My Glens Falls: Cara Greenslade

We’re chatting with Cara Greenslade this week, who you may recognize as one of the owners of Sidekick Creative (remember our coloring pages last year? They were the masterminds who brought them to life!). Cara shares what brought her back to Glens Falls after college, the best spur of the moment real estate decision she made, sweet memories from her downtown wedding last summer, and more!

Tell us about yourself!

Hello! My name is Cara Greenslade. I am Business Director and part owner at Sidekick Creative, a local graphic design firm. I’m the only non-designer in our small team of four, but I love working in the creative space and working with so many other great businesses in the area and beyond. We work with a lot of destinations, events and non-profits on branding, layout (brochures, publications) and custom illustrations. Every day brings something different, we have the best team and clients, and it’s a pretty awesome feeling to actually enjoy going to into work everyday.

I live right in Glens Falls with my husband (we just got married six months ago so the word husband still sounds weird to me), Ethan, and our cat, Onyx. We both love it here and have no plans of ever leaving!

On Life In Glens Falls

I have lived in Glens Falls since I was 10. I left for college and came back to Glens Falls for what I thought was only going to be a temporary stay until I figured something else out. It was around this time that downtown Glens Falls was really coming alive again. I started to see Glens Falls not just as my childhood hometown, but as a great place to put down more roots and start a career. I think my main motive for leaving was living somewhere a little warmer, but every year I start to enjoy the four seasons a little more. And there’s nothing quite like heading downtown on the first warm spring day after a long winter and enjoying a drink outside at one of the restaurants.

A year or two after graduating, I ran into my old friend from high school and coworker from my lifeguarding days at Million Dollar Beach, and now over six years later we’re married, we both have careers we love here, and we really enjoy being within walking distance to both of our parents.

We own a multi-family home within a five minute walk of downtown. My parents and I bought it on whim around three years ago. I was renting an apartment with no immediate plans on buying a house (I had just started a business!) and we saw this house get listed at a great price. My mom and I decided to check it out and that same night we put an offer in. It was one of the craziest, but best spur of the moment decisions I’ve ever made. We live in one apartment and rent the two others and are lucky to have great tenants. The apartment we’ve been living in needed the most work and three years later we’re just putting on the final touches with A LOT of help from our parents. The house was really solidly built so the work we’ve been doing is just cosmetic for the most part, but we’ve got big plans for the other two apartments and outside for the future!

Some Glens Falls Favorites

I love the walkability, especially in the warmer months. We’re lucky to live in a part of town where we can walk to downtown in five minutes, to Crandall Park in ten and to work in 20 minutes (our studio is in The Shirt Factory). I also love the events - LARAC June Arts Fest, Taste of the North County, Fourth of July Fireworks and the Symphony in Crandall Park, and the Balloon Fest just to name a few.

I don’t think this is exactly a hidden gem, but if you don’t know about the Fenimore’s Happy Hour, you should! It’s a favorite of ours, especially on winter Fridays. Post Covid, I know it will be one of the first places we go. The staff is so friendly, the ambiance is cozy and laid back, and the food and drink are great! And there’s usually live piano or a jazz trio playing in the beautiful lobby.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

To be very specific, it would be a warm, sunny, summer Saturday. My husband and I would walk to the Farmers’ Market to stock up on fresh veggies and cheese, grab a latte at Spektor, and head to Rude Betty to grab a gift for a friend or family member. Before heading home we might enjoy our coffee in City Park. After that my mom and I might check out some garage sales and grab ice cream for lunch at Coopers Cave, Rob & Deb’s or Sprinkles. In the afternoon, Ethan and I would most likely be heading to one of our parents houses to hang out by the pool. We’d finish out the day by meeting friends for dinner and drinks at Raul’s or Mikado, or if we were doing a date night, heading to Farmacy or Radici.

On the Past

This is a not too distant memory, but this past June, in the midst of the pandemic, Ethan and I got married with just our immediate family in attendance. After a ceremony in my parents yard, we headed downtown for photos followed by a delicious dinner at Morgan & Co. It was a beautiful day and people were taking advantage of outdoor dining and just being outside walking around. As we walked around downtown getting photos, people were clapping, yelling congratulations and honking. We were so happy, and there was so much good energy in Glens Falls surrounding us. Once we got to Morgan & Co, our families surprised us by setting up our first dance on the front lawn (something we originally didn’t plan on doing) and inviting all of our local friends and family who weren’t able to attend (because of Covid) to watch — socially distant style. No one forgets their wedding day, but I know this memory will always be there to remind Ethan and I why we love where we live.

On the Future

Some things I’d love to see:

Restaurant - Mediterranean, healthy-ish.

Business - Ethan always talks about wanting an arcade style bar/restaurant in Glens Falls so throwing this in.

Public Space - I love Exchange Street and I think any way we can make it even better, expand it or create more spaces like this in Glens Falls would be awesome.

Store - Small grocery or bodega in Glens Falls with the basics and some easy to-go or take-and-bake style meals for easy dinners.

Crandall Park - I’m throwing this in just because I feel like the park has come alive in the last few years and they are doing so many things right. New courts, ice-skating, disc golf — all of it is so great!

My Glens Falls: Naftali Rottenstreich

We caught up with Naftali this week and gosh, if we weren’t nostalgic for pre-pandemic life before (okay, we were), we most certainly are even more so now. He shares his favorite ways to spend time in our little city, with the added benefit of an outside perspective from having lived in Manhattan for many years.

Speaking of nostalgia, Naftali just so happened to own Red Fox Books along with his wife Susan in the early 2000s, and hearing his stories made us wish we were strolling through the bookstore on Ridge Street again!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Naftali Rottenstreich and for the last ten years I’ve been a professor of English at SUNY Adirondack. My wife, Susan Fox, and I have called Glens Falls home since 2006, when we moved up from New York City to open Red Fox Books. In addition to ourselves, our home consists of three “spirited” (read: impish) felines: Lucy, Gretel, and Pip.

I also serve on the boards of the Glens Falls Symphony and the SUNY Adirondack Foundation and, for ten years, was a member of the Crandall Public Library Board. This is one of the fundamental ways life in Glens Falls differs from life in New York CIty―there are so many opportunities to have a direct and meaningful impact on one’s community.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

By 2006, my wife and I had been long ready to leave NYC. To me, the City had become unrecognizable. Susan, who’s originally from Colorado, wanted to return to a setting close to nature. Several months before we made the move, a friend left Manhattan and settled in Washington County. We’d visit her regularly and fell in love with the region. In time, we learned that Glens Falls was eager for a bookstore (this was in the early days of the City’s revitalization), and we saw this as our opportunity for a new life. We leapt at that opportunity. Red Fox Books opened in October 2006 and remained in business until October 2011.

We were both fortunate enough to find work after our store closed. Susan was hired by SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga, and I was hired as an English professor and remedial specialist at SUNY Adirondack. As much as I loved running a bookstore, the great joy in my life is helping students, who often face incredible economic and social obstacles, discover their potential and cheering them on as they advance toward their life’s dream.

While our decision to shutter the bookstore was a difficult one, the most significant chapter of my life would have gone unwritten (puns not intended) had Red Fox not closed.

Shortly after we moved to Glens Falls, we bought a house on Orville Street. Like many of the homes in the 4th Ward, it was probably built by a factory worker. In fact, the beams in the basement bear the marks of what was once a local mill.

After a day of research at the County offices in Lake George, I was able to trace the house back to 1860. We’ve also learned that the house has been owned by a number of interesting people, including a chauffeur for the Pruyn family.

We love the house (which we have affectionately nicknamed “Little Orville”) but it is never not a fixer-upper. It is, however, ideally located for walking. Downtown, Crandall Park, the farmer’s market―all are in easy proximity.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

I may have the benefit of the outsider’s perspective, but I do hope Glens Falls natives recognize how fortunate they are: a world-class museum in the Hyde, a great orchestra in the Glens Falls Symphony; a tremendous community resource in the Crandall Library. But beyond these institutions, there are the immediate opportunities (and obligations) to engage in civic life. When you live in a city of nine million people, it’s very hard to feel that you can make a difference to the welfare of your community. In Glens Falls, there are countless ways to make such a difference.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

It’s hard to see through the haze of the pandemic (now in its tenth month), but what I recollect with fondness is eating sushi at the bar at Siam Thai Sushi; decompressing with colleagues at Fenimore’s; grading papers at Spot or before a fireplace at the Crandall Library; hanging out at the Hyde on a winter’s afternoon; sitting in the audience of a Glens Falls Symphony performance. Even working out at the Y now feels nostalgic.

Because I am an avid walker, my ideal day also includes a walk through Crandall Park and around the various neighborhoods that make up our city. Thankfully, this is something that Covid has left untouched.

On the Past

We were fortunate to have the bookstore when ​Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released in July 2007. The publisher had imposed a very strict lay-down date policy. So, while we had had dozens of sealed boxes in stock for days, we could not release the books until midnight of July 21st. What did we do? We held a midnight release party! Kids (old and young) came dressed as their favorite Harry Potter characters. To play the role of Dumbledore, I dusted off my doctoral regalia. Cooper’s Cave Ale House concocted a Harry Potter-themed soda. There was an owl and Harry Potter trivia, contests and prizes. At midnight, LeRoy Akins, the mayor at the time, cut the seal on the first box of books and the kids immediately set to reading. There was an element of real magic that night, one that I like to think anticipated the energy that was to come in the city.

On the Future

One thing that I DO miss about New York City is the food. I would love to see an Indian restaurant in Glens Falls. I also love movies, and it would be great to have an art-house downtown.

My Glens Falls: David MacIntosh

If you’ve ever strolled by [farmacy] on Ridge Street, you’re sure to have seen Chef Dave’s smiling face waving at you from the window - even if it’s covered by a mask these days! :) We caught up with Chef this week to find out more about his journey to becoming a chef, his favorite way to spend a day off, and a few of his favorite childhood memories in the city.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is David MacIntosh, or 'Jefe'. You may know me as one of the many awesome chefs that wave to you from [farmacy] restobar's window! I'm a 2016 SUNY Adirondack graduate from the Culinary program, and I've been in or around Glens Falls almost all my life. I currently live in Gansevoort while I look for a house to buy in this beautiful city.

On Becoming a Chef

I graduated from South Glens Falls High School in 2011 and like many teenagers I had no clue what I wanted to be when I grew up. After a few failed odd job attempts here, I moved to Albany and ended up at a Greek mom and pop restaurant called Anton's. They hired me after a short interview and I began washing dishes as many in this industry do. A few short weeks later I started doing prep work in the mornings before my dish duty, and not long after I learned the in and outs of my new restaurant family’s business. The Anton's took me in like I was family and I still thank them every day for sparking that fire for cooking that still burns in me.

After the Greek restaurant changed owners, I decided to come back to Glens Falls and attend Culinary School under Chef Matt Bolton at SUNY Adirondack. As a fellow left-handed chef we instantly clicked with our sense of humor and love of the adrenaline that professional cooking brings. After graduating in 2016, I took a short stint down south in Tennessee and learned some awesome southern techniques. Though the south was beautiful, I was needed in the Glens Falls area to help open the restaurant [forged] in Hudson Falls with Chef AJ and Christina Richards. Once [forged] closed for renovations, I was relocated to [farmacy] where I get to wave at all who live and visit Glens Falls. The front window has brought many friendly people in - not only to eat, but to strike up conversations as well.

On Life in Glens Falls

I have two younger sisters which makes me a protective older brother. My whole family has always lived in the Glens Falls area until recently when my sisters went away to college. We love finding new restaurants to try when they come home.

I have been looking for a duplex to buy in the heart of Glens Falls to be closer to the town I have grown so fond of. It offers so many fitness and wellness activities as well as things to do in the outdoors and on the water. I love finding hidden hiking trails or kayak spots, or just walking around town and visiting the library or fun stores after some great coffee.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day in Glens Falls would include breakfast and coffee at Spektor with my girlfriend Cate (a bullet proof mocha and seeing Ray's smiling face makes my day), then walking to Rude Betty or Fountain Square Outfitters to see what interesting gifts we can find for each other. We would probably stop into Northeastern Fine Jewelry to look at watches and get my hopes up for a killer Christmas present!

I love checking out the fresh produce at the Farmers Market, so we would have to visit my farmer friends and see what new goodies they have for the restaurant.

After that we might take a trip to Crandall Park and sit by the water or walk around town and enjoy the views.

For date night in the nice weather, we would probably sit on the patio at [farmacy] (obviously) or get some drinks at Mean Max. If we were lucky we would get a reservation at Seasoned (and pay my good friends and former instructors Chef Matt Bolton and Chef Megan Diehl a visit) to witness first hand the culinarians of the future.

If we wanted a quick bite we might hit up Mikado for some killer sushi.

To get the blood pumping after that, I would probably go to Anytime Fitness for a quick workout or Lemon Tree Yoga at The Shirt Factory to realign myself.

On the Past

I remember fishing at Crandall Park as a kid after church and just enjoying being outside and chasing the ducks... until they started chasing me back. After a short fishing trip we would always get some fresh bread and pastries from Rock Hill Bakehouse and head home.

I always loved riding through downtown Glens Falls during the holidays and seeing the Christmas decorations light up the streets.

I never got a chance to try Bistro Tallulah when I was younger, but I respect how that restaurant paved the way for other chefs in the area.

…and On the Future

Glens Falls has really become a food hub over the past few years. There are new restaurants popping up all over town, with some truly talented chefs and line cooks to help pave the way. I'm excited to see who will be next to open up a restaurant in the area!

In the future I would like to see more of the continued community support between businesses and individuals. Seeing SUNY Culinary Center's facilities full of brand new young chefs eager to learn and grow would make this alumni ecstatic for the future. It might even make finding more great chefs easy for a restaurant run by yours truly, with a great patio and an aroma that would fill the town and bring people in!

In a city that has so much to offer, it's amazing to see everyone constantly growing and coming together for each other.

My Glens Falls: Nick and Danielle Margaglio

This week, we’re chatting with Danielle and Nick Margaglio! We connected with them on Instagram last summer and have loved following along as they update their city home (that they bought sight unseen, by the way!). Read on to find out what brought them to Glens Falls, how it compares to the four other states they’ve lived in, and what they love about this little city so far.

Tell us about yourselves!

Hi! We are Nick and Danielle Margaglio. We recently moved to Glens Falls after being on the road for a few years with the military. Nick is a pilot in the New York Air National Guard, he flies the LC-130 to Antarctica in support of the National Science Foundation. I (Danielle) am an avid horseback rider and I work and volunteer at stables in the area. I also have a small Etsy shop where I sell cards and stickers that I design. 

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

Nick grew up in the southern tier and I grew up in South Carolina. Somehow Nick made his way down south and we met at the University of South Carolina. After graduation, we moved to Mississippi, followed by Arkansas on a three year saga for pilot training.

We had never actually been to upstate NY besides one time in college when we took a spur of the moment trip from South Carolina to Lake Placid in Nick’s beat up single cab truck! Needless to say it was a long drive that was not well planned but we had a blast and fell in love with upstate. 

Fast forward a few years, we were wrapping up training in Arkansas and were poised to move to New York. We realized we needed a place to live - somewhere that values community, is close to the outdoors, and has older homes (it has been a goal of ours since we were in college to fix up an old house). With the help of Google maps, Zillow, and the Glens Falls Living blog, we found that Glens Falls fit the bill for us. So we ended up purchasing an older home on Sheridan Street sight unseen! All of our research could not have prepared us for how friendly and welcoming everyone was. We can’t tell you how many adult beverages were dropped off on our porch, which I guess is the contemporary “welcome to the neighborhood” gift. Glens Falls has truly exceeded our expectations. 

Our house is about 100 years old and is considered a shingle style home. Luckily for us, it was well preserved by the previous owners, so all the work we are doing is mainly cosmetic! It has been fun updating the house and we have even started an Instagram page, @myantiquehouse, to document all of the work we are doing. We love our street - it's close to Crandall Park and we have the best neighbors! Although we are new to Glens Falls, our favorite thing about it so far is the sense of community. We have lived in four other states and we haven't felt such a sense of community as we have here.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Our perfect Glens Falls day starts with breakfast at Kelly’s Roots. We usually grab a hot latte and a breakfast sandwich to fuel our day. Then we take our dog Nash for a long walk and throw the ball for him at Crandall Park. From there, we either go up to the Adirondacks to hike or tackle another project around the house. On a perfect day the project would go smoothly and we only go to Lowes once!

We know when it's time to wind down when we hear music playing. Our neighbor, Pete, hosts a neighborhood concert every Saturday. We all grab a beverage, usually from Common Roots, and listen to him and his band play. It's a great way for us all to get together and enjoy the moment. Afterwards we would enjoy dinner at Craft on 9, it's our favorite so far but we have so many more options to explore!

On the Future

We still have so many things to explore around Glens Falls, but if we could add one thing it would be a dog park. We enjoy taking Nash to Crandall Park but it would be cool to have a place where he could play with his doggy friends off leash!

A Trader Joes wouldn’t hurt either! Trader Joes, if you’re reading this - we know the perfect spot. 

My Glens Falls: Shane Donaldson

This week we’re catching up with Shane Donaldson, who we initially connected with on Instagram after seeing the cool wood merch he creates in his shop Rustic Overtones. He also works in IT at SUNY Adirondack, has an 1850 farmhouse he’s renovating with his family, and shares a lot of favorites and memories of life in Glens Falls! Catch our chat below…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Shane Donaldson. I work as a full time IT staff member at SUNY Adirondack along with my partner, Holly Irion, who also works there as a mental health counselor. I am a Veteran of the Army National Guard and served a deployment in Iraq in 2003/2004. I also have side business as a lettering creative, providing handmade wood signage as well as laser engraving services. I consider myself a creative, with my hobbies and passions always flowing and evolving. I’m a visual and kinesthetic person, and love learning new ways to use my hands. I enjoy the opportunities that my creative pursuits have opened up for me, both within our community and through social media. This has allowed for friendships and networks that would not have been possible without the platforms that help us to share and connect. My environment has always been littered with art supplies, tools and inspiration. I wholeheartedly believe that it is our right and privilege to create on a daily basis, and I’m certain I will forever be learning and pursuing new creative outlets. My children, Sophia (17), Jack (16) and Jane (4) seem to have inherited that creative gene, as well. My daughter, Sophia, is a very accomplished artist and well on her way to success in whatever path she chooses. 

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I grew up in Whitehall and moved to Queensbury around 2007. I will always love my hometown, but I have a great fondness for the Glens Falls community. Holly has a deep interest and appreciation for the history and architecture of Glens Falls, and this interest is now something that we share together. Since we met (and expanded our family) we have spent much of our free time enjoying all that the city and surrounding area has to offer. We have so many fond memories- attending Take-a-Bite, the lighting of the Christmas tree, Food Truck Corrals at the Shirt Factory, just to name a few. Holly and I love to socialize, and so many of our friends share the same love of downtown Glens Falls - it never takes much convincing to get friends together for dinner or drinks. Aside from the community and culture in the city, I feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful landscape. On any day, we are just a short drive from the beautiful lakes, rivers, streams and mountains. 

In 2016, one week before the birth of our youngest child, we purchased an old farmhouse on upper Luzerne Road in Queensbury. Built in 1850, the farmhouse served a largely utilitarian purpose, and renovations throughout the years have stripped our home of much of its original character. We are slowly restoring what we can (most recently we exposed and refinished the original wide-plank pine floors on the second level), and we cannot wait to breathe more life into it as time and funds allow.

Some Hometown Favorites

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is that there always seems to be something to do. On any given day you can wander downtown and happen upon a small festival or gathering, or swing into a variety of small businesses, and chances are you will run into somebody that you know. The longer I’ve been living in this community, the smaller it feels, and I love that.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

A perfect Glens Falls day for me would start outdoors - perhaps some kayaking, hiking, or just walking around somewhere new. I would follow this up with wandering around Take-a-Bite with the family, including our miniature schnauzer, Frankie. The day wouldn’t be complete without grabbing a pitcher of margaritas at Rauls or some beer at Mean Max with friends.

On the Past

Most of my childhood memories of Glens Falls involve the Civic Center, including wrestling (both high school and watching professional wrestling), hockey games, graduations, concerts, and the annual Christmas Eve Road March. It’s nice to have a community space that can serve so many functions.

Some of my sweetest and most fun memories are more recent - our family is made up of several April birthdays and we celebrate annually with a big hibachi dinner at Mikado. While we had to celebrate at home this past April, we’ve gone several times in recent months to make up for it.

On the Future

As we adjust and recover as a community, I would love to see more music and live entertainment in smaller settings. To me, there is not much better than grabbing a craft beer and listening to a live performance.

My Glens Falls: Meaghan Golden

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!

My Glens Falls: Danielle Grasmeder

We’re chatting with Danielle Grasmeder this week! She’s sharing the reasons she returned to Glens Falls after graduating from college, her favorite holiday memories in the city, her pup Stella’s go-to stops at the Glens Falls Farmers Market, and lots more!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Danielle Grasmeder and I have lived in the Glens Falls/Queensbury region since I was 5 years old! I turned 25 on October 1st (so that means a solid 20 years here!) and currently work for Morgan Stanley in Glens Falls as a Registered Associate. You may know my parents, Kathy and Dan Grasmeder, as they work for Morgan Stanley in Glens Falls as well.

I am a proud member of the Glens Falls Rotary Club and love to spend my time volunteering with people who value “Service above Self” as much as I do. I have an 8 month old German Shepherd, Stella, who loves to go to the Farmer’s Market with me every Saturday in the pavilion and get her fill of hot dogs from Pa’s Pistols, treats from Battenkill Creamery, and (her favorite!) weekly pumpkin “pup cups” from Buddy’s Barkery!

On Life in Glens Falls

Glens Falls is where I grew up. I honestly always pictured myself coming back here post-graduation, settling down and contributing to my local community in every way that I could. It seemed like the logical next step after college. Graduate, then come back to the place that shaped me into the person I am. I feel that I can return the favor and help to improve and preserve the amazing community that influenced me!

My family has lived here for 20 years (my little sister Gabrielle was in a baby carrier when we moved here!) and I met my boyfriend of 8 and a half years, Mike Valente, at a Queensbury Middle School Dance! He has also lived in the Glens Falls Region his whole life and agrees that staying in the Glens Falls area is just what we were supposed to do! Mike got a job working for Lehigh Hanson Cement in Glens Falls and it felt like everything fell into place for us.

There are so many things that keep me here: my family, my friends, my job, and the community. But one of the best things about our community is the changing of seasons! I am telling you, it is just not the same other places! I went to SUNY Oswego to obtain my bachelors degree in Marketing and trust me, the trees are nothing like what they are here. Also, just drive through the community and look around! We are in the most idyllic spot, surrounded by mountains! Have you been driving and just taken a moment to look at the trees as you go down Glen Street or Warren Street? The colors of the trees are incredible. I so thoroughly enjoy my drive to work, especially right now, because of the beautiful fall colors! People literally drive to our community to come see the beauty of Autumn and I think we are so incredibly blessed to be living in a place where the seasons change like they do here!

Mike and I bought our first house in April of this year. It is a beautiful home in Hartford approximately 20 minutes from downtown GF, so I have about a 20 minute commute to work. We have 12 acres of land and it is a dream come true. I’m still trying to convince Mike to let me bring my horse home, but in the mean time our dog Stella loves to romp around our fields and stretch her legs! We love that Glens Falls is so close! You literally have the best of both worlds where we are. The hustle and bustle of a small city and the wide expanse of farm country just 10-15 minutes away. Can’t get much better than that in my opinion.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is the fact that there are so many different shops, businesses, and other things going on that you really can spend a whole day here and still not see or do everything. I wish more people knew the rich history of some of the older buildings in Glens Falls. For example, the building I currently work in used to be a carriage house! It housed livery horses and carriages and still bears some remnants of that time to this day! There are so many beautiful buildings with incredible pasts and it’s amazing that we can hear about and experience them today.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

A perfect day in Glens Falls would start with breakfast at SPoT or Spektor Coffee. I love SPoT’s chai lattes and they make this wonderful white chocolate blueberry latte in the summer that is heavenly over ice! For breakfast there I will usually get the breakfast burrito and a white chocolate pumpkin cookie. From Spektor I am a huge fan of their land and sea eggs benedict. Their smashed potatoes are literally to die for!

My sister, mom and whoever else I have with me will usually come with Stella and I on our weekly trip to the Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning. Our favorite stops include The Food Florist, Battenkill Creamery (where they always have treats waiting for Stella), The Argyle Cheese Company, Pa’s Pistols (where there are always hot dogs cut up and waiting for Stella), Lake George Distilling Company and (Stella’s favorite stop) Buddy’s Barkery for her weekly Pumpkin Flavored Pup Cups!

Lunch would probably be had at Rachel’s Spice Cafe (their Snapdragon Panini is literally the best!) and then we would let Stella romp around in City Park and maybe visit The Lake George Olive Oil Company for gelato and olive oil (and to visit my little sister while she is working there!). Then we would hit Laura’s Vintage for some shopping (they have such cute clothes!) and Minky Mink!

For happy hour, we would be sitting outside at Farmacy and ordering some sort of amazing cocktail that they have. In my opinion if you want incredible drinks made by a master bartender there is no other place to go besides Farmacy.

Dinner is at Mikado, no question. I think they have the best sushi in the Capital Region, honestly. They know my family and I as we are regulars and we go for sushi every Friday! We usually start with a dumpling soup in miso broth and our favorite sushi roll is Larry the Lobster. The trip would not be complete without a Pretty Princess drink for me either! It is the best!! And if you don’t like sushi I recommend their shrimp tempura udon (it’s a noodle soup with shrimp tempura you can add in).

For date night, Mike and I have frequented Raul’s (fish tacos and margaritas!!), Mi Rancho (margaritas and Texas fajitas!!), Farmacy, and of course Mikado! We would really like to try Radici but have not been able to get a reservation to get in! Speaks volumes about how amazing the food is when you can’t get a reservation! We hope to try it soon!

On the Past

My favorite memories of Glens Falls are during Christmas time. I remember when I was a little girl and they had a horse drawn carriage giving rides up and down beautifully decorated and snow covered Glen Street. As a horse crazy little girl it stuck in my mind how amazing it was to see this beautifully decorated carriage with two big black percherons and wreaths wrapped around their necks trotting proudly up and down the streets of my little hometown. That was a wonderful night with my family. We had just gotten our Christmas tree and were in town grabbing hot chocolate and cookies (I think my parents totally knew what was going on and wanted to surprise me!). It is one of my favorite memories.

Another of my favorite memories is working with the WAIT House for the Morgan Stanley Christmas Initiative. Two years ago we helped a family that was really in need (child and mom needed really basic things like dishes, hairbrushes, socks, boots, coat, snow pants, etc.) and they were so much fun to shop for. When we dropped everything off at their house, Mom cried and hugged us and told us how thankful she was that we had given her and her son such a beautiful Christmas. We had also bought her and her son Christmas dinner and she was so thankful as she had thought that would not be an option for them that year. It was so much fun to bring them a Christmas (with the help and generosity of my amazing co-workers) that they will remember forever while making sure all of their needs were met!

On the Future

I think the next thing that should come to Glens Falls are some tech companies! We have the makings of a bustling little metropolis and one of the few things we are missing are tech companies to really round out Glens Falls’ “ resume”. We have financial firms, law offices, restaurants, the paper plant, cement plant, the marketing firms, and I think all that’s missing is those businesses!

I would also love to see some dog themed stores come in to town. I think those would be a huge hit as everyone always loves to walk around town with their dogs!

I am so glad to live in Glens Falls and feel blessed to have such a strong community behind me. I am so proud of where I live and can’t wait to see what happens as we continue to progress!

My Glens Falls: Meg Diehl

We caught up with Meg Diehl this week! She shares what brought her back to the area after being away for years, the one place in the city that her mom would let her drink soda as a kid, a great idea for a future city event, and more!

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Meg Diehl. I’m a Culinary Arts Instructor for SUNY Adirondack at Seasoned restaurant. I’m also the co-owner and operator of Prepped and Ready Catering Co, and Whisk and Wine LLC, offering private cooking classes, catering, in-home service, events, weddings, and pop up restaurants.

On Life in Glens Falls

I grew up in Bolton Landing and have enjoyed living, working and playing in this area for over a decade. I traveled when I was younger, moving to western New York for college and then to Wyoming after college to ski, hike, and play. I settled in New York City to attend culinary school and was eventually drawn back to the area to work with my family on our farm and to forge a new culinary path and career in this area knowing that the greater Glens Falls region was changing and evolving as well as becoming more in touch with the new ideas and aspects of the culinary world.

I currently live in Brant Lake with my husband, and we are in the process of building a home in Bolton Landing.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

Besides Seasoned, my incredible culinary students, and the wonderful opportunities that SUNY Adirondack affords not just my students but the larger community, I truly love The Hyde Collection. The Historic Home and permanent collection as well as exhibits, events, learning opportunities, and much much more are not only invaluable to our community, but invaluable to the art and history world as well.

The Chapman Museum also has a very special place in my heart, offering such beautiful insight into the past alongside its preservation of the local Glens Falls area and surrounding towns through the lens of Seneca Ray Stoddard and many other influential figures from our area.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My morning starts at Spektor Coffee. I need my coffee. I love the Crandall Library so maybe I’d take some time and peruse the stacks, keeping in mind I only have so many hands to hold the books!

For afternoon snack time, I would love to see my students in action at Seasoned restaurant, enjoy a delicious lunch (or dinner for that matter), a glass of wine, and get to see stellar students doing what they do best.

After that I’d hit up The Hyde or The Chapman. Then cocktails and more snacks at Farmacy so I could see alumni student Dave Macintosh in action serving up wonderful creations.

If there are any events happening in town, I try to squeeze them in too, like shows at the Wood Theater, Adirondack Theater Festival, guest speaker presentations at galleries or museums, movies, music and more.

On the Past

When I was young, my mom and I had season tickets to the Red Wings! I remember bundling up and going to the rink, smelling the ice, and getting to drink soda, which was forbidden in our house but hockey games were a special occasion. I got to know the players and coaches, have vivid memories riding the zamboni, and so much more.

On the Future

I would love to see a bookstore, more, and diverse restaurants, as well as a historic homes tour. Those are things I love in other small towns around the area and something I would love to see in Glens Falls.

My Glens Falls: Molly Congdon-Hunsdon

We were thrilled to get to know Molly this week! In addition to being the Executive Director of the Glens Falls Area Youth Center, she’s busy fixing up her peaceful country home where she lives with her husband and three kids. She shares her go-to dinner spots, her most treasured downtown memories with her dad, and what she’d like to see added downtown (calling all bakeries!).

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Molly Congdon-Hunsdon and I’m the Executive Director of the Glens Falls Area Youth Center as well as a Freelance Writer. I’m married to the most amazing man - I have celiac disease and he literally gave up eating gluten (that’s right, pasta, cookies, cakes…basically everything delicious!) so that I wouldn’t get cross-contaminated. I’m a proud mom of three. I have a beautiful 8-year-old step-daughter named Bentley who loves unicorns, glitter and singing her heart out. I also have 3-year-old twin boys named Tucker and Wyatt. They are crazy men in the very best way! They keep me on my toes and never fail to make me laugh. I’m so thankful for my kids.

On Life in Glens Falls

I grew up right over the bridge in South Glens Falls so I will forever (and proudly!) be a Bulldog, but my heart has always been in Glens Falls because of the Youth Center. My dad was the Executive Director for 36 years so I grew up within its’ walls and that organization molded me into the person that I am today.

Currently I call Gansevoort home. It’s off the beaten path, peaceful and quite possibly has the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. My husband and I have been fixing up our house for the last couple of years and it’s been such a fun process. He is incredibly talented and can do it all; plumbing, carpentry, electric. etc. The first gift he ever gave me was a shelf that he made by hand. It was so impressive…I was hooked!

I’m a little biased but my favorite thing about Glens Falls would have to be all of the kids that walk through our doors at the Youth Center each day. They are a diverse assortment of personalities, cultures, belief systems, and ethnicities. These kids are all wonderful in their own way and truly one-of-a-kind, and—even though they don’t realize it— they inspire me, surprise me and push me to be my best self. They are the true “hidden gems” of the area because they are our future.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day 

I’m a huge Juicin’ Jar fan so I would start my ideal day off with a smoothie bowl, fresh juice and whatever gluten-free/vegan baked good they have on the menu (I can never resist!). Then I would probably snag either an iced coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts or a Green Tea Latte from Starbucks. I’m a sports girl so if there is a game happening for one of my YC members on a Saturday, I usually try to get there to show some support. Then I would head to Acupuncture Nirvana to relax and unwind. For lunch or dinner my go-to spots are: O’Tooles, Cooper’s Cave Ale Company Pub, or Gourmet Cafe.

I also love going to local events; LARAC, the Balloon Festival, Taste of the North Country, the Festival of Trees, and Boo 2 You are some of my favorites.

On the Past

My favorite memories are going to the High School State Basketball Tournament and the Federation Games at the Civic Center (now Cool Insuring) with my dad. We shared a passion for basketball. We would grab some popcorn and watch game-after-game-after-game. It was the only time he would take me out of school; we didn’t want to miss one minute!

On the Future

That’s a tough one. I would have to say more gluten-free places to eat, especially bakeries! I miss being able to eat a cannoli or eclair.

My Glens Falls: Mike Romeo

This week we’re chatting with Mike Romeo! He shares what has kept in him in Glens Falls (hint: it has something to do with a favorite childhood memory), as well as what he loves about the car business (you’ll recognize him from Carriage Traders and Romeo Toyota), and his favorite Friday night date night in the city.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Mike Romeo. I was born at Glens Falls Hospital in 1982. 

I have been married to my wife Andrea since 2007. We have three wonderful boys - 9 year old twins Nicky and Vinny, and a 3 year old, Christian. Andrea makes my life much easier by supporting me through the long hours that I put in building the business. There is nothing more important than my family. They are always there for me through thick and thin - we always stick together. 

On Life in Glens Falls 

I have been in Glens Falls my entire life. I can never imagine a time when I would leave. I went to college in Pittsburgh and Michigan and really enjoyed it there, but nothing is like home for me. Just about all my friends from high school are still here and doing very well.

I grew up in the Broadacres neighborhood and live two streets from my parent’s house. We looked around when our family was growing, but ended up wanting to stay right where we were because we loved the neighborhood so much. Instead of moving, we put an upper level on our ranch for some extra bedrooms. 

Some Glens Falls Favorites 

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is that it has everything a big city has, but with a small city feel. We usually ride our bikes downtown to Spektor on Sunday mornings to get breakfast, and then we’ll stop in the park and hang out for a little bit. 

I have loved to watch Glens Falls grow over the last decade into a wonderful food town. My wife and I are regulars at some of our favorite places downtown: Morgan and Co, The Queensbury Hotel, Farmacy, and Craft on 9. I’m so happy to be able to drive my car downtown on a Friday night and park the car with no dinner reservations. My wife and I will walk around and grab a drink and then end up somewhere else for dinner. You couldn’t do that 15 years ago. All the updates to the buildings makes me proud to be from Glens Falls.

On Life in the Car Business

My father, Len, started Carriage Traders the year I was born. So I was born into the car business. I have never had another job doing anything not car related. 

My brother and I started working when we were around 10 years old at the dealership. My godfather, Jim Zappone, ran the retail end of the store and my Dad ran the wholesale end. “Zap”, as we called him, put us to work while my Dad was on the road. He had us picking up cigarettes and picking weeds. Every summer we would go into work and do something different. We got a strong foundation of all the different departments. That was a great learning experience because it showed us how hard everyone had to work, from the lot porter to the general manager. 

After we finished high school we started doing what we would do for years to come - summers during college were spent wholesaling for me and Joe spent his summers selling cars on the lot. As time went on Joe was running the Buick, GMC, Chevy dealership in Kingston and I was building the wholesale department. I got the opportunity to have a number of my friends come on board and learn how to wholesale. They are still there 15 years later doing great. We now have the Buick, GMC, Chevy store, Kia store, Ford store, Carriage Traders, and now Romeo Toyota.

I was building the wholesale business until 2016 and driving about 1,000 miles a week buying cars. Then I became the GM of Carriage Traders and learned the retail end of the business. I also learned how to run a body shop and service department. Now I will be the GM of both Carriage Traders and Romeo Toyota of Glens Falls. I have a ton to learn about the new car business and look forward to it. I have the two best mentors in the new car business between my brother and father.

On the Past 

My favorite Glens Falls memory is my group of friends riding our bikes around the same neighborhood that my kids do now. We had a group of about 10 kids that would just ride around and have fun all day. I wanted that for my kids, and that’s why I stayed here.

On the Future

I would love to see a nice men’s clothing store downtown. We have some great places for women to go shopping in the city but it would be excellent if someone opened a men’s store. I think it would be supported by all the locals and benefit from the tourists in the summer.

My Glens Falls: Amelia Gelnett

Amelia will likely be a familiar face if you’ve been to the Glens Falls Farmers Market the last few years! She’s in town frequently with her role at Comfort Food Community, and she shares some of the favorites she’s gathered through the years - like her top picks from the market, the best trails in the region, and lots more.

Tell us about yourself! 

My name is Amelia Romaine Gelnett. I grew up exploring my Grandmother's gardens, forests of Central Pennsylvania, and regal magnolias in my mother's hometown in Georgia. Our house was decorated with stained glass, books, and knick knacks from Germany, where my parents met. My oldest sister, Zora, was born there, second was Jessica in Texas, and then Levi and I in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Our childhoods were a fortunate blend of creative, humanitarian, athletic, and environmental experiences. 

A few poignant childhood memories would be witnessing a golden eagle fly away with a doe in its talons at Tall Timbers, handing out Smarties lollipops to state hospital patients while visiting my Dad at work, and creating terrariums with British soldier lichen in second grade. This breadth of exposure to nature, cultures, agriculture, and art all influenced my being and career.

Currently, I am the Community Health Director at Comfort Food Community, a nonprofit working towards solutions in food waste and equal access to nutrition throughout Washington, Warren, and Saratoga Counties. During my time with CFC, I have created garden camps, wellness and nutrition classes, connected over 450 individuals to food and health resources, all while developing and executing 4 medically tailored produce programs. We partner with healthcare providers, health insurance, social care agencies, libraries, housing facilities, as well as state and county agencies to expand fresh food access to individuals in need. If you've received a random bag of vegetables at your doctor's office or visited the Glens Falls Farmers Market in the last 5 years, we've likely met!

On Life in Glens Falls

My first exposure to the Glens Falls area was in 2009 when I took an environmental education and habitat restoration internship at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. While there, I created education events such as animal carnivals to reveal niche talents of native Eastern Spadefoot toads, Blanding's turtles, and Eastern Hognose snakes. It was a lovely introduction to the area, but I longed to travel and moved to Costa Rica for the next 5 months. 

Upon returning to the US, I visited friends in the Sacandaga Lake area where a stranger asked if I'd like to plant potatoes at a farm the following week. I obliged and subsequently worked for The Alleged Farm inconsecutively for the next 9 years. This organic, eccentric farm in Southern Washington County anchors my knowledge of produce varieties, how to elegantly prepare them, and gracefully tend to the earth. Within this span of time, I also lived in the heart of the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake. This town taught me the true meaning of winter and joviality. I am dedicated to their Winter Carnival and spend an absurd amount of time and resources designing costumes and crowd engagement activities for it. 

For a few years, I rotated between living there and the farm until Devin Bulger, the Executive Director of Comfort Food Community, asked if I'd be interested in working for them. The opportunity to combine population and environmental health by equalizing access to local agriculture has been uniquely valuable. My time has been dedicated to expanding relationships with farms, social and healthcare agencies, and serving the public. 

For several years, my time spent in Glens Falls was isolated to selling produce at the Farmers Market. Over the last two years, I have been able to explore the city’s neighborhoods, restaurants, and recreational spaces intimately.

I rent an apartment in Greenwich and my partner rents in Glens Falls. It's a geographically convenient arrangement since he works for BDP Industries in Greenwich and I collaborate with health centers nearby and the Glens Falls Farmers Market. We're close to downtown and admire details in the diversity of architecture, neighborhoods, gardens, and trails present here. It's a beautiful city full of unique details and fauna. 

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about this area is the abundant forests, hikes, and wildlife available here. Even after venturing through the North Country for 10 years, I continue to find new trails and habitats. There's amazing biodiversity with a range of easy to challenging terrains. If you hadn't heard of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, go visit! There's several parcels of land to explore, Moreau State Park is on the way. To the north, my favorites are Lake George Land Conservancy trails, and the predictably, the vast and beautiful peaks and lakes of the Adirondacks. If you don't mind, I'd like to shout out to Mike Jaworski and Nick Glasser who both thru hiked the 46ers this winter and set the fastest record for them this spring. They're powerhouses and my friends.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

If money is no object and in post COVID-19 fantasy, I would begin my Saturday at the Glens Falls Farmers Market. First, I would pick up an everything or red pepper bagel from Alchemy Bagel Cafe and order a breakfast sandwich at Barb & Tom's Grill. Then load up on husk cherries, okra, and lemon drop peppers from The Alleged Farm, seafood from Pura Vida Fisheries, lion's mane mushrooms from Adirondack Mycology, and other seasonally available treats. Afterwards, I would take a walk and admire resident's gardens and architecture on my way to Cole's Woods. Then return to downtown for lunch at Mikado followed by a massage at the Adirondack Salt Cave or dance class at Studio Chrome. Afterwards, I would seek out either Aroy Dee Thai, Radici, or [farmacy] for dinner and end the evening with friends at Common Roots Brewery.  

On the Past

I'll opt to highlight a character from the area who frequents the Glens Falls Farmers Market. Martha has dark, sparkling eyes, bright white hair, and a sweet demeanor. She's a wise kind of quiet and deserves admiration, but is the type of person who would never seek the spotlight. She and her deceased husband had 5 children who grew up visiting Alleged's Farm Stand and the owner, Thomas Christenfeld, served them along with his sons. She's dedicated years to Crandall Public Library and is an ideal creature to inhabit aisles of books and the mystical worlds they contain. In the years that I saw them most, she was caring for her husband while he was battling dementia. She was tender, patient, and poised while navigating a sometimes loud, distracting, and chaotic setting. I admire her style, personality, and strength and would like to use this opportunity to honor her. 

On the Future

I would design a space full of plants, with prisms and glass works filling the windows, where live music and community art could take place. It would be a blended recreational space including foosball, ping pong, and racquetball. Complete with rhinestone studded capes, intricate crowns, and other optional bedazzlement of your choosing upon victory. A playground for adults, essentially. Currently accepting startup funds.

My Glens Falls: Chad Rabinovitz

We’re catching up with Chad Rabinovitz this week, who you’ll most certainly recognize from the Adirondack Theatre Festival and Adirondack Film Festival! He shares some fun facts about himself (did you know he’s a triplet?!), some favorite memories from his six years in Glens Falls, chats about pandemic pivots, and answers the big question - what’s In the Box?!

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Chad Rabinovitz and I’m a Producing Artistic Director. I’m a triplet – my brother lives in Hershey, PA (works for Hershey’s Chocolate) and my sister lives in Vienna, VA (works in PR). 

I love candy, space, and entertainment. So even though I just turned 40, my interests are holding steady from childhood.  

Oh, also ice cream.  Is it too late to add that to the list?  Ice cream!  Specifically Martha’s ice cream. And cake. I occasionally sculpt cakes.

Oh, alsoooo magic. I almost forgot that. That’s how I first fell into theater. And now I specialize in creating and directing original magic shows.  I think that’s it. For now.

On Life in Glens Falls

I’m originally from Eldersburg, MD. I went to school in Pittsburgh. And I’ve lived all over the country – from Connecticut to Colorado and many places in between – working at various theaters. Before moving to Glens Falls I was in Bloomington, IN where I was the Producing Artistic Director of the Bloomington Playwrights Project, the only professional theatre in the state of Indiana focused solely on new works. I still run that company (been there 11 years) and fly between the two locations. 

ATF brought me here about 6 years ago. I flew out here for the first time to meet with the Board of Directors and tour the city and the theater. I was blown away by all of it. I couldn’t believe that a theater like the Wood existed in a small downtown like Glens Falls. Then I read articles in The Chronicle about the ten year anniversary of the renovation and listened to stories from the Board, staff, and patrons about how ATF & The Wood revitalized downtown Glens Falls. I wanted to be a part of it. I have a dual degree in Theater and Business, so that hits my sweet spot. It’s inarguable the impact that the arts have had on the economy and the quality of life in Glens Falls and I wanted to hop on that train and take it further. I love creating great shows, but there’s no better feeling than knowing you’re a part of making the place you live a better place to live. 

I live above the ATF offices. That’s where every ATF artistic leader has lived! Mark Fleischer before me and David Turner and Martha Banta before him. So whenever my place gets a little messy, I like to blame it on them. 

I love being able to walk downtown to grab a bite or get to the theater. It’s also nice that I’m just two doors down from Charles Peltz, so if I ever don’t like one of Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra’s concerts, I can easily egg his house. 

My absolute favorite thing in Glens Falls is to be sitting on the Park 26 patio by one of their fire pit tables, drinking a Moscow Mule, and looking out onto City Park after a successful ATF show. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

I think my perfect day involves visiting every ATF sponsor location, which is a packed day! So maybe breakfast at Park 26, then I’d go shopping at Rude Betty to get some awesome stuff (I love that place!), followed by lunch on the patio at Davidson Brothers (I’m definitely getting the buffalo chicken soup), then a late afternoon Adirondack Thunder game at the Cool Insuring Arena. After that I’d drive over to Jonathan Reid to get fitted for a new suit, then to dinner at DT Social, followed by a show at the Wood, Fenimore’s for a drink by the fire pit (and probably a charcuterie plate), then to Martha’s for ice cream. If I’m feeling crazy, I’ll get a late-night grilled cheese at New Way Lunch before collapsing back at The Q to spend the night. In the morning I’ll go back to Jonathan Reid to get re-fitted for the suit after so much eating. And in between all of that, I’ll be stopping by all the other sponsors I love but neglected to mention! And seriously, that really is my ideal day – I’m genuinely obsessed with all of those places.

On the Past

I just have so many incredible memories in my first 6 years. Many of them are related to shows. Like TESLA will always stand out as one of the best times for me – seeing how much the community embraced it was amazing. But it’s hard to give a favorite memory without mentioning the film festivals. Especially the first one. We were creating something completely new and didn’t know if anyone would even show up. Seeing the lines out the door and the fun our patrons and our filmmakers were having was incredibly fulfilling. As it grows bigger each year that feeling only grows with it. When people stop me on the street to talk about how they enjoyed the film festival or an ATF show, that’s my favorite memory. I hold onto all of them. 

On the Future

One of my dreams for the future of Glens Falls is to fill it with public art. I’ve been working with some passionate folks involved with the Arts District of GF to make it a reality. We imagine our city filled with murals and sculptures and photo ops and artistic surprises all around that would not only beautify Glens Falls, but help drive more tourism. We’re not far from finally breaking ground and making that dream a reality. I can’t wait! Oh, also, can we have a candy and fudge shop downtown? Please?

On Pandemic Pivots

Well it’s no surprise that the live performing arts sector has taken a devastating hit during this time.  But the silver lining is that it’s given us a chance to innovate and invent an entirely new form of theatre that’s never been done before. So we’ve created IN THE BOX ENTERTAINMENT. 

“What’s IN THE BOX ENTERTAINMENT, Chad?” I’m glad you asked! It’s the world’s first season of virtual interactive entertainment. In the week before the show you’ll receive a box on your doorstep. That box remains sealed until the moment the show begins. At the time of the show – keep in mind, this is a live, ticketed event – you’ll log on by simply clicking a link and just like that you’ll be watching our live state-of-the-art show that’s been designed specifically for your in-home entertainment. Throughout the hour long performance, you’ll use the items in the box to experience the show in an all-new dimension. It’s designed to keep you entertained, engaged, and having more fun than you ever thought possible while still at home. Think of it less as a webcam and more like something brand new: interactive TV. 

There are four shows in our subscription package. We start in October with a magic show featuring renowned mentalist, Max Major, who is currently starring on America’s Got Talent. In it, Max will read your mind from thousands of miles away. This show is insanely cool. It is legitimately the best magic show in the world right now. 

You can purchase the shows individually or save on all four by buying a subscription package for a ridiculously cheap price.

In October is our Film Festival in a Box – once again we are the first in the world to offer this unique take on a film festival.  You’ll not only get more than 120 films that you can’t see anywhere else, but you also receive a box filled with AFF swag, plenty of popcorn, and other surprise items that will bring not just the films, but the festival experience into your home.

You’re used to me asking you to see new shows, but this is the first time I’ve ever been able to invite you to an entirely new art form.  What you’re seeing literally has never been seen before. Join me and be the first. You can find out more info, purchase tickets, and subscribe at ATFestival.org.

Special thanks to The Queensbury Hotel for making this story possible!

Exciting news! The Park Patio Music Series has been extended! That means five more weeks of live music to enjoy on Wednesday evenings on the patio. Crisp fall air, early autumn foliage, delicious dishes, cocktails, and music to enjoy - it doesn’t get much better! Book your reservation here.

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living. 

My Glens Falls: Tori Torrisi

This week, Tori Torrisi shares how she decided on moving to Glens Falls after a few fun filled years living in Boston, how many layers of wallpaper she found while renovating her old city home, and her hopes for the future of wellness in Glens Falls (she’s the Clinic Director of Capital Area Physical Therapy!) - read it all below!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Tori Torrisi and I am a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer and the Clinic Director of Capital Area Physical Therapy in Queensbury. I absolutely love my job and feel so fortunate to get to work with such an amazing team of clinicians who I also consider some of my closest friends. I live in Glens Falls with my husband Ryan and our two rescue kitties Edward and Piper. 

I grew up in Clifton Park, the youngest of 4 siblings and had an amazing childhood spent mostly outdoors. Despite being the most rebellious of the bunch and my major issues with authority (sorry mom), I was always observing and learning from my family. My work ethic is 100% from my dad, my empathy for my patients I learned from my mom, and my value for the pursuit of knowledge comes from my sister Jess. I have always had some really big goals and feel comfortable taking risks because I know if something ever goes wrong, I have my family supporting me and rooting me on. 

From a young age, I always wanted complete independence and control over my life (again sorry mom) so at 17 I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to start my undergraduate education on a rowing scholarship. During that time, I won an NCAA rowing championship, got my bachelor’s degree, and graduated with honors as a certified athletic trainer at Nova Southeastern University. After graduating I moved to Boston with my boyfriend (now husband) Ryan Simpson and was able to attend my dream school, Boston University, to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Living in Boston was an amazing experience and we both fell in love with city life. Our days were a loud chaotic whirlwind of late nights in dim basement bistros and long days in old libraries fueled by massive amounts of caffeine. Every day was crazy, hectic and fun. 

On Life in Glens Falls

Ryan and I decided to move back to this area to be closer with our families and we stumbled upon Glens Falls while on our way to Granville to go cherry picking. Up until that point we had been looking for homes in Saratoga Springs because we missed the walkability of Boston. After strolling around downtown and looking at the beautiful old homes which surround the city, we knew we would end up in Glens Falls. We bought a beautiful old Victorian that seemed sturdy and well-loved but in need of some work. Over the last 7 months with the help of our friends and family, we have been fixing up our house and it has been pure joy to see our vision of the house come to light. We tried to include period appropriate details with some fun funky touches. This house has got some serious personality (how many homes have pink flamingo wallpaper!?).

The best part about living in Glens Falls is the atmosphere. I feel like we are in this little bubble filled with amazing people, beautiful old architecture, and great local businesses. I wish more people knew how awesome the restaurants are here! This is coming from someone who loves to eat. My personal favorites are Farmacy (get the Shishido peppers!) and Morgan and Co. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day…well it would be Fall (the best season of the year) and would start with a run through our neighborhood so I can look at all gorgeous houses. Then, I would sit on my front porch with some fresh hot coffee and a book to lazily read all morning. The day would have to include some sort of fall event like the Balloon Festival or apple picking at Hicks Orchard. Our friends and family would rendezvous at our house then walk downtown for dinner and drinks at Farmacy. If you get the ice cream trio there, don’t let the server tell you the flavors and then you can try to guess them! They are always unique and it’s fun to see who guesses the closest. After dinner, my friends would roll me home (because I inevitably ate way too much) and we would watch a movie (or Gilmore Girls) together! 

On the Past

My favorite Glens Falls memory is working on my house with one of my best friends Danielle Kiser. We painstakingly peeled wallpaper and spackled my foyer for more than 5 hours at a time. I am fairly sure my walls are at least 50% spackle now! It sounds miserable and kind of was but in a silly, sleep deprived, fun way. We would literally just lay on the dirty floor after hours of peeling wallpaper and start cracking up because there was yet another layer of wallpaper! 5 in total! I think those delirious hours of laughing uncontrollably at nothing are part of the reason we are such close friends now. 

On the Future

This community is very wellness oriented. You see it reflected in the people running, walking and biking daily and in the local businesses may of which are healthcare facilities. I would love to see more collaboration between different medical practices so that we can better serve the community. I recently joined a group of like-minded women in healthcare to work towards that goal by hosting monthly meetings. We brainstorm ideas to help our more complicated patients, discuss marketing and business strategies, and will hopefully resume giving wellness workshops once it is safe to do so. Our boss-lady group includes, Danielle Kiser who is a registered and licensed dietician, Carly Samach who is a licensed clinical therapist, and Hillary Williams who is a fellow athletic trainer and licensed massage therapist. They each offer a totally unique perspective which has helped me grow as a clinician and makes me feel more connected to the community. I would love to see our group expand so Glens Falls can have a more connected healthcare team.

There has not been a single day that I regret moving to this community. I am so grateful to live here and am excited to be more involved in community. I really hope we can resume community events soon and I encourage everyone to support downtown Glens Falls businesses. If we want our community to stay nice through this pandemic we have to work together. I’ll be at Fitfest this year so if you see the Capital Area PT table come say hi to me! I can’t wait to get to know my fellow Glens Falls neighbors. 

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Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

My Glens Falls: Dave Walls

This week we caught up with Dave Walls, who you’ll recognize from one of everyone’s favorite downtown spots - Mean Max! He shares what brought him to Glens Falls 15 years ago, a few Glens Falls favorites of his own (including a few spots he misses from days gone by), and some fond summer memories. Cheers!

Tell us about yourself!

Hello, my name is Dave Walls and along with my brother-in-law own Mean Max Brew Works. I grew up in St. Lawrence County and went to college in Potsdam and have lived in Glens Falls for the past 15 years.

On Life in Glens Falls

My wife and I moved to Glens Falls in 2005 and have never looked back. We chose Glens Falls to be closer to our families and the Adirondacks. My wife, Jill, grew up in Lake George and I have been spending time here with her since 1995. We both absolutely love it here, so what better place to live? Since moving here, we have had two little boys. 

When we moved to Glens Falls in 2005, the real estate market was quite hot. When we went to look at our current house, we showed up with a purchase contract in hand just in case it was the house for us. Turns out it was exactly what we were looking for! It is close to Crandall Park and the bike trail and is walkable to downtown. We adore our little street and being surrounded by our amazing neighbors. We are lucky enough to be able to watch the Fourth of July fireworks right from our deck. It’s amazing because the fireworks are framed by old growth hardwood trees, which is so cool. In addition, we love being able to walk to the Adirondack Balloon Festival launches in the park, as being able to watch the Memorial Day Parade without having to find parking. 

Some Glens Falls Favorites

The things that I like the most about living in Glens Falls is the proximity to everything and the hometown charm. We can hop on our bikes and access the Warren County Bike Trail which is fantastic for our little family. We’re fond of being able to stroll the city’s neighborhoods and “secret” backyard alleys as well as being able to walk to all of the community events, farmer’s market, the library and downtown restaurants. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to be so close to so many things to do, in such close proximity to Glens Falls. We also feel quite blessed to be able to walk our kids to school throughout the seasons and appreciate the close-knit feel of a neighborhood elementary school. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day in Glens Falls would begin with me taking care of any open business at Mean Max. Then I would really enjoy taking a bike ride with the family either along the Feeder Canal or possibly in Cole’s Woods. After our bike ride we would grab a bite to eat at any of the downtown restaurants followed by an ice cream at Cooper’s Cave or Rob & Debs. Finally, to complete my ideal day I would pay a visit to Mean Max to catch up with good friends! 

On the Past

One of my favorite Glens Falls memories is a recent one. As we neared the end of the school year this spring, our neighborhood wanted to recognize all our kids did to finish out the school year during these strange times. We planned a neighborhood parade and ceremony for our school age kids. It was such a neat night, our neighborhood had Glens Falls school kids from age 5 to 18 take part. We celebrated them all from the graduating senior to kids finishing their first year of kindergarten. Neighbors came out to cheer them on. 

Other favorite memories include outdoor movie nights with our neighbors, Balloon
Festival weekends, and finding the perfect space downtown for Mean Max.

What I miss in Glens Falls: first and foremost, Bistro Tallulah, Red Fox Bookstore, Boston Candy Kitchen and Sterling and the “Silly” (that’s what my family called it) fountain on Warren Street. 

…and On the Future

If I could wave a magic wand, I would love to see a downtown market with local foods, wares and gifts as well as a local bookstore. 

This week’s My Glens Falls was made possible by Morgan & Co. Restaurant.

Have you been to Morgan & Co. yet this summer?! A cocktail and an amazing meal on the porch or patio at Morgan and Company is always a favorite. They have indoor and outdoor seating available, along with takeout options…and this week they have live music Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday night! Make your reservation by clicking here - cheers!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!

My Glens Falls: Angelica Marquina

This week, we’re chatting with Angelica Marquina! She shares a bit of her background as owner of 518 Beauty Room, some favorite memories from growing up in Lake George, and her go-to picks for everything from running trails to shopping to dinner out.

Tell us about yourself! 

Hello everyone, it's Angelica Marquina here, owner of 518 Beauty Room! My salon is located in Downtown Glens Falls at 18 Ridge Street. I am a licensed esthetician and cosmetologist. I truly love what I do, and my clients never make it feel like I am at work. My family has always supported me, my mom and my sister are my best friends. If it wasn’t for the support of my friends and family I wouldn’t feel as blessed as I feel today. Typically you can find me at the salon all day, or running around the lake in Lake George! 

On Life in Glens Falls

It wasn’t until I started working in Downtown Glens Falls that I started seeing how charming the area was. Growing up I lived in a small town on the outskirts of Lake Placid, and then moved to Lake George when I was twelve where I graduated from Lake George High School. I guess you could say I’ve always been a ‘lake girl’ at heart. 

My memories here have always included boating and camping on Lake George. Cliff jumping, and lots of swimming. Hikes with friends like Pilot Knob and Prospect Mountain. In the winter, my friends and I would love to go to hockey games and then to The Bullpen afterwards. 

What keeps me here is the close-knit community. During times of celebrations or hardships I have personally seen the community go above and beyond for families. Even walking into a restaurant and seeing a familiar face and a welcoming smile is so comforting. Something about that just makes me feel so grateful for where I live. 

I am currently renting in Lake George, but I am looking to purchase a home next year and have been looking in the Glens Falls area. I am looking forward to living in Glens Falls because I will be closer to my salon and there will be more year-round activities. For example, The Shirt Factory is always fun to check out on Thursdays in the summer, and seeing a hockey game is a must at Cool Insuring Arena during the winter months.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day 

A perfect day in Glens Falls you ask? Well it would start out with me getting a lash fill at the salon, and even a brow wax and tint for the perfect brows! I love that our salon is a one-stop shop, you could spend the whole day there! Between facials, lashes, waxing and makeup, our glam squad is there to pamper you! 

Afterwards I always like to stop in next door at our neighbor Whisper Boutique, to find something cute and trendy to wear. I tend to find myself at Farmacy most nights, their food and drinks are so good! Radici next door is also one of my favorite places to eat in Downtown Glens Falls! When I am not running by the lake, I love to go to Coles Woods and run through the trails. Some other favorite places in the city are Studio Elements for the most unique manicures, Yoga Kayla to decompress the week, and Juicin’ Jar for the best smoothies! 

On the Future

I love how Glens Falls over the years has completely revamped itself! The area is growing rapidly and I think in the future it would be nice to see a parking garage. I know it doesn't sound the most fun but it would allow more visitors to enjoy the attractions in the area. I also think a rooftop restobar would be a neat idea as well. This area has so much to offer and I am excited to be here in Glens Falls! 

Thanks to The Queensbury Hotel for helping to make this series possible!

Have something to celebrate? The Queensbury Hotel is now holding events for 50 guests or less!

The team is ready to help you plan your next event and ensure a safe and memorable day is had by all. Whether it’s an intimate wedding ceremony, a baby shower or a family gathering, visit their website to take a virtual tour of the space and let the planning begin!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

My Glens Falls: Melissa Wilkinson

This week, we’re chatting with Melissa Wilkinson! Read on to find out what brought her to the area over 10 years ago, the serendipitous way that she and her husband discovered their beautiful home here in the city, and how she met the group of friends that makes Glens Falls feel even more like home.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Melissa Wilkinson and I’m a published author and public speaker.  My business, Anchored with Purpose, is all about helping others live their lives with purpose and intention, especially when it comes to their faith and family.  

I live with my husband Jeff, and our sons Andrew and Sean, in our dream Victorian home near Crandall Park.

On Life in Glens Falls

I’m originally from York, PA and twelve years ago I was working for Target when I was relocated to run the Queensbury store for an 18 month assignment.  (So much for 18 months, I’m still here!). About 6 months after moving here, I met Jeff while living in downtown Saratoga (turns out he was my next door neighbor and I didn’t even know him!) and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

One day, 10 years ago, we dropped off my car for an oil change in Queensbury and walked into Glens Falls via the bike path.  We fell in love with the side streets, the beautiful Victorians and sweet little downtown that was starting to revitalize.  On that walk we decided that it was time to buy our first home and within five weeks we closed on our first home and got engaged on the front porch!

On the Beauty of Old Homes

My whole life I have dreamt about living in a grand, old, beautiful Victorian home.  When we were looking for our first home, it wasn’t in the budget and since neither of us were handy, we opted for a newer home.  However, just over a year ago, I drove past this beautiful old Victorian on my way home from an appointment and couldn’t believe it when I saw a sale sign out front. I remembered seeing the listing months before, but brushed it off because we had no intentions of moving. The next morning, Jeff was watching a video on Facebook and called me over to watch it too. “This video just makes me wish we lived in a bigger home closer to downtown,” something I never thought I would hear from him. “I know just the house,” I said and I showed him the listing.  He couldn’t believe that it had central air and updated electrical and plumbing and told me to call our agent right away. All of the stars aligned and this beautiful old Victorian became ours! 

I am OBSESSED with the front porch, it’s a wrap around and my favorite part of the house. So much of the original architecture of the home has been preserved, like the Butler’s Pantry ( I was literally in tears when I saw it the first time we toured the house!), the hardwood floors and the crown molding and pillars.  I LOVE having a formal dining room and the original chandelier gives it a touch that makes entertaining and family dinners just a little more elegant.  We have plans for eventually updating the bathrooms and finishing the third floor.

I love that our neighborhood is just steps from Crandall Park and Kensington Elementary. I always dreamed of being able to walk to school as a kid and during non-COVID times I love walking with my kids to and from school. During the height of COVID, the boys and I did as much home schooling as we could on the front porch so that we could say hello to everyone as they walked by - it helped to make it a little less lonely for them.

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is being able to walk pretty much everywhere.  I love taking walks and bike rides all over the city taking in the beauty of all of the historic homes and beautiful architecture.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day in Glens Falls starts with journaling on my front porch, followed by a jog around Crandall Park. Then, the family and I would ride our bikes to the Farmer’s Market and I’d have to get some Hazelnut Coffee and a breakfast sandwich from Fresh ADK. In a post-COVID world we’d be at the Glens Falls Little League fields watching our boys and our nephews play. After baseball we’d treat the boys to Rob and Deb’s Frozen Dreams for ice cream - let’s be honest, it’s a treat for us adults too! We’d end the day by having a date night at our favorite restaurant, Morgan and Co. We love eating there on special occasions and I start every meal there with the Charleston She Crab soup.

On the Past

My favorite Glens Falls memory takes place at Crandall Library. I went there as a new mom, not knowing many other new moms in the area. Sitting on little squares of carpet, listening to stories and playing baby games, I met my Mama Tribe. Having a close knit group of friends has made living far from home more enjoyable and thanks to them and our incredible community, I can’t see myself wanting to leave this beautiful little city! I’m so grateful to the library!

On the Future

If I could wave a magic wand and bring something new to the city it would be a bookstore and a place for dessert downtown. I love books and growing up, bookstores were my favorite. I’d love for my kids to have that bookstore experience right here downtown. And since the Chocolate Mill has closed (I’m still grieving that one!), I’d love to see a specialty bake shop that stays open later into the evening to make dessert a separate excursion after dinner.

By the Way…

If you can’t tell, my home is a huge passion of mine! I have been sharing sneak peeks and photos of it on my instagram @melissajwilkinson. If you’d like to see more about what I do or what I’ve published, you can check out my site: anchoredwithpurpose.com. 

Special thanks to The Julie Snyder Team - Howard Hanna Real Estate Services for helping to make this series possible!

What a wild ride this year has been to say the least! The real estate market in our area has been one of the hottest markets ever and houses are moving fast. If selling or buying a home is in your future, it’s important to have someone you can trust with the process. Julie and her team have the perfect balance of experience and integrity to help their clients safely navigate these rapidly changing times. Contact The Julie Snyder Team here for all your real estate needs! 

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

My Glens Falls: George Normandin

This week, we’re chatting with George Normandin! You’re sure to recognize his friendly smile, whether you’ve seen him around the city conducting business as the founder of Normandin Marketing, or heard him rocking with The East End Boys downtown. Read on to learn more about his deep GF roots, his downtown renovations, his awesome idea for something new on Exchange Street, and more!

Tell us about yourself!

Hi, I’m George! My full name is George Buchanan Normandin III. My name sounds pretty regal but unfortunately, I’m not royalty. My loved ones call me “Georgie” and even at 38 years of age, I’m yet to escape the nursery rhyme that pairs with the nickname! Anyway, I was born at Glens Falls Hospital. I currently live in Queensbury with my lovely wife, Kate; our three children, Annie (9), Lucy (7) and Grant (3); and a fast-growing silver lab puppy named Gus (8 Mos). In 2011, I founded Normandin Marketing to apply my years of holistic business and marketing expertise to support the growth of both for-profit and nonprofit businesses throughout our community. I also co-founded The East End Boys™, a songwriting duo with my lifelong friend, Ted Coleman. When not working on entrepreneurial or philanthropic efforts, I enjoy time with my family and friends, doing just about anything together. I’m into a lot of things - music, athletics, art, etc. I’ve always been a curious doer on the go. It’s led to some incredible relationships along the way. Life is precious and each day I do my best to learn more, do more for others, and make the most of it.

On Life in Glens Falls

My father was an “East Ender.” His side of the family grew up on Orchard Street. I guess you can say that the St. Mary’s “Kerry Blue-Blood” runs deep. My grandfather’s memorial trophy case still remains outside of the gymnasium. Many don’t know this but I actually grew up in Ft. Edward and commuted to St. Mary’s school in Glens Falls, K-5. My late cousin, Tom “TC” Collins was my biggest mentor growing up. He was also a top alpine ski racer nationally. During a family meeting in which my father asked me if I was serious about getting into ski racing like my cousin, we decided to move to Glens Falls to begin my middle school years. My childhood was awesome. Today, it’s like I have two entire families - my Ft. Edward family and my Glens Falls family. I’m a very lucky guy. Ultimately, it was those close knit relationships with family and friends that brought my wife and I back here permanently in 2009.

In 2009, we purchased our first home from the Gallucci family in the Broadacres neighborhood. You may have seen the late John Gallucci's watercolor paintings from the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. He was also the former art teacher at Glens Falls. We’re still here fixing our house up a bit more each year but couldn’t be happier at our location. Is anyone ever really done with their home anyway?! The house was built in the late 50’s. It suits us well and our neighbors are great.

In 2014, we purchased the former Loomis & Lapann Insurance building at 18 Exchange Street in the central business district of downtown Glens Falls. I had a vision to completely restore the building from the ground floor, up. From uncovering the wood floors and coffered ceilings downstairs; to restoring the tin ceilings upstairs; the design came out even better than I imagined and I’m very proud of the result.

In the beginning, our good friend Tim Reed had his antique shop downstairs. When Tim decided to work out of his barn at his home, I immediately thought of Happy Jacks in Bolton Landing. My family loves that store and I knew the owners also had the candy shop up there. So, I called Jeff Strief on a whim one day to gauge his interest in bringing some of their neat offerings to Glens Falls. When Jeff and I met to chat ideas, I was blown away how creative and fun he was. Jeff’s partner in the stores, Nikki Ogden and I went to college together, so we all hit it off immediately. Shortly thereafter, as Jeff put it, “Happy Jack’s tough sister, was about to about to hit the city!” Rude Betty was born and it was the perfect retail match for downtown. They are doing well here. During the restoration process, it was a friendly patron at Rude Betty who educated me that our building is one of the oldest in Glens Falls. It’s built like a tank, with the fleur-de-lis styled tin going down through the walls. The craftsmanship in these old buildings is really something.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about the Glens Falls area is most certainly the people. You can travel far and wide but you’ll never find more caring, passionate human beings. In addition to the genuine people here, you’ll find so many gems in the way of delicious food, shops, parks, art, and unique events.

We’re also very close to beautiful Lake George and the Adirondack Park. You really don’t have to go far in any one direction to discover something new. Even after 38 years here, I’m still learning more about our history and discovering new ground. When we do feel like getting away, we’re just three hours from Montreal, Boston or New York City and less than an hour to Albany airport, to essentially get to anywhere else we wish to go in the world. Not too shabby!

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day is breakfast at Spektor or Poopies; onto crushing out my schedule for the day; lunch at the Bullpen with a client or colleague; back to work until 4:30pm; a late afternoon cold beer with friends at Raul’s; a boat ride with my family and quick dip in Lake George; and then back to GF for dinner at Craft On 9.

On the Past

There are so many amazing memories I have from growing up here. Recently, I went down Horicon Avenue and there was a large group of kids playing football in their front yard. Their bikes were all parked off to the side, scattered everywhere. It instantly brought me back to my childhood. Thinking about it now gives me all the feels. My life is packed with memories like this shared with family and friends. I’m truly blessed.

On the Future

A few years back, I had a conversation with my neighbors about reimagining Exchange Street. Right now, I’m beginning discussions regarding a private-public partnership to see that vision through: New sidewalks, street lamps, flowers, green grass, and seating areas or picnic tables for young families and their pets to gather either before or after shopping and dining. Other ideas to explore for the scope of this project could include: A cobblestone or brick street from Glen Street to the end of Exchange Street; a redesigned parking area and one-way traffic flow; and an outdoor stage for live music to entertain guests. Who’s with me? Let’s make it happen!

I’m very grateful for the life that this area has provided my family and look forward to continue to give back in new ways. Glens Falls has some terrific momentum going for it. Everyone who loves this place as much as I do just has to continue putting forth their best ideas and effort, and we’ll reach our full potential here in no time. We’re getting closer! Thank you for including me into this edition of Glens Falls Living, I really appreciate it. I’m a big fan of GFL and look forward to learning about more of the great people and stories that make our area the treasure that it is!

This week’s My Glens Falls was made possible by Morgan & Co. Restaurant.

Nothing says summer in Glens Falls like an evening enjoying a cocktail and a delicious meal on the porch or patio at Morgan and Company! Indoor and outdoor seating is now available, along with takeout options…and bonus - live music on the patio on Tuesday and Thursday as well! Make your reservation by clicking here - cheers!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!

My Glens Falls: Mallory Stark

This week, we’re chatting with Mallory Stark, who you’ve probably seen around town with a leash in hand as the owner of Luckydawg - a dog walking and pet sitting service! She shares the podcast she’s usually listening to while out on walks with her canine clients, her top coffee and smoothie picks in the city, and a great idea for a future event in Glens Falls - read on below!

Tell us about yourself!

Hi! I’m Mallory Stark, owner & operator of Luckydawg, LLC, a dog walking and pet sitting business established in 2016! I feel extremely grateful to be able to serve so many amazing people in our community through my business. I love my human clients just as much as I love their animals and one of my favorite parts of my job is the relationships I have formed through my work! On a normal day you can find me with a leash in hand listening to a podcast (Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard is my favorite). In my spare time I enjoy evening workout classes, spending time with friends and family and the occasional road trip/vacation, preferably to the ocean!

On Life in Glens Falls

I was born in Maui, Hawaii and soon after my family relocated to Glens Falls (that has to say something about our area)! My memories of life in Glens Falls include fall afternoons at the annual hot air balloon festival, weekly summer beach trips to Lake George (my mom is from San Diego so a love of the beach was a non negotiable), bike trail rides with my Dad to Hudson Falls to visit my grandparents, and hiking Buck Mountain with our pups. My parents definitely did their best to keep my younger brother and I outside and active! These are all things I still love to do now and luckily I only live about 15 minutes away from Glens Falls on a farm in Fort Edward.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect Glens Falls day would start with a coffee from Cool Beans and an eyebrow appointment at By Baileigh on Ridge Street. Baileigh is the sweetest and I always leave her studio in a good mood! After that I’d grab a smoothie from Juicin’ Jar downtown, and head to a tattoo appointment with Glenn Underwood, owner of Rosewood Studio. It’s been too long and I can’t wait to see their new location! Later on I’d meet a friend for a bike ride and dinner (thanks to Covid-19, the road bike I just “had to have” is getting some serious miles!). My dinner choice would definitely be Aroy Dee, I love their sushi and everyone there is so kind!

On The Future

I’d love to see Glens Falls start an annual half marathon/marathon race benefitting a good cause. This community has so many philanthropic, physically active people, so I think it could be a big success. Especially if there’s Common Roots beer offered at the finish line!

Thanks to The Queensbury Hotel for helping to make this series possible!

Have you been to the Park Patio at The Q yet this season?! We’ve loved seeing the patio filled (safely and socially distanced, of course!) with folks enjoying breakfast while out on our morning walks, and we can’t wait to get there for some pancakes ourselves! They’re serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week, and don’t miss the Park Patio Music Series - live music every Wednesday this summer from 4-8pm! Check out their awesome menus and make your plans here.

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

My Glens Falls: Paul Bricoccoli Jr.

This week we’re catching up with Paul Bricoccoli Jr! You’ll recognize him from Glens Falls favorites Bullpen Tavern and Talk of the Town. He shares his version of a perfect day in and around the city, some great memories from childhood (anyone remember Burns Newsroom?!), the one thing he thinks downtown needs, and so much more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Paul Bricoccoli Jr. My beautiful wife is Johnna and we have 2 daughters, Sofie, 10 and Livia, 5. I own Talk Of The Town and The Bullpen with my 3 best friends from high school - Scott Endieveri, David Krogmann Jr. and Jason Krogmann. We opened our first Bullpen together in Lake George in 1994. We also have owned a Bullpen and The Horseshoe Inn in Saratoga in years past. 

On Social Distancing

This period of social distancing has been interesting to say the least. We kept our businesses open for takeout, but it has certainly been different. Our places are both iconic and extremely social places. We have customers who spend a lot of time at our places and they feel like family. It's always hugs and handshakes, so not seeing all our regulars has been pretty depressing.

Personally, my wife and daughters have been pretty happy to have me home a lot more than they are used to. I have always liked to drink beer, but during this crisis I feel like I've been drinking an inordinate amount and it shows on my waist! We did get a bunch of projects done and some serious cleaning in both our businesses. We replaced the rug at Talk Of The Town which is a big project and would require closing for a few days. Just doing takeout allowed us to do the work without closing. 

On Life in Glens Falls

I was born and raised in GF and graduated from GF High. My parents still live in the house I grew up in on Elizabeth St. It was a fantastic street to grow up on. Little traffic allowed for street hockey, football, kickball, skateboarding and bike riding very safely and constantly. I walked to school with my friends from K-12th grade. I went to college and graduated from the University of Buffalo. After college I lived a few different places. Two of my partners and I spent a year in West Palm Beach waiting tables and pretty much just having fun. We always wanted to end up back in this area so we moved back. In high school, we worked for Mayor Blais in Lake George at his arcade and remained and still are friends with him today. He actually suggested the spot where we opened our first Bullpen in LG, so we always like to give him some credit for our start and success. 

We have lived in our house on Dixon Rd for 19 years. The best thing about our neighborhood, without question, is Kensington Road Elementary School. I have been able to walk my oldest daughter to school just about every day in any kind of weather. It is undoubtedly my favorite part of the day and the most enjoyable conversations I get to have. I look forward to continuing this with my younger daughter when she starts Kindergarten this fall (hopefully). The school itself is filled with wonderful people. We are so fortunate to have such a great place for our kids to grow and learn. 

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about GF is the friendliness of the people. It drives my wife a little crazy, but I can have some of the most amazing (and lengthy) conversations getting gas, at the grocery store, at a Thunder game, wherever. I just love talking to people in our community from all walks of life.

A hidden gem would be the alleys in the Horicon/Lincoln/Coolidge neighborhoods. The blocks are separated behind the houses by these cool alleys. We loved riding our bikes through them as kids and as one of the Race Directors for the GF Urban Assault, I couldn't wait to make them part of our course. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect GF day... that's a hard one as I've had a lot of pretty cool days here. I'd start the day teaching a spin class at the YMCA (I've been doing that for 14 or so years). I could do a whole story on just the Y and what I think it means to our community. Next would be a stop at Stewart's for a coffee or maybe Sam's Diner for a breakfast sandwich from my friend Pete Brock. Then I’d cash up at both places and make sure everything is ready for the day. Grab the family and my dog Sugar and head into Cole's Woods or Rush Pond for a little walk in the woods. For lunch I'd let the kids pick. They love to stop at The Bullpen so my sister Aunt Pammie can make them something delicious or Talk Of The Town for grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. My youngest also loves The Silo. The past few summers would be a trip to Great Escape for a couple of hours with our season passes or maybe a little ride on our friend Buzzy's boat on Lake George. If the Yankees are playing a day game, catch the last couple innings with my dad and a couple beers. Drop the kids at my parents house, grab the bikes and the wife and head downtown. We've done takeout from Radici a few times and can't wait to have dinner there, seated at the bar. After dinner, we’d have a drink at any one of the fantastic spots downtown, Craft on 9, Downtown Social, Fenimore's at The Queensbury, and always a nightcap at Bullpen.

On the Past

Memories of Glens Falls would include my first haircut in a barbershop on Warren St by a guy named Johnny "Hottsie" Sommo. He was also a basketball referee. My father was a teacher and coach at GF High and in the winter he worked the scoreboard for basketball games. I got to go to every game and the gym seemed so loud and gigantic, I loved it! Another memory is Sunday trips to Burns Newsroom. I think it was in the space next to Farmacy. We'd go Sunday morning to get different newspapers and I would get a comic book or baseball cards.

on the Future

I guess that would be the one thing I'd love to see downtown is some sort of convenience/grocery store. Downtown living has exploded in recent years and I think some sort of market would be great. 

I guess to close, I am just so proud of what downtown has done in the last decade or so. All the work that has been poured into the buildings to give it a fantastic old school but cool look. The Wood Theater has been a huge addition, it is an amazing cultural attraction and the perfect size for downtown. Stores like Fountain Square Outfitters and Finders Keepers are not only great retail spots, they are run by wonderful people who have a genuine love for our downtown. I count my blessings everyday that I've been fortunate enough to stay in business for 25 years in my hometown with my best friends, have some success and help lead the revitalization of downtown.

Special thanks to The Julie Snyder Team - Howard Hanna Real Estate Services for helping to make this series possible!

For 15 years, Julie Snyder has been an experienced top producing Realtor serving buyers and sellers in and around the Glens Falls and greater Adirondack Region. She is recognized as being in the Top 5% of Realtors in the Nation.

Whether clients are selling their home, looking for a home for the very first time or they're seasoned investors, her team works tirelessly to accommodate their needs and exceed their expectations. The Team is incredibly well-versed in the area's housing market and always manages to find their clients those hidden gems. 

Speaking of gems, check out this charming Glens Falls home that went under contract in just days with multiple offers! Give Julie a call to help you navigate this HOT real estate market!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living.

My Glens Falls: Nikari Carota

This week, we caught up with the lovely Nikari of Brows by Nikari (located in one of our favorite downtown buildings - the pretty blue one on Warren Street!). She shares what brought her back to the area after living in Buffalo and Long Island, the one Glens Falls building that puts a smile on her face every time she drives by, and of course, a bit more about her passion for good brows ;)

Tell us about yourself!

Hi there! Nikari Carota is my name & brows are my game ;) I own Brows by Nikari located in downtown Glens Falls just around Centennial Circle on Warren Street. Brows by Nikari is a brow only studio catering from waxing & tinting all the way to semi-permanent makeup & brow lamination. Any service you can think of for your eyebrows I’m more than sure I offer it. Brows are my expertise. I love getting to know each and every one of my clients on a personal level. I love that I can become friends with them and that they keep returning and recommending me. My clients are truly amazing people & for that I cannot give them enough thanks in the world.  

I’m a little quiet & introverted unless I feel comfortable around you or get to know—so don’t let my faces scare you away! When I get to know you, I won’t stop talking. I’m a Jesus loving, laid back, laughing & adventurous spirit. Right now, I live my with mom, little brother & little sister.

On Life in Glens Falls

I grew up in Queensbury. My great grandparents live in the 518, my grandparents live in the 518 and my mom lives in the 518. I’ve lived in Queensbury my whole life. After graduation I went away to college in Buffalo. When I graduated from Buffalo, I moved to Long Island for a little bit. I decided I missed home and returned to open my brow studio in Glens Falls. I’ve always loved and have had a passion for eyebrows. I’ve had my eyebrows botched a few times (I mean who hasn’t) so opening up this studio was something that was near and dear to my heart. The small town keeps me grounded. The air, the trees, mountains, scenery and surroundings. I’ve moved a few times and always end up back where I started…truly home. 

As far as housing goes: SURPRISE- My boyfriend and I are in the process of closing on a fixer upper (we haven’t told many people except for close friends/family)! Family friends of ours buy houses, fix them up and sell them. We were lucky to enough to snag one before it went on the market! It’s a cute little house on the border of Queensbury & Lake George with a nice amount of land in the backyard. After we’re married we plan to live in it for a few years with our puppy Neko and then potentially turn it into an Airbnb since it’s a perfect location close to everything. OR we might add on and keep it. We’re not sure, but we’ll see!

I absolutely love the ambiance of downtown Glens Falls at night. I love the string lights and walking the strip of downtown. I wish more people knew the core of Glens Falls. The community is business-based, meaning community owned. There aren’t a lot of franchise stores which means every self-owned business is the core and heart of the community. So, I truly believe that by exploring the community you will find hidden gems that are important to each person.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Oooh, perfect day? Hmm, there are so many scenarios that would be ideal. I think it’s hard to pinpoint, but just spending intentional time with mom/family or a few friends is my perfect day. As for favorite spots, a few that I like to visit (in no particular order) are: Siam Thai, Kelly’s Roots, Minky Mink, Studio Bari, Ketty Nails, Elixir + Facial Lounge, Spektor Coffee, Spot Coffee (also I don’t drink coffee but pick other things on the menu), Mikado, Zou, and Downtown Social. I’m sure there are a few more but these are just the ones that popped into my head!

On the Past

I loved going to the YMCA as a kid. My mom would always take me there while she did her classes. I grew up loving to be there. I took so many classes, did so many camps and was so involved with the YMCA. As the years went on and I was old enough to work out in the workout room I would go with my mom. My school friends and I would all get dropped off there to “workout” but all we did was hang out in the racquetball courts. Every time I drive by that place, it puts a little smile on my face because I had so many fond memories from my childhood there. 

On the Future

Okay, I would definitely love a Plum Dandy situation like in Saratoga. I love frozen yogurt and think something like that would do so well in the heart of downtown Glens Falls & would especially compliment all the restaurants. Also, a Chick-fil-A would be wonderful. 

This week’s My Glens Falls was made possible by Morgan & Co. Restaurant.

Nothing says summer in Glens Falls like an evening enjoying a cocktail and a delicious meal on the porch or patio at Morgan and Company! Indoor and outdoor seating is now available, along with takeout options (and did you know they offer catering, too?!). Live music on the patio starts back up this week as well, with Max McDonnell on Tuesdays and Mark Tolstrup on Thursdays. Make your reservation by clicking here - cheers!

Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Glens Falls Living!