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Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers. Local shops and businesses value their customers.
Local shops sell a wide range of great products at affordable prices. Many people fall out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products and gifts available.
Marketers have done a good job of convincing us that local business equals expensive. If you add travel fees to transfer items and your time, the overall cost is often much higher.
People don’t like losing shops and services in their communities but don’t equate this to how they spend their money. Most people can get to their local shops easily and this is especially important for the elderly and young generations and those without transportation.
Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, rather than nationally owned businesses, significantly
of
to
– continuing to strengthen
base of the community.
Where we shop, where we eat and have fun – all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just any place,” says Richard Moe, president of the National Historic Preservation Trust.
Locally-owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
Local businesses in town centers required comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
A marketplace of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based on the needs of local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
Hot tubs and mattresses are like good friends; always there for you and up for a good time.
As fall marches toward winter, the temperature dips, the daylight wanes, and you’ve said goodbye to your fair-weather friends, this steadfast duo stays true. With the holidays approaching and old man winter getting ready to bear down, they continue to protect your health from the havoc of seasonal changes.
“We actually encourage people to use their hot tubs all year round,” said Lindsay Cruz, a health coach, trainer, and co-owner of Sleep and Spas.
The health benefits of taking a warm bath are immediate. From the moment you step in, your muscles begin to relax and recover. As the stress melts away, energy replaces it, giving your immune system a boost of extra protection during cold and flu season.
The steamy water clears out dry, congested sinuses while flushing out dirt and toxins from your skin’s pores. Not only do you feel cleaner, you may even burn some calories in the process. Looking and feeling better, you’ll be more likely to stave off seasonal depression.
“At home, we keep our temperature adjusted to be in the 80’s in the summertime and receive all the benefits but turn it up in the winter. Using it then allows us to get outside and breathe the fresh air,” said Lindsay.
“It’s so dreary, depressing and cold in the winter,” she continued, “it’s that one little thing that we can look forward too – and it’s an amazing experience to watch the snow fall from the hot tub.”
When you go from a hot tub into the cool air right before bed, it stimulates the body’s natural circadian rhythm. The temperature change signals to the body that it’s nighttime and the body naturally transitions into a restful state, making it easier and faster for you to fall asleep. It’s just the boost those struggling with seasonal sleep changes need.
Snuggling in for a long winter’s nap in your sleep sanctuary doesn’t guarantee that you’ll wake feeling well-rested, however. For that, you’ll need the help of your other great buddy; a comfortable mattress.
If you and your mattress are on the outs, it could be time for a change and the staff at Sleep & Spas can help. Not just there to sell you something,
SARATOGA PHOTOS PROVIDEDthey are trained wellness experts with 10 years or more of experience. When helping you chose a mattress, Lindsay and her husband, Eric, Sleep & Spas co-owner, first look at what will give your back the great alignment that it needs.
“We don’t just put any body on any bed,” she said.
Then, they talk about price.
“As a company we really pride ourselves in being cutting edge with brands like TempurPedic, Stearns & Foster (and others) that use technology to build hybrid memory foam mattresses and even organic latex mattress, but they come with a higher price tag,” said Lindsay.
The Saratoga Collection however, named for Sleep & Spas Saratoga flagship store, offers the same great technology, fantastic quality, and 10year warrantee as the bigger brands at a more affordable price.
Although Saratoga is their home, the last two years have been filled with whirlwind growth for Sleep & Spas.
“We wanted to spread ourselves throughout the Capital District into communities similar to Saratoga. It’s been a great time of growth for us,” said Lindsay. Sleep & Spas is now located in Lake
Sleep & Spas is also stepping up their charitable donations this year. Already regular supporters of community programs like the Empty Stocking Project, school organizations, and sports teams, this year they’ve added another way to give back.
From Thanksgiving through the holidays, Sleep & Spas is donating 5% of the proceeds from your purchase to a school fundraiser of your choice.
“We have young kids (ages 9 and 11). When talking to other parents and other people in the community, we found this was something they were excited about. School is the center of most communities and we have fantastic school
districts here,” said Lindsay.
Because they offer everyday competitive pricing, Sleep & Spas doesn’t typically have sales.
“We don’t discount products because we start there,” explained Lindsay.
During Black Friday and the holiday shopping season, she continued, Sleep & Spas does encourage customers to take advantage of their extended financing plan (especially considering today’s uncertain economic market where things change rapidly).
As if paying zero percent interest for up to 72 months wasn’t enough to leave you
feeling happy, Sleep & Spas also regularly offers pillows, protectors and sheets with the purchase of a mattress, and chemical supplies giveaways with a spa purchase.
Beginning in January, Sleep & Spas will also begin carrying Swim Spas. These compact swimming, relaxing, and therapeutic innovation powerhouses combine the best aspects of a spa and a pool rolled into one beautifully designed package. Pre-orders are being taken now.
Follow Sleep & Spas on Facebook and Instagram for updates. For more information, visit Sleep & Spas, 46 Marion Ave, Saratoga, another one of their stores, or go to https://sleepandspas.com.
More than a way to increase your chances of landing a good job, advancing in your career, or being able to order that perfect bottle of merlot, learning other languages gives you insight into other cultures.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without it,” said Juliana Russell.
Juliana has travelled extensively, lived and taught abroad. Continuing her multicultural life here in Saratoga, she is currently in the process of learning her seventh language; Korean, and teaches foreign languages to others through her company and podcast called The Language Mindset.
Quite an unexpected feat for someone who failed high school Spanish.
Juliana is Italian and had zero interest in learning Spanish in school.
She felt disconnected from the language and had no desire to memorize obscure linguistic conventions. Then, at summer camp, her Spanish teacher asked what band Juliana liked, and the two found a common bond – the music of Pearl Jam.
That simple connection changed Juliana’s concept of language and the doors it could open for her. By learning new languages, she’s discovered so much more about people and their values, understanding more deeply the complexities of our multicultural world.
Juliana’s approach to life and her unique teaching style is similar to what Angela Duckworth describes in her book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, when she says, “Passion for your work is a little bit of discovery, followed by a lot of development, and then a lifetime of deepening.”
“What I found through living and teaching abroad is that we learn new languages best when it’s natural, like through songs and stories, the same way we learn English when we’re little,” explained Juliana.
The Language Mindset teaches Spanish to children as young as two years old by taking a multidisciplinary approach. Juliana incorporates new words while children are playing with the toys they’re naturally interested in. For example, when kids are using the kitchen set, she’ll insert the Spanish words for chef, cookie, or cake into the conversation.
There’s another big difference in the way Juliana teaches.
“I don’t correct students. I model how to use the words for them so they pick it up naturally and self-correct on their own,” she said.
At every age, it’s stories that help us learn. Stories illustrate not only how to use language, but big ideas and how we want to exist within the world. Juliana loves using stories with both children and adult students. By adding in drawings and movement, she immerses her them organically in the material, encouraging them to pick up new words, speak and write in a second language.
It doesn’t matter which language it is, either, studies have found. The benefits of learning another language (even if you aren’t fluent in it) are exponential.
The excuse that you can get by without learning another language because much of the world uses English at least some of the time also falls flat.
“The majority of the world is bilingual. If you just know English, you’re in the minority,” explained Juliana.
“The majority of the world is bilingual. If you just know English, you’re in the minority,” explained Juliana.
If you’re ready to change the way you look at learning another language, The Language Mindset is here to help.
Fall in love with Italian and feel confident when you travel with Juliana’s new Crash Course for adults. Offered several times a year, this series of online sessions includes a digital booklet and is like a travel guide brought to life, said Juliana.
It teaches you the conversational language you’ll need to get around, order food, and go shopping.
“Get speaking now. Get your mouth moving and you’ll be one of the people who leave actually talking in Italian,” she said.
For children ages 5 to 8, there are online Spanish and Italian clubs where kids hear, speak, see, and experience language through engaging short stories.
Children ages 4 to 10 also gather once a month for Spanish Story Time at Play Hollow, 40 Front Street, in Ballston Spa. In addition to the stories, games and food is often included at these in-person events.
For more information about The Language Mindset, classes and prices, visit them online at www.thelanguagemindset.com
This Christmas, Juliana Russell is releasing her first dual language children’s book. It follows along on the adventures of Salt and Pepper, a dog and cat who learn the meaning of friendship and mindfulness in a lifeaffirming tale told in both English and Italian. Find out more by following The Language Mindset on Instagram.
Without a car in Upstate New York, daily life ceases to function. It is how most of us get everywhere we want to go.
Which is why, when it breaks down, we need someone we trust to fix it when we aren’t able to. For many during the last 20 years, that person has been John McEachron, owner of Relia-Tech Auto.
Practicing the trade since his dad (who was also a mechanic and body repair man) began teaching him at the age of 12, John said he’s not in it for the money.
“To me, it’s not about the money, it’s about the camaraderie. It’s a friendship that we have with each other more than anything else. It can’t be about the money,” he said.
“I was just out on the boat with customers watching the leaves turn,” continued John. “I’ve helped others sheetrock their house, and they’ve helped me at my house when I’ve needed it. The customers coming here have been coming here a long time and they know they can call me night or day.”
In the office and waiting area of Relia-Tech Auto are mementos representing John McEachron’s roots and his continued commitment to the community.
A worn newspaper clipping of his father’s obituary is taped to the printer and the helmet of his best friend, a former fellow firefighter whose death John still feels strongly, hangs on the wall.
“It’s all about the community for me,” said John. “I’m very loyal to them and they’re very loyal to me.”
John remembers the day when a handful of customers were waiting and one of them collapsed, apparently from a heart attack. Because of John’s training as a firefighter, he knew to check the customer’s pulse, call 911, and begin CPR.
During the emergency situation, another customer, angered by the delay, stormed off and squealed his tires as he furiously drove out of the parking lot. When the man was safely taken to the hospital, the irate customer was contacted to come back in for a new appointment.
“He returned to the shop with a very different attitude after that,” said John.
"To me, it's not about the money, it's about the comraderie. It's a friendship that we have with each other more than anything else. It can't be about the money."
The Relia-Tech building itself was the long-time home of Lant’s Auto Sales, run by James Lant from 1960 until 2000 when his son, John Lant, took over.
In 2015, McEachron began renting it before taking ownership of the space in 2018. McEachron’s former employee and friend, John Lant is Wilton’s Supervisor. He inspired McEachron’s role in public service. He served as town councilman and is now Deputy Supervisor. John’s wife, Kim, manages Relia-Tech’s office and his nephew, Kevin, is currently a technician there, too.
Since he took over the shop, John has been planning on expanding. In 2019, John began leasing office and lot space to Bill Arpey and Lindsay Karlin for their used car dealership, Karlin’s Auto Sales. Since September, he’s been almost single-handedly constructing a new building right next to the existing one.
When completed, the 40’ x 80’ metal structure will accommodate eight vehicles in its four bays (they fit two cars each). Relia-Tech’s state of the art
new equipment includes a scissor rack, lift, and alignment tools that can service large trucks. There’s even heated floors. Karlin’s Auto Sales will continue to operate from the new location and will be expanding their inventory to display 50 vehicles.
“I didn’t spare any expense,” said John. To fund the project, John sold several of his own cars, including a Dodge Challenger, and a Polaris Slingshot. To save money on labor, he has been working on it himself for 14 hours/day this fall.
John’s already begun giving away his old equipment (refusing to be paid for it).
Despite being behind schedule because of delays due to the pandemic, John hopes the new space will be ready and the old building torn down next Spring.
The pandemic changed so much, said John, including the customers coming into the shop. When other nearby garages closed, their customers came to Relia-Tech Auto instead.
“I have to turn them away because it’s more than I can work on now,” he said.
Because of John’s long-established relationships with wholesalers, his straightforward demeanor, and his common-sense approach, he has a reputation for delivering fair and reliable service. He never charges customers for what he considers extras, like changing bulbs or topping off fluids, he said. Relia-Tech Auto’s everyday price for a battery and installation even comes in at almost half of other garages sale prices.
Relia-Tech is getting you back on the road, faster.
Relia-Tech is located at 590 Maple Ave. in Saratoga Springs.
The lovely tropical angelfish, named for its heavenly shape and ability to add color to the rhythms of life, reflects light as it swims, beckoning promise.
The angelfish is Ryan Kramer’s favorite animal.
“I’ve always been into fish since I was 10 years old,” he said. “Then it became more of a way of life.”
By the age of 22, Ryan had a spare room in his apartment devoted to keeping fish. When there was a sale on aquariums at the Poodle Bush Shop in Ballston Spa, Ryan bought the whole lot of tanks and put them in storage.
Then Ryan went to the unemployment office at the Pyramid Mall. While there he stopped into a new pet shop that had recently opened. He began talking with owner Chris Signor and found they had a similar entrepreneurial spirt.
“That’s why we hit it off,” said Ryan.
Chris invited Ryan to set up a section devoted to fish within the store.
Ryan traded his baseball collection to his dad, Frank, for a $1,000 to buy supplies. Soon, it was revealed that Chris had purchased all the aquarium racks from the same Poodle Bush Shop sale Ryan had gotten his tanks from.
“It was like all the stars were starting to align,” said Ryan.
Each day, Ryan took the money he’d earned from the previous day and drive down to Latham to buy fish from a wholesaler there. After two to three months, his department was making more money than the rest of the store.
With almost no previous business experience he took a wild leap.
“I said to my dad, ‘Do you want to buy a pet store with me?’ And my dad said, ‘Yeah, I think I do.’”
“There was no plan,” continued Ryan. “It was just an opportunity that happened and we jumped on it.”
That’s how Benson’s Pet Center was born. The opening was celebrated on a crisp 50 degree fall day with Ryan perched above a dunk tank. He must’ve gotten dunked a dozen times, he said. Four days after Ryan and Frank became the new owners of Benson’s, Ryan’s first son was born.
Today, it is 30 years later, and Ryan has three sons. All of them, as well as his sister, brother-in-law, nephews, cousins, nieces, and other family members have been employed at Benson’s Pet Center, which has expanded to include nine locations. There are now stores in Saratoga, Wilton, Clifton Park, Colonie, Queensbury, Johnstown, Rotterdam, Pittsfield and Benson’s Fish Room in Ballston Spa.
“It’s all about the pets,” said Ryan. “Without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing.”
Benson’s Pet Center is a place people like to work. Some of them have been there almost since the beginning.
It is also a place where people enjoy giving. Their Benson’s Cares collection jugs and donation bins get filled year after year for a different charitable cause. This year, they are collecting for two non-profits; The Mr. Mo Project, and Rottie Empire Rescue.
In September, Benson’s donated $10,931 to Operation at Ease. Operation At Ease pairs shelter dogs with veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress to help them heal.
The paw print fundraiser was rolled out quickly - within
less than a week. Benson’s is also a regular supporter of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Gala.
It was during the height of the pandemic, that customers struggling to feed their pets could really feel this store living its mission. They could walk into any Benson’s and were given enough pet food to get them through the week.
“It was no questions asked,” said Ryan Kramer, Jr., Benson’s marketing and social media manager.
Benson’s Pet Centers is only able to support local people, pets, and animal welfare organizations because they work with manufacturers that are willing to help, too.
“We work with companies that want pets cared for as much as we do,” said Ryan Jr.
Benson’s also works to bring exposure to local brands. They were the first to carry The Lazy Dog Cookie Co., a fun, locally-made line of dog treats that includes “viciously nutritious and naturally nutritious” cookies, cake, and ice cream varieties.
No matter what treats and toys you have in mind for your pets this holiday, Benson’s said to avoid the rush, don’t leave it until the last minute. The week before Christmas is the busiest time of year at Benson’s Pet Centers. They will be having extended holiday hours and their buy 2 get 1 free deals are a great opportunity for you to spread the joy.
For more information, follow Benson’s Pet Center on Facebook, Instagram, and go to bensonspet.com.
Cyberattacks continue to grow in both number and sophistication. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, but as the official start of the holiday shopping season approaches, unsuspecting online shoppers with their eye on scoring the best deals continue to fall prey to savvy cybercriminals watching for weaknesses.
As convenient as online shopping can be for you, it is for attackers, as well. When you buy online, you may be giving them multiple ways to access your personal and financial information.
This year, before you buy: (1) Be aware of the risks you’re taking, and (2) Be able to deal with threats.
There are three common ways that attackers take advantage of online shoppers; fake emails and corrupted attachments; intercepting unencrypted transactions, and; inserting viruses or other malicious code.
Many ransomware attacks begin as emails that are really phishing scams encouraging the user to click on a link. These emails may be disguised as fake package tracking messages, requests to confirm a purchase, e-cards, or requests for charitable donations (or under numerous other seemingly harmless pretenses).
Once attackers extract personal information, they can also lock up your computer and all its information with malware until you pay a ransom. Paying the ransom might seem like the most sensible course of action, but in many cases, doing so doesn’t yield a decryption key as promised.
Being able to contain and mitigate cyber-threats begins with assessing your vulnerability.
Hacking is not just a problem for big business. Companies with 100 employees or less are also
targets. The local DeAngelus Goralczyk PLLC law firm specializes in data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. Founding partner and attorney Jacqueline Goralczyk, who is also skilled in corporate, estate, and financial risk assessment, pinpoints the fixes that will help protect businesses and their customers.
Once DG Law identifies risks, you can turn to Global Cybersecurity Solutions, for reliable protection. The only cybersecurity company in the state affiliated with a law firm, Global Cybersecurity Solutions is headed up by Rick Cobello, a retired chief information security officer for NY State who has more than 30 years of experience in enterprise technology and security solutions. He has helped everyone from school districts, to local and state governments, and Fortune 500 companies. He is also a professor of the Supply Chains and Cyber Security program at Albany Law.
When you’re a cybersecurity expert like Rick Cobello, you still shop online, you just keep an eye on any potential hazards while navigating the waters.
Here are some tips for safe shopping this season: Have separate accounts.
You many already have separate accounts for business and household expenses but you might want to consider another small account for purchases from peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or CashApp. Lots of small local businesses use these and although relatively safe, they aren’t foolproof. If you get hacked it’ll hurt a lot less to lose hundreds of dollars than thousands.
“What I tell people all the time is that it’s not if you’re going to be hacked, it’s when you’re going to be hacked,” says Rick Cobello of Global Cybersecurity Solutions.
The safest way to pay online is actually with a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards limit your liability for fraudulent charges, a level of protection you may not have from debit cards drawing money directly from bank accounts.
The time to back up your sensitive data is always now. Saving means you might be able to avoid paying the ransom even if you are hacked. A cloud-based backup makes resuming normal operations possible even more quickly.
Many ransomware attackers gain entry to a system via weaknesses inherent in out-of-date plugins and other technical components. So, stop pressing “remind me later” and keep your digital devices up-to-date.
Monitor.
A comprehensive monitoring system and malware protection software (even on remote computers attached to the company network) keeps an eye on activity and security.
Create a culture of awareness around online transactions. Don’t leave devices unattended, try to avoid logging into wi-fi hotspots, and disable Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), and Wireless connections when not in use.
No matter how careful you are, anyone can fall prey to ever-evolving phishing schemes.
Educate yourself and your team about how to identify security threats, and to pay attention to the origin of any suspicious attachments. Have vigorous procedures to follow when a potential malware exposure has occurred. A rapid response could potentially quarantine the device in question and save thousands of dollars in damages.
Global Cybersecurity Solutions is keeping an eye on your security and can develop a system for you and your business.
For more information, find them on Facebook, and at https://www.globalcybersecuritysolutionsllc.com
Until you try the food, The Brick at 2 West is all about the space.
Beginning with the ample parking lot, The Brick is a place with plenty of room in a city that feels more and more closed in each passing year.
Located on the first floor of a multi-use building built by Bonacio Construction at the corner of West Avenue and Church Street, from outside the 4,500 sq. ft. restaurant’s dark windows don’t give anything away about what lies inside.
What you can see is that the patio has a covered outdoor seating area and sparkling fire table. Walking inside, the industrial modern space immediately announces its relaxed atmosphere.
Below the exposed ductwork ceilings, nearly a dozen large screen TVs hang playing an assortment of programs. Along the windows of the large corner bar, bottles create an almost stained-glass effect, bringing with it a light and cheerfulness that balances the dark stained concrete flooring throughout.
Multiple materials, including wood and palette boards, aluminum siding, and faux brick features exist alongside each other nicely here but it’s the brick red walls and impressively-sized galloping racehorse on them that really draw the eye up.
The Brick has counter, table, and booth seating as well as a handful of fun barrel chairs in front of an inset gas fireplace. The building’s expanded open kitchen and pizza oven are in full view of the dining room, allowing customers to watch as their food is being prepared.
Since it opened in January this year, the family-owned and operated restaurant has kept much the same as it was when they were called The Brick Tavern and Grille in Clifton Park. Owners Eric and Melissa Schreifels, kept some of the same staff, including the same chef they’ve used for nearly a decade. The Brick continues to make all their own pizza dough, sauces, and seasonings. In addition to customer favorites, there are also new and interesting dishes being served at The Brick to please their new clientele.
“It’s really different than in Clifton Park,” said General Manager Erica Schreifels. “There, everyone knew each other and our customers were mostly from there. Here, we get tourists and people from Saratoga, but also a lot from Greenfield and Wilton, which is good.”
“It’s been so fun!” added Erica’s cousin, chef Kristiana Bridge. “People have been so friendly and everyone seems so nice. Because we’re kind-of off the grid here, I didn’t know so many people would come up here.”
No one expected The Brick at 2 West to emerge as the winner of the Wildest Wing, awarded to the most unique chicken wings at this fall’s Wing Off, Saratoga’s chicken wing festival - most of all its chef.
Her Cluck Norris wings were a last-minute creation. The breaded wings, served with a tart and buttery lemon piccata sauce, weren’t just a crowd favorite. Perhaps Kristiana’s toughest critic, her 5-year-old daughter, Ahleigha, even liked them.
“I’d already left for the night when the results came in. I had been so stressed about it and was up all night the day before. When the results came in, I cried,” said Kristiana.
Because the wings’ preparation involves both frying and baking, as well as a time-consuming fresh lemon reduction sauce, they won’t be added to the restaurant’s everyday menu (which features wings in nine other flavors) but customers can look for them as a special periodically, she said.
The Brick at 2 West isn’t just creative with their wing recipes. Their Cajun Chicken Corn Chowder won 2nd place in the 2022 Saratoga Chowderfest and their tavern-style menu is populated by a wide variety of interesting choices.
One of their most popular dishes, the tangy jerk chicken tacos, have just the right amount of kick. They are served with pickled red onions, cilantro, and a lime avocado crema in soft flour tortillas.
There are less-common but still people-pleasing dishes like loaded truffle fries, chicken and waffles, bruschetta, and calamari next to perennial favorites like quesadillas, burgers, and grinders.
The Brick’s homemade pizzas are available in both the thinner New York and the thicker Sicilian style. In addition to traditional toppings, the Brick mixes things up with a garlicy shrimp scampi or a breakfast pizza.
For those not quite sure what they’re craving, The Brick has many signature dishes bearing their name or that of a family member (the Sweet Onna, for example, is named for Erica’s daughter). There’s the Brick Mac, Brick Bang, Brick Burger and Brick Grinder. Paying homage to their location is the arugula, spinach, bacon, egg, and cranberry 2 West Salad and the Saratogian Sandwich, a chicken sandwich topped with The Brick’s special sauce. Even dessert brings something a bit different to your dining experience. Ice cream mixed with alcohol makes quite the impression, especially when it’s a chocolate whiskey flavor. Then, there’s the fried Oreos.
“They’re super quick and easy and taste like the fair. Everyone really likes them,” said Kristiana.
The Brick at 2 West is located at 2 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Open everyday 11 am until 10 pm, stop-in for their Sunday Specials which includes 50-cent wings, $2 sliders, and buy one get one free draft beers.
For the full menu and more information, find The Brick at 2 West on Facebook, Instagram and at brickat2west.com
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER • SARATOGA TODAY
PROVIDED
When you walk into a timber frame house, it just feels like the holidays.
The great open beams overhead speak of days gone by, fitting history together like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
“It touches on a deep-down sense of home that feels safe, strong, and cozy,” said Nick Russell, owner of Tall Pine Timber Frames.
Timber frame construction has a long history. These structures can last hundreds (if not thousands of years), and when using local lumber, can be a wise economic choice. Think of timber frame structures as a long-term investment, a home for generations to come, said Nick.
History is a particular passion for Nick Russell. He studied music and art history in college (after switching over from an environmental studies major). Once he began working however, he found his job was taking him further away from the life he wanted to live, not bringing him closer to it.
That’s when he teamed up with his brother-in-law, Joey, doing woodworking.
“That’s when I feel like it clicked,” said Nick. “I had been researching and studying traditional building and craftsmanship and when I found timber framing it felt like everything aligned.”
This side of the family has been working with wood for 50 years. They owned Modern Lumber in Mechanicville and milled logs for many of the area’s railroad ties. Nick’s wife, Julianna, now works alongside her husband in much the same way she remembers her grandparents working together.
“What Nick and I have is a like a replica of what they had – it’s really special,” she said.
Maintaining the lineage of timber frame building traditions must go hand-inhand with sustainable forestry, emphases Nick.
“We don’t have work unless we have properly maintained forests,” he said.
By sourcing wood from local mills selective about their harvesting practices, Tall Pine Timber Frames is taking a conscious approach to forest management. That’s why you won’t see them using woods like Douglas Fir. In this area, Douglas Fir is often shipped down from Western Canada, they said. It’s a hefty transportation consideration that doesn’t align with their values.
“We’re doing honest work with local hands and local materials,” said Nick.
Tall Pine Timber Frames was founded in September last year and has completed ten full-scale projects since then.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have had some really exciting projects right away,” said Nick. One of the most visible places for the public to see his work is at the Champlain Canal Region Visitor’s Center, 28 Ferry Street, in Schuylerville, which opened this summer.
A lot of thinking and planning goes into the Tall Pine Timber Frame structures, which are made with hand cut mortise & tenon joinery and hardwood peg construction, a labor-intensive process.
“We’re not looking to do things fast. We’re looking to do things well with the highest quality that is possible and building that’s done with respect,” said Nick.
“People are starving for it in this culture,” he added.
To become a craftsman, it used to be that you started out serving as an apprentice in a guild system. This European tradition is now being reintroduced to America through modern-day equivalents like the Timber Framer’s Guild and their hands-on learning program, the Heartwood School. By participating in their community builds, Nick has added to his education in a substantial way.
Because he considers sharing knowledge just as important as sharing skills, he’s also participated in groups like Forest and Forge, a gathering of craftsmen who share stories and learn from each other.
“I’m always learning. I learn from everyone. It’s a lifelong pursuit and we’re really fortunate to be able to do it together as a family,” said Nick.
Buying local works. The research is in. Buying local gives you the shopping experience you want while enriching the lives of the people you know.
Big
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When you frequent a local shop, they know your name and what you like. ey also know their products.
Most importantly, at local shops they listen. eir livelihood depends on them being good listeners. ey can quickly tell you why one item is better for you than another and ensure that you are getting what you want.
When you buy from your neighbors, they become your friends. ey get to know you a little bit more each time you go into their store. ey will o en tell you a funny joke, an interesting story, or share the latest gossip. Because of you, they get to make a sale and for each one, they do a little happy dance because you’ve helped them send their kid to college or helped to pay for their aging parent’s healthcare.
Businesses thrive on word-of-mouth marketing. Buying local gives you the chance to spread the word about what you do while you’re doing something else. When you’re at a restaurant, you can mention the amazing cakes you make. When you’re buying a gi , you can hand out your card leading them to your Instagram page.
e possibilities are endless and the rewards are plentiful.
Parks, roads, and other community improvements are funded by taxes.
When you buy local, that money is paid in the form of taxes and used to build all the things you want to enjoy in your neighborhood in the future.
Do you want walkable, bikeable streets to stroll down?
Travel around the country and you’ll see why Saratoga is such a special place. Instead of a Main Street, there are lanes of congested tra c leading to massive parking lots outside of ginormous super-mega-warehouse stores, chain stores, and restaurants.
Saratoga has a mixture of parks and rural spaces, historic structures, modern buildings and industrial businesses all woven together.
Local shops want your business and will use clever design, their building’s interesting architecture, and individual novel touches to charm and fascinate you.
Go where it’s fun to shop. A place where you’re compelled to linger, follow your eyes around the store, and explore.
So, you can’t pop into your local shop or have the time to leisurely stroll down the street? Buy from local makers online.
Almost everyone has a website or social media presence, all you have to do is click on it during your next product search.
More isn’t always better. Live easier. Simplify.
Shopping local o en means you’re getting quality goods, cra ed with care.
e result is less debt, less hassle and fewer headaches from the mass-produced junk cluttering up your house.
We experience the world through our senses, so why would we buy anything without them?
Local food gets to you faster, so it is fresher, le on the vine to ripen naturally, and picked at its peak to retain more nutrients.
Hold a local tomato in your hand. e esh is rm but so , it looks vibrant, smells sensational, and tastes so good you can already hear your family’s praise when you use it in their favorite dish.
We all want to feel con dent that we’ve gotten a great product or service at a good price.
Stop scrolling through online reviews and trust what your family, friends, neighbors, and big business already know –the smart choice is to buy local.
In the early 1900’s our company started out by delivering ice and coal. Earl’s home in Latham, NY was the first Feiden appliance store, which still stands today on Watervliet Shaker Rd. The pond on our farm was harvested for ice each winter, then delivered by horse and wagon to local homes to place in their icebox to keep food cold.
When mechanical refrigerators were introduced, Earl Sr. transformed the family garage into a showroom for new electric appliances and radios. As our communities grew rapidly, so did the demand for appliances, and in 1947 we opened a store at Latham Circle which our family still operates on a daily basis; including Earl’s great grandson, Bradley Feiden.
With strong support from local communities, we’ve been able to grow as our neighborhoods have grown. In 1986 we expanded south by opening a store in Kingston, NY, and in 2011 we went north on Route 9 to Clifton Park. Buying at a local store for any business is an investment in your community, and we’re forever glad to be where we are today - being able to offer our services throughout the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Saratoga to the Adirondacks, while also giving back to many local and national charities.
Our family business now includes 90 employees. Our professional sales associates will help you find exactly what you’re looking for, our delivery and installation teams are ready for any job, along with our factory trained and accredited technicians offering in-home repairs.
We are “The Store Good Service Built!” and we pride ourselves on our ability to supply customers with an impressive array of appliances and reliable service. We carry over 50 brands ranging from traditional American brands to the latest innovative products from around the world. As members of the largest appliance buying group in the country, we’re able to offer low prices while maintaining the personal service we have provided for generations.
