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Evolution of Business: Taco Bell Eyes Busy Intersection in Queensbury for New Location

Binley Florist & Garden Center

Quaker Road in Queensbury is the proposed next location for a new Taco Bell. The franchise – which is known for its tacos and catch phrase ‘Live Mas” – is looking to expand and build a restaurant at the intersection of Dix Avenue and Quaker Road. The restaurant would be constructed on a portion of land currently owned by Binley Florist & Garden Center. The Taco Bell franchisee – Hospitality Syracuse Inc. – has 17 locations in the Albany Area. 

Binley Garden Center currently has 7.18 acres of property at 773 Quaker Road. Plans for a subdivision have been filed with the Queensbury Planning Board, which is scheduled to review the request on February 21, 2023. This project will require subdivision approval as well as site plan approvals for the restaurant, and minor adjustments on the remaining 5.83 acres of the garden center. The preliminary plans call for the construction of a 2,650 square-foot restaurant with 42 seats and a drive thru. The restaurant would be located between the garden center and the Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant.

Binley Florist & Garden Center has been providing flowers and plants to the Glens Falls & Queensbury area for about 130 years. The business has been owned by two families; it was started by Arthur Binley in 1893, and later the business flourished under the leadership of Alexander Hirsh. Today, it is operated by the younger generation of the Hirsh family. The 773 Quaker Road location was purchased by Binley Florist & Garden Center as an expansion in 1978. Understanding the evolution of business has helped keep the business alive: according to the Binley website, Al Hirsh shortly before his death said, “We discovered early on in business, that as years go by people’s tastes change. A flower or a plant that is very popular in today’s market won’t be as popular in a few years so we try to follow the trends.”

Following these trends have led the business to look for new ways to use the land, as well as carry on the traditions of Binley Florist & Garden Center.

QBY Girls Basketball Capture Championship

Queensbury (12-6 overall, 12-1 Section 2 Foothills) scored 42, South Glens Falls (15-3 overall, 11-1 Section 2 Foothills) scored 15; the Queensbury girls basketball team captured their fourth consecutive Foothills Council Championship with a win over visiting South Glens Falls. The Spartans came out strong with both offense and defense in the first quarter of play, forcing 12 turnovers and out-scoring the Bulldogs 15 to 0.

Box Score

For the Spartans, Shea Canavan had 12 points and five steals. Kendra Ballard earned her second consecutive double-double, with 11 points and a season high 14 rebounds, along with five steals. Dyllan Ray contributed 11 points and eight rebounds. The South Glens Falls Bulldogs were led by #2 J. Wolf, who scored four points. 

The Spartans were looking forward to this matchup, because on December 12th, the Bulldogs had handed the Spartans their only Foothills council loss. This Foothills Council title is # 11 for the Spartans, which ties them with Glens Falls for the most in league history! The Spartans have shown success under the coaching of Megan Bethel, having won six titles under her leadership… 

However, the Spartans aren’t done yet! On Wednesday night, they face Saratoga Springs; then, it’s on to the Foothills Council Showcase at Albany’s Washington Avenue Armory. The Spartans will face Broadalbin-Perth at 1:00 PM on Sunday.

Glens Falls TODAY: Morning Brief – Episode 104: South High Marathon Dance Beneficiaries | 02/07/23

Today, Gary discusses the announcement of beneficiaries for this year’s South High Marathon Dance. Also, scholarship opportunities offered by The Grishkot Foundation, The Lake Champlain Lake George Regional Planning Board awarded $320k for comprehensive safety action plans, and the Slate Valley Museum’s upcoming “Sip & Paint on Slate” series.

00:02 – Intro
00:33 – Ad Break 1
01:32 – Story 1: Grishkot Foundation Scholarships
03:29 – Story 2: LCLGRPB Awarded $320k for Safety Plans
04:44 – Ad Break 2
05:09 – Story 3: South High Marathon Dance Beneficiaries
08:11 – Story 4: Slate Valley Museum “Sip & Paint on Slate”
09:46 – Outro

Stories Cited:
Grishkot Foundation Scholarships – Glens Falls TODAY
https://glensfallsbusinessreport.com/love-of-community-public-service-and-balloons-the-grishkot-foundation-expands-scholarship-opportunities/

LCLGRPB Awarded $320k for Safety Plans – Sun Community News
https://suncommunitynews.com/news/101097/lclgrpb-awarded-320k-for-comprehensive-safety-action-plans/

South High Marathon Dance Beneficiaries – Post Star
https://poststar.com/news/local/education/south-high-marathon-dance-recipients-announced/article_e2bc4a86-a497-11ed-8cac-0310ec0bf299.html

Slate Valley Museum “Sip & Paint on Slate” – News 10
https://www.news10.com/news/washington-county/granville-museum-plans-sip-paint-on-slate-series/

Dunham’s Bay Resort & Restaurants Sold For $1.8 Million… Rebranded “Bayside Resort”

Bayside Resort: Formally Dunham’s Bay Resort

The 132-acre property located at 2999 State Route 9L on the east side of Lake George formerly known as the Dunham’s Bay Resort was acquired for $1.8 million by investors Mike Caruso and Daniel Ellsworth. Dunham’s Bay Resort was purchased along with an adjacent property, and the deed filed with the Warren County Clerk’s Office states that the transaction closed in November. 

This resort features two restaurants: The Brasserie At Bayside, and Tavern on the Bay, both operated by Chef Jason Travis and his wife Nicole. These two restaurants will have guests’ expectations covered, providing both an upscale farm to table restaurant, and an upscale tavern dining option. Travis and his wife have also owned 10 McGillis Public House in the Village of Lake George since 2019. 

In addition to the two restaurants, the resort features amenities including banquet spaces, 36 year round and seasonal cabins and cottages, fire pits, pickleball courts, and an indoor heated pool with a jacuzzi. There are also 118 acres of wooded hiking trails.

The property was purchased from Swordfish Realty, a holding company for a NYC hedge fund company. The previous owners had purchased the resort for $2.62 million in 2013; during this time, hundreds of thousands of dollars were invested in bringing internet lines from the Village of Lake George to the resort. This resort was used by their investment management firm to give employees a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City while still allowing them to conduct business.  

Glens Falls Unified Bowling Foothills Council Champs

Foothills Council Tournament

Unified Bowling was added to the sports line-up for Glens Falls High School, and they captured the Foothills Council Championship. The Championship was held at Kingpin’s Alley in South Glens Falls. 10 schools participated in the tournament, and Glens Falls rolled a six-game series: 6,006 to edge out Hudson Falls’ 5,842 in second place, and Amsterdam’s 5,842 in third place. 

In bowling, each game has 10 frames, with a maximum possible overall score of 300. The Glens Falls Co-Ed Varsity team committed to three practices or matches a week for the season, which included five matches against area schools. Kingpin’s Alley Family Fun Center – which is the home bowling alley for the Glens Falls team – is owned by Doug and Alison Bohannon. They have owned the bowling alley since 2013, and the venue features birthday parties, group events, casual open bowling times, and competitive league play.

Glens Falls TODAY: Morning Brief – Episode 103: Five Towers Media | 02/06/23

Kicking off a new week, Gary Scott’s got a special story on Five Towers Media: a new merger between Five Towers Design Company and Spa City Digital. In other news, Crandall Pond and Moreau Lake State Park both open their frozen waters to ice enthusiasts, Protect the Adirondacks Selects Claudia Braymer as their new Deputy Director, and a new restaurant coming to the intersection of Routes 9L and 149.

00:02 – Intro
00:41 – Ad Break 1
01:38 – Story 1: Ice Opens at Crandall Pond/Moreau Lake
03:44 – Story 2: Protect the Adirondacks Selects New Deputy Director
06:14 – Ad Break 2
06:39 – Story 3: Five Towers Media
10:08 – Story 4: Shake, Rattle & Roll
12:25 – Outro

Stories Cited:
Ice Opens at Crandall Pond – News 10
https://www.news10.com/news/north-country/glens-falls-crandall-pond-open-for-skating/

Ice Opens at Moreau Lake – News 10
https://www.news10.com/news/north-country/moreau-lake-state-park-open-for-ice-activities/

Protect the Adirondacks Selects New Deputy Director – Sun Community News
https://suncommunitynews.com/news/101055/protect-the-adirondacks-selects-new-deputy-director/

Five Towers Media – Glens Falls TODAY
https://glensfallsbusinessreport.com/spa-city-digital-and-five-towers-design-announce-merger-as-five-towers-media/

Shake, Rattle & Roll – Glens Falls Chronicle
https://www.glensfallschronicle.com/shake-rattle-roll-coming-in-may/

QBY Girls Basketball Celebrate Senior Night With A Win

Queensbury 63, Hudson Falls 38 – The Queensbury Girls Basketball team celebrated Senior Night with a decisive victory over Hudson Falls. Seniors Kendra Ballard, Aislynn Dixon, and Liz Rowley led the team to victory over visiting Hudson Falls. 

Ballard had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with a season high of eight steals. Dixon had four assists, and scored 16 points, shooting 6-of-9 on the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the three point line. Rowley matched a career high of eight rebounds. 

The Spartans had some help from Junior Dyllan Ray, who added 10 points, seven rebounds, six steals and three assists. Sophomore Shea Canavan had nine points, and a career high eight assists. 

Hudson Falls was led by Williamson, who scored 21 points. Queensbury held Hudson Falls to three points in the first quarter of play. 

A a result of this game, Queensbury – 11-6 overall – improved to 11-1 in the Foothills Council.

The Spartans will soon host South Glens Falls, who are 12-0 in the Foothills Council… South Glens Falls beat Queensbury back on December 12, with a score of 37-30. This much anticipated rematch will be at Queensbury High School on Monday, February 6 – tipoff at 7:00 PM.  

Love of Community, Public Service, and Balloons: The Grishkot Foundation Expands Scholarship Opportunities

The Grishkot Foundation was established in 2009, and is launching a new Joan Grishkot Memorial Scholarship program for college students studying for careers in nursing and related fields. The foundation is also continuing The Walter Grishkot Memorial Scholarship for college students studying for careers in aviation, aerospace and related fields. The Foundation will partner with the Kiwanis Club to administer both scholarship programs. These scholarship programs are open to college students who live in Warren, Washington, or Saratoga counties, and each scholarship will be at least $2,500 per year for up to four years.

Joan Grishkot (1942-2021) was Warren County Director of Health for 31 years; she was a volunteer who served on 28 regional healthcare organizations and charitable groups. She was instrumental in raising funds and administering annual scholarships in memory of her late husband, Walter Grishkot.

The Foundation President, Maury Thompson remembers Joan fondly: “I used to say that I was president, but Joan was prime minister. Joan’s interest in scholarship recipients didn’t stop with awarding the scholarships. She stayed in touch with scholars or their families, and was delighted to share their academic progress with others”  Thompson said. 

Walter Grishkot (1926-2011) predeceased his loving wife of 45 years. He was a photographer, publicist, event organizer and aviation enthusiast, and was known for his sense of humor – and locally known as co-founder of The Adirondack Balloon Festival. The Grishkot Foundation, based in Glens Falls, is funded by a bequest of the late Joan Griskot, and from private donations. A volunteer board manages the foundation’s investments and operates scholarship programs in collaboration with the Glens Falls Kiwanis Club.

The application period for both programs is now open – the deadline to apply for the 2023-2024 academic year for these scholarships is March 3, 2023.  Information about these scholarships can be found at: grishkotfoundation.org

Glens Falls TODAY: Morning Brief – Episode 102: Washington County Seeks Foster Parents | 02/03/23

Today, Gary discusses Washington County seeking new families interested in fostering. Also, the Aviation Mall Planet Fitness announces some upcoming additions, a proposal for use of a controversial herbicide returns to Lake George, and a Lake George Village Trustee honored as citizen of the year.

00:03 – Intro
00:45 – Ad Break 1
01:54 – Story 1: Planet Fitness Plans Expansion
03:40 – Story 2: Controversial Herbicide Proposal Returns
06:30 – Ad Break 2
06:55 – Story 3: Washington County Seeking Foster Parents
10:47 – Story 4: Lake George Village Trustee Honored
14:28 – Outro

Stories Cited:
Planet Fitness Plans Expansion – News 10
https://www.news10.com/news/north-country/queensbury-planet-fitness-getting-new-machines-more-space/

Controversial Herbicide Proposal Returns – Glens Falls TODAY
https://glensfallsbusinessreport.com/lake-george-controversial-herbicide-proposal-is-back/

Washington County Seeking Foster Parents – News 10
https://www.news10.com/news/north-country/foster-parents-needed-in-washington-county/

Lake George Village Trustee Honored – Sun Community News
https://suncommunitynews.com/news/101010/longtime-lake-george-village-trustee-john-earl-hailed/

Spa City Digital and Five Towers Design announce merger as Five Towers Media

Chad Beatty (left), owner/publisher of Saratoga TODAY Newspaper, Brad Colacino (middle) and Michael Nelson (right), co-founders and partners of Five Towers Media.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Five Towers Design Company and Spa City Digital have officially announced a merger of the two companies, forming Five Towers Media.

Five Towers Media will combine the offerings of both companies, providing digital marketing and design in a variety of spaces. The company will offer website design, SEO services, social media management, videography, graphic design, branding services, digital marketing, and more for clients. Five Towers Media also owns print publications, online news platforms, and podcasts. 

Co-founders and partners Michael Nelson, Brad Colacino, and Chad Beatty said the merger came about as a way for both companies to grow, expand, and improve their offerings in the community.

“We were both at a point where we were looking to expand, and we both have very similar business offerings,” said Colacino. “We have very similar views on how to conduct business, and goals for where we wanted to take our business. … It just seemed like a really good complement of skills.”

Nelson said that Spa City Digital was looking to grow, and said that Five Towers and Colacino were a “perfect fit” for the company’s goals.

“From our standpoint, growth over the course of the next one to two years was going to be challenging without Brad,” Nelson said. “His personality, his skills, and his company were a perfect fit.”

The merged company will be known as Five Towers Media, with Nelson saying the name change reflects the long-term goals of the company.

“We have plans on moving into Vermont and Florida very soon, with an overall long-term objective of being all across the country,” said Nelson. “Our brand, Spa City Digital, would not allow that type of growth into other markets, because it is such a geographic name. The rebrand will make for a seamless transition into new markets.”

Nelson, Colacino, and Beatty said that the merger will make things more efficient and convenient for their clients, compressing all of their offerings into one location. 

“From a client standpoint, they are going to see an increase in deliverability from us,” said Nelson. “Not only are we going to be able to do what we were doing, but we’re going to be able to do it better, and we’re going to be able to do it faster.”

“If (clients) wanted, for instance, Google ad campaigns or email marketing, I would send them over to Mike before,” Colacino added. “Well now, I don’t have to do that. Now, we’re one company. It just integrates things a little more cleanly, and we can provide those clients with an expanded offering, more opportunities.”

Colacino said this will make things more convenient for clients, and provide them with additional methods of growing their businesses.

“We have print marketing available with the news publications, we have these marketing automation email campaigns we can do,” said Colacino. “We can do online paid ads, things like that, all under one roof, with a single bill.”

Nelson, Colacino, and Beatty also stressed the importance of building connections with their clients, noting that they work with many small businesses in the local community. 

“It’s always going to be more important for us to form relationships than make a sale,” Colacino said. “We want to form long-term partnerships with them, and help them grow. It’s a case where the rising tide floats all ships.”

Five Towers Media is located on Route 50 in Saratoga Springs, sharing a building with Saratoga TODAY Newspaper. Beatty is the publisher of Saratoga TODAY.

“It really is a perfect fit,” said Beatty. “Our teams work side-by-side and form a symbiotic relationship. As the old Chinese proverb states, ‘None of us is as smart as all of us.’”