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Beech-Nut Distributes Food at “Beech-Nut Gives Back” Event

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

AMSTERDAM —On September 30, Beech-Nut Nutrition Company, an award-winning baby and toddler food manufacturer, hosted its 6th annual “Beech-Nut Gives Back” drive-thru food distribution event for local families in need. The drive-thru event provides baby food, fresh produce and shelf-stable pantry items. They placed 1,015 boxes of food in the trunks of cars as traffic wound through the parking lot of the Amsterdam-based headquarters and manufacturing facility.

Boxes contained Beech-Nut jars, pouches, and Crispeas, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables from regional farms including Genecco Produce, Mancuso Marketing & Sales, Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards, and bread from Bimbo Bakeries. Additional shelf-stable pantry items were donated by the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.  

Amanda Ettinger, Consumer Engagement Manager and co-chair of Beech-Nut’s “Helping Hands” community-service initiatives, said, “This event is something our associates look forward to each year. As a company in the business of feeding young children, we are committed to challenging the issue of food insecurity right here in our local community. We appreciated the chance to come together as a Beech-Nut family to host this event.”

Since 1931, Beech-Nut® Nutrition Company has been a leader in the baby food category and is the #1 jarred baby food on the market. Beech-Nut operates a state-of-the-art LEED certified manufacturing facility in Amsterdam, New York where it produces a variety of organic and conventional certified baby and toddler foods. Beech-Nut is a subsidiary of Hero AG of Lenzburg, Switzerland, a global leader in consumer goods and infant feeding. For more information, visit www.beechnut.com. 

Youth Helping Youth to Host Yard Sale to Benefit Charity    

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Youth Helping Youth, or Youth2, is an organization that orchestrates collaboration  between youth and adults to brainstorm and execute ideas to help their community. Youth2 allows young people to take part in direct social action, encouraging them to continue doing charity work well into adulthood. Youth2 donates grant money to fund both existing and newly-created youth-led and youth-designed projects, helping citizens locally, nationally and globally.

On Friday, Oct. 14 Youth2 will be hosting a yard sale at 27 Excelsior Springs Ave.  in Saratoga Springs. The sale will be open from Friday, Oct. 14 to Sunday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. On Sunday from 2-4 p.m., items are free or with donation. Youth2  will have medical, office and household supplies, musical items, travel aids, new Christmas and holiday fare, sports clothes and equipment, tools, purses, hats, mittens, women’s and men’s clothing, baby items, bedding and more. Many items can be re-gifted and re-purposed.

Youth2 plans to give all proceeds from this event to the Brigid Alliance, the National Alliance on Mental Illness – a nationwide, grassroots mental health organization offering educational programs and advocacy for individuals and families,  New York State’s SNUG – a street outreach gun violence prevention program aimed at reducing and preventing shootings and gun violence and the Pitney Meadow Community Farm Trail. 

For more information, visit: www.youthsquared.org.

Pursuit Announces Chris Levy as New CEO

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

ALBANY — Pursuit, an Albany-based provider of alternative business financing, has recently announced Chris Levy as their new Chief Executive Officer after former CEO Patrick MacKrell’s retirement on Sept. 30.

Chris Levy previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Pursuit, where he headed all company operations, shaping policies, culture and growth. 

After interning with Pursuit, Chris joined the team full-time in 2012 as an underwriter. Shortly after that, he was promoted to oversee the credit department and ultimately served as Chief Credit Officer. Chris’s deep knowledge of SBA underwriting, credit, policy management, and team management has allowed him to continue to expand his role at Pursuit throughout his tenure. Chris oversaw Pursuit’s administration of the Paycheck Protection Program, which resulted in over 11,000 loan approvals for $780 million. Chris’s leadership has resulted in thousands of small businesses obtaining financing to start and grow their operations.

Chris was a member of the Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 class in 2022 and received the Coleman Report 2019 SBA Emerging Lender of the Year award. Chris holds a BS in Finance from the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business and received his Juris Doctor degree from Albany Law School. He is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey.

For more information about Pursuit visit pursuitlending.com.

Hannaford Giving Tag Program to Support Saratoga Lake

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA — The Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID), which is committed to the protection and improvement of Saratoga Lake, has begun generating donations through the Hannaford Giving Tag Program. The Giving Tag Program, launched in February 2020, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support by making a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work, while being good to the environment. Shoppers purchasing the $2.50 reusable Community or Fight Hunger Bag at any Hannaford store can direct a $1 donation online to the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District using the attached tag.

“Through the Hannaford Giving Tag Program is the opportunity to give to local food pantries and food banks, providing nourishing meals to those in need plus protect the environment by using reusable shopping bags and assist the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District with continuing educational outreach and lake quality programs. Within seven days of purchasing a Hannaford reusable community shopping bag, use the attached tag and submit the code online, directing the extra $1.00 to be used toward the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District,” said Lake District Administrator Cristina Connolly in a press release.  

The Lake District is a non-profit government agency. Founded in 1986, ensuring the preservation of real property values and public recreational activities by improving water quality. SLPID employs Lake Stewards to inspect and wash incoming and outgoing boats for aquatic invasive species spread and prevention, conducts educational outreach programs for the public, water testing, and aquatic weed harvesting, among other tasks. Learn more about the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District by visiting SLPID.org.

HR Compliance Experts LLC Acquires Saratoga Human Resource Solutions, Inc.

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — HR Compliance Experts LLC, a leading provider of outsourced human resource services, employee handbooks, regulatory compliance solutions, and workplace investigations headquartered in Pittsford, has recently announced the acquisition of Saratoga Human Resource Solutions, Inc. With this acquisition, HR Compliance Experts increases its presence in the Greater Capital Region of NY State.

“The acquisition of Saratoga HR Solutions expands our ability to provide small and mid-sized businesses with the expertise and individualized, client-focused, cost-effective human resource solutions they need,” said Frank Cania, President and Founder of HR Compliance Experts. 

“For almost two decades, hundreds of businesses have trusted Saratoga HR Solutions to help develop their employment policies and practices, resolve complex employee relations issues, train employees, and so much more. The client-focused mindset of the HR Compliance Experts team aligns perfectly with the commitment to ethical business practices and solutions our clients have come to expect,” said James Marco, Jr., Saratoga HR Solutions president.    

With today’s competitive employment landscape, and increasingly complex regulatory environment, employers recognize that the importance of having access to expert human resource guidance and support is more critical than ever before. The client-focused consulting services available from HR Compliance Experts, along with the knowledge and expertise of our team of certified HR professionals, provide employers with an effective and efficient way to address their most complex employment issues.

Saratoga Human Resource Solutions, Inc. will be rebranded as HR Compliance Experts LLC. There will be no disruption of services or customer relationships as a result of the acquisition. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

New Café Opens in Schuylerville

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo provided.

SCHUYLERVILLE —What started as a growing social media page for motorcycle enthusiasts (518 Motorcycles) has now turned into a café on Schuylerville’s Ferry Street. 

Jamie and Ray, founders of Kickstart Café have long been passionate about motorcycles, and through their social media journey they stumbled across Mike Milliron, owner of Iron Coffee Company. Together, the three of them saw the potential for a coffee shop and what it could bring to the Schuylerville community. Borrowing from their website, “coffee and motorcycles share many fundamental values, everyone has their own personal taste, and the two things bring everyone together.”  And so, Kickstart Café was born. 

Located at 33 Ferry St. the café will serve espressos, teas, coffee and breakfast from the grill. On Sept. 24, the Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce held an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new business. For more information, visit: www.kickstartcafeny.com.

New Managing Members for Northshire Bookstore

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Business.

Northshire Bookstore Saratoga, headed towards its 10th year on Broadway, with new leadership in place this week.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Northshire Bookstore has announced that Cathleen Ihasz, Nicole Ihasz and Ashley Ihasz-Austin have acquired a majority interest in and will be the new managing members of the Northshire Bookstore. 

The Ihasz sisters assumed stewardship and operational control of the Northshire retail locations in Manchester, Vermont and Saratoga Springs, as well as the northshire.com online e-commerce business earlier this week.

Ed and Barbara Morrow started the original Northshire store in Vermont in September 1976, and with their son Chris Morrow opened the doors to the Northshire Bookstore Saratoga store on Broadway in August 2013. 

The Morrows passed ownership to Clark and Lu French of Manchester, Vermont in May 2021. However, with the recent passing of wife Lu French, Clark French announced he would be stepping back from his roles at the Northshire to focus on family. French will remain a stakeholder in the bookstore, serving as a trusted advisor and supporter through the transition. 

The Ihasz family has been part of the southern Vermont community for decades and continue to maintain their family residence in Danby, according to a statement issued by Northshire. Their goal is to preserve Northshire’s iconic legacy for future generations, according to a statement from the bookstore. For more information, go to: northshire.com.    

Saratoga Casino Holdings to Expand

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Saratoga Casino. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Casino Holdings, LLC (SCH), owner of both Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Casino Black Hawk in Black Hawk, Colorado, announced today that their subsidiary company, Magnolia Buffs Casino, LLC has been issued a gaming license by the Mississippi Gaming Commission to operate Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel in Natchez, MS. The closing date to complete the acquisition of the casino and hotel from Casino Holding Investment Partners, LLC (CHIP) is set for October 3, 2022.

“We are excited to add Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel team members to the Saratoga family,” said Sam Gerrity, Chief Executive Officer of SCH. “The acquisition of Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel will expand our portfolio of gaming assets and further diversify our business.”

In addition, Tim Morrissey, current General Manager of Saratoga Casino Black Hawk, will assume the position of General Manager of Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel effective immediately following the closing. Morrissey has over 12 years of gaming experience in the destination casino resort industry and brings knowledge in overall operations, database analysis and casino marketing to the position. Morrissey will oversee and manage all day-to-day operations at Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel to ensure the company continues to prosper and remains an integral part of the Natchez community. Marcus Rohrbaugh, current Director of Operations at Saratoga Casino Black Hawk, has been promoted to the General Manager of that property.

“I’m excited to join the Magnolia Bluffs team and become a member of the Natchez community,” said Tim Morrissey, incoming General Manager of Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel. “I’m committed to operating a first-class gaming facility and building on the success of the current operations. It starts by creating relationships with our guests, team members and the communities that we serve – I’m ready to get started.”

Kelly’s Angels Adds Two New Board Members – Bob Kovachick Eager to Get to Work in Retirement

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Capital Region — Kelly’s Angels, the Capital Region charity dedicated to helping families and children who are grieving a loss, has named two new members to its board of directors. Robert “Bob” Kovachick, well-known Meteorologist from WNYT-News Channel 13, and Ian Williams, Vice President and Senior Retail Lending Manager for Glens Falls National Bank, have joined the Kelly’s Angels board. 

“We are excited to welcome Bob and Ian to our all-volunteer organization to continue our mission of helping families in their times of need,” said Mark Mulholland, Kelly’s Angels founder and President. “Both men are community oriented and committed individuals and we are proud to have them join Kelly’s Angels.” Kovachick, a Saratoga Springs resident, is retiring in October after a distinguished 50-year career as a Meteorologist, including the last 34 with the Capital District NBC affiliate. He said he has long been “blown away” by Mark Mulholland’s efforts and dedications to Kelly’s Angels and is eager to help the organization.

 “I am amazed at the force Mark and Kelly’s Angels has become. Now that I am retiring, I have more time, and I want to help,” Kovachick said. 

Williams, a married father of two young children from South Glens Falls, said he has long believed in giving back to the community, having served on the Glens Falls YMCA and Glens Falls Kiwanis Club board. He said family members’ battles with cancer prompted him to want to get involved with Kelly’s Angels considering the organization’s efforts to help those fighting cancer. Both were welcomed to the board as Kelly’s Angels begins planning for its annual Mother-Lovin’ 5K run/walk at Saratoga Spa State Park next May. 

New Brewery and Bar to Open in Ballston Spa

Written by Tyler Murray on . Posted in Business.

Photo provided

BALLSTON SPA — What was once an eyesore in the town of Ballston Spa has been transformed into a space to eat, drink and be merry. Located at 11 Washington Street, the two-story 6,000 square foot building once served as a dress factory and a storage-unit space. However, that was decades ago, and the building had been unoccupied for nearly 30 years, much to the dismay of village residents. 

The mission to fill the space was a joint effort from two local families – the Heid’s and the Elliott’s. Randy Elliott, a local contractor with years of experience and his son, R.J. led the charge for the building renovation. “It took us about 23 dumpsters full just to gut the building out and turn it into something that resembles a livable space” R.J. Elliott told Saratoga TODAY. Now, with exposed brick and hardwood floors, the brewery feels like a perfect mix between the midcentury factory that it once was and a new, lively place to gather in the village. 

 Larry Hied, who met Kelly-Delaney Elliott through Kelly’s real estate company, had been brewing his own beer at home for more than five years. With a contractor, a brewer and a real estate expert all on the same page, it was an instant match. After the initial purchase of the building by the Elliott’s for $180,000 back in May 2020, an uncertain time to make such an investment, and with some hard work and perseverance, the two families’ visions have finally turned into a reality. 

The menu offerings from the Speckled Pig echo the two families’ do-it-yourself attitude. All beer options are brewed in house and the Speckled Pig Brewing Company is registered as a New York Farm Brewery. That means 80 percent of the hops and grain used to make product will be sourced from within the state. Taking it a step further, even the dough to make their artisan wood-fired pizzas will be created from scratch in their kitchen. They have even collaborated with local businesses like Coffee Planet to make local coffee stouts! “We are really excited,” said R.J. Elliott, “we had a soft opening a few weeks ago, but we are finally prepared to open officially.” 

The grand opening for the Speckled Pig will be held on Friday, September 23 and celebrations will continue well into the weekend – eventually culminating with Sunday Night Football on the new flat-screens to close things out. Outside the bar, an alley with overhanging lights, picnic tables and the popular lawn game “Cornhole” will entertain guests that prefer to enjoy their local craft beer in the fall air. 

As for the future, the Speckled Pig plans to eventually break into the distribution space. “We definitely want to expand,” said R.J. With a canning machine onsite, customers can take home packs of their favorite drink before they eventually hit retail stores across the area – which is the plan moving forward. For more information on the new Ballston Spa venue, visit speckledpigbrewery.com.