CAPITAL REGION — The craft beverage industry has exploded across the greater Capital Region over the past decade with the opening of numerous breweries and brewpubs. A trio of local entrepreneurs is taking the movement further by bringing the craft brew party directly
to consumers. 

Craft on Wheels is a mobile bar company utilizing vintage vehicles as a platform to serve customers their favorite craft beers, ciders and wines at their celebrations. The first vehicle in the fleet is a 1957 Ford F-100 customized to serve cold beverages from a six-tap system. 

“This vehicle makes a celebration all the more memorable,” says Jim Murphy, one of three partners in the business. “People get really excited when the truck pulls up. They want their photo taken in, on and around the truck.” 

The business model is more than a truck though. Craft on Wheels provides professional bartenders and caters to a
customer’s personal taste by offering an extensive menu of craft, domestic and imported beers, as well as craft ciders. A partnership with a local winery will be announced soon. Craft on Wheels also includes a portable freestanding bar, beverage cups and other accessories in all packages. 

In addition to serving weddings, private parties and corporate events, Craft on Wheels will also make appearances at local festivals and plans to partner with catering facilities, breweries and entertainment venues to add a unique element to their special events. 

“A mobile bar offers a venue a lot of flexibility in serving more of a venue’s customers in an engaging way,” adds Connor Neal, the third co-owner. “It’s a value-added experience that makes the day truly memorable for their patrons.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Locally owned Family Vision Care Center celebrated its 100th anniversary on Wednesday, Jan. 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Friends, family and supporters in the local community filled the event to acknowledge a century of eye care. 

“This is a great community to be a small business,” said owner Susan Halstead while speaking at the ceremony. Halstead thanked the Adirondack Trust for their support, and Wally Allerdice. “He went to bat for me, and made my dream possible.” 

Attendee Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, congratulated Halstead on the accomplishment along with a representative from Senator Daphne Jordan’s office, who presented Halstead with a Certificate of Recognition from the Senator. 

The practice was first owned by Cline Zachariah Miamoto in 1920, and was located on Broadway where deJohnge Original Jewelry currently sits. Cline’s stepfather, Charles Haskins, was a jeweler, and it was common at the time for jewelers to make glasses frames out of silver and gold for eye doctors. At the time of World War II, Cline was afraid that people would not see an Asian doctor, and proceeded to change his name to Dr. Cline Z. Cline.

The next owner, Dr. William Ling, purchased the practice in 1955, and moved its location to the Arcade Building on Broadway. After a major fire, during which he was able to rescue equipment and his accounts receivable against the advice of firefighters, Dr. Ling moved the practice to a former surgeon’s office on George Street. Three years later, the practice moved to its current location on the corner of Lake Ave. and East Ave. At this location, Dr. Ling had an office built onto the home.

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In 1993, Halstead began to work for Dr. Ling as an optician, and later purchased the home and office with her husband Jeff in 1997. Since then, Halstead has renovated the practice, house and added a handicap accessibility parking lot in 2015. 

Looking towards the future, Halstead is very excited about the practice’s specialization in ortho-keratology, which helps prevent the progression of near-sightedness in children and prevent future eye disease. She also looks forward to Family Vision’s continued service to the local community. “People can go to eye care places out at the mall, but it’s not the same as here. We know everybody. We probably took care of your grandfather,” said Halstead. “It’s that kind of small town community feeling that makes us accountable as a practice, and grateful for the support of our community.”

Throughout the coming year Family Vision will partner with other small businesses in Saratoga to host monthly raffles, with prizes including Maui Jim sunglasses and a 45-minute private training session with Reform Pilates. They will also be posting weekly Throw Back Thursday videos on their social media to showcase the history of the practice. For more information on Family Vision Care Center, visit the practice’s website: www.familyvisioncarecenter.com

Saratoga Springs — Discover Saratoga is pleased to announce the hiring of Amy Sgromo and the promotion of Karen Verrigni.

Discover Saratoga welcomes Amy Sgromo, who joined the team as the Assistant Director & Sales Coordinator at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center. Amy is responsible for all aspects of the Visitor Center operations and services as well as group tour and sports market sales. Previously, Amy worked as the Social Sales and Bistro Manager for the Pavilion Grand Hotel where she acquired new business for the hotel and oversaw the food and beverage for hotel functions. Amy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College School of Communication and an associate degree in hospitality management from Onondaga Community College.

Discover Saratoga is pleased to announce the promotion ofKaren Verrigni to Director of Heritage Area Visitor Center, Tourism  & Event Sales. Karen started her career at Discover Saratoga as the Assistant Director & Sales Coordinator at the Visitor Center where she provided service to the Group Tour Market and assisted with all aspects of Visitor Center operations, program planning and volunteer recruitment. Karen graduated with a master’s degree in Reading, a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism after returning to school to further pursue her passion for travel and the tourism industry. Karen has become an invaluable member of the Discover Saratoga team and we wish her much success in her new position.

“Serving approximately 40,000 visitors annually, the Visitor Center plays such a vital role in the Saratoga Springs community,” said President Darryl Leggieri. “We’re thrilled to have two seasoned employees working together to promote our destination.”

To see the rest of the staff at Discover Saratoga, visit discoversaratoga.org/the-bureau/staff.

Malta — After two successful outdoor seasons at the Malta Drive-in, the Malta Flea Market will move indoors for the winter. Monthly shows are planned for January through April at the Malta Community Center at 1 Bayberry Dr. in Malta.

“Many of the vendors and patrons at our outdoor shows have asked me about adding an indoor market,” says promoter Jim O’Connell. “We’ve partnered with the Malta Community Center to use their wonderful facility for flea markets over the long winter months. Anyone who enjoys shopping for antiques, collectibles, crafts, tools, new items and more, can enjoy treasure hunting in comfort.” 

Indoor flea markets will be held on the following Saturdays: Jan. 25, Feb. 22, Mar. 28 and Apr. 25. Hours will be from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Features of the Malta Indoor Flea Market include up to 65 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, crafts, artwork and more, plenty of parking, no entry fee and new and interesting items each show.

Malta Flea Market is organized by JOCO Promotions, LLC. Jim O’Connell has been a marketing professional, antiques dealer and flea market vendor for more than 20 years. For more information, visit maltaflea.com or call 518-256-4409.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 102nd year of being a Visible and Vocal advocate and promoter of its members and Saratoga County, at our 2020 Annual Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, from 6 -9:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center. 

You’re invited to join the nearly 1000 business professionals for an evening of networking, celebration, and dinner provided by Mazzone Hospitality. The evening will start with a cocktail reception, from 6-6:45 p.m., followed by the program running from 7-7:30 p.m. Dinner will immediately follow along with networking with local business leaders.

During the program, we will honor Theresa Agresta, Owner of Allegory Studios and Culture Talk and our 2020 Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors, for her leadership and service to the Chamber and the Saratoga County community. In addition to celebrating Theresa’s leadership, the Saratoga County Chamber will again present the Joseph Dalton Community Service Award to an individual who has an extraordinary record of volunteer leadership and action for the betterment of Saratoga County. Past recipients of this award are Steve “Sully” Sullivan and Tom Roohan. We will also celebrate the Chamber’s leading role in building a new 7,700 square foot field house to provide a safe and secure place for local Navy personnel and their families to learn, recreate, drill and graduate as well as kick-off our Leap of Kindness Day 2020. 

Cost is $125 and sponsorship starts at just $750. For a complete list of sponsorship benefits, please click here. If you have any questions, or have issues registering, please contact Keith VanVeghten. Registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 17 by 4 p.m.

Victory, NY – The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, a Saratoga County-based economic development organization, today announced one of the largest economic development initiatives in the past decade in Saratoga County: a transformational $60 million project that will breathe new life into a historic but long-vacant industrial building in the Town of Saratoga.

Regan Development will transform the former Victory Mills in the Village of Victory – a five-story, 220,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that closed nearly two decades ago – into 186 residential apartment units and a commercial microbrewery. A Westchester County-based entity that specializes in redevelopment projects of this type, Regan Development has a proven record of success across the Northeast, with a portfolio that includes more than $384 million in new construction and adaptive reuse projects.

The hulking concrete and wood structure on Gates Avenue in Victory, built in 1918 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has fallen into serious disrepair since it closed as a packaging manufacturer in 2000. The development will create 186 apartment units – 142 one-bedroom and 43 two-bedroom units – and help to fill a demonstrated need for workforce housing in Saratoga County. Apartments will be priced to appeal to a wide range of people working in local schools, businesses and service organizations.

The project will support more than 100 construction jobs during a two-year period, with an estimated annual payroll exceeding $5 million. Additionally, the apartment complex and brewery are expected to initially create 8 full-time jobs. Through an agreement approved unanimously by the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency, the property will generate $7.5 million in PILOT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) payments over the next 30 years – 23 times more than if the property remained vacant.

“In transforming an iconic but unused building into a modern residential and commercial complex, this project epitomizes the best of economic development,” said Marty Vanags, President of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership. “We are thrilled to have played a critical role in advancing a project that will revitalize a historic structure, create jobs, generate financial support for local schools and governments, address a critical need for workforce housing, and help to reinvigorate a community.”

“We always welcome the opportunity to bring new life to a property that was once a cornerstone of the community,” said Larry Regan, President of Regan Development. “We appreciate the support of leaders in village, town and state government, as well as the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership and Saratoga County IDA, and look forward to what will be an exciting project.”

“This project is a true win-win for Saratoga County,” said New York State Senator Daphne Jordan. “It continues the legacy of Victory Mills by providing workforce housing that will support our strong commercial expansion and diverse economy. This type of thoughtful economic development contributes to the continued economic growth and success of our region.”

“The ability to take a long-past prime, behemoth property that is not serving the present community and breathe new life into it with a mixed-use commercial space is exactly what the Village of Victory needs,” said New York State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. “This project aligns perfectly with Saratoga County’s vision for a brighter, more robust economic and cultural future.”

“This project is a game-changer for the Town of Saratoga, one that will pay dividends for generations to come,” said Town of Saratoga Supervisor Tom Wood. “The renewal and repurposing of Victory Mills as an apartment complex and brewery will address an important community need, provide a tremendous financial impact to the town, and ensure we can continue to provide the essential services our residents need.”

“This is a transformational moment for the Village of Victory, one that respects our past and offers a vision for the future,” said Village of Victory Mayor Pat Dewey. “In a sense, Victory Mills will be returned to its former glory, providing a home for hard-working individuals. We are thrilled to know that this historic building will once again be a jewel in our community.”

“The Saratoga County IDA is pleased to unanimously support this visionary mixed-use project in the Town of Saratoga,” said Rod Sutton, Chairman of the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency. “The incentives not only play a critical role in making this effort possible, but just as importantly, they will be returned many times over in terms of PILOT payments, increased economic activity, and the benefits that come with revitalization in the Victory community.”

The financing structure for the project includes owner equity, federal and state housing tax credits, federal and state historic tax credits, and the PILOT agreement with the Saratoga County IDA. Regan Development will make $158,000 in PILOT payments in the first year, with annual increases of 3 percent over the 30-year term. As a result, the property will generate $7.5 million in PILOT payments – including $6.3 million to the Schuylerville Central School District – far exceeding the $324,000 that would have been paid based on current annual taxes of $10,800.

Construction is expected to begin in 2020, and will take approximately two years to complete.

VICTORY — The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, a Saratoga County-based economic development organization, today announced one of the largest economic development initiatives in the past decade in Saratoga County: a transformational $60 million project that will breathe new life into a historic but long-vacant industrial building in the Town of Saratoga.

Regan Development will transform the former Victory Mills in the Village of Victory – a five-story, 220,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that closed nearly two decades ago – into 186 residential apartment units and a commercial microbrewery. A Westchester County-based entity that specializes in redevelopment projects of this type, Regan Development has a proven record of success across the Northeast, with a portfolio that includes more than $384 million in new construction and adaptive reuse projects.

The hulking concrete and wood structure on Gates Avenue in Victory, built in 1918 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has fallen into serious disrepair since it closed as a packaging manufacturer in 2000. The development will create 186 apartment units – 142 one-bedroom and 43 two-bedroom units – and help to fill a demonstrated need for workforce housing in Saratoga County. Apartments will be priced to appeal to a wide range of people working in local schools, businesses and service organizations.

The project will support more than 100 construction jobs during a two-year period, with an estimated annual payroll exceeding $5 million. Additionally, the apartment complex and brewery are expected to initially create 8 full-time jobs. Through an agreement approved unanimously by the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency, the property will generate $7.5 million in PILOT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) payments over the next 30 years – 23 times more than if the property remained vacant.

“In transforming an iconic but unused building into a modern residential and commercial complex, this project epitomizes the best of economic development,” said Marty Vanags, President of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership. “We are thrilled to have played a critical role in advancing a project that will revitalize a historic structure, create jobs, generate financial support for local schools and governments, address a critical need for workforce housing, and help to reinvigorate a community.”

“We always welcome the opportunity to bring new life to a property that was once a cornerstone of the community,” said Larry Regan, President of Regan Development. “We appreciate the support of leaders in village, town and state government, as well as the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership and Saratoga County IDA, and look forward to what will be an exciting project.”

“This project is a true win-win for Saratoga County,” said New York State Senator Daphne Jordan. “It continues the legacy of Victory Mills by providing workforce housing that will support our strong commercial expansion and diverse economy. This type of thoughtful economic development contributes to the continued economic growth and success of our region.”

“The ability to take a long-past prime, behemoth property that is not serving the present community and breathe new life into it with a mixed-use commercial space is exactly what the Village of Victory needs,” said New York State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. “This project aligns perfectly with Saratoga County’s vision for a brighter, more robust economic and cultural future.”

“This project is a game-changer for the Town of Saratoga, one that will pay dividends for generations to come,” said Town of Saratoga Supervisor Tom Wood. “The renewal and repurposing of Victory Mills as an apartment complex and brewery will address an important community need, provide a tremendous financial impact to the town, and ensure we can continue to provide the essential services our residents need.”

“This is a transformational moment for the Village of Victory, one that respects our past and offers a vision for the future,” said Village of Victory Mayor Pat Dewey. “In a sense, Victory Mills will be returned to its former glory, providing a home for hard-working individuals. We are thrilled to know that this historic building will once again be a jewel in our community.”

“The Saratoga County IDA is pleased to unanimously support this visionary mixed-use project in the Town of Saratoga,” said Rod Sutton, Chairman of the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency. “The incentives not only play a critical role in making this effort possible, but just as importantly, they will be returned many times over in terms of PILOT payments, increased economic activity, and the benefits that come with revitalization in the Victory community.”

The financing structure for the project includes owner equity, federal and state housing tax credits, federal and state historic tax credits, and the PILOT agreement with the Saratoga County IDA. Regan Development will make $158,000 in PILOT payments in the first year, with annual increases of 3 percent over the 30-year term. As a result, the property will generate $7.5 million in PILOT payments – including $6.3 million to the Schuylerville Central School District – far exceeding the $324,000 that would have been paid based on current annual taxes of $10,800.

Construction is expected to begin in 2020, and will take approximately two years to complete.