This week we’re chatting with James Joseph, who you may recognize from his shop Sharp Presents! He shares how his family acclimated after moving to the area from Michigan, a past Glens Falls shop that he wishes he could visit today (don’t we all!), and some silver linings for his family during this period of social distancing.
Tell us about yourself!
I am James Joseph, the owner and manager of Sharp Presents located on Route 9. I am married and live in Queensbury with my three teenage children who attend Lake George Junior / Senior High School. Originally I am from the Flint, Michigan suburbs, where I was born and raised and a lot of my family still resides there. I have been operating Sharp Presents out of my storefront for almost 2 years now and prior to that out of a studio in my home after we relocated from Michigan to NY back in 2009.
On Pause
My family and I have been pretty serious about social distancing since the NY Pause movement started. Our oldest daughter has struggles with asthma and breathing related issues so we are taking every precaution to not to expose her or our family. The last couple of months have seen a real change of life for our family. Like many families with teens, we had a very hectic extracurricular schedule; between running a business and three kids in multiple sports, outside clubs, and very active school/social lives. The "Pause" truly put a pause on the craziness that was our schedule. In the "Pause" we have found many silver linings that have forced us to take on a more simplified and basic lifestyle. It has provided us with the time to sit down together at meal times, as one unit, and spend time as a family. It has allowed us to really be there for our kids during these strange and unusual times.
On Life in Glens Falls
We moved into the area from Michigan in 2009 due to a job transfer for the family. We integrated pretty fast into the community, fell in love with the area, and are happy to call this place home.
We own a beautiful home in a quiet neighborhood just inside the Adirondack Park border. We really enjoy getting to know our neighbors without being right on top of each other, seeing deer and other animals in our neighborhood during walks, seeing amazing mountainscapes right from our backyard, and that rare occasion when we see a moose while driving the kids to school or have a bobcat run in front of our vehicle during our morning commute. And all of this while only being 10 minutes from our storefront.
Some Glens Falls Favorites
I personally really love Saturday mornings at the Glens Falls Farmers Market, weekend nights at the Glens Falls Drive-in, and a good coney dog from A&W. It brings back a lot of memories from my childhood that I am lucky to be able to share with my kids here in the Glens Falls region.
I woud love to see more families relocate to the Glens Falls region like mine did. It truly is a great place to raise a family and lay down roots. It really is true that "Home is what you make of it" and this region is more than we could have ever expected it to be.
One of the hidden gems that we favor is Hovey Pond Park behind Glens Falls National Bank on Upper Glen Street. We don't get there often but really enjoy being there and exploring the walking path around the park.
A Perfect Glens Falls Day (…post-Pause)
My ideal day, in no particular order, starts off with an early morning workout at the Glens Falls YMCA, looking for treasures at TJ Maxx and Tuesday Morning, grabbing a chai latte from Spot Coffee, and then on occasion a pit stop at the buffet from Nine Dragons. When I have time of my own, I love to mediate and practice yoga. I have never been big on cocktails, and date night is a rare thing, but family time with a nice dinner and a movie is a big thing for us and something everyone enjoys. It is always a pick from a handful of our "regular" spots, but if it is left up to me I would always pick a place that we have never been to before. There are so many unique mom and pop resturants with great food in the area just waiting to be explored. The last time we had a night out prior to the shutdown, we went to La Cosina Mexican restaurant and had a wonderful meal. I can't wait to be able to get back out there and explore some more.
On the Past
A little over ten years in the area is not a long time, but we have a couple favorite Glens Falls memories. One of my favorite Glens Falls memories is selecting our Christmas tree. Every year we head to Kelly's Emerald Feeds to pick out the most perfect Christmas tree. I always complain about it being too cold and we always struggle to get the tree tied on top of the van but the five of us picking the perfect tree always means the world to me and will be memories I will cherish forever.
Being in the business of gourmet gifting, I have always been disappointed that I missed the Boston Candy Kitchen. I have heard nothing but great things about their peanut butter filled ribbon candy. Friends still rave to me about their products.
…and On the Future
I would love to see a Trader Joe's move into the old Aldi storefront on Quaker Road.
Thanks James! We’re all with you on the Trader Joe’s thing :)
P.S. Read more from our My Glens Falls series here.