p ro grams for children as young as pre-school and programs for the more seasoned citizens who have learned to appreciate art all their
lives and want to continue There are pre-college summer programs, an interactive gallery, a complete art reference library for the serious student or the newly curious art buff, and don’t forget First Fridays Happy Hour!
When your journey takes you to Munson-Williams, stop for a light lunch or snack at the Terrace Cafe, then self-tour with the use of digital and audio tours available onsite The Museum Shop is a must-stop to satisfy your inner artist or to merely bring back a lasting memento of your visit. You’ll find images on postcards, notecards, and fine art prints; books, toys, handcrafted jewelry, pottery, apparel...all beautiful memories of your trip to Munson-Williams, fueling a firm promise to return soon.
Munson-Williams is not just located in the middle of downtown, they are in the middle of everything that’s happening in the region As such they are proud to have formed partnerships with more than 50 local
organizations ranging from the Thea Bowman House, which provides social services to the community-at-large; Boys Scouts & Girl Scouts; the American Red Cross; all Utica City School District and Public Library; Hamilton College; the Kellerman Center for autism; and arts, historical, youth, veterans, nursing h
i
a good neighbor in a good neighborhood of like-minded folks.
Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute is a journey that will take the traveler
place
rience not easily found elsewhere They’re open 12 months year ‘round, and they’re open now, just waiting Wa
, educate, and enchant you From a small arts center conceived by one family more than 100 years ago, to what has grown to be a nationally and internationally recognized arts institution, it is a vibrant adventure you’ll want to take MunsonWilliams beckons the visitor, seducing
Thomas Cole “The Voyage of Life: Youth” 1840 oil on canvas , 55 1/2 x 78 1/2 in
3 1/4 x 43 3/16 in.
Jackson Pollock “Number “ , 1949 oil, duco, and aluminum paint on unsized canvas , 38 x 189 1/2 in
the senses, and if you listen very carefully you may hear v o i c e s i n t h e d i s t a n c e t h e w
M
n s o n , H e l e n and James Williams, Maria and Thomas Proctor, all welcoming you to the place they built out of family, history, love, art, and appreciation. No, it’s not just a museum. M
i n the heart of downtown Utica at 310 Genesee Street. (315) 797-0000 www mwpai org Fully accessible Golden Age Of Painting Opening
Japenese Taiko drummers performing at Great Artists Series
Savor the Sweetness of Saratoga Springs
By Nellie Ackerman-Vellano,
Feed Me 518™
I f you hear the words, "exquisite brunch in Saratoga Springs," you'll most likely hear "Sweet Mimi's Cafe" in the same conversation
Whether you ' re a local, or visiting Saratoga Springs, New York as a tourist, you can't truly experience downtown Toga without stopping in and tasting all the unique and creative
s
offers on their original menu
Jeannette B Liebers, Owner, Founder, and Head Chef of Sweet Mimi's, moved to Saratoga Springs eighteen years ago with her husband, Eddie She is the mother of three children -Max, Mimi, and Charlie, so you’ll
c a f e They've each taken their turn working a
washing dishes.
The physical space now housing Sweet Mimi's, was formerly Beverly's Cafe and served only breakfast and lunch. There was no bakery or pastry shop in this location back then When she first settled into Saratoga, w h i l
B
s aid to her husband, “I'd love to own this space
o n e day ”
With a clear vision and a dream that stayed with
J e a n n e t t e f o r m a n y y e a r s , S
M
m
'
C
, o n 4 7 Phila Street, opened on October 11, 2013
When you experience Sweet Mimi's, you will feel as though you ’ re being invited into her home when you walk through the front door This place exists so she can spend time with you while she loves you through her baking a n d c o o k i n g
s h e wanted to say goodbye to guests that had just finished dining and were preparing t o l e a v e S h e d o e s n ' t
e y o u a s a n o t h e r customer departing her shop, she treats you like a guest leaving her table at home
Liebers offers a place that is different and not your typical breakfast place to showcase her influence and opinion that breakfast could be the healthiest meal of the day Most of her tables order healthy options, but desserts are an absolute must at the end of any meal at Sweet Mimi's
When it came to creating her menu, Liebers had lots of ideas in her head for years. She
2 a m a n d w o n d e r s , "Why am I not doing that?" Anything she
a s paragus and fried eggs, hence her Roman Eggs were born
I f y o u
s t a r t ing with anything that has or can have their homemade Cinnamon Butter on it If it were acceptable, I’d order it by the bowlful a
Cinnamon Butter in large vats and store it in quarts You can order a side of it to spread on a biscuit, and I did precisely that...all over the biscuit that I was eating. By the way, make sure you order a biscuit as well. I ate half of it with nothing on it since it’s a delicious biscuit all by itself. I brought one home, and no one in my family even knew I had done that, so I ate it alone, all by myself I would apologize to my family for not sharing any of it, but I'm not one bit sorry
The Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are a beloved menu item here. The moment it was put on the menu it became an immediate best seller It's Cinnamon Butter spread between the layers of pancakes, and served with their homemade whipped cream
I am looking forward to coming back to Sweet Mimi's with my own family and enjoying a plate of Roman eggs and a scoop of their locally made signature gelato When you walk through the front door, on the wall to your right, you'll see a list of all the local New York vendors with whom Sweet Mimi’s partners
Sweet Mimi's serves breakfast and lunch every day they are open Visit them in the Fall too for their White Bean and Charred Cherry Tomato dish being added to the new seasonal menu, and be sure to visit Sweet Mimi's catering menu online.
Happy Eating!
Nellie Ackerman-Vellano, Feed Me 518™ Instagram: @FeedMe518 FB: www.facebook.com/FeedMe518 www.FeedMe518.com
The Laffer Gallery
Harry Orlyk
Julie Branch
A Lasting Venture in Old Schuylerville
How proactive citizens in Schuylerville saved their downtown.
By Lawrence White
A( O l d e Saratoga) was a vision of success. The convergence of the Hudson River, The Batten Kill, and Fish Creek created the perfect environment for mills, and several popped up throughout the area Schuylerville’s position on the Hudson River and the rail lines running through Saratoga provided access to the markets of New York and beyond Schuylerville’s eponym, Phillip Schuyler, owned most of the land in the area during the Revolutionary era and he would ship his grains and other crops to the Caribbean in exchange for sugar and made a fortune doing it This also explained his involvement in the slave trade
The age of success for Schuylerville ended when the Northway cut through Saratoga, the mills closed, and the malls opened That plus s o m e s
d o w n town Schuylerville was barely a shadow of what it once had been, and the image of the village was about as bad as it could get
This did not sit well with David Bullard His family had farmed the areas around Schuylerville for generations, and his great grandfather operated the old village mill that created paper out of oat straw. Bullard spoke to his Aunt Helen Bullard who lived in Schuylerville about this, and she was greatly distressed as well.
“When we discovered that one of the historic buildings in Schuylerville was set for demolition, it alarmed us, ” Bullard recalls. “It was built in 1881 by my great uncle who was president of Schuylerville National Bank, and it had our family’s name on the facade The architecture is
unique, but it had been allowed to become run down. We knew that if that building was demolished, it would be a dagger in the heart of the village, so we decided something had to be done about it ”
The building was constructed with two stories, five storefronts and nine upstairs units The original bank built an addition on the back of their space which eventually became a small apartment All of the storefronts have basements, some have upstairs access Canal barges would unload goods into a warehouse behind the building so merchants could have access on-ramps that went from the warehouse to the doors that now appear high up on the back walls of the building Due to the size of the building, it was originally referred to as the Bullard Block and became the anchor of downtown
In 1975, with his Aunt’s blessing, Mr Bullard decided to speak to the President of Glens Falls National Bank to see if they would sell it
“When I began to discuss this idea with the bank president, he asked what I would pay for the building ” After a moment’s pause, Bullard told me with a twinkle in his eye. “I pulled a fresh, crisp one-dollar bill from my pocket, placed it on his desk, and told him that is what I was w i l l i n g t o p a y. ” T h e
“ T h e banker looked at me in the eye and said, ‘SOLD,’ and drew up the papers quickly.”
“ T h e re i s a c o n s i d e r a b
s e l l ing it saved them a lot of money, " Bullard explains “In fact, they
Broad Street, Schuylerville circa 1930
The Bullard Block - 1970s and today
provided a $3,000 line of non-repayable credit to help start the process of renovation ”
It was tough going in the beginning, but the project went forward The taxes on the property were considerable and were severely cutting into funds needed for repairs Bullard attended a hearing to have the taxes moderated and was told by the assessor, “if you are stupid enough to buy the building, you are stupid enough to pay the taxes on it ”
This encouraged Bullard to fight back. “I hit the books and learned tax law. When I appealed t h e n e x t y e a r, o u r t a x e s w e r e l o w e r e d c o n s i d erably. It was so effective, that I became a professional tax certiorari specialist for many years. I enjoyed a business where I could help other people and businesses get a fair shake on their taxes ”
“My friend, Walter Grom, had been working with me on my farm, and he came on board as a p a r t n e r r i g h t a w a y We s h a r e d t h e s a m e v i sion for Schuylerville, so we incorporated Old Schuylerville Ventures to manage it and eventually sold shares and created a board of directors, Dave Bullard, Walter Grom, Vernon Dowdall and, Mike Phillips ”
Then with earnest sincerity, Bullard tells me, “The entire project was based on keeping downtown Schuylerville alive to ignite some energy in an area that had become hopelessly depressed The idea was to find businesses that would not rely solely on the local population but to bring people into town from outside. That strategy ended up working well.”
I ask Bullard what sort of arrangements they set up for the tenants, and he told me, “If we could get a family-owned business to commit to restoring the space to our approved standards, and they agreed to stay for a specified duration of time, we would reduce or remove the rent We knew that having good tenants would benefit our community, and we love Schuylerville enough to do it ”
Walter Grom took over total management when Bullard stepped away, and he kept the process going without pause “I knew that Walter had his heart in the building and a love for Schuylerville, so it was not difficult for me to let go, ” Bullard tells me
When I ask Grom about his experiences with the Bullard Building he says, “We have had a few bad apples, but far more have been good than bad The group of tenants in the building today are as fine a group as we have ever been associated with ”
“The people who work in the Bullard Building have given Schuylerville and the surrounding area a positive presence throughout the years. That has been our goal from day one. It certainly has not been for profit,” he says with a laugh.
Grom’s comment about motive takes us to the heart of the issue Traveling through upstate New York, you come upon communities that have downtown areas full of unoccupied commercial space It is a sign of a decline in a community that once thrived and projects a form of slow but inevitable civic death This dreary image only furthers the negative process
That is what Old Schuylerville Ventures set out to avoid, and it worked Even in days of COVID, it works Why? Because it is about community, not profit alone
David Bullard
Walter Grom
Walter Grom’s daughter, Andrea occupies one of the upstairs spaces and planted a large v e g e t a b l e a n d h e r b g a rd e n b e h i n d t h e
b u i l d ing H e r c o m p a n y i s n a m e d H a r v e s t
B a s k e t H e r b s a n d s h e c r e a t e s w o n derful teas and herb packages for retail sales and creates lovely illustrations of the herbs She also serves as the treasurer for the building.
“Sometimes it is a balancing act between the income, the taxes, and expenses, ”she explains,“ but we all support each other here, so it n e v e r f e e l s l i k e w e a re o v e r w h e l m e d o r h e l p l e s s
We a re a l w a y s c o n fident we can work through issues that might hang up people in other circumstances ”
Presently the occupants, some of whom are s h a re h o l d e r s , i n c l u d e R e v i b e G
f t s a n d Wellness They offer handcrafts from 15 local
artisans in their gift shop and offer yoga,
m i lar events in the area, so it is always good to check their Facebook page to see what they have going on
R ural Soul is involved in sharing and teaching a ll kinds of music in private and group settings. They use the shop basement as a workshop
o f hand drums. T hey are also i n volved i n a c o nsiderable amount of community outreach, and their website is constantly updated with events and opportunities
e x pert framing The new Blue Door Fine Art Gallery is upstairs and focuses on artists from the Northeast of varying disciplines
Additional tenants include Doctor Boris Zusin, dentist, and respected poet/woodw o r k e r O
o c cupied by the bank, which also has a full apartment on the rear of the building
All of the businesses fulfill the original covenant of Old Schuylerville Ventures by being attractive to outside people while still being relevant to locals.
H
s u
vive in the current rent crunch of towns
Owner Danielle Myers - Revibe Gifts and Wellness
Harvest Basket Herbs - owner Andrea Grom
like Saratoga Springs, where high rents have driven out good businesses simply because they did not generate the type of income to pay the higher rents.
I n 1 9 9 0 w e l l - k n o w n l o c a l w r i t e r, J a m e s K u n stler penned a piece for the NY Times t i tled, “Schuylerville Stands Still ” He wrote, “The idea of the self-sustaining small-town economy, still so potent in our national mythology, is grimly contradicted by the vacant shopfronts and decomposing facades along Broadway, as the main street is called ”
Due to this, I was interested to hear how
H e r e sponded by saying, “Well, surely keeping the buildings active is important for preserving them Unoccupied buildings go downhill fast But small towns are full of greedy and foolish property owners who might never understand the advantage of such an arrangement as Bullard made ”
Kunstler ’ s words hit the nail on the head
strategy Gentrification destroys the unique
quality that local businesses offer and once that happens, these areas become cultural deserts with little attraction, which in turn smothers any opportunity for a successful civic hub or downtown.
On the other hand, working together does work, and it works for everyone The founders of Old Schuylerville Ventures have manifested that civic philosophy for almost 45 years, and it clearly helped the village stop the downward slide
Blue
Owner Chelsea Henderson - Rural Soul Music Studio
It is important to note that the village of Schuylerville does not stand alone in t h i s re g a rd . O t h e r c i t i e s , t o w n s , a n d villages have done much the same thing in different ways to create a cooperative system to encourage property owners
t o w o r k w i t h s m a l l b u s i n e s s p e o p l e and cultural groups to create economic
e n g i n e s i n t h e i r d o w n t o w n a r e a s i n stead of allowing the areas to become dead zones
The group, Americans for the Arts, is a s o r t o f c l e a r i n g h o u s e f o r d a t a a n d i n f o r mation about these districts or zones They point out, “While many of
the districts have already evolved over time in a somewhat organic f
l
t o a r t d i s t r i c t s a s v e h i c l e s f o r t r a n s forming the entire region. Why? Because such districts have the potential with their critical m a s s o f a r t g a l l e r i e s , c i n e m a s ,
c o f f e e shops, restaurants, retail shops, m u s i c v e n u e s , p u b l i c a r
a n d e v e n office and residential housing - of attracting and nurturing the creative workforce cities need to succeed in the new economy The n e w
m y d e pends upon a workforce with new skills capable of meeting the challenge of the evolving creative and innovative workplace ”
E very person I spoke with who is involved with the Bullard Building said the same t h i n g w h e n I a s k e d t h e m a b o u t t h e i r e x perience They all said that the sense of caring and cooperation w e r e t h e p r i m a r y d
s
d e c i sion to commit to one of the spaces in the building. They understood that whatever they put into their businesses would not be jerked out from under them whenever the property owners decided it was time to jack the rent to an i m p o s s i
i n g
e m e r gency situation like the COVID crisis, the tenants are aware they are safe and part of a community
Author James Kunstler
Owner Erik Laffer - The Laffer Art Gallery
They pointed to the annual dinners with the shareholders in casual circumstances as a way to build lasting connections, trust, a n d re a l s e c u r i t y I n f a c t , t h e y l i t erally
glowed when they talked about their time in the building and t
t
e i r businesses.
This stands in stark contrast to responses you may hear from shopkeepers in other downtown areas in upstate NY where they are being
u p would likely feel more like victims
of the system mentioned in the skeptical re s p o n s e from James Kunstler than t h e h a p p y p e o p l e f ro m t h e businesses in the Bullard Building
While sitting with Walter Grom next to the brightly colored flowers that line the new sidewalks outside t h e B
I a s k if he thought he could have lived such a satisfying l
f e i f h
a
o n e a f t e r the big-buck rents instead of the system of cooperation and community that is the tradition in the Bullard Building
“If you look up and down the street, you will see that almost every storefront and b
s t i l l has some work to do, but the Bullard Building kept the village alive so that is even possible There is a lot of satisfaction to be involved in that kind of process, and that is something that money just can’t buy ”
Doctor Boris Zusin and Lena Zusin
The Beauty of Gua Sha
By: Crystal Cobert-Giddens
Fall is definitely my season. The days are shorter, the nights are cooler, and I f i n d m y s e l f re a c h i n g f o r m y f a v o r i t e , f a d e d , a n d o h - s o - s o f t f l a n n e l s h i r t
H a v e y o u n o t i c e d t h e i n c re d i b l e s u n s e t s ? T h e p i n k s , p u r p l e s , a n d o r a n g e s have been some of the prettiest I think I’ve ever seen and the elm, oak, and maple leaves have filled our yards and driveways with the most abundant
c o l o r a n d l a y e re d d e s i g n s
E v e r y t h i n g c h a n g e s i n t h e f a l l We c r a v e w a r m , c o m f o r t i n g f o o d S o u p s , s t e w s , h o m e m a d e b re a d s a n d ro o t v e g e t a b l e s a re f i l l i n g a n d n u t r i t i o u s
We ’ re re a d y f o r t h e w a r m t h o f a p e a c e f u l f i re , c u r l e d u p u n d e r a b l a n k e t , re a d i n g a g o o d b o o k o r w a t c h i n g a f a v o r i t e m o v i e
F a l l i s a g o o d t i m e t o re - i n t ro d u c e o u r s e l v e s t o c o n s c i o u s s e l f - c a re O n e o f
m y f a v o r i t e s e l f c a re p r a c t i c e s i n v o l v e s u s i n g s o m e g r a p e s e e d o i l a n d a
couple of crystal stones These stones are designed to relax muscle tension, i m p ro v e b l o o d f l o w, a n d m a k e y o u r s k i n g l o w f ro m w i t h i n
H a v e y o u h e a rd o f G u a S h a ? I t ’ s a l i t t l e b i t m o re c o m p l i c a t e d t h a n f a c i a l
ro l l i n g , b u t i t ’ s re a l l y e ff e c t i v e , a n d I h i g h l y re c o m m e n d i t t o m y c l i e n t s .
Gua Sha (pronounced “ gwaa shaa”) is one of the most popular natural face
s c u l p t i n g t e c h n i q u e s i n A s i a a n d h a s b e c o m e a m a i n s t a y i n t h e b e a u t y
i n d u s t r y w o r l d w i d e .
G u a S h a i s a n a n c i e n t h e a l i n g t e c h n i q u e , o r i g i n a t i n g f ro m C h i n a b u t a l s o
u s e d i n J a p a n a n d K o r e a I t i s a n e s s e n t i a l p a r t o f t r a d i t i o n a l C h i n e s e
m e d i c i n e a n d i s u s e d a s f o l k m e d i c i n e i n m a n y C h i n e s e h o m e s I t s o r i g i n
d a t e s b a c k t h o u s a n d s o f y e a r s a n d i n v o l v e s s c r a p i n g t h e s k i n t o e l i m i n a t e
t o x i n s , w a s t e p ro d u c t s , t e n s i o n , a n d p a i n
Gua means “to scrape, ” and Sha means “red spots /redness ” It is a highly
e ff e c t i v e t re a t m e n t t h a t p ro v i d e s i m m e d i a t e b e n e f i t s T h e t o o l s u s e d a re
s p e c i a l G u a S h a t o o l s S o m e p r a c t i t i o n e r s u s e m e t a l o r e v e n c a r v e d , s h e d
h o r n s I n o u r f a c i a l s , w e h a v e c h o s e n t o c o m b i n e G u a S h a w i t h t h e h e a l i n g
p r o p e r t i e s o f c r y s t a l s G u a S h a t o o l s a r e c a r v e d f r o m g e n u i n e , m i n e d
c r y s t a l s f ro m a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d E a c h c r y s t a l i s u n i q u e a n d h a s i t s o w n
s p e c i a l h e a l i n g p ro p e r t y
G u a S h a c a n b e p e r f o r m e d o n t h e f a c e o r b o d y b y a s p e c i a l l y t r a i n e d
p r a c titioner and usually takes about 10 minutes Most clients want to learn
t h e b a s i c s s o t h e y c a n c o n t i n u e t o t re a t t h e m s e l v e s a t h o m e T h e b e n e f i t s
a re h u g e , a n d t h e t i m e c o m m i t m e n t i s o n l y a f e w m i n u t e s a d a y, s o y o u
w i l l n o t i c e a n i m m e d i a t e d i ff e re n c e i n t h e t o n e a n d t e x t u re o f y o u r s k i n .
FAC I A L B E N E F I T S O F R E G U L A R G UA S H A M A S S AG E
• C re a t e s a y o u t h f u l g l o w i n t h e s k i n
• H y d r a t e s s k i n t i s s u e
• R e d u c e s w r i n k l e s
• M i n i m i z e s p o re s i z e
• P ro m o t e s s k i n s m o o t h n e s s a n d e v e n s k i n t o n e
• R e d u c e s d a r k c i rc l e s a n d b a g s u n d e r t h e e y e s
• I m p ro v e s m u s c l e t o n e a n d l i f t s f a c i a l s k i n
• R e m o v e s s t a g n a n t l y m p h a t i c f l u i d a n d t o x i n s
B o d y G u a S h a m a s s a g e i s t h e p e r f e c t t e c h n i q u e f o r c e l l u l i t e , t e n s i o n , a n d
f l u i d r e t e n t i o n A s y o u b e g i n t o r e l e a s e t e n s i o n a n d b r e a k u p f a c i a
a d h e s i o n s w i t h t h e G u a S h a t o o l , y o u ’ l l e x p e r i e n c e i n c re a s e d b l o o d f l o w
A s m o re n u t r i e n t s e n t e r t h e s k i n , t o x i c w a s t e a n d b u i l d u p i s p u s h e d o u t
C o l l a g e n p ro d u c t i o n i s e l e v a t e d , w h i c h h e l p s t o f i r m a n d t i g h t e n s k i n
o v e r t i m e
B E N E F I T S O F R E G U L A R G UA S H A B O DY M A S S AG E
• R e d u c e s c e l l u l i t e
• I m p ro v e s b l o o d c i rc u l a t i o n
• S u p p o r t s l y m p h a t i c d r a i n a g e
• P ro m o t e s a h e a l t h y v i t a l g l o w t o t h e s k i n
• P ro m o t e s s k i n re n e w a l
• I m p ro v e s m u s c l e t o n e b y b re a k i n g u p f a s c i a a d h e s i o n s w h i c h c a u s e
re s t r i c t e d b l o o d f l o w t o t h e m u s c l e s
• G i v e s y o u s o f t e r, s m o o t h e r a n d f i r m e r s k i n
• R e d u c e s p a i n a n d t e n s i o n
• M o re f l o w a n d e n e rg y i n t h e b o d y
M a k e s u re y o u s t a r t w i t h c l e a n , d r y s k i n A p p l y a l i t t l e g r a p e s e e d o i l a n d
g e n t l y m a s s a g e i n t o y o u r f a c e a n d b o d y Yo u r s k i n h a s a l i t t l e “ s l i p ” t o i t
a n d w o n ’ t d r a g w h e n y o u s t a r t a p p l y i n g p re s s u re w i t h t h e s t o n e F o l l o w the contours of your face and body There are easy ways to do this at home,
b u t I t y p i c a l l y s u g g e s t f i n d i n g a p r a c t i t i o n e r t o h e l p g u i d e y o u t h e f i r s t f e w t i m e s
S i m p l y w a s h y o u r s t o n e s i n w a r m , s o a p y w a t e r w h e n y o u ’ re f i n i s h e d
R i n s e w e l l a n d l e a v e t h e m o n a c l e a n , d r y t o w e l t o a i r d r y S o m e
p r a c t i t i o n e r s s u g g e s t l e a v i n g y o u r s t o n e s o u t i n t h e s u n t o h e l p c l e a n s e
t h e i r e n e r g y, w h i l e o t h e r s s u g g e s t l e a v i n g t h e m o u t w h e n t h e m o o n i s b r i g h t
E n j o y !
C r y s t a l C o b e r t G i d d e n s , L E a n d ow n e r o f FAC E S o n B e e k man Street ~ Organic Skin Therapy Studio 30 Beekman St, Saratoga Springs , NY www.facesonbeekman.com
The Scariest Night of Them All
by Karen Richman
L i k e a l l k i d s , I l o o k e d f o r w a rd t o H a l l o w e e n e a c h y e a r b e c a u s e i t c o n jured up all kinds of emotions, running the gamut from screams to giggles, and all of them gloriously wrapped around candy bars. Back then there were no “fun size” bars. They were all big ones: Hershey
B a r s b e i n g t h e m o s t p o p u l a r, b u t a l s o T h re e M u s k e t e e r s , S n i c k e r s , Payday, Butterfingers, Mounds, Almond Joy, Zagnut, Baby Ruth...oh, how my teeth ached with childish joy just thinking of my upcoming stash.
My excitement was fueled by a slight fear of the dark, ghosts, goblins, headless horsemen, silly costumes, frightening fake scars and blood, and yet the absolute joy of it all as well There were house parties where we bobbed for apples, getting more water on our costumes than apples in our mouths; there were costume contests at school in the days leading u p t o t h e h o l i d a y w i t h p r i z e s
, m o s t creative, and the like; and for weeks and weeks beforehand we talked in little groups at lunch, on the bus, or at recess about what we were going “to be” for Halloween
I n m y h o u s e , c o s t u m e s w e re e i t h e r h o m e m a d e o r re c y c l e d f ro m neighbors’ kids who had grown too old or too big to wear them any longer There were no special stores popping up around malls as early as August where customers were lured in to pay hundreds of dollars for clothing, shoes, wigs, makeup, and accessories No, we were a lot more creative and had a lot less cash in those years, so we were limited only by the boundaries of our own creativity and handiness
T h e o n l y o b s t a c l e t h a t s t o o d i n m y w a y w a s m y mother. She never denied me going out for Halloween, but she insisted I wear a coat over my costume “just in case. ” The “in case ” applied to cold, rain, a late October blizzard, a tornado, or a tsunami that’s how mothers thought I hated getting all done up in something silly, fun, beautiful, or scary, and then having to top it with wool, but that was the house rule: no coat, no going trick-or-treating Bah!
Still, I was obedient, at least for a few years until I reached my teens T h e n I re b e l l e d , b u t I d i d i t silently because there was absolutely no debate my mother would entertain on this one point So one year when I was about 13, I dutifully pulled on my heavy woolen coat with the fake fur collar that smelled when it got wet and completely covered up my clown costume I had my version of Emmett Kelly makeup - white face, big outlined black eyes and lips, and red nose I grabbed my big shopping bag and my UNICEF milk carton to collect change for the United Nations Childrens’ Emergency Fund, and off I went out the door and onto Gregory Avenue.
It was a mild late October night, and as I trudged from house to house, up steps, down long driveways, and around to back doors, I began to get pretty warm My sack full of candy was getting heavier by the moment, and now the clown costume was beginning to itch Holding the bag and dealing with the heavy coat made it difficult to get my hands inside the outfit to scratch After a few minutes of this futile exercise, I decided the coat had to go I looked around, but it was dark out, and back then it was safe for kids to trick and treat alone or in small groups, so I figured no one would notice if I ditched the coat But where would I stash it while I finished the rest of my sugar-laden route?
A quick look around, and there at the side of the Reinerts’ driveway was an old oak tree, with drooping branches, one of them drooping low enough for me to hang the offending outer garment. This accomplished, I was soon on my way, congratulating myself on smart thinking, and rewarding myself with a couple of bites of a Mounds bar as I rounded the corner of Gregory and made my way onto Mitchell Street
A bunch of houses later with neighbors commenting favorably on my costume and makeup and a few bites more of the larder within my bag, the wind was starting to blow, and it was time to go home
When I reached the house, every light was on and both my parents were standing in the driveway My mother was giving me “the look,” as all mothers throughout the history of time have managed to perfect But my father was standing silently, his arms firmly crossed over his chest, his steely blue eyes fixated on me After what seemed like hours of silence, he said in a quiet, even tone, “Where’s your coat, Karen?” I gulped, the chocolate and coconut from the Mounds coming up in my throat I knew I had forgotten to go back and get my coat, so full of myself and candy was I
“I, um, forgot it I just took it off a minute ago Lemme go get it,” I stammered
“Not necessary, ” my father said. Mrs. Reinert called a little while ago. She said you left it on her tree, so I drove over and got it.” Then it got quiet, very quiet.
It’s not the werewolves, the goblins, the vampires, or the zombies that are the scariest on Halloween Sometimes its getting caught without your coat!
other before
That doesn’t mean there is any shortage of things to do, especially in New York’s Lake George region. From challenging hiking trails with rewarding scenic views, to the last of the season ’ s outdoor dining, leaf peeping, and more, the North Country has everything you need to enjoy what many people consider their favorite season.
Autumn in New York: The Diverse Attractions of Lake George
Here are four reasons why October is the best time to visit the Lake George area
HIKING & OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS
Surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains, the town of Lake George is near dozens of renowned hiking trails with plenty suitable for kids and others challenging enough for experts. Highlights nearby include Pilot Knob, Black Mountain, Buck Mountain, and Shelving Rock Mountain (Shelving Rock Falls is a must-see too)! If you or someone
you ’ re traveling with is unable to hike to the top of a mountain, you can drive up to the sum m i t o f P ro s p e c t M o u n t a i n , w h i c h c a n b e a c c e s s e d f ro m L a k e G e o rg e ’ s m a i n d r a g , R o u t e 9.
For those craving a little adventure with their trip, Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course in nearby Bolton Landing offers up 1 5 miles of
t r e e t o p z i p l i n e s , r o p e b r i d g e s , a n d o t h e r o b s t a cles to be explored You can easily end up spending more than 4 hours traversing the course – and that’s a lot of smiling!
DINING
The weather can get chilly in October, but when it’s nice, it’s gorgeous! There are dozens of amazing restaurants in the Lake George area, including family friendly options and high-end
l a k e s i d e s p o t s f o r m o m a n d d a d t o e n j o y, s a n s kids
The open-air deck at the Boardwalk Restaurant & Marina is a popular option with fresh seafood, gourmet burgers, and more Plus, its views of Lake George – known as the Queen of American Lakes – are second to none!
a t tractions in all of Lake George In October, the winery hosts its annual Drink Pink breast cancer awareness fundraiser Their tasting ro
l o cally made pink chocolates and cheese to go
Down Beach Road, near Lake George’s popular Million Dollar Beach, the Garrison Restaurant and Bar is another favorite of locals and visitors alike They have a great beer list, delicious pub bites, and house specialties like filet mignon sliders and pork wings
For a more upscale experience, East Cove Restaurant serves up in-house, dry-aged cuts of steak and fresh lobster, salmon, and more
CRAFT BEVERAGES
Lake George has an amazing craft beverage s c e n e , i n c l u d i n g a b re w e r y, a w i n e r y, a n d a distillery all known around the state
Adirondack Pub & Brewery has a gorgeous outdoor deck and rustic décor inside, where they’re serving up mouth-watering burgers to match its award-winning craft beer.
Lake George Distilling, located on Canada Street in the heart of Lake George village, is open for spirit tastings and a one-of-a-kind moonshine smoothie
A few storefronts south of the Distillery, Adirondack Winery is open year-round and is k n o w n a s o n
i n fused and traditional varietal wines Last year, the winery raised over $11,000 to help breast cancer patients and their families pay for transportation to and from treatment, places to stay near hospitals and a 24/7 breast cancer awareness hotline Yo
s u p port the American Cancer S ociety’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Adirondacks” – an amazing
i n fused white wine, Home Sweet Home, while you ’ re there)!
SHOPPING
The Lake George area is great for early holiday shopping too The Outlets at Lake George (East and West) have dozens of world-renowned retailers like Coach, Adidas, Polo / Ralph Lauren, Levi’s, Harry & David, Old Navy, Yankee Candle, and more. No matter who’s with you, there’s a store for everyone
and merchandise available at discount outlet prices!
well-known brands like Gap, J Crew, Banana Republic, Sunglass Hut, and others
rant too) where you can find Adirondack themed gifts, artwork and books, old fashioned toys and puzzles, as well as unique food items
Lake George is known as one of the New York’s best summer areas, but it’s underappreciated as one of the fall’s best too! Happy travels and see you at the lake!
Roberto Cruz, Adirondack Winery
TASTING ROOMS:
285 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845
4971 Lake Shore Drive, Suite 2, Bolton Landing , NY 12814
