Saratoga Business Journal - August 2023

Lake George Boat Tour Business Operator Brings The Experience To Saratoga Lake

Some Officials Confident Essity Workers Will Find Employment As Company Closes Shop

BY PAUL POST

Some people are fascinated by notorious underworld figures such as Lucky Luciano who hung out at the casino nightclub where world-famous entertainer Bing Crosby performed.

Others simply like to hang out with friends, take a swim or experience the thrill of being towed behind a powerful boat on an oversized fun tube.

These are some of the options Daleys Adventure Boat Tours offers with a new service on Saratoga Lake.

“I grew up on this lake,” said Mechanicville native and company owner Don Daley. “When I was 14 or 15, my uncle had a camp right down the road ... We spent our summers here on Saratoga Lake.”

In 2016, three years into retirement, Daley founded Lake George Island Boat Tours, telling guests about the lake’s history.

“Eventually people wanted to go swimming, cliff jumping or tubing so we turned it into an adventure,” he said. “Out of 45 tours on Lake George, we’ve been the number-one tour on TripAdvisor for four of the past eight years. The difference between us and other operators is that we customize tours. We let people do whatever they want.”

This year, Daley expanded his company to Saratoga Lake.

“We always wanted to get here, but couldn’t get parking, a marina and dock space,” he said.

This year, the marina secured new off-site space for boat storage, allowing it to greatly expand its parking lot. This gave Daley a place to work out of and he jumped at the opportunity, renaming the company Daleys Adventure Boat Tours.

He also bought two new Silver Wave tritoon

Continued On Page 16

Fingerpaint Sells Building On Broadway To Real Estate Company Prime Group Holdings

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

The Fingerpaint office building at 395 Broadway in Saratoga Springs has been sold for $11 million to Robert Moser of Prime Group Holdings.

A private equity and real estate company, Prime Group Holdings has an office at 85 Railroad Place.   Fingerpaint Group, a pharmaceutical marketing company, now leases space at 18 Division St. The company was headquartered at 395 Broadway for 10 years, and company founder Ed Mitzen purchased the building five years ago for $9 million.

“When we moved into the building it had been vacant for a year-and-a-half because Borders (book store) went out of business,” said Mitzen. “It was a great home for us for 10 years. We loved being there. I think it’s the best location in all of Saratoga.”

At the height of the COVID pandemic, the building sat empty while Fingerpaint’s 150 employees worked remotely.

“I was the biggest anti-work-from-home guy on the planet,” said Mitzen. “I was incredibly surprised to see how productive everybody was.”

When non-essential employees were permitted to return to work, Mitzen surveyed his staff, asking them if they preferred to remain working from home.

“The general consensus was that they wanted to come in once in awhile but that they enjoyed

being able to work remotely,” he said. “From my standpoint, if the work quality was still great and it was leading to happy people, I didn’t want to force people to come into the office.”

When presented with the option to return to

Continued On Page 15

BY PAUL POST

State and local officials say the region’s strong economy should be able to absorb the 300 people forced out of work by Essity paper company’s sudden exodus from New York state.

The Sweden-based company unexpectedly shuttered its large South Glens Falls mill on July 20 and plans call for closing a Greenwich converting facility and Saratoga Springs warehouse-distribution center this fall.

Meanwhile, the union representing the workforce is urging the company to change its mind and not close operations.

Essity is the area’s second large heavy industrial employer to shut down this year as Lehigh Cement, less than a mile away, is in the process of leaving, too. The fate of two large old mills is a major concern as potential public safety hazards if they can’t

be repurposed or new buyers found.

Parts of Essity date back to 1864.

“I don’t think having an empty shell of an industrial plant is a good idea,” said state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. “The good news is that our employment situation is very strong. We have many unfilled jobs in a variety of different industries. But that said, you want to make sure you aren’t leaving an eyesore in a community that perhaps becomes an environmental nuisance. There’s still a lot of questions about what condition they’re (Essity) going to leave the buildings in and what can be done with them going forward.”

Company spokesperson Joanna Ford said Essity’s top priority is keeping employees informed about everything they need to know about the closing.

Continued On Page 4

‘Way We Were’ Car Show Set For October In Ballston Spa May Have 400-Plus Display Cars

The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association has begun preparations for its 21st annual The Way We Were car show taking place Sunday, Oct. 8, on Front Street in Ballston Spa.

The event typically draws over 400 show cars and organizers are anticipating a large turnout after the massive success of last year’s show.

The event is free to spectators. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 15.

In addition to all the cars and trucks, there will be food and merchandise vendors, a kid’s zone with a bounce house and other activities, live music, and a trophy presentation at the end of the day.

“We are really excited for this year’s show,” said Christine Kernochan, car show committee chairperson. “It’s always a great event that brings people downtown to support our businesses. It’s an important fundraiser to support the excellent work that the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association does. We’re doing our very best to make this one as special as our previous 20 car shows.”

Pre-registration for show cars is now open by visiting www.ballston.org.

Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also available for businesses and organizations that would like to be a part of the show.

To learn more about The Way We Were car

show, visit www.ballston.org . The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, founded in 1983, is a nonprofit community organization committed to bringing quality arts and entertainment events for all ages to the community.

The 21st annual The Way We Were car show will be taking place Sunday, Oct. 8. Courtesy Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association

The Fingerpaint office building on Broadway was home to the company for a decade. ©2023 Saratoga Photographer.com

Daleys Adventure Boat Tours owner Don Daley, right, with Ben Burns, one of 10 captains employed by the company, which recently expanded to Saratoga Lake from Lake George. Paul Post

Essity paper company unexpectedly shuttered its South Glens Falls mill in July and plans to close a Greenwich converting facility and Saratoga Springs warehouse-distribution center this fall. Saratoga Business Journal

Personnel Briefs

aptihealth, a leading tech-driven behavioral healthcare provider built for higher acuity care, announced that Regina Pitstick has joined the organization as senior vice president of aptihealth Medical Group.

Most recently, Pitstick was vice president of advocacy product and innovation for the Employer and Individual segment at UnitedHealth Group, where she drove the company’s product strategy and vision, focused on delivering a seamless, personalized patient experience.

Responsible for product development initiatives, Pitstick’s leadership and experience fueled successful long-range strategies, broader market penetration and deeper engagement for over 15M consumers.

* * *

cb20 Inc., Saratoga Springs, announced that Matthew Authier has joined the organization as the MSP sales executive.

He will be the front-line client interface of the company, and will be responsible for managed services business development.

After graduating from Merrimack College, Authier completed his MBA from Norwich University with a concentration in organizational behavior.

Authier has been active in the technology solutions channel for four years, previously managed sales operations centers in the LP industry throughout the northeast, and a successful seal business owner.

* * *

Capital CFO+ in Saratoga Springs has announced a series of new hires.

Cara Maryanopolis, director of marketing and brand design. As an experienced marketing communications and brand design specialist, she helps businesses elevate their brands through holistic design and mindful strategy. She brings more than 15 years of professional marketing, commu-

nications and public relations experience to the table, including work with top financial and retail brands.

Prior to joining the Capital CFO+ team, Maryanopolis owned her own brand design and marketing business, helping both new and established businesses elevate their brands and achieve growth.

Lisa Koveleskie was brought on as part of the administration team.

Early on, she was an office manager where she was responsible for daily office operations, including payroll, accounts receivable and payable. She then explored an opportunity working as a medical management coordinator where she assisted customers in a busy call center, reviewed insurance information, and approved medical procedures.

After having her children, she transitioned back to the professional world, working as an administrative assistant to the owner and CEO of a small international business, utilizing her skills in Microsoft Office and SharePoint.

Holley Helser is a sales tax specialist. She  has six years of bookkeeping experience and three years of sales tax experience.

Most recently, she worked on a state and local tax team within a public accounting firm in Ohio, specializing in sales tax. She also spent three years at a law firm working with clients as a paralegal and bookkeeper.

Nelson Darling was hired as a CFO. He was the assistant controller for over 13 years with an Albany based self-clearing broker dealer, C.L. King & Associates with an affi liated investment advisory firm, Paradigm Capital Management, with over $2 billion in assets under management. He went on to become the controller of a small Albany personal injury law firm, Dreyer Boyajian.

From there, Nelson was a controller/consultant for Shade Tree Advisors that handled all aspects of financial reporting and management for high-networth clients, assisting with getting the company

Continued On Page 11

Interior Designs Atelier Expands Business Model To Include A Collaborative Studio

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

Linda

Gerace-Skinner,

formerly of LGS

Interior Design Group, is evolving her business designing luxury homes and commercial spaces into an open workshop concept that she believes is unique to the region and will benefit both her design team and clients.

Her Saratoga-based company is Interior Designs Atelier and in this new iteration she is replicating the larger and highly collaborative design studio she worked at for eight years in Minnesota.

“Atelier is French for workshop or studio, and it is my experience in an open workshop system that I have brought back home to Saratoga,” said Gerace-Skinner. “My goal is to spark creativity, because when designers work together in one room we feed off each other’s ideas.”

She said that as reps came into the studio with their samples and the design team had “lunch and learns,” there was “a fabulous collaboration that made each one of us better designers. The benefit for clients is that you are always bringing the best to the table, and as a designer you get even better that way.”

“A collaboration of other ideas and solutions builds a better project, although I don’t talk through every project as I might with my cabinetmaker or custom contractor,” she said.

Gerace-Skinner may have relocated out-ofstate for a time, but she always maintained a client base and a townhouse in Saratoga. For three months in 2012 she was on site every day for three months at 15 Church St. in Saratoga Springs, remodeling the bar, restaurant and two condominiums upstairs.

Gerace-Skinner said she planned the location and length of every pendant light over the bar at 15 Church and then hung them.

“The electrician said this was not in the scope of his work, so I did it myself,” she said.

When she left International Market Square in Minneapolis in 2020 it was right before COVID, and by the end of the pandemic GeraceSkinner was eager to recreate a buzzing atmosphere “where you can be your own person but don’t have to drive to designs centers in New York City to pull samples” for projects.

There were 100 vendors representing at that design center and Gerace-Skinner has started to build a sample library from her downtown space at 3 Franklin Square.

Internal Auditor

Downtown Albany, NY

CSEA, one of New York State’s largest public employee unions, is seeking resumes for an Internal Auditor for our downtown Albany, NY headquarters. The position is under the direct supervision of the Senior Internal Auditor. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: working at the Region/Local/Unit levels of the Union to review financial affairs, complete audits, advise about reporting obligations and acceptable reporting procedures, assist with preparation of financial reports, assist in developing uniform budgeting and reporting forms and participate in treasurer training. Starting salary is $53,703 with excellent benefits including health, vision, and dental coverage; generous paid time off and defined pension.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Experience with accounting, auditing, and IRS reporting requirements preferred OR an acceptable combination of education, training or experience as determined by CSEA. Candidate must possess a valid New York State driver’s license and have a car available for business use in order to be appointed.

Email cseajobs@cseainc.org or send resumes to Director of Human Resources, PO Box 7125, Capitol Station, Albany, NY 12224. Please note IA-SBJ on all correspondence.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

“It’s a beautiful building but the space is small,” she said. “I need three times the square footage to accomplish my vision and hope to be moving into the larger location this fall.”

Samples of anything from tile, lighting, fabrics, flooring, furniture and other materials that a designer could work with are under one roof, and growing.

“I would like to expand on the business and invite other designers to come in, rent some desk space and utilize the system,” she said. “Everything is at your fi ngertips and if you have a question or need some help on a project, you can turn to your colleague and get advice or confi rmation.”

Gerace-Skinner knows of no similar business model in the area.

Interior Designs Atelier is described as a full service design fi rm, meaning the designer

makes all the selections, confi rms purchases, works with contractors, and acts as a mediator and an advocate for the client “to make sure everything is implemented correctly,” she said.

“The owner of 15 Church Street is probably one of my biggest fans,” said Gerace-Skinner. “When he called me to do this job, it was quite the gift even just to design a whole restaurant.”

Gerace-Skinner said her model client is one who trusts her but also challenges her to convince them why her selections are better choices.

“The process of explaining it, and the feeling once they understand why it works best that way, is very compelling for me,” she said. “I think clients would describe me as a good team player, I get along with everybody, and make them feel comfortable in their roles.”

Gerace-Skinner said when she acquires something for the home she buys it for the long term, so classic styles and high quality are important to her. She does the same for her clients. Th is preference was developed decades ago as a designer for L. & J.G. Stickley, known for craft smanship and fi ne detail in its furniture for well over a century.

“I do have very expensive tastes and never look at the price,” she said. “I just want the best possible product that meets the job and if it doesn’t meet the budget we fi nd something similar. But most of the time the customer falls in love with it and can be accessorized with less expensive ones and changed over time,” she said. “You’re not replacing quality items.”

But, she said “there are always ways to cut back. You just have to get very creative so clients feel good about what we did.”

Gerace-Skinner said it was very easy to start back up in Saratoga after being away eight years because she felt like she never fully left . Clients would call her for remodels or if they moved, to redesign their new place.

“But I never expected the business to be this busy this quickly,” she said.

That the interior design industry is competitive is good for business and good for clients,

Continued On Page 15

Linda Gerace-Skinner is the owner of Interior Designs Atelier in Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy Interior Designs Atelier

Shop In Malta Becomes Exclusive Seller Of Chocolate Moonshine Co. Products

Best Western Plus In Saratoga Re-Brands, Renovates; Is Now The Hotel Saratoga

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

After investing approximately $1.4 million in upgrades and renovations, the owners of the Best Western Plus in Saratoga Springs have rebranded the 3292 Route 9 property as The Hotel Saratoga.

The hotel is owned by Pinecone Holdings, a Missouri-based real estate investment and management fi rm. Pinecone CEO Thane Kifer and managing director Drew Kifer own several other hotels throughout the country.

Woodbury-based WNW Hospitality manages day-to-day operations at The Hotel Saratoga. The company was hired to oversee operations of the Best Western Plus after the property was purchased by Pinecone Holdings in August 2019.

According to WNW president and co-owner Robert Jaeger, rebranding discussions began just a few months later.

“The Best Western Plus is a nice mid-level brand, but at the beginning of 2020, we thought it was a good idea to bring the hotel into more of an upscale lifestyle brand. Those plans were put on hold due to the pandemic,” he said.

It wasn’t until the following year that the Kifers revisited the idea with Jaeger.

BY ANN DONNELLY

This summer, husband and wife Doug Dockendorf and Shelly Walker expanded their shop and cafe in Malta by offering gourmet chocolates and fudge and further enhancing the adjacent outside area, Collamer Park.

In 2020, the couple purchased the WigginsCollamer House, which was built in 1835 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. After renovations, the building became the new location of Finishing Touches, where Walker, an interior designer, runs her business and sells furnishings, home decor, gifts, and accessories.

Within the first year, they added two new businesses at the location. They started with a small selection of ice cream, which proved popular, so they expanded as Cookies & Cream and Finishing Touches, with a full range of soft serve and hard ice cream in cones, dishes, sundaes, shakes and more.

Then they opened The Coffee Bar with coffee, lattes, espressos, cappuccino, and locally made baked goods from The Sugar Fairy Bakes.

“Anything you can get at Starbucks, you can get here, but better,” said Dockendorf. One of their

specialties is affogato, an Italian-style drink made with ice cream and espresso, topped with chocolate-covered espresso beans.

Now they are the area’s exclusive seller of Chocolate Moonshine Co. gourmet chocolates and fudge, available by the piece or in gift packs. The fudge is made in copper kettles with cream, butter, and imported Belgian chocolate. They also offer truffle bars that are hand-painted with colored cocoa butter.

The enhanced outdoor seating area includes basketball courts, the area’s largest chess board, and other games like Connect 4 and cornhole.

“For us, it’s not about getting customers in and out,” said Dockendorf. “We are developing this as a place for the community. A place for people to go with their kids, relax, see their neighbors.”

They are considering holding events and offering other entertainment later in the summer. They will sell the soft serve ice cream until mid-October and bring out new flavors and products for fall.

“We are looking forward to having fun with Christmas,” said Walker.

Finishing Touches, Cookies & Cream and Finishing Touches, 450 East High St., Malta.

“In 2021, we started to think about what direction we wanted to go. We had to decide whether to re-brand or stay with Best Western Plus,” he said. “We ultimately chose to re-brand to become an Ascend Collection of Choice hotels, an upscale brand.”

Before rebranding, Pinecone Holdings completed an extensive renovation of the property.

The hotel’s 65 rooms and nine suites were completely remodeled, and new bathrooms were installed. All public spaces, including corridors, were renovated and a new fitness center was added. The fitness center features high-end equipment including Peleton stationary bike systems.

According to Jaeger, an artist was commissioned to create original art work for the property.

“We have all new artwork throughout the hotel, and it is centered around the history and culture of Saratoga, It’s original art that was commissioned for hotel, so you won’t see it any other place,” he said.

As part of the renovation, the hotel’s lobby was expanded and includes a new breakfast area. A cafe, bar, and lounge were also added to the property.

“We’re starting with beer and wine, and we will have a lounge menu,” said Jaeger. “We’re in the process of building a satellite kitchen for the lounge.”

The exterior renovation, which includes installing new landscaping, is expected to begin in September.

“Everyone is very excited,” said Jaeger. “Our guests love our new rooms, and the comments we’ve gotten have been fantastic.”

The Hotel Saratoga has limited availability for the remainder of the busy summer tourist season, he noted.

Elise Butler, assistant chocolate purveyor at Cookies & Cream and Finishing Touches in Malta, displays some of the Chocolate Moonshine Co. products the shop now sells.

©2023 Saratoga Photographer.com

Pinecone Holdings purchased the Best Western Plus and re-named it The Hotel Saratoga.

Publication Date: September 8, 2023

“The future of the sites is something that we will be discussing in the next several weeks,” she said.

However, Woerner said she contacted the United Steelworkers union, which represents Essity employees, and “they’ve been told there’s no plan to sell the plant to another business, that their plan is to just mothball the building.”

The United Steelworkers (USW) has sent a letter to Essity urging management to reconsider the decision. “The community needs management to consider alternatives to shutting down in South Glens Falls,” said USW International Vice President Luis Mendoza. “Hundreds of loyal, experienced workers deserve to work for an employer with plans to operate the mill.”

Essity has indicated that it will neither seek a buyer to operate the facility nor allow the USW to look for one.

“We are shocked and disappointed that Essity has made the additional decision not to look or allow the union to search for potential buyers,” Mendoza said. “This decision ultimately leaves these members, their families and the surrounding community in a devastating position.”

Mendoza said that the company’s actions in South Glens Falls are impacting morale at other USW represented Essity facilities.

The USW and Essity are engaged in negotiations over the effects of the company’s decision to close the South Glens Falls mill, covering subjects such as severance pay and recall rights.

The need for more modern, technologicallyadvanced facilities was a major factor in both Essity’s and Lehigh’s decisions to shift operations elsewhere.

The South Glens Falls mill made Tork brand away-from-home paper products such as napkins, bathroom tissue and hand towels found in fast-food restaurants, travel rest stops, hospitals, schools and other institutional settings, all made from 100 percent recycled paper.

“Our product line is evolving and many of the machines in our New York plants do not have the capability to make these more innovative and indemand products,” Ford said. “Essity will consolidate production at sites that make the products that have the highest customer demand. Our U.S. manufacturing plants are located in Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin.”

Essity’s U.S. headquarters are in Philadelphia. The company has no other facilities in New York aside from those South Glens Falls, Greenwich and Saratoga Springs, which are closing.

Some observers believe New York’s unfriendly business climate—high tax and energy costs—are also to blame along with a shrinking labor pool caused by a declining statewide population.

“While Saratoga County has the lowest upstate tax burden, New York is a notoriously high-cost state with a regulatory bureaucracy that challenges even the smallest employers, never mind larger ones like this,” said Todd Shimkus, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president. “Heavy manufacturing in the U.S. and New York state have continued to be challenged by foreign competition, labor rates, regulations and taxes. Now with inflation and cost increases for everything, every business is in a restructuring mode of some sort to adapt and remain successful.”

But he, too, is optimistic that Essity workers

will be able to find new jobs fairly quickly.

“Saratoga County leaders reacted swiftly to communicate with organizations like the Chamber as they plan job fairs for the impacted employees,” Shimkus said. “We’ve already had a number of distribution, manufacturing and construction firms call us looking to talk with these employees. The county’s Career Center is coordinating all of this and we’ve pledged to send an email to our entire employer database to invite everyone to help. We never want to see an employer leave Saratoga County, but from a labor perspective we have many jobs available locally as our historic labor shortage persists. As of June, we had more Saratoga Country residents working and fewer unemployed than in years.”

Woerner added, “I don’t think it’s a matter of leaving manufacturing and having to take a lower-paying service job. I hear from manufacturing businesses all the time such as Miller Mechanical, Fronhofer, machine tool businesses, medical device manufacturers, that they need workers.”

And despite the exodus of Essity and Lehigh, Woerner said she believes area manufacturing is still strong. A Canadian company that makes large wastewater pipes, creating 50 jobs, is coming to Grande Industrial Park in Saratoga Springs soon, she said.

“There’s also a lot of start-up manufacturing, a lot of spin-offs of other businesses and young people coming out of RPI and SUNY Albany, coming here that don’t get a lot of attention,” she said. “With the natural resources, quality workforce and quality of life we have to offer, companies find us a very appealing place to locate a business.”

Essity, previously called SCA, purchased the South Glens Falls mill from Encore Paper Company in November 2001. The closing comes as a surprise because the plant underwent a $20 million, 52,000-square-foot expansion upgrade in 2009, highlighted by an $8 million paper converting machine and a new employee service area.

The new high-speed converting winder made hard-wound brown paper towels, the kind commonly found in public rest rooms.

“It’s too early to tell what will become of the existing facility,” said Todd Kusnierz, Moreau supervisor and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors chairman. “As Essity remains the owner, they will be expected to continue to pay any property taxes owed and maintain compliance with any local codes regarding the appearance of the site.”

In 2016, the Essity property had an assessed valuation was $25,590,000. A stipulation Moreau Town Board approved by a 3 to 2 vote on Dec 18, 2017, reduced this in steps to $14 million in 2022, the most recent year for which figures are available.

“Essity has been a major longtime company in our community that has provided good well-paying jobs,” Kusnierz said. “This news is a tremendous loss that will have a devastating impact on the employees and their families. Right now, the primary focus is to help those who have lost their jobs. We have the Saratoga County Department of Workforce Development, the Saratoga-WarrenWashington County Workforce Development Board, the state Department of Labor and the various Chambers all working to identify potential employers for these individuals.”

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‘30 Minute Hit’ in Saratoga Springs Provides Kickboxing Workout Programs For Women

Residency Program To Help Future Physicians

Saratoga Hospital and Hudson Headwaters, in collaboration with Albany Medical Center, have developed the Saratoga Family Medicine Residency Program, an innovative residency designed for “physicians of the future.”

Dr. Ephraim Back, MPH, FAAFP, chief of clinical initiatives at Hudson Headwaters, is the founding program director. Dr. Colleen Quinn, Hudson Headwaters’ chief of medical education and wellness, serves as the residency’s associate director, and Kristin L. Mack, D.O., M.S., leads the program’s rural health rotation that takes place at Ticonderoga Health Center.

Saratoga Hospital’s lead faculty include Dr. Renee Rodriguez-Goodmote, FAAFP, director of the Saratoga Community Health Center and chair of the Saratoga Hospital Department of Ambulatory Medicine, overseeing the community medicine curriculum, and Dr. Timothy Reed, who will be directing the inpatient medicine training.

Business-To-Business

Expo Set For Oct. 12

The Saratoga County Business-to-Business (B2B) Expo will be held at a new location this year on Oct. 12, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce announced.

The annual expo will be taking place within the Saratoga Spa State Park at the Gideon Putnam Resort. It will host exhibits from 3:30-6 p.m., with a post event mixer for our exhibitors from 6-7:30 p.m.

The event attracts attendees representing a wide range of private, nonprofit and public sector organizations. Th is is traditionally the region’s largest B2B networking event of the year, Chamber officials said.

““We’re moving this event as part of our effort to try something new to the Gideon Putnam, where they have lots of space for exhibit booths and table-top displays,” said Todd Shimkus, Chamber president.

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Greenfield

Founded in 2004, 30 Minute Hit has approximately 100 locations throughout Canada and the United States. The couple made the decision to become franchisees after working with a business coach.

“She introduced us to several difference businesses, and I spent the better part of six months going through the discovery process on each,” said Steve Kissinger. “This was the one we landed on for many different reasons. We saw a gap in the market in Saratoga and the Capital Region in general for something like this.”

In addition to owning the fitness studio, Katie works as a nurse practitioner and Steve works in the energy sector. He is also a certified trainer at 30 Minute Hit.

According to Kissinger, “30 Minute Hit is a kickboxing, self-defense-inspired, circuit workout. It’s a high-intensity interval workout that only takes 30 minutes. Each station has a different type of boxing or self-defense exercise.”

When performing the circuit, women spend two minutes at each station. The workout is designed for women of all ages and fitness levels, and because there are also no class times, workouts do not need to be scheduled in advance.

“If we are open, you can come in any time you want,” said Kissinger. “People really love that the workout is only 30 minutes and that you don’t have to schedule a class time.”

Although the stations don’t change, there are three levels at each station. Kissinger said that members start at level 1 and have the option to progress to levels 2 and 3.

“If you have injuries or are limited in your motion for certain exercises, we can modify to meet your needs. There are also variations on each level. The variations are more technical— maybe you are combining a punching and kicking combo into one exercise. There are some-

thing like 15 million different combinations of the circuit,” he said.

The workout burns an average of about 500 calories, and maximum results are obtained by performing it two to three times a week. No previous kickboxing experience is required.

“People are always nervous when they walk in the door for the first time,” said Kissinger. “But, this a no judgement type of place. Everybody feels comfortable to come in and better themselves. We are there answer questions and motivate, but we never push someone beyond their limits or make them feel uncomfortable. It’s your own workout.”

30 Minute Hit also has a gated children’s area that is visible from all circuits. Because there are no childcare workers on staff, it is intended for children who are old enough to entertain themselves while their mothers work out.

By taking advantage of 30 Minute Hit’s free trial, prospective members can schedule an appointment with one of the facility’s certified trainers. During that time, they are guided through the entire circuit.

“We teach you the basics,” said Kissinger. “We teach the proper fight stance and make sure that people aren’t throwing a punch in a way that they are going to hurt themselves. 30 Minute Hit has a very low injury rate which has been proven. The first aspect is always safety, and the second aspect is fun, and the third aspect is technique. We’re always working on all three.”

Although the Saratoga Springs location has been open for just a short time, Kissinger said they haven’t ruled out opening another location. They own the franchise rights to the Albany/Northway area corridor.

30 Minute Hit is open from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. They are open from Monday through Thursday from 4-8 p.m. The facility is closed on Sundays.

To sign up for a free trial, visit 30minutehit. com and select Saratoga Springs as the location.

The three-year curriculum is created on the pillars of being community-focused, teaching innovative medicine and practicing integrated care. Officials said the education maximizes broad-spectrum clinical competence in both hospital and ambulatory medicine, with a special emphasis on training in behavioral health, addiction treatment, population health, rural health and state-of-the-art technology.

Hudson Headwaters’ upcoming Glens Falls Family Health will serve as a continuity site for two of six residents in each class. Designed with special attention to integrated team care, the health center will offer family medicine residents collaborative learning opportunities with the Advanced Practice Clinician fellowship, an advanced training program for recently graduated FNPs and PAs.

The Saratoga program is the second family medicine residency program collaborating with Hudson Headwaters, with the first being the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Family Residency at Champlain Family Health. The inaugural class of the Saratoga Family Medicine Residency Program starts July 2023.

“At this venue, we can reduce the price for small businesses to participate with a table-top display while also allowing fi rms with elaborate trade show exhibits to set up as well. The goal is to make this one of the best values for any company looking to make new connections with other businesses.

“We even have some outside space to use creatively to showcase vehicles, boats, RVs, and other equipment as we seek to expand the variety of participants which benefits everyone who attends,” he said.

The venue has created new opportunities for members to promote their business in front of business leaders and decision-makers alike.

Premier booths will be located in areas around the perimeter of the event space. Th is is a single-space booth, with a table and two chairs. Linen and electric is provided upon request.

Tabletop booth space is new for this location. They will be located within the main ballroom of the event, within the center aisles. Linen and electric are also available upon request.

Companies interested in sponsorships can contact Andrea Cole, Chamber vice president, events and marketing.

residents Steve and Katie Kissinger have opened 30 Minute Hit, a women’s only kickboxing fitness studio at 3 Hampstead Place, Suite 104A, in Saratoga Springs.

Steve Kissinger poses inside 30 Minute Hit, a business he co-owns that is a women’s only kickboxing fitness studio at 3 Hampstead Place, Suite 104A, in Saratoga Springs.

©2023 Saratoga Photographer.com

Saratoga, Donated By Churchill Downs

Famous Horse Racing Statue Finds Home In

Visitors to Saratoga Race Course this season may have noticed a new statue in front of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame on Union Avenue.

Churchill Downs Inc. donated “Against All Odds,” an inspiring bronze statue by Edwin Bogucki, as part of the museum’s permanent collection.

“Against All Odds” depicts the photo finish victory of Hall of Fame horse John Henry with Hall of Fame jockey William Shoemaker in the irons as they ran down The Bart in the shadow of the wire in the running of the inaugural Arlington Million on Aug. 30, 1981, the first thoroughbred race to boast a purse of $1 million.

Under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally, John Henry captured a second Arlington Million as a 9-year-old in 1984 and was ultimately selected as Horse of the Year following both victories. The statue was originally unveiled in 1989 at Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

“It is a great honor to make this gift to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in memory of the late Richard Duchossois, where it will be prominently displayed and enjoyed by racing fans for many years to come,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “Much like Mr. Duchossois, ‘Against All Odds’ represents perseverance. May it serve as an inspiration to

horses and humans alike that with courage and determination, what seems impossible can be achieved.”

“We are most grateful to Bill Carstanjen and everyone at Churchill Downs Inc. for the generous donation of the ‘Against All Odds’ statue to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame,” said John Hendrickson, chairman of National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. “This incredible work of art represents so many iconic elements of racing history—the inaugural Arlington Million, Hall of Famers John Henry and Bill Shoemaker, and the legacy of Richard Duchossois, a true Pillar of the Turf.

“We are honored to accept this wonderful addition to our collection and showcase it prominently on the Museum grounds, where it will have a forever home.”

To learn more about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame visit www.racingmuseum.org.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs. Its core mission is to preserve and promote the history of thoroughbred racing in America and honor the sport’s most accomplished participants in the Official National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. Its website is www.racingmuseum.org.

Churchill Downs Inc. in Kentucky donated this “Against All Odds,” bronze statue, which now sits on Union Avenue at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Courtesy National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

High-End Cabinet For Choice Bourbon Is Among Upgrades At Purdy’s In Saratoga

BY PAUL POST

Brandan Greczkowski said he hears strong reactions from customers almost every day to Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor’s sheer size and the new specialty cabinet it installed, stocked with vintage wines and rare bourbons.

“The business is just fun,” said the 46-year-old Greczkowski. “Customer service is huge. Customer service, keeping things in stock and store appearance are the three things I tell everybody to focus on. It’s quite easy. If you can base yourself on those three key points it’s a successful business.”

The same drive and energy he brings to his business helped Greczkowski reach the 2000 Summer Olympics in judo, in addition to being a three-time U.S. national champion in the sport.

He co-owns the store, located in Congress Plaza in Saratoga Springs, with his wife, Kristen, a former U.S. National Team speedskater. Greczkowski been running it since Kristen’s mother and former long-time owner, Gail Brophy, died in 2020.

“She was my mentor. She knew it all. She taught me how to buy and save a penny when buying,” Greczkowski said.

The store also has a new website, offering online sales and delivery that’s expanded the firm’s reach beyond Saratoga Springs. The service was initiated in April 2022 and has reached new heights almost every month since then.

“We haven’t even chipped the top of the iceberg with online sales,” Greczkowski said.

This part of the business is overseen by marketing and operations director Jaclyn Shyptycki, who came on board 18 months ago.

“A lot of bourbon, whiskey and wine collectors coming to us are looking for something very specific, searching for things they can’t find in their neighborhood stores,” she said. “The website allows them to see the vintage wine or bourbon year they want. We put a lot of time into the website, making sure listings are correct. Then customers find us. It’s unreal how it happens.”

The new high-end cabinet’s bourbon selection alone is worth $100,000 retail, including numerous Pappy Van Winkles and a bottle of 25-year Michter’s Bourbon ($12,000).

The cabinet was built by a local company, TruNorth Design & Development in Saratoga Springs.

“The most expensive bottle I’ve ever sold is a Pappy 25-year,” Greczkowski said. “We retailed it for around $16,000. A young man from Long Island came up to the counter and asked to purchase it. I was kind of blown away. We ran his credit card through and got a phone call real quick. It was his dad calling, making sure everything was okay. He said, ‘Yeah dad, I just need a couple things’.”

“It’s an investment,” Greczkowski said. “That $16,000 bottle is now worth $40,000 five years later.”

Purdy’s sheer size and buying power is what enables the owners to secure such highly-prized items. “It’s all based on volume,” he said.

The store has steadily expanded by taking over several other adjacent sites in Congress Plaza— most recently a former Citizens Bank space—and now has more than 15,000 square feet to work with, including considerable storage room.

All inventory is now kept on-site, which saves money. Wines occupy one vast part of the store, separated by their country of origin, while liquor is in another area.

Saratoga Arts Gets State Funding To Help Support Renovation Project At Its Building

Saratoga Arts has received a $766,000 grant from the state Council on the Arts to help support a revitalization project.

The grant is part of a record total of capital project funds being disbursed by NYSCA, which totals over $42 million to 144 projects across New York state.

The Arts Center is planning a $2 million renovation whose scope is to stabilize and upgrade the entire building with an eye toward energy conservation and efficiency. It will replace old ineffective systems, install energy-efficient windows, address numerous drainage and roofing issues, upgrade power and reconfigure classroom spaces of the art center to provide indoor/outdoor access.

Officials said the project will upgrade the theater enabling a flexible space for film, music, exhibitions, artist talks and lectures and more, all geared to expand accessibility and collaborative work.

The new cabinet allows customers to zero in a special products.

“Before, it was scattered throughout the store, so anyone who came in here in August and was looking for things didn’t know where to go,” Greczkowski said. “I wanted one general location for all of it. It’s worked out perfectly. When you walk into the store, this is what you see.”

In another upgrade, Purdy’s recently transitioned to an all new technology system that incorporates everything from the back end to up-front checkout registers.

“Everything is cloud-based, which is awesome,” Greczkowski said.

Store manager Jimmy Scotti said the thing he enjoys most is meeting people from so many different places and backgrounds.

“This is a real tourist town,” he said. “Some people come back year after year and are really enjoying the improvements we’ve made, making it much more shop-able and bringing in new items. We’re getting a lot of positive comments about that. They also like how much variety we have.”

Congress Plaza is a good location because of its large parking lot that makes it easy for customers to visit. And the adjacent Embassy Suites Hotel generates considerable foot traffic.

“A lot of people from out of state venture over and have no idea how big this store is from the outside,” Greczkowski said. “When they walk in their eyes just open.”

“With track season, I almost feel like we have an extra Christmas in the middle of summer,” Greczkowski said. “There’s concerts, the track, people going out to dinner having fun. It’s a place where everyone wants to be. It’s awesome.”

Purdy's also expanded its visibility by sponsoring the Summer Concert Stage in the backyard at Saratoga Race Course.

“Our hope is that people remember us when they go home and want to shop us virtually,” Shyptycki said. “I’m finding there are a lot of people even locally who don’t know where we are or how big we are. That’s a demographic we haven’t reached. My goal is to get everybody to know about us and take the trip to come see us or have us make a delivery.”

The business website is purdyswine.com.

“Strengthening our creative sector increases tourism, boosts our economy, and enhances the rich heritage and cultural life of New York state,” Gov. Hochul said of the state grants. “These record grants will support a wide range of diverse and innovative projects at our arts and cultural organizations across the state, helping ensure all who visit will continue to have wonderful experiences for years to come.”

NYSCA Chair Katherine Nicholls said the capital project grants are an investment “from the people of New York to the people of New York and will have positive impact on our communities for many years to come. On behalf of the council and staff, I congratulate Saratoga Arts and look forward to seeing all that will flourish from this project.”

Saratoga Arts operates the Community Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary building which serves all genres of arts and culture tracing its roots back to the Saratoga County Arts Council, a 1980 program of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

In 1996, Saratoga Arts signed the first lease with the City of Saratoga Springs for 320 Broadway, the former home of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Over the next four years, they raised $550,000 through a capital campaign and invested in the building. The funding allowed the specialization of spaces conducive to creating and presenting art

across all genres.

The mission of Saratoga Arts is to enrich the region by cultivating a vibrant arts community and by ensuring that the arts are accessible to all. Every year, Saratoga Arts welcomes over 30,000 visitors and art appreciators.

The facilities include a 100-plus seat theater, gallery spaces, and multiple classrooms and makers spaces. Local artists and teachers are hired, who engage over 500 students in all levels of arts education. It hosts over 70 exhibitions and special events, allowing over 700 artists to showcase and sell work and maintain a network of hundreds of member artists and multiple collaborative exhibition and event partners in the Capital Region and beyond.

Saratoga Arts has brought the arts to over one million people through its programs and provided performing and visual artists opportunities to earn over $3 million in art sales and performance fees, officials said.

For more information about Saratoga Arts visit www.saratoga-arts.org.

Jaclyn Shyptycki stands in front of a cabinet at Purdy’s that holds high-end bourbons.

©2023 Saratoga Photographer.com

Saratoga Arts is planning a $2 million renovation of its building on Broadway.

©2023 Saratoga Photographer.com

Environment / Development

Economic Impact Study Says Saratoga Race Course brings in

$3.7M Annually To Area

The annual summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course generates $371 million in economic activity and supports more than 2,900 jobs across the greater Capital Region, according to the findings of a new study by the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) highlighted today by the New York Racing Association.

The report, which was released Monday during a news conference at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, concluded that the overall economic impact generated by the summer meet has increased by 57 percent since 2014 across the nine-county Capital Region.

The study, based on data from 2021, finds that Saratoga Race Course is responsible for contributing $7.3 million of tax revenue to New York state, nearly $2.4 million of tax revenue to Saratoga County and nearly $2.1 million to Saratoga Springs.

In addition to Saratoga Race Course, the study commissioned by the SCIDA and performed by Camoin Associates analyzed the impact of Saratoga’s major attractions including SPAC, Saratoga Casino Hotel and Saratoga National Historic Park. According to the findings, those four entities generated a total of $647 million in economic impact and 5,770 jobs.

“Horse racing is a powerful engine for the New York economy that supports families and communities in every corner of the state,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA president and CEO. “Nowhere is that more evident than here in Saratoga Springs and throughout Upstate New York, where the popularity and importance of Saratoga Race Course are at an all-time high.”

The report focuses on the economic benefits within a nine-county region including Albany, Columbia, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties.

The study’s findings show that Saratoga Race Course generated $371,067,040 in annual economic impact from three primary sources: direct ($241,311,827); indirect ($51,656,531) and induced ($78,098,682).

Those categories account for spending on goods and services by visitors and racing participants, on-site jobs, and spending at businesses that supply goods and services to Saratoga Race Course, thereby creating an economic ripple effect throughout the region.

“The Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency commissioned this economic impact study

to analyze the far-reaching effects of Saratoga County’s major tourism drivers—Saratoga Race Course, SPAC, Saratoga Casino Hotel, and the Saratoga National Historical Park,” said Rod Sutton, IDA chairman, in a statement.

“This study updates the economic data generated from prior studies reports in 2006, 2011 and 2015, which looked solely at the economic impact of Saratoga Race Course, and adds SPAC, the casino, and the battlefield. Recognizing their significant contributions to Saratoga County’s economy, the IDA Board was supportive to include these cultural and heritage tourism institutions in this analysis.”

He said the study provides “a comparative breakdown of economic impacts such as jobs, attendance, and spending. It will assist elected officials, business and non-profit leaders, and the public in understanding the tremendous economic significance of these important attractions that generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue throughout Saratoga County.

Sutton added, “The results of the economic analysis of these tourism sectors provide a positive forecast that indicates Saratoga County will continue to grow and thrive as one of Upstate New York’s most desirable counties in which to live, visit, and do business for the foreseeable future”

The study also determined that Saratoga Race Course is responsible for generating 2,937 jobs in the region.

Hilltop Construction Now Headquartered In Queensbury With New Offices, Warehouses

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Hilltop Construction is putting the finishing touches on a new office/warehouse headquarters at 21 Casey Road in Queensbury.

The 10,000-square-foot facility is being built on two lots located in the Airport Industrial Park.

“Our company is growing, and we needed space for expansion,” said co-owner Dan Washburn.

Warren-Washington Industrial Development Agency sold the two vacant industrial park lots to Hilltop Construction for $40,500.

Washburn’s in-laws, Tom and Cindy Albrecht founded Hilltop Construction in 1975. After the couple retired two years ago, Washburn, along with his wife April Washburn, and brother-in-law Tom Albrecht Jr., assumed control of the business.

Hilltop Construction builds custom homes that range in price from $400,000 to $5 million. The homes are located throughout the Capital Region and the Adirondacks.

“We’ve done a lot of work in Schroon Lake, Brant Lake and Lake George,” said Washburn. On the commercial side, Hilltop has worked on projects as far west as Syracuse. Stewart’s Shops has been a consistent client over the years.

According to Washburn, the company has numerous commercial projects in the works.

“We’ve got a new gas station in Malta (EZ petroleum on Route 9). We’re doing a Stewart’s Shop on Weibel Avenue in Saratoga that we will start on at the end of August. We are also in the middle of a huge commercial renovation at Garvey Hyundai in Queensbury, and we’re doing a small project in Colonie–a $300,000 renovation of an office,” he said.

The company recently entered into the preengineered steel building market. They work with Kirby Building Systems, an industry leader in the manufacture of custom-engineered, high-quality, and cost-effective metal building systems.

“This is a new market for us,” said Washburn. “We did a big slaughterhouse for Champlain Beef and a few car dealerships.”

The majority of Hilltop’s 36 employees work in the field on construction sites. After the new office is complete, Washburn expects to add to the company’s small administrative staff.

“The custom home market is flourishing, and we are continuing to grow and expand into different avenues,” he said.

From left, Hilltop Construction co-owners Dan Washburn, April Washburn and Tom Albrecht Jr. stand in the company’s new offices at 21 Casey Road in Queensbury.

Officials attend a meeting where an IDA economic impact study was unveiled. Courtesy Saratoga County IDA

Stormwater Management Work, More Walking Paths Are Part Of Roosevelt Drive Project

A $4.2 million redevelopment of Roosevelt Drive within Saratoga Spa State Park that improves transportation safety within the park is complete, state officials announced.

The project adds pedestrian and bicycling pathways adjacent to the park’s busiest stretch of roadway, which connects the Avenue of the Pines with the golf course, pools, picnic areas, and the Roosevelt Baths and Spa.

“We continue to make significant investments that enhance Saratoga Springs’ status as a world-class recreational, tourism, and historical destination,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “These improvements make Saratoga Spa State Park safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians and cyclists alike and will help welcome visitors for the Park’s greenspace, history, and shows for years to come.”

Officials said the roadway was moved away from the park’s classical arcades, making space for a large circular patio. It provides a new gathering place to families and friends to begin their exploration of what the park has to offer.

As part of the Park of the Arts initiative, the corridor improvements mark another major milestone in the restoration of the National Historic Landmark campus. The project also expands parking for the Spa Little Theater plus the recreational and cultural attractions of the Roosevelt Campus and provides new EV charging stations.

The new Welcome Terrace, referred to as The Arcade, sits at the entrance of the Saratoga Spa State Park’s neo-classical Roosevelt Campus. It will feature a circle of benches to create the perfect spot for park visitors to socialize, relax, and take in their surroundings, state officials said. For a limited time, people can adopt and dedicate one of these benches.

New stormwater management features will help protect water quality, stabilize water temperature, and improve brook trout habitat in Geyser Creek. These include installing underground stormwater chambers and porous asphalt at the expanded parking lot to fi lter rainwater and allow it to slowly seep back into the soil, reducing stormwater runoff and sedimentation flowing into Geyser Creek.

“Just nine months ago we announced this project to truly make Saratoga Spa State Park the Park of the Arts,” said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. “Backed by federal support, this Roosevelt Drive project delivers improved wayfi nding, pedestrian safety, and improved stormwater management. We continue to adapt to climate change and protect and improve this gem in our state park system for the next 100 years.”

The federal funds secured boosts the natural beauty and recreational opportunities, officials said. The investment will make the park more accessible, walkable, bikeable, and safer for visitors and families to enjoy.

“Saratoga Spa State Park is one of the true gems of the Capital Region, and with the completion of this game-changing redevelopment

Group Proposes New Med Center Complex

A group of private physician practices are proposing a $70 million medical center and mixed-use development on Route 9 in Wilton.

The proposal was put forth by OrthoNY, Albany ENT & Allergy Services, Schenectady Saratoga Gastroenterology Associates, Capital Cardiology Associates and Community Care Physicians.

Plans call for building a 116,000-squarefoot medical center at 611-623 Maple Ave., just south of Minogue’s Beverage Center, along with a 130-unit apartment and commercial development across the street at 631 Maple Ave.

The practices are partnering with Rich Paulsen of Paulsen Development, Lansing Engineering and BBL Construction Services on the project.

paths that connect

project its natural beauty will be preserved for generations and its recreation opportunities will be more accessible than ever,” U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said. “With brand new pedestrian and bicycling paths to connect park amenities, the new and improved Roosevelt Drive will protect the natural beauty of the park, and make the park more walkable, bikeable, and safer for visitors and families to enjoy.”

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said it is vital that visitors can safely access Saratoga Spa State Park’s natural beauty and recreation opportunities. “Th is is a critical investment that will help revitalize the park, improving transportation safety and attracting additional visitors from across the state and beyond. State parks are one of New York’s greatest treasures, and I will continue fighting for resources to ensure they are safe for visitors to enjoy.”

Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim said the completion of the project “will enhance the city’s own ‘Complete Streets’ plan as it will link up with bikeways and pedestrian sidewalks right outside the State Park. I have no doubt that local residents and visitors will be happy to take advantage of these enhancements especially during our beautiful summer months.”

The Park of the Arts initiative envisions Saratoga Spa State Park as a singular global destination for multi-disciplinary arts presentation, programming, and learning through the adaptive reuse of National Historic Landmark structures, set in a spectacular 2,400acre natural setting. Th rough collaborations with cultural and educational organizations, recreational enterprises, and private businesses, New York State will create an artistic and cultural tourism destination in a class of its own in one of New York State’s flagship parks.

For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518-474-0456.

Apartments And Retail Project Eyed In Milton

A development group is seeking to construct a four-building retail and apartment complex on 10.5 acres off Route 50 in Milton.

Geoffrey Booth and New York Development Group is seeking town approval for two structures planned for retail use—and two 37,800-square-foot apartment buildings on the west side of Route 50. The project would be located a short distance south of Route 50 and Northline Road.

The plans submitted to town officials call for the construction of one-story retail buildings and two four-story apartment buildings with a total of 60 apartments and enough parking for 213 cars and trucks.

The developer is working on the project with Yates Scott Lansing and Lansing Engineering of Malta.

The group presented the plans to the Wilton Town Board in July. Plans include a two-story medical center at a cost of $30 million that will feature multiple medical and surgical practices. Services ranging from complex surgery to pediatrics would be available, officials said.

The medical center would be a 116,000-square-foot structure at 611-623 Maple Ave. The 130-unit apartment and commercial development would be situated across the street at 631 Maple Ave. The residential component would include workforce housing among the 10 two-story apartment buildings. The goal is to have market-rate housing for nurses, x-ray technicians and other staff who would work at the medical center and may not be able to afford high rents elsewhere.

The board was told the development would be made up of some traditional apartments and some townhome-style units with garages.

Each of the practices in the Wilton medical center would be investors in the project, and have the option to invest in the mixed-use development as well. Officials said the model will allow independent physician practices like OrthoNY to stay independent.

The next step for the Wilton project is to do a traffic study. There will be more meeting with town officials before all approvals are in line.

If approved, it is estimated the medical center project might be completed sometime in 2025.

“We are proposing a mixed-use development of residential and two retail buildings,” Lansing told the board, according to documents filed with the town.

The first retail building will be approximately 5,400 square feet and is a single-story structure. The second building, a single-story structure, is on the south part of the parcel will be approximately 7,900 square feet.

The building to the south is proposing a drivethrough facility.

“Our proposal for the multifamily residential portion of the project is two structures, both four stories, with 30 units per building. The units will have attached garages on the back. We are proposing private driveways and private parking for the residents,” Lansing said.

Booth and his New York Development Group have built more than 2,000 apartments and homes over the past 20 years..

Located north of Ballston and three miles south of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center box office, the Broadalbin-based group’s proposed project is in an area that has grown steadily. The town of Milton’s population has grown by 28 percent, to 18,800, since 1990. And the town of Ballston’s population has increased by 55 percent, to 12,550, during the same period, officials said.

An average of more than 13,100 vehicles travel that stretch of Route 50 daily, according to data available from the state Department of Transportation.

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The state added

the Avenue of the Pines with the Roosevelt Baths. Courtesy NYS Parks & Recreation

Senior Living / Retirement Planning

AARP Study Says Voters Over 50 Can Be Pivotal In Upcoming Elections Across The U.S.

Candidates who support the issues most important to Americans ages 50-plus can improve their margin significantly in close 2024 races, according to a new AARP poll.

The poll, which surveyed likely voters from the 40 most competitive congressional districts, found caregiving to be a pivotal top issue for voters 50 and over. Americans 50 and over are the largest— and perhaps the most crucial—voting bloc, said AARP.

While the poll shows that voters 50-plus say candidates’ stances on Social Security and Medicare are very important factors impacting their vote next November (81 percent and 77 percent, respectively), 70 percent of these voters want candidates to support policies to help older adults live independently at home as they age.

Thirty-eight percent of voters are currently caregivers, a number that doubles when those who have been one in the past or expect to be one in the future are included. Democrats have an advantage over Republicans among voters 50-plus on caregiving (44 to 38 percent), but in a generic congressional ballot, more caregivers today vote Republican over Democrat (49 to 38 percent). Over two-thirds (67 percent) of voters 50-plus also rate the cost of prescription drugs as a very important issue, with Democrats leading by just three points (42-39 percent) on their perceived handling of this issue.

“Caregiving and the cost of prescription drugs could very likely be the most important issues of the upcoming election cycle,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer. “Candidates can’t afford to ignore the issues that matter to the 50-plus—who will likely be the decisive voting bloc in 2024—especially in an election cycle where control of Congress and

the White House are both up for grabs.”

In the 2018 and 2022 mid-term elections, the share of voters 50-plus was approximately four times that of voters under 30, (56-15 percent and 59-12 percent, respectively). In the 2020 presidential election, the share of voters 50-plus was nearly three times that of voters under 30 (53 percent-18 percent).

Not only will older voters likely continue to make up a larger share of the electorate in 2024, AARP’s new poll shows that they are also much more motivated to vote. Eighty-five percent of voters 50plus say they are extremely motivated to vote in 2024, compared to just 67 percent of younger voters.

In these 40 competitive districts, the parties are tied on a generic congressional ballot. Among voters 50-plus, the 50-64 age group strongly favors the GOP (52 -35 percent), while those age 65 and older lean Democratic (46-43 percent). Women age 50-plus favor the GOP by just one point over Democrats (44-43 percent), while men age 50-plus show much stronger Republican support (52-38 percent).

AARP commissioned the bipartisan polling team of Fabrizio Ward & Impact Research to conduct a survey. The firms interviewed 1,752 likely voters in 40 of the U.S. House districts that Cook Political Report rated as “lean” or “toss up” as of July 5.

This includes a sample of 1,200 likely voters distributed across the districts, with an oversample up to 1,200 likely voters age 50 and older distributed across the districts, between July 5-11. The interviews were conducted via landline, cellphone, and SMS-to-web. The margin of sampling error for the 1,200 likely voter and 50-plus likely voter samples is plusor-minus 2.83. Interviews were offered in English and Spanish.

Business Report

Care For The Long Term

BRIAN M. JOHNSON, MBA, CLTC

When it comes to where and how you live, and what you do with your money, you want the freedom of choice and confidence that you’re making the right decisions.

The same is true with your long-term care strategy, helping you set the stage for the future and the legacy you have planned.

Long-term care is quite simply assistance with simple everyday tasks, even as simple as eating or getting dressed. The need for care could arise from an accident, illness, cognitive impairment, or the aging process. You may never need it.

But, the best time to start thinking about it is before the need arises and while you’re still able to take control. Many Americans work hard, save diligently for retirement, yet fail to address the single biggest risk to their portfolio and families: extended healthcare.

When it comes to long-term care, do not be swayed by common misconceptions such as:

• “It won’t happen to me.”

People unrealistically downplay their personal risk. Seventy-nine percent of people put off discussions about long-term care, but 98 percent of financial professionals say they have clients who have needed it. In fact, being healthy presents even a higher risk of needing long-term care services than someone who is managing chronic a condition.

• “Medicare or Medicaid will cover me.”

If qualified, Medicare will likely be insufficient for long-term care needs and Medicaid does not account for your choices or preferences, and one must financially qualify for benefits.

• “That’s what my savings are for.”

Many Americans significantly underestimate long-term care costs. Home care, assisted living and nursing care can run between $40,000$150,000 per year in today’s dollars.

• “My family will take care of me.”

This might not be a misconception. However, do you really want to put the burden on your loved

ones?

Interestingly women and adult children are more likely than men to become family caregivers. Due to life expectancy rates, women are also more likely to need care.

With an aging population, that contradiction means it’s more important than ever for women to be open and honest about the expectations for the future. 87 percent of caregivers surveyed say emotional challenges are among the most difficult aspects of providing long-term care.

When should you begin planning? Clients tends to wait until they age 60 before beginning their long-term care planning, but financial professionals suggest moving that timeline up a decade or more.

The earlier we start, the more options we will have. Planning ahead not only protects our assets and loved ones, but it also gives us peace of mind. Long-term care is in the back of all of our minds

Continued On Page 14

Brian Johnson, director, business development at Advisors Insurance Brokers. Courtesy Advisors Insurance Brokers

Personnel Briefs

Business Report

Are You On Path To Retirement Readiness?

BY NATHAN GAGE

One of the highlights of my role as a retirement plan advisor is also one of the most challenging— helping to make sense of the very abstract retirement planning process.

There is a seemingly endless list of obstacles standing in the way of figuring out if you are on the path to retirement readiness. When will you retire? How long will your retirement last? What will your monthly budget in retirement be? How will your tax rate in retirement compare to today? How will your investments fair over the next couple of months, years, or decades?

The list of unknown variables could go on and, if you are not careful, may stand in the way of making wise decisions. In fact, for some, the uncertainty can lead to the worst possible decision—inaction.

Realizing that complexity can be paralyzing, simplifying the retirement planning process encourages savers to take the steps needed to get on the right track.

One way to help frame the process is in terms of the three main decision points that savers face as they save for retirement. First is how much to save. Next is how to make those contributions, choosing between pre-tax and Roth. The final decision is how to invest their retirement savings. Armed with an understanding of the key questions, we can take a closer look at the main decision points.

How much should you save for retirement? On the surface, this seems like a simple question. In practice, though, getting an accurate answer to this question is quite complex. There are some widely used rules of thumb. One is to set aside 15% of your pay for retirement.

Another centers around current balances rather than savings rates, for example stating that you should have four times your salary saved by the time you reach age 45. In reality, the best answer to that question comes with an analysis of your household’s unique financial picture. Most advisors have access to some robust planning tools that will help to create this customized answer.

With information like when you plan to retire, how much your household has in dedicated retirement savings, pension income (if any), current savings rates, and current investment allocations, a household’s estimated monthly retirement income can be projected and potential shortfalls identified. Although this takes some effort, in the end it is well worth it. Savers who understand where they stand are more likely to achieve retirement readiness than those who do not.

Considering how much to contribute first is no accident; it is the most important decision that savers make. In order to reach retirement income goals, it is critical to save consistently and take advantage of opportunities to increase that savings rate over time.

The contribution decision is not simply a matter of how much to save, but also how to make those savings. The choice between pre-tax and Roth will determine when you pay federal tax on your retirement contributions. Most workplace retirement plans already offer Roth and, thanks to the passage of some Roth-friendly rule changes included in the recent SECURE 2.0 legislation, Roth is poised to be even more widely available going forward.

When deciding between pre-tax and Roth, there are some standard rules of thumb involving age and current income to consider. The younger you are, the

more Roth may make sense. One of the benefits of Roth is the potential for tax-free investment earnings.

The more time those invested assets have to grow, the more powerful that benefit becomes. Current income also plays a role in the decision as high standard deduction amounts and the progressive federal tax structure mean that households on the lower end of the income spectrum pay federal taxes at a relatively low rate.

If that is the case now, why not take care of paying the tax bill now, while at that lower rate. Children claimed on a household’s tax return can also influence the decision as the child tax credit helps to further reduce the effective tax rate, making the argument for Roth even more compelling.

Aside from those more conventional considerations, tax diversification is something else to keep in mind. Thinking ahead to retirement, what are your household’s sources of income? Social Security? Most of that will be taxable. Pension income? Taxable. Pretax contributions to traditional IRAs and retirement plans? Taxable.

Employer contributions made to retirement plans over the years? All taxable. For many households, no matter where they turn to meet their retirement income needs, there is a tax bill to worry about. Not only does having a Roth balance available give the ability to control taxable income in a given year, it also helps to hedge against the possibility that the tax rates themselves may shift in an unfavorable direction in retirement.

One other possibility that is worth considering is that of a large one-time expense, such as getting debt paid down or purchasing a retirement property. If the only available funds are pre-tax dollars, not only will the withdrawal be taxable, but it may actually push you into a higher income tax bracket. For those reasons, Roth may appeal to a broader group than the traditional thinking suggests.

Finally there is the decision that many view as the most daunting and anxiety inducing – how to invest retirement savings. When investing retirement assets, there are some guidelines to keep in mind. Diversification is key; investors should avoid putting all of their eggs in one basket. One way to diversify is at the broad asset class level between stock investments (on the high end of both the short-term risk and longterm return spectrum), cash (at the other end of those

Continued From Page 2

up and running and transitioning to new financial software and getting timely financials to clients and standardizing the financial reporting process allowing the company to take on more clients.

He continued as the controller for a construction company and finally as the director of finance for TRG Property Management which is an Albanybased commercial real estate management company.

Terry Delong is also a CFO. With over 40 years of experience as a CPA and CMA, Delong analyzes and evaluates company needs and develops shortterm and long-term strategies for growth and stability. He has performed accounting for a wide range of industries, including insurance, manufacturing, wholesale and retail consumer goods, hospitality, marinas, and professional employer organizations.

Delong has led the accounting and finance departments for several start-up companies, and he has provided them with the financial leadership to grow into top companies in their industries He ran his own CPA firm in Lake George for over 15 years.

Another CFO hire is Karl Cote. He is an experienced business professional helping organizations to achieve a wide variety of goals and fulfill their missions.

spectrums), and bonds (in the middle).

Digging a little deeper, it is important to further differentiate the stock portion of your portfolio to include holdings across different industries, locations, company size etc.

On the bond side, savers can diversify with different types of issuers, diverse credit profiles and different terms.

Time is another important factor. The more time to go until the finish line, the more short-term risk savers can take now. Those who are further from the date when they plan to start using their funds can build a portfolio more heavily weighted toward the stock side. As that time horizon grows shorter, adding bonds and cash in greater proportions help to reduce the portfolio’s volatility.

Managing both diversification and the overall risk level of the portfolio are key to managing retirement assets. Saying that is one thing; putting that concept into practice is quite another. Building a diversified

Most recently, he served as the chief financial officer at Liberty ARC, a nonprofit with a $60 million budget, where he led all aspects of financial services including strategic planning, financial statement preparation and analysis, and cost report and tax return preparation.

He served as the executive director of the Northeast Health Foundation for 17 years, where he led team members, strategic planning, and action plans to raise over $66 million during his tenure. In addition,Cote served as a financial leader within St. Peters Health Partners where he held various positions including director of finance, controller, and accounting manager, where he spearheaded many system implementations and led the consolidation of multiple finance offices. Prior to his time in private industry, he worked as a CPA for five years for the regional firm of Urbach, Kahn & Werlin, (now UHY). Karl received his BBA in Accounting from Siena College.

He is a Certified Fund Raising Professional (CFRE), as well as a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Chris Williams is a sales tax specialist. He has 10-plus years of sales tax experience ranging from retail, manufacturing, and telecommunications, with his most recent experience coming from working with a news broadcasting company. He has a business administration degree with a concentration in accounting and enjoys working with new clients and cultivating relationships.

portfolio with an appropriate risk level can be a nonstarter for the average person.

The list of available investment options is often very long and confusing. When forced to make this decision on their own, some savers may shut down and choose not to save at all. The good news is that, most savers will not need to do this alone and they may not need to do it at all, depending on the available investment options.

An advisor will be able to take into account your time horizon, risk tolerance, and other factors to help build an appropriate investment allocation for your portfolio, and then adjust that over time.

If your retirement account(s) offer target date funds or risk-based asset allocation models, the work of diversification is done for you. Asset allocation models allow you to adjust your risk thermostat as you see fit, selecting a model that creates a diversified portfolio at a particular level of risk and adjusting that thermostat as needed over time.

Nathan Gage, retirement plan advisor, Capital Bank.

REGIONAL STOCKWATCH

PROVIDED BY: ROBERT SCHERMERHORN, CFP

18 DIVISION ST.-SUITE 305, SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866

(518) 584-2555

SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH: LPL FINANCIAL / MEMBER: FINRA AND SIPC

Business Report

Still Fighting The Fed

BY KENNETH J. ENTENMANN, CFA

One of the oldest Wall Street adages is “Don’t Fight the Fed.”

In general, it means when the Fed is raising interest rates, accept that they are and adjust accordingly. The most of the first half of 2023, the markets have not followed that guidance, constantly rejecting the Fed’s every move. The market convinced itself that the Fed’s rate hikes would cause a recession, unemployment would spike, and inflation would come crashing down. The Fed would have to capitulate on its tightening policy activity.

Money flowed into money market and fixed income funds. Money market funds with 5 percent annual yields were attractive and bonds were back. Everyone loved bonds. Yet, year-to-date, the aggregate bond index is up only 2.46 percent. That would be considered good if a recession did in fact occur, but it did not, at least not yet. Equities are supposed to be toxic heading into a recession and most of Wall Street entered 2023 significantly underweight. Six months into the year, the S&P 500 index was up 9.65 percent and the NASDAQ was up over 30 percent. So much for the hated asset class.

The economy continues to lumber on. No recession, but languishing growth. Manufacturing is clearly in recession. Housing is coming to life; the housing shortage is overwhelming higher mortgage rates; the consumer sector remains on fire. A mixed bag, but not a recession.

The employment market continues to be dysfunctional. In June, the unemployment rate was 3.6 percent. The non-farm payrolls were 209,000, less than the 240,000. Importantly, the average hourly earnings were 0.4 percent, higher than expected. It is good news that the payroll numbers have returned to a more sustainable level around 200,000.

*DatasourcedfromMorningstar

**Stockinvestingincludesrisks,includingfluctuatingpricesandlossofprincipal.Thisisforinformationalpurposesonly andnotintendedtoprovidespecificadviceorrecommendationforanyindividual.

However, the Fed has been focused on wages and a higher-than-expected earnings numbers today are unlikely to sway the Fed. Compounding the wage concerns, several large union negotiations are heading for a strike. This hardly suggest any weakness in the labor markets. Another rate hike of .25 percent is highly likely.

Inflation continues to trend lower, but the core index remains stubborn. In our last blog, we discussed the statistical basis for a lower CPI number on Tuesday. Yet, as those high numbers roll-off, the inflations comparisons will become more stable and will settle in around 5 percent. The move from 5 percent to the Fed’s target of 2 percent will be much more difficult than the trip from 9 per-

cent to 5 percent.

This overview suggests the second half of 2023 will be challenging. The fixed income markets are unlikely to make any strong moves with the high probability of additional rate hikes and the consensus that rates will remain “higher for longer.” While the equity markets have surprised on the upside in the first half, most of that positive return was driven by an AI tech rally that resulted in a higher Price/Earnings ratios for the overall market and some very lofty P/Es in tech. Can the tech rally, driven by prospect of robust earnings way out in the future driven by AI, be sustained if interest rates continue to increase or remain high? The basic math of a dividend discount suggests long-duration assets (AI Tech) suggest higher rates should hurt the most in this sector. In short, a major upside move in the major equity indexes will be difficult unless earnings start to materially improve, something that will be an uphill battle in a slow growth or receding economy.

This blog has long emphasized the need for investors to take a long-term view of the markets. Many of the experts have missed a surprisingly good move in the equity markets while they were waiting for Godot to arrive.

Like the play, the recession has not arrived. Plowing money into bonds for “safety” in front of the imminent recession also has not worked to well. There is a reason we balance the asset allocation of our portfolios. It balances the long-term return and risk for our clients. Once again, the first half of 2023 demonstrates just how difficult it is to fight the Fed...and time the markets.

Kenneth J. Entenmann, chief investment officer at NBT Wealth Management.

Chick-fi l-A In Clifton Park Opens To Large Crowds; Operator Eager To Help Community

‘Dr. Dan’ Sooriabalan Opens Private Practice

In Malta Office; Handles All Patient Care

BY ANN DONNELLY

Saratoga County’s fi rst Chick-fi l-A restaurant opened on July 20 in Clifton Park Center, with long lines going out the door.

Before this, fans could only get the iconic chicken sandwich if they were flying out of Albany Airport or traveling to Massachusetts or other parts of New York state.

Chick-fi l-A, Inc. selected Scott Payne as the independent franchised owner/operator of Chick-fi l-A Clifton Park Center, 304 Clifton Park Center Road.

“After serving in the Marine Corps for nearly two decades, I was looking to continue serving in a purpose-driven role,” said Payne. “So I pursued the path of becoming a Chick-fi l-A operator. From 2015 to 2022, I had the honor of serving as the operator of Chick-fi l-A Purcellville in Loudoun County, Va. During this time, I learned the ins-and-outs of the business from a great group of seasoned operators while also discovering the many ways in which Chick-fi lA supports its local community.”

Payne is looking forward to living and doing business in the area.

“The Capital Region holds a special place in my family’s heart, as it is where my wife grew up and attended college. After decades of traveling across the world as a military family, our journey led us to this beautiful and caring region where I can make an impact as an operator and our family can enjoy this incredible next chapter.”

“For many in the Capital Region, it is their fi rst-time experiencing Chick-fi l-A, and I’m humbled to introduce our signature hospitality and delicious food to a new market. My team believes that we should leave folks better than we found them, and I think we have a wonderful opportunity to do that here, whether it’s providing enriching growth opportunities for team members or working intentionally with our neighbors and local organizations to help reinforce a strong sense of community in and around Clifton Park.”

With huge demand, particularly during this opening phase, locals are concerned about high traffic levels in the area, particularly when the drive-through lines back up. Payne has published a video with directions to the restaurant to reduce traffic problems.

Team members will greet customers in the drive-thru line in person and will take each guest’s orders on a tablet. As one team member walks the line taking orders, another will come to the customer’s car to take payment, allowing vehicles to move through more quickly than at a traditional speaker box drive-thru. Guests will also have the opportunity to review the menu online before visiting the restaurant.

In celebration of the Chick-fi l-A Clifton Park Center and Chick-fi l-A North Greenbush openings, Chick-fi l-A, Inc. will donate $25,000 on behalf of each new restaurant to support local hunger relief efforts of Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, a certified member of Feeding America.

Payne said they will also help local charities regularly.

“As owner/operator of Chick-fi l-A Clifton Park Center and a local resident, it is my goal to give back as much as I can and make a positive impact within and beyond our restaurant,” he said. “That’s why we’re participating in the Chick-fi l-A Shared Table program, an initiative that redirects surplus food from the restaurant to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks, and nonprofits in need. When there is surplus food, Chick-fi l-A Clifton Park Center will donate it to CAPTAIN Community Human Services, an organization that supports and empowers youth, individuals and families in their journey to personal growth and self sufficiency.”

In addition, Chick-fi l-A Clifton Park Center will recognize 100 local heroes making an impact in the Clifton Park area by providing them with free Chick-fi l-A entrées for a year.

Payne feels that his team is the key to the business’s future success. “We are so fortunate to have hired a group of nearly 100 team mem-

BY JILL NAGY

Dr. Danushan Sooriabalan—known as Dr. Dan to many of his patients—expects his new “direct primary care” practice to give him more time with patients and less with paperwork.

Patients will pay a fixed monthly fee, the amount depending upon their age, for unlimited access to his care.

The doctor, an internist, has been in practice since 2007. He did his internal medicine residency at Albany Medical Center, including a year as head resident, was a hospitalist at Glens Falls Hospital for 10 years, and was part of the Hudson Headwaters practice group.

In May, he set out on his own with an office at 2452 Route 9 in Malta.

He said after his first six weeks, he had 87 patients. He aims for a maximum of 300.

Most of his new patients are from Malta, Clifton Park, Saratoga and other nearby communities. He made no attempt to bring patients from his prior practice “out of respect for my previous employers,” he said.

While he expects to hire a nurse in the near future and uses a third-party company for billing,

bers from diverse backgrounds, but all with a remarkable heart for service. At Chick-fi l-A Clifton Park, our team members have opportunities for flexible work hours and leadership growth, competitive pay and benefits, hands-

everything else is “do it myself.”

His practice model is a fairly new one but, he said, a growing trend, especially in the southern United States. It is also referred to as “concierge medicine.”

He said that he wants to get to know his patients and to be able to spend as much time with each one as necessary. “They see only me,” he said. “No fragmented care.”

He also appreciates the autonomy of a private single-physician practice.

Since they pay his monthly fee directly, patients do not need insurance in order to cover the cost of their care. However, he said, he encourages them to carry private insurance to cover other costs, such as hospital care and referrals to specialists.

Sooriabalan was born in Sri Lanka but left that island nation, with his family, at the age of 2. The family spent seven years in England and then moved to Canada. He came to the United State to complete his medical training at Albany Med.

Further information about the practice can be found at www.DrDanMed.com. His telephone number is 518-886-3338.

on training, mentoring, and the chance to apply for scholarships to support their continuing education.”

The Chick-fi l-A website is at www.chick-fi l-a. com.

This Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in Clifton Park, the first in Saratoga County. In celebration the company donated $25,000 to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. ©2023 Saratoga Photographer.com

Dr. Danushan Sooriabalan—known as Dr. Dan to many of his patients—charges a monthly fee directly, so patients do not need insurance in order to cover the cost of care.

Courtesy Dr. Danushan Sooriabalan

New Owner Of Saratoga Winery In Milton Says Changes Will Be Subtle Ones, Not Major

CORRECTION APPLIED AUGUST 8, 2023

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

After almost three years of serving as general manager of Saratoga Winery, Anne Brill has assumed ownership of the business.

She and her husband, Andrew, purchased the winery from Rich and Tara Nimmo for $1.4 million on June 15.

Saratoga Winery is located at 462 Route 29 in Milton, just 10 minutes west of downtown Saratoga Springs.

The winery’s tasting room serves handcrafted wines made on the premises with New York state grapes. They also serve local craft beers, spirits from Saratoga Courage Distillery, and cocktails. Food offerings include wood-fired pizzas, appetizer, salads, and sandwiches.

Brill grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and met her husband while they were both students at Skidmore College. After graduating, they settled in Chicago but chose to get married in Saratoga.

“We came back to look at venues in 2011, and this was in the height of the economic turn down,” she said. “But Saratoga was still thriving, and we were amazed and impressed by how much the town had grown. In 2014, we decided we wanted to live here full-time.”

After relocating the following year, Brill was hired as event director at The Mansion at Saratoga, and Andrew became the manager of Wheatfields restaurant on Broadway. In 2020, both were furloughed as a result of the pandemic.

When restaurants began opening again, a friend told Brill about a general manager position that was available at Saratoga Winery. A short time later, she interviewed for the job.

“It was a great fit, and I started working at the winery as the general manager in November of 2020,” said Brill. “And then in June of 2021, the owners approached me and told me that they planned to sell the business. They were telling me as a courtesy because I was the general manager.”

After learning that the Nimmos planned to put the winery on the market, Brill told them that she and Andrew might be interested in purchasing it. By

that time, Andrew was working in his current position at Mazzone Hospitality.

According to Brill, the transaction took two years to complete.

“It took so long because there was a lot of negotiating back and forth due to size and magnitude of the deal. I also had to teach myself everything there is to know about high stakes business transactions and how to buy a business.”

Although the Brills purchased the business together, Andrew is not involved in day-to-day operation of the winery.

“It’s my baby. He’s supporting me these first few weeks as we get settled in and the accounts switched over, but he’s going to stay with Mazzone,” said Brill. “I’ve been running it for almost three years, so I’m just going to continue to do that but with a lot of added stress and responsibility. It’s going really well, and we’ve gotten great response and feedback from community.”

Brill said that she does not intend to make any major changes to the business.

“It’s been a little difficult to explain to people that we aren’t going to be making any drastic changes. During the more than two years that I’ve been running it, I’ve already implemented so many changes.”

She hired a new chef, revamped the drink program, and revamped the wedding and event program.

“We’ll be making small improvements, and we will be putting our own little stamp on things. We will also be open to feedback from community, but we have such a great business already, and we don’t want to reinvent the wheel.”

Brill plans to focus on booking more weddings and events. The venue can host events of up to 150 people.

“I will also be working to improve the overall customer service experience, improving the food, improving the drinks. There’s always room for improvement,” she said.

Saratoga Winery operates with a staff of between 20 and 30 employees depending on the time of the year. There are several positions that are currently available.

The company website is www.thesaratogawinery. com.

Long Term Care Continued From Page 10

and dealing with it up front can be extremely freeing.

When planning, we should consider:

• Caregiving. Let your loved ones know your preferences. Do you want to be home, in assisted living, etc?

• Health-related decisions. Designate who has authority to discuss your medications and treatment and inform your physicians.

• Finances. Find out what the costs of different types of services may be where you retire. Take inventory of your assets, income, legacy planning goals, and any debt obligations.

• Legal matters. Make sure you have a living will, a trust, a durable power of attorney and healthcare proxy and be sure your attorney is also in tune with your wishes and desires.

Above all, planning starts with a conversation. Some of the most important conversations about your care are not the easiest, however, the easiest time to discuss the topic is when you’re healthy and not yet in need of long-term care.

Remember, it’s never too early to address longterm care and the sooner you do it, the sooner you’ll have that peace of mind.

Anne Brill and her husband, Andrew, bought the Saratoga Winery, where she was once GM. Courtesy Saratoga Winery

Fingerpaint Building

Continued From Page 1

the office or continue to work remotely, the majority opted to work from home. On any given day, there were only about 10 people working on site.

According to Mitzen, it no longer made sense to pay a $40,000 a month mortgage on a near-empty building.

Guys Like Me Have to Show Up, Step Up, and Give Others a Hand Up.”

“My book talks about how folks like me have to do more to give people a hand up. It’s only been out about six weeks, but it’s already done well,” he said.

According to Mitzen, a native of Voorheesville, Business for Good has numerous projects in the works throughout the Capital Region.

We’d

“It worked out well, and my wife and I plan to use the proceeds (from the sale of 395 Broadway) in our foundation, Business for Good. So, it will ultimately be pumped back into the community.”

Mitzen and his wife, Lisa, established their non-profit after selling a portion of Fingerpaint to a private equity firm in 2020. Headquartered in Saratoga, Business for Good works in underserved communities, investing in people to build better businesses, stronger communities, and a more equitable world.

Mitzen delves into his philanthropic journey in his new book, “Wealthy and White: Why Rich

Interior Designs

Continued From Page 2

she said.

“Why do people select me for their projects in stead of someone who wasn’t gone for eight years?” she said. “I think it comes down to people trust those people they like to work with. I take a lot of pride in humanizing this process and in listening to my clients, because I design for them and not for myself,” said Gerace-Skinner.

“There is so much branding and stylization

“We just helped launch the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce. We’re helping several people of color grow their businesses in Albany. We’ve got two restaurants going into downtown Voorheesville that are going to donate all of the profits to youth sports. We’re opening up a Hattie’s location where Lombardo’s used to be in downtown Albany. There’s no shortage of need for what we are doing.”

The Mitzens work with Business for Good’s team of 20 employees to determine what projects to fund. They choose projects that align with their mission and are likely to have the biggest impact in the community. To date, they have supported over 150 businesses and community organization.

Mitzen said he is hopeful that the work that they are doing will motivate others to give back.

“Hopefully, it will inspire other people. Even if they don’t have the financial resources, there’s a lot that we can all do to help the people who have sort of been left behind.”

of looks today, but design is a blend,” she said. “Clients come to me because they don’t want that singularity. They want their house to be unique.”

Not every designer is a perfect fit for every customer, but Gerace-Skinner said there is enough talent and enough work for everybody.

The current staff includes a second designer, Diane Meyer, whose career overlapped with Gerace-Skinner’s at Stickley. There is an assistant designer, a purchaser/operations manager, and an opening for a second assistant.

Visit interiordesignsatelier.com for more information.

15 Wamego Lane | Corinth, NY $399,000

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Boat Tours

Continued From Page 1

boats. The difference between a tritoon and pontoon is that tritoons have three large metal tubes that give boats more stability, allow them to hold more people and go faster.

Daley’s Saratoga Lake venture is run by his son, Nick, who has experience with digital mar-

keting, sales and advertising in New York City.

“He’s taken over that aspect of the business for me, which is why we expanded here to Saratoga,” Daley said.

Daley’s nephew, Joe Pearl, oversees the Lake George operation.

“Joe is a 200-ton boat captain,” Daley said.

“Nine months of the year he’s all over the world doing scuba diving tours in places like the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean and Fiji. For three months in summer he’s at Lake George

where we operate out of Fischers Marina.

“At Lake George 95 percent of our clients live outside the 518 area. We get them from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and the Midwest. And we’ve already hosted two Israelis this year.”

He added, “What we want to create here is something nobody else does.”

Bachelor and bachelorette parties are also popular, giving revelers a chance to have fun and relax without having to worry about how to operate a boat and the variety of rules and regulations that

go with it.

“With us, they bring whatever they want to eat and drink on the boat,” Daley said. “A lot of them don’t know how to drive a boat, so they want to rent one ... And with one of our captains driving, you don’t have to worry about getting stopped for Boating While Intoxicated.”

Daleys Adventure Boat Tours operates from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. seven days per week. For information visit daleysboattours.com or call (518) 469-8745.