SCHENECTADY — Following New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive orders, and in partnership with the New York State Gaming Commission, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, including The Landing Hotel, remains temporarily closed until further notice. Previously scheduled entertainment and events during the temporary closure have been postponed until 2021. 

Below is the updated list of events and entertainment with original date, event, and new date: 

3/25: Still Surfin’ Dinner Show – New date, Wednesday, June 23, 2021

4/25: Johnny Rivers – New date Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.

5/27: Magic of Motown Dinner Show – New date Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021.

6/10: Australia’s Thunder From Down Under – New date, Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

6/19 & 6/20: Aaron Lewis – New dates Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 2, 2021.

Tickets for the new dates are available at riverscasinoandresort.com, tickets.proctors.org or the Proctors Theater Box Office in Schenectady. Guests can also use their current ticket for the new date or request a full refund. Refunds may take up to 4- 6 weeks to process. Guests may contact the Proctors Box Office for a full refund by calling 1-518-346-6204 between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday-Friday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga County Foundation’s Veterans Business Council is offering free consulting assistance for any Veterans who are displaced or unemployed in the Saratoga County area. Services offered by its volunteer members include job search guidance, resume reviews, and connections with career and entrepreneurial training opportunities. 

“This is a challenging economic time for all, including our area Veterans, and the Veterans Business Council is here to help. Whether it be through a review of their resume or assisting them with connections to agencies that can help, our volunteer council members stand ready to aid our fellow Veterans,” says Veterans Business Council Chair Jason Collins. 

Veterans interested should reach out to Denise Romeo at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce at 518-584-3255 or dromeo@saratoga.org. More information is also available at www.SaratogaVeterans.org.

The Veterans Business Council operates under the Saratoga County Foundation of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, and is made up of a select group of Veterans who are business leaders in the region. The Veterans Business Council works to facilitate opportunities for military veterans residing in Saratoga County, including offering scholarship opportunities and connecting them with the business community to enhance their knowledge of employment opportunities, job or entrepreneurial training, and new business development. 

More information on the Veterans Business Council is available online at www.saratogaveterans.org. 

GLENS FALLS — Discounts on the sale of all tobacco products, such as coupons and multi-pack price promotions, will be prohibited in New York State as of July 1. The law was passed as part of the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget.

Adirondack Health Institute’s Clear the Air in the Southern Adirondacks (CASA) program is encouraged by this latest development saying the new legislation is another significant step forward in combatting the marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry to entice youth.

Research shows that higher tobacco prices are linked to lower smoking rates and this new law limits the tobacco industry’s ability to circumvent New York State’s high taxes on tobacco products, which are proven to reduce smoking prevalence, especially among youth. It is a significant victory in combating Big Tobacco’s long history of discounts and other pricing schemes that target youth, minority communities, low-income communities and people trying to quit. The average age that teens first start smoking in New York State is 13-years-old, and 90-percent of adult smokers say they first tried smoking by age 18.

A number of tobacco control measures passed as part of the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget, including a new law that stops the shipping and/or delivery of e-cigarettes and vape products to private residences beginning July 1, providing another important protection for youth. Several of the new laws took effect on May 18, including the end of all tobacco product sales in pharmacies and the end of flavored e-cigarette sales statewide. Nearly 40-percent of high school seniors in New York State use e-cigarettes, also referred to as “vaping,” and 27-percent of all high school youth vape.

Tobacco companies continue to aggressively market their products in stores across the state, using colorful walls of tobacco products and marketing materials that are highly appealing to teens. There is overwhelming evidence that the more young people see tobacco, the more likely they are to start smoking.6 More cigarettes are sold in convenience stores than in any other type of store, and 70% of adolescents shop in convenience stores at least once per week — where they are more likely to be exposed to pro-smoking messages.

For help quitting smoking or vaping, individuals can contact a health care provider, and call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS or visit www.nysmokefree.com.

Scott Clark. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The SRYMCA Board of Directors has appointed Vice President of Operations Scott Clark as interim CEO, following the departure of Andrew Bobbitt. The appointment takes effect immediately. 

“The SRYMCA has experienced a period of tremendous growth over the past several years, including construction of the Malta branch and major capital improvements at the Wilton and Saratoga Springs branches,” said Rick Schumaker, president of the Board of Directors. “We thank Andrew for his service during this time and wish him well.”

Clark has more than 32 years of experience in YMCA operations, facilities, membership and health and wellness. Prior to joining the Saratoga Regional YMCA in March 2019, he served as Vice President of Operations at the YMCA of Greater Kansas City and oversaw seven full-service YMCA facilities with an annual budget of more than $15 million. At SRYMCA, Scott leads the operations of the SRYMCA’s five branches, including all aspects of membership, programs
and childcare. 

“Since joining the SRYMCA, Scott has spearheaded meaningful and positive changes throughout our organization. We are a stronger organization as a result, and his leadership served as a foundation as we refined and grew to better serve our community. The SRYMCA has cultivated a team of committed, highly-capable personnel across all divisions and we are confident of their ability, with Scott at the helm, to lead us through this important transition,” said Schumaker.

“I have dedicated my entire professional career to the YMCA organization because I believe in its mission to build healthy spirits, minds and bodies for all,” Clark said. “I look forward to working with the SRYMCA management team, including our dedicated branch managers and senior staff, to continue our organization’s long tradition of service to the greater Saratoga community.”

MALTA — Recently known as 101 State Farm Place, Malta Grove was auctioned off earlier this year to the new property owner Flaum Management Co. Inc.

Flaum Management is a commercial real estate agency based in Rochester, New York. They purchased the 25-acre property for $2 million, which holds a 120,000 sq-ft building. 

Flaum Management is highly motivated to fill the building and will demise the space to accommodate tenants requirements. The building is currently available for lease in suites ranging starting at 10,000 sq-ft. Loren Flaum, CFO of Flaum Management, said the family business is very tenant-orientated. 

“We are very tenant focused…good tenants come first in our business. We’re very hands-on, we’re not an absentee landlord, with over 500 tenants we put them all first,” Flaum said. “We service our tenants and give them whatever they need such as a cost effective solution. We have a very attentive 24/7-customer-service.”

Flaum said the management team enjoys the redevelopment opportunities Saratoga County and the Capital Region offers. 

“We found that the economy in the capital region is very strong we like the prospects,” Flaum said. “We have a property management team in Albany and we’re gearing up to do more in the capital region.”

Flaum management is known for taking vacant properties and used properties to redevelop them and bring life back to them. Flaum mentioned re-naming the property to Malta Grove would fit better within the landscape.

“The location is phenomenal, it’s right off the highway and across the street from the new hospital and YMCA. We have been very successful in re-developing and we will use that same model for this building,” Flaum said. “We love the economic prospect of the area and the growth. We only look at acquisitions that we can really help benefit tenants because without them, we would have nothing.”

Flaum Management worked with Peter Struzzi, SIOR at Cushman & Wakefield. Struzzi joined the company in 1998 and serves as the Real Estate Broker for the Albany Office. As for the future of Malta Grove, Flaum and his family are excited for the opportunity to expand in Saratoga County.

“We just want to see this building become vibrant again and have more life,” Flaum said. 

Flaum Management is also the owner of Latham Farms, located at 579 Troy Schenectady Rd and Queensbury Plaza.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Mary Martin Day Spa is the first in the Northeast region to utilize the XtraLight UV System to sterilize her spa as customers return for her Spa’s services.  The unit will allow for sterilization in between patients in her patient rooms. In addition with the XtraLight handheld unit her staff can easily sterilize the bathrooms, counter tops, waiting room area in just a few minutes.

“Treating spaces with Xtralight’s UVC disinfecting devices are an excellent way to assure people the spaces they enter are safe to visit.” stated XtraLight CEO Jerry Cation.

For more information on the XtraLight system, or to book an appointment, contact Mary Martin Day Spa at: 518-583-4222 or visit them on Facebook.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lisa A. McTygue, ABR of Julie & Co Realty LLC was recently awarded the Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI) designation. 

McTygue earned the “Graduate, Realtor Institute” (GRI) Designation by attending a minimum of 90 hours of classroom instruction, covering a variety of real estate specialization subjects. The GRI designation sets the individuals who have attained it apart from other practitioners because it indicates to the public that the individual has an educational foundation on which to base the services they provide and that they are a member of the National Association of Realtors. 

Julie & Co. Realty, LLC is also pleased to announce that Monika Patrycja Cronin, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson from The Monika Cronin Team has been awarded the Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE), and Certified Real Estate Team Specialist (C-RETS) designations.

SRS is the premier seller agency designation in the country. RENE certification is the premier negotiation credential in the country. C-RETS certification is the premier team credential in the country. 

Cronin was required to successfully complete comprehensive coursework in seller representation, demonstrate significant seller representation experience and expertise, negotiation, team development and management and continuing to subscribe to the Realtor Code of Ethics.

MALTA — This store’s new location has become the one-stop-shop for local home décor complete with a sweet treat: an ice cream parlor.

Finishing Touches Home Décor opened the doors to their new location this past Thursday. Exclusively a home décor store before moving to their new location, owner Shelly Walker said her husband has always wanted to open an ice cream store. When the new location offered the opportunity to open one, the couple knew they had to take advantage of it. 

“The ice cream parlor is called Cookies and Cream. It’s a full-blown ice cream shop. We offer hard ice cream, soft ice cream, shakes, banana splits and ice cream cookies to name a few. We’ve been really busy,” Walker said. 

The ice cream parlor was not the only addition to Finishing Touches. The decor store now features a baby and child section, pet section and displays several window treatment options. 

“We have a lot more windows in this building so I put sample designs in most of the windows. People can now see the different styles of stain of window shades on the windows rather than just look at a tiny sample or online,” Walker said. 

Since opening their doors at 450 East High Street in Malta, business has been busy. Walker said the store felt “tucked away” at its previous location at 217 Ballard Rd Wilton and was looking forward to the move.

“It’s been great. We’ve had steady traffic every day and it’s so much better than what we had in Wilton,” Walker said.  “The people here are so nice, friendly and are always saying ‘we love that you’re here.’ Everyone in Malta is excited that we are there.”

The store is located on the corner of Route 9 and East High Street. Walker said the new store is aimed to sell gifts for special occasions. They are trying to offer more items for weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. Finishing Touches also offers gift cards and gift bags sets.

“There’s nothing like that in Malta, really,” Walker said. 

The store aims to provide the “finishing touches” to anyone’s home. They not only offer artwork, mirrors, furniture, bedding and accessories, but also room re-styling as well. Walker focuses on items made in the United States as well. 

Walker previously hoped to open her doors this past spring, but the pandemic put her on pause. She and her husband have spent their effort in remodeling, placing patio furniture outside and designing the ice cream parlor. 

The new store location also brought new hours. Previously closed Sunday through Tuesday, Walker aims to stay open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days-a-week. The ice cream parlor will be open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Their website features services Walker offers and can be visited at www.finishingtouchesstore.com. Finishing Touches also displays their décor and more on their social media pages and can be reached at 518-584-1490 or info@finishingtoucheshd.com. The website is www.finishingtouchesstore.com

“We’re excited that we’re busy. Even though we are at a new location, we still offer interior design along with other services,” Walker said. 

Other services include: renovations, model home staging, artwork and accessories selection and placement and outdoor patios. Walker has over 20 years of experience in the design field after earning her degree at the Interior Design Institute in CA. She has participated in the Saratoga Builders Association Showcase of Homes and the Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association Parade of Home. 

BALLSTON SPA — The Village of Ballston Spa is offering the community a unique dining experience where customers can eat on the street. 

Any restaurant located on Front Street can expand their outdoor dining area three nights a week during dining hours. The Village Board voted the new dining rules into effect this past month. 

Street dining began June 18 and restaurants located between Low and Bath have expanded their tables to the street. The outdoor dining will be offered from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Larry Woolbright, village mayor, said business has been great for street dining.

“The restaurants have been participating in outdoor dining and they have been doing really good business. It’s been a popular thing. I’ve been down here a few evenings and they have all been doing brisk business. It’s great to see people walking around,” Woolbright said. 

The effort is to boost business at local eateries including the Front Street Social Club, Henry’s Irish Tavern, Next Door Restaurant and Sunset Grill. Craig Favreau, manager at Front Street Delicatessen and Pizzeria, said he’s noticed a massive decrease in people dining out since restaurants were allowed to open at half occupancy. He did notice, however, that the community utilized the expanded outdoor seating when it was available. 

“We don’t really sell much nowadays with people dining in. People are still eating in, but not like they used to. But they are utilizing the outdoor tables weather permitting,” Favreau said. 

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Woolbright added: “The restaurants on Front Street are pretty small spaces. When they were allowed to open up with appropriate social distancing, it’s questionable whether some of them will have enough tables to cover their expenses. We felt that in order to help them, we had to give them the opportunity to expand the location of their tables.”

Being closed or exclusively offering takeout has taken a toll on eateries across the world, but Favreau is happy to have the opportunity to expand. Front Street Deli currently allows half of the occupancy of the store. When Front Street is shut down, Favreau takes the unused tables and places them on the street. 

“Right now, half of our tables inside are not in use. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday we get the ones that we are not using inside and put them outside,” Favreau said. “I think having this makes people more inclined to dine out.”

The community of Saratoga Springs is hoping for a similar dining opportunity on Broadway. However, expanding outdoor seating won’t be an option, as Broadway is also State Route 50 which is controlled by the state. Two weeks ago, the City Council approved a permit system that will allow the city’s restaurants to expand their outdoor dining. The permit will allow eateries to place their chairs and tables on sidewalks and streets. 

Front Street Deli is located at 39 Front Street. They can be reached at thefsdeli.com or 518-884-0456.

“It’s been tough on these small outfits to be closed for so long,” Woolbright said. “Unless something changes with indoor dining, we reserved the right to change the system anytime that it appears that it needs to be changed. My guess is until the restaurants are allowed to open back up at their full capacity we’ll probably continue to do this.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital and Adirondack Trust Company are teaming up to help businesses resume operations safely now that the Capital Region is cleared for COVID-19
Phase 3 reopening.

With support from Adirondack Trust Company, Saratoga Hospital has launched the COVID-19 Business Safety Consultation Program to help area employers review their safety plans and fine-tune practices on screening, masking, social distancing, contactless interactions, disinfectant use and other measures that can help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

“We want to see our region reopen safely—to help keep our community healthy and get people and businesses back to work,” said Charles V. Wait Jr., president & CEO of Adirondack Trust Company. “This is uncharted territory, so most businesses could use some help. Saratoga Hospital has had great success managing these issues since the start of the pandemic. They’re the logical partner for this effort.”

The free consultation, provided by Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine, includes:

• An on-site visit to assess issues, including work flow, staff-to-staff and customer-to -staff interactions, meeting space, distance between desks or stations, break rooms, rest rooms and other key spaces.
• Recommendations on employee and customer screenings for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure.
• Masking best practices.
• Cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
• Review of the New York Forward industry-specific guidelines for reopening.
• Help completing the state-required COVID-19 safety plan, which must be available on-site for state officials to review upon request.

Participating businesses receive a custom-designed social distancing tool to help mark off the recommended six-feet required for social distancing. At the conclusion of the site visit, businesses receive a “COVID-19 Safety Plan” certificate, which they can display to promote their commitment to safety.

“At Saratoga Hospital, it’s our job to set and maintain the health standards of one of the largest workforces in the county, to stay on top of the latest developments and government requirements—and to share what we’ve learned to benefit the entire community,” said Dr. Michael Holland, an international expert and the medical director of occupational medicine and employee health at Saratoga Hospital. “This program is a wonderful way for us to support local businesses and help keep our community safe and healthy.”