We’re excited to get to know another one of our neighbors this week - Meaghan Golden! She chats about what brought her to the area after years living in Manhattan, and all the fabulous things that keep her here (including her go to trails, restaurants, and antique shop!).
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Meaghan Golden, I am a Creative Director for my business; MGolden design+photo, a real estate investor and an avid antique and art collector. I am also mom to my 8-year old son, Teddy, and on Oct 8 of this year, Christopher Ermides and I were married!
Eight years ago I was living in Manhattan, working as a Creative Director for an advertising agency. I loved being in the city - that is, I loved it until I was 9 months pregnant, tired of my third floor walkup and riding the subway. My parents live in the Adirondacks, about 40 minutes north of Glens Falls. Escaping the rigors of city living, I spent frequent weekends at their country retreat. When my mom suggested I spend my 6 week maternity leave with them, it seemed like a great idea. I loved living upstate with my son and never went back to NYC.
As I had never before lived upstate, I didn’t have a network of friends or work connections here. However, I was fortunate to meet a wonderful group of first time moms at Crandall Library’s baby laptime program. I spent more time in downtown Glens Falls, attending events at the Y, meeting for playdates at Crandall Park and Hovey Pond, having coffee with my new friends at SpOT. With Teddy snuggled in his baby carrier, we took self-guided walks through the downtown residential areas. I was drawn to the excellent architecture and history of Hometown USA.
After 2 years in the mountains, I was ready to leave my parents’ home for one of my own, and Glens Falls seemed the perfect place to land. I bought an attractive little duplex right downtown and decided to get back to work with both my photography and design business as well as continuing my real estate ventures with investment properties.
On Life in Glens Falls
Glens Falls hits that sweet space of being neither too big nor too small for family life. Christopher was living in Saratoga when we met and had no desire to move. But the more time he spent with Teddy and I in Glens Falls, the more he began to appreciate both its charm and convenience. As we both love old houses and support historic preservation, he was soon convinced that Glens Falls was the place to be. There is a solid sense of community here, and logistics make a good quality of life accessible. It was relatively easy to establish contacts and continue with my business. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the beautiful streets around Kensington, where my son eventually went to elementary school. The architecture is impressive and excellent home and landscape maintenance demonstrates neighborhood pride.
I love that there are robust preservation efforts being led by local groups and that the town enthusiastically supports efforts to maintain Glens Falls’ history by preserving irreplaceable buildings rather than raze them to make way for the new and shiny. I am also encouraged to see all the revitalization happening downtown. Most of my rental properties are over 80 years old, with beautiful architectural details and the quality construction that is hard to find in newer construction. I have taken on some challenging projects, including the duplex Christopher, Teddy and I currently live in. Built in 1905; it needed some love. We are enjoying the work of restoring this old house to its former glory.
Some Glens Falls Favorites
I love that I can jump on my bike and be anywhere I need to go in town. Teddy and I spend hours traveling the Feeder Canal route in the summertime; it is such a great (and safe) path. On more adventurous days, we head to Lake George, exploring the beaches and woods. In the winter we get our free rental cross country skis, thanks to Emily at the Youth Cross Country Ski Club program, and hit the trails in Cole’s Woods. I appreciate the accessibility of the outdoors right in our back yard. I also love all the local events that happen through the year: LARAC Arts Festival, the Adirondack Balloon Festival, Boo To You, Taste of the North Country and Festival of Trees. I am also very thankful for the excellent Crandall Library. I spent countless hours there as a new mom and even during COVID they have been an amazing resource for keeping our whole family well read!
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
My perfect Glens Falls day would be waking up early, hitting the bike trail for a ride, and ending up at Spektor for a perfect latte and smash-up. Then I would head over to see my friends Rob and Arty at 200 Glen Antiques where Teddy and I search (and always find) treasures. We try to make it to any local events happening, especially if they are kid-oriented, like the art programs at the Hyde and LARAC and shows at Wood Theater. Weekend plans always include working on the properties, work that earns Christopher and I a date night out to visit Rebecca at Morgan + Co., our favorite spot for drinks on the patio and a fabulous dinner. We might stop in and see our friends Jill and Dave at Mean Max for a local craft beer. There are so many wonderful options for a night out in Glens Falls, all just right out our front door!
Glens Falls memories
I have lived in Glens Falls officially for 6 years. Those 6 years of great memories encompass Teddy and the group of friends from the library who have become like family. Our good friends Katie and Loren Sullivan host many annual events (pre-COVID of course) including a 4th of July party before heading to Crandall Park for fireworks and music. It has been so much fun to watch our group grow; new additions of babies and friends, including many transplants who have moved here for all the same reasons that make us love it. My heartfelt wish is to see Glens Falls develop and grow, yet maintain its charm and simple living. It is a wonderful little gem of a town and I am happy to call it home!
