REXFORD — Vischer Ferry General Store celebrates the opening of a new expanded retail space, along with the return of indoor seating in the updated cafe.
Many items are made by local artists and makers and include greeting cards, candles, soaps, jewelry, home decor, vintage items and more.
The grand opening takes place 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. and includes free cider and donuts, bubble tea pop-up, and live music.
VFGS is located at 357 Riverview Road, Rexford. For more information, call 518-579-0195, or email: info@vischerferrygeneralstore.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Leadership Saratoga program is seeking project ideas for the Class of 2023-2024. Sponsored by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the program is dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future.
Nonprofits serving Saratoga County are encouraged to submit a project proposal detailing their organization’s needs.
In past years, Leadership Saratoga groups have successfully completed projects such as marketing assessments, community engagement outreach, event planning, educational programming, awareness campaigns and website redesigns.
Proposals are reviewed by a subcommittee of the Leadership Saratoga Advisory Board, which selects up to four projects for groups within the incoming class to complete as part of the months-long program.
A listing of projects completed in years past can be found on the Leadership Saratoga website at www.leadershipsaratoga.org/explore-program/previous-projects.
Project proposal applications should be submitted to Leadership Saratoga by Friday, Sept. 8. The 2023-2024 Leadership Saratoga program will run from September 2023 to May 2024.
More information about Leadership Saratoga and how to submit a project proposal is available at www.leadershipsaratoga.org.
HiFi Loft, a new regional location. Photo provided.
GLENS FALLS — Jason Tavares, a pioneer in high-fidelity audio solutions and resident of Glens Falls, opens a second location of his successful New York City venture, HiFi Loft.
The new listening room and store is located at 32 Dix Ave. Glens Falls, in the building formerly housing Glens Falls Business Machines.
HiFi Loft is a premier listening room that features a curated assortment of amps, loudspeakers, turntables, and digital sources for any budget. The space is designed to offer audiophiles and music enthusiasts an unparalleled sonic experience that transcends conventional listening environments.
“While I’m certainly not new to the business of selling audio gear, I am super excited that now, with HiFi Loft, I’m able to create a space that more perfectly conforms to my vision of a great modern-day HiFi store: a friendly, comfortable space in which to find new and used records, audio gear, and a shared appreciation for the importance of music and the fidelity of its playback at home,” Tavares said in a statement.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Casino Hotel Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the 2023 grant cycle. The Foundation exists to support charitable and public benefit organizations whose mission is the betterment of quality of life, health and welfare of Saratoga County residents.
To qualify for a grant, organizations must be classified as a not-for-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service and applicants must carry out services and activities that benefit the residents of Saratoga County. Activities that address problem gambling, support youth activities, senior citizens, recreation, arts and community are given priority.
This year, the Foundation will be accepting grant applications by electronic means only. The deadline for submitting applications is Sept. 15.
The application is available on the Foundation website, www.saratogacasinohotelfoundation.org and must be submitted via e-mail to brider@SaratogaCountyNY.gov. The Foundation Board will meet on Sept. 28, to decide on the grants and grant recipients will be notified by Oct. 4 as to the status of their application. Grant awards will be mailed the following week.
What does it mean to be wealthy? When asked that question, most people immediately default to money. How much do they have? How much do they need? Is it enough?
The definition of wealth is to have an abundance of a particular resource. When thinking of resources our minds tend to go automatically to money. However, there are other resources that are equally important for a fulfilled life.
While wealth in money is certainly important, I have found that true wealth goes beyond money. I think there are three additional sources of wealth that lead to a fulfilled life: relationships, purpose, and health. I wanted to explore those additional areas and how they can lead to a fulfilling life.
Having strong, healthy relationships is critical to feeling fulfilled in life. Healthy relationships can increase your sense of worth and belonging and help you feel less alone. Healthy relationships can give you confidence. Healthy relationships can help support you to try out new things and learn more about yourself.
As it stands with money, there is no definition or number when it comes to measuring wealth in relationships. For some, having a few close friends or family members whom they interact with on a regular basis will suffice. For others, having many friends to socialize with is the answer. And of course, this definition could change throughout someone’s life. The key is to realize the need for healthy relationships in your life and recognize that they do not just happen. Healthy relationships take time, effort, and commitment to create and build. The investment is worth it!
Purpose is defined as a determination or a feeling of having a reason for what you do. Hopefully, you can align that purpose with goals and objectives that are near and dear to your heart. For many people, one of the main challenges of retirement is losing that sense of purpose.
While working they had an identity that was tied to work and what they accomplished. When that is taken away during retirement it is vital to find a new purpose. This purpose can be completely different, caring for loved ones (grandchildren or aging parents), volunteering for a worthy cause, an encore career, or more.
It is important that you retire to something rather than from something.
It is pretty simple, without your health all the money in the world doesn’t mean much. Ask anyone who has just received a critical diagnosis whether they would rather have money, or their health, and the choice will be pretty clear. Health is one of the most valuable assets a person can have. Good health is essential for living a fulfilling and happy life.
Health gives people the energy and ability to work, play, pursue hobbies, and interact with others.
Healthy people are more productive and have better well-being. They tend to enjoy better relationships and feel more optimistic about the future.
We know health is important, yet we often are willing to ignore it at the expense of other areas.
Taking the time to prioritize health, and taking care of our bodies as we age will pay major benefits and help us live a fulfilled life.
Many people spend the majority of their efforts trying to build wealth in money. Of course, this is valuable, but it can often come at the expense of these other areas. When we make this decision to ignore relationships, a sense of purpose, or health we are shortchanging ourselves.
Take a moment and consider how much time, effort, and energy you are spending on your relationships, your purpose, and your health. If you find it is significantly less than the time you are spending accumulating money, then you may be selling yourself short. Our firm does a lot of work to help individuals explore these additional areas of life and how they can feel more fulfilled so if you find you need help, please do not hesitate to reach out.
James Cox CFP, ChFC, BFA️, is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC in Saratoga Springs. Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor registered through the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For more information, visit https://contwealth.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Roohan Realty announced that Megan Brenenstuhl has joined the team as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson.
Megan was born and raised outside of Lexington, KY, not far from the Keeneland Race Course. Not long after, she went on to pursue sales, marketing, and event planning opportunities in the outdoor recreation industry in places like New Zealand, Key Largo, Virginia, Vermont, and Colorado. In 2015, Megan and her husband Ryan, a Saratoga Springs native, settled down in his hometown where they are currently raising their daughter.
Megan Brenenstuhl can be reached at 859-533-1236 or megan@roohanrealty.com.
Roohan Realty, a tradition of excellence and trust since 1969, is now celebrating 54 years of successfully serving the community’s residential and commercial property needs.
Roohan Realty is located at 519 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs.
GLENS FALLS — Arrow Financial Corporation announced the promotion of Marc Yrsha to Chief Banking Officer for its two subsidiary banks, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company.
Yrsha retains his position as Executive Vice President and will assume all Chief Banking Officer responsibilities for the banks. He joined the company in 2015 and currently oversees Retail Banking, which includes retail, consumer, business and municipal banking, as well as small business and home equity lending. As Chief Banking Officer, Mr. Yrsha succeeds Dave DeMarco who was promoted to President and CEO of Arrow in May.
SARATOGA COUNTY — With approval of the NYS Office of Cannabis Management and with cooperation from Legacy Dispensaries, a Cannabis Growers Showcase will be held at Old Saratoga Mercantile. The showcase will feature tested and certified cannabis products grown by state approved cannabis cultivators from Saratoga, Washington and Rensselaer Counties. The location has been approved to operate from Wednesday, Aug. 23 through Jan. 1, 2024. Weekly, the showcase will operate Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“After listening to cannabis farmers from across the state who were struggling financially due to the delays in dispensary openings, The Office of Cannabis Management produced thoughtful and curative guidelines providing relief by way of a Growers Showcase. As farmers, we are happy to provide a location to assist in the program, helping farmers get their products to customers who have longed for legal and responsibly grown cannabis. We are also happy to note that our community will benefit directly from the tax dollars collected from these sales,” Christina Myers, owner of Old Saratoga Mercantile.
Burnt Hills — Cannone’s Deli isn’t just a deli – it’s been a home, but with other homes to look after, the Cannone’s are finally calling it quits at this location.
John Cannone began his restaurant career working in his father’s Long Island deli, the Five Corners Food Market. In 1980, John married Theresa, and four years later, the couple moved upstate. On August 4, 1984, they opened Cannone’s Deli at 654 Saratoga Road.
The restaurant was a continuation of what John’s father taught him about how to make good sandwiches. With rolls from Rockland County, locally-sourced Thomas Poultry eggs, only the best bacon, and Boar’s Head Brand meats, the Cannone’s make sandwiches the way everybody likes them.
A Mighty Gallop
The location of Cannone’s Deli was home to one restaurant establishment or another for a century. When the Cannone’s took over in the eighties, they served gas from pumps out front, and lived for a year and a half in the apartment above.
Five years later, they built the current structure, originally named the Lake Elizabeth Plaza, and operated the corner unit. They ran Cannone’s Pizzeria and Cannone’s Liquor Store here, too, before selling the plaza in 1999.
In the proceeding years, the deli became Kelley’s Deli, and Post Time Deli and Catering, before the Cannone’s again took over operations in 2018. In the interim, John enjoyed harness racing and running the Horseman’s Restaurant at the Saratoga Harness Track, while also serving as President of the Amateur Driving Club.
“I didn’t realize how many people loved us until I came back,” said John, who arrived in Wilton when he was 28 years old, and began his 12-year term on the Town Board when he was 33. “People would come in and hug me, saying, ‘Welcome home. Don’t go anywhere. This is where you belong.’”
“When I came here, I was the outsider, but now,” said John, nodding, “I consider myself a local.”
“The hardest part of leaving this place is leaving the people.”
Life After the Races
John and Theresa agree, “It’s time.”
They’ve made more than 1,000+ egg sandwiches each week, and all the favorites, including the Cannone’s Special; made with Cappy Ham (hand-coated with the taste of Old-World Italy), pleasantly sharp provolone, and peperoni; the Thanksgiving dinner or turkey-bacon sub.
After entertaining several offers, John chose to sell Cannone’s Deli to Matthew Sanchez and his business partner, Colin Hunt. Sanchez, a 1993 graduate of the French Culinary Institute, has been a Saratoga resident for 12 years, known the Cannone’s for six, and worked for them nearly two.
“This place is an institution,” said Matthew. “There are guys 20 years younger than me who were raised on the Cannone’s egg sandwiches and pizza. I have a responsibility to the neighborhood to keep the tradition going.”
When this Travers’ Weekend is through, Matthew will need both full and part-time help to replace the Cannones, he said. He is looking for people with John’s same bright smile and welcoming personality.
“It’s simply what I’ve done all my life,” shrugs John, who, in retirement, is looking forward to relaxing, traveling to the couple’s two homes in Delaware, and seeing their three children and five grandchildren on the East Coast.
“I’m looking forward to being with my family. For seven days a week, 24 hours a day, it’s been about the deli,” said Theresa. “Now, my daughter is having her first child, and I’m totally excited to spend this time with her.” Theresa is also looking forward to attending her grandsons’ hockey games, she added, which she’ll finally be able to see since she’ll no longer need to open the deli every morning.
Wilton — When Brian Brumley turned 50, he declared he would work smarter – not harder.
“I always had, in the back of my mind, that when I turned 50, I was going to slowly back away from the fast pace of the deli business and start a new, slower-paced restaurant,” he said.
That was last year, and now, Brian has embarked on the venture.
Readying His Stance
Being in the restaurant industry since he was 14, at age 23, Brian Brumley and his childhood friend, Anthony Gargano, took a risk in 1996 and became co-owners of the Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria in downtown Saratoga Springs.
“People who worked for me 20 years ago still stop me in the street to tell me what a great experience they had,” said Brian. “It’s been great watching Saratoga grow. I love the Saratoga Springs community, but I feel like it’s the perfect time to step away and scale back a little. The business has been incredible, but after 28 years, it is time for a change.”
Now, at 51 years old, Brian Brumley wants something else – simplicity.
Eying the Shot
As it goes with transcendent businesses, customers and owners alike benefitted from Brian and Anthony’s tremendous ability to supply favorites to those headed to the race track, as well as consistently good food locals loved. There is no denying the duo made great things happen.
The two no longer share ownership of the Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria. Anthony bought out Brian’s share of the business. Brian is now busy launching Rustic Pizza & Eats adjacent to his other business, the Olde Saratoga Mini Golf Course (founded in 2019). The new restaurant is slated to open this fall.
Taking the Swing
When Brian purchased the building at 556 Maple Avenue in 2009, he left the kitchen intact but added display racks in the former dining room when it reopened in 2012 as Saratoga Wine & Spirits. For 70 years prior, the building on busy Route 9 was the site of many bars and restaurants including The Gringe Tavern, Mino’s Restaurant, and Bizbee’s Waffle House.
Therefore, the work to be done for Rustic Pizza & Eats fall opening is mostly cosmetic, said Brian. All approvals are in place, so once the exterior and interior painting are complete; and more modern refrigeration and appliances are installed, Rustic Pizza & Eats will be ready to open.
Brian has also been working with his chef on a select menu tailored to take-out, delivery, and catering.
“My vision is to create a menu focusing on more modern-day preferences that will include cleaner eating with locally-sourced chicken and grassfed beef, fresh, creative salads, grain bowls, specialty pizzas, smashburgers, and traditional Italian sandwiches.”
“We will also keep some of the more popular Spring Street staples, such as the all-day egg sandwich. This menu will appeal to a large amount of the Wilton community,” he said.
Retaining plenty of parking spots in the high-trafficked road is fortuitous for Brian as Wilton is projected to add almost 500 single-family homes withing the next few years.
It’s almost as if he can’t help but be at the brink of opportunity when it’s emerging.
Brumley is simultaneously trying to break the stigma of restaurant work. He is creating a much smaller, more scaled-down menu than he’s used to, and Rustic Pizza & Eats will be closed Mondays. Because of their location across from Maple Avenue Middle School, he will try (as much as possible) to follow the Saratoga School District schedules.
“My goal is to make a less stressful, employee/family friendly restaurant with great, clean, healthier food choices.”
Keeping an Eye on the Ball
Even after opening Rustic Pizza & Eats, Brian will continue to offer delectable wood-fired catering from his mobile pizza oven. While Rustic Pizza & Eats will serve desserts, ice-cream will continue being served from Olde Saratoga Mini Golf’s concession stand, as well. Their popular “Puff, Puff, Putt” events allowing cannabis smoking, will continue every Tuesday, 5 – 9 p.m. until the second week of October (weather permitting).
Centralized within the Wilton community, Brian looks forward to making residents lives easier. He’ll be developing a regular delivery schedule for the Maple Ave School and giving back through food drives and coat collections, contests, fundraisers, and special happenings such as Haunted Mini-Golf and a Christmas-themed event.
The Olde Saratoga Miniature Golf Course and Rustic Pizza & Eats is slated to become Wilton’s go-to for quick and easy family dinners, parties, and corporate outings.
