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VOL. 37 NO. 06
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AUGUST 2025
Patten’s South Street Project Fills Fast Thunder’s New Era, Harding-Mazzotti Arena Four Of Seven Commercial Units Claimed Deal Brings Heavy Hitting On And Off the Ice
Chris Patten stands in front of his latest project at 46–56 South Street in Glens Falls, where four of seven commercial spaces are already claimed, including a whiskey bar and tavern. Courtesy Chris Patten
BY PAUL POST Four of seven commercial spaces at developer Chris Patten’s latest project, 46-56 South Street in Glens Falls, are already accounted for. Katy’s Wine and Whiskey Bar and Jud’s Tavern are scheduled to open when work on the three-story, mixed-use building, with 20 second- and third-floor apartments, is completed this winter. “I really want to bring back South Street,” Patten said. “To do that we need to generate foot traffic with bars and restaurants.” The large previously-vacant building, at the corner of South and Elm streets, was recently painted a handsome navy blue and white, and will transform dramatically at night with multi-colored lighting along the roof line.
Nearby, Patten is also redeveloping 10 Broad Street, site of a former Rite Aid store, with construction of a three-story structure comprised of a 56-space ground-floor parking garage and 24 high-end apartments overhead. The two projects combined total $11 million – $5 million for 46-56 South Street and $6 million for 10 Broad Street. The latter project is called The Point. “This city really doesn’t have a huge influx of tourism,” he said. “I’ve recognized over the last 20 years that what drives this city is housing. Bringing good quality housing to downtown Glens Falls and the surrounding area is what’s going to drive business for our restaurants and retail spaces.” Patten, 41, is a 2002 alum of South Glens Continued On Page 11
BY PAUL POST Sylvain Cloutier, the Adirondack Thunder’s new head coach, wants to build a heavy team that punishes opponents physically. One of the Capital Region’s most prominent law firms is getting in on the action, too, as Harding-Mazzotti, “The Heavy Hitters,” has won arena naming rights under a five-year agreement through 2030. The relationship with a prestigious Albany employer is expected to spark new marketing opportunities and bring more events to the downtown venue, a major contributor to the local economy. “The financial package is certainly a factor, they are in every naming rights agreement,” Thunder President and arena General Manager Jeff Mead said. “That being said, we were also looking for a partner that wanted to become part of our community. Harding-Mazzotti wants to do that. Their firm seems genuinely excited to partner with us.” New signs identifying Harding-Mazzotti Arena already adorn the building, in anticipation of the Thunder’s home opener against the defending Kelly Cup champion Trois-Rivieres Lions on Saturday, Oct. 25. A preseason contest against the Lions is slated for Saturday, October 11 (7 p.m.) The building, which first opened in 1979, was known as Glens Falls Civic Center until it became Cool Insuring Arena under a firstever naming rights agreement five years ago. Harding-Mazzotti is one of three firms that had serious financial discussions with Adirondack Civic Center Coalition leaders before a decision was reached. “We talked with a total of eight companies,” Mead said. The Coalition manages the building, which the City of Glens Falls owns. Terms of the deal were not provided, but Mead said the fee exceeds what Cool Insuring had paid over the past five years. He credited Cool Insuring majority owner
Harding-Mazzotti signs mark new arena era as Thunder gear up for heavy-hitting season. Glens Falls Business Journal
Tony Mashuta for introducing Paul Harding, the law firm’s managing partner, to the Thunder. “We started this process in April,” Mead said. “I hosted Paul and his wife at a Thunder game. They had a great experience and the conversations started from there. I think Harding-Mazzotti is looking to move further north and this will be a way to start a relationship in our community.” Harding-Mazzotti’s extensive television marketing campaign makes it one of the region’s most well-known law firms with a strong focus on personal injury, negligence and wrongful death cases. It has clients in upstate New York, Vermont and Massachusetts. Harding, in a statement, said, “Adirondack Thunder hockey and the other events hosted at Harding-Mazzotti Arena will provide unparalleled family activities for both residents and visitors alike, and stimulate economic activity Continued On Page ??
Warren County Opens Grant Applications Adirondack Winery Lands Three Gold Occupancy Tax Helps Drive Regional Tourism Medals At The New York Wine Classic BY PAUL POST Firms and organizations seeking a share of Warren County occupancy tax money have until September 15 to submit applications. Occupancy tax is a 4 percent tax on hotel, motel, bed-and-breakfasts and short-term rentals, which is used to promote tourism in Warren County. The total collected has nearly doubled in the past five years from $4.2 million in 2020, an historically low figure caused by COVID, to the $8 million generated in 2024. Twenty-five percent of the money collected is distributed directly to towns and the City of Glens Falls (nearly $2.4 million in 2023) to use however they want. The Town of Thurman, for example, uses money to promote its Fall Farm Tour and Maple Days in spring. But occupancy tax also funds Warren County Tourism Department ($2.2 million in 2023) and partially supports Lake George Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cool Insuring Arena and many other local visitor-related attractions and programs. Dozens of awards totaling $861,860 were made this year to special events and organizations that requested funding. These ranged from $5,831 for the World
Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls, to the highest amount ($83,130) for Lake George Winter Carnival. The next highest awards went to Adirondack Balloon Festival ($60,000), Americade ($49,800), Adirondack Nationals car show ($48,900), World’s Largest Garage Sale in Warrenburg ($36,908), Lake George National Invitational ($36,100) and Lake George Music Festival ($31,200). Most awards were in the $15,000 to $25,000 range. “The priority is always to increase tourism in Warren County, specifically tourism that results in overnight visitors,” said Don Lehman, county public affairs director. “Occupancy tax is not divided by the proportion that a municipality’s properties generated. The Board of Supervisors makes decisions on allocations, but each municipality does receive a portion annually to distribute as the law allows in their community.” Recipients must spend money upfront for projects, and are then reimbursed with the occupancy tax money they were approved for. Recipients must also provide proof of how money was spent; for example, an advertising Continued On Page 11
Adirondack Winery is thrilled to announce three major victories from this year’s New York Wine Classic hosted by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (“NYWGF”). The Classic is open to all New York State wineries, celebrating the diverse products made in the state under multiple different categories. The NYWGF worked alongside the Beverage Testing Institute to judge wines entered, ranking them on a points-based system. Adirondack Winery walked away with high scores for its Gewurztraminer (2023 Vintage) “Million Dollar Beach”), Cabernet Franc (2021 Vintage) “Autumn in the Park”), & Dry Riesling (2023 Vintage) “Red Cardinal”), all ending the competition as Gold Medal Winners. The Gewürztraminer (2023 Million Dollar Beach Gewürztraminer, Finger Lakes) also won the prestigious “Best of Class” award, scoring an incredible 93 points, making it the Best Gewurztraminer in the state! “Gewurztraminer is a floral, aromatic white grape varietal that favors the cool climate of New York’s Finger Lakes, where we source these grapes. Upon arrival, the grapes undergo an extended cold soak to allow for maximum flavor extraction, followed by a slow, cool fermentation resulting in a
Adirondack Winery wins gold for Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Dry Riesling. Courtesy Adirondack Winery
Gewurztraminer wine that truly expresses the terroir of its region. Th is gold medal is a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation we strive for at Adirondack Winery,” said Continued On Page 2