SBJ P.O. Box 766 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL
VOL. 29 NO. 6
HH The Business Newspaper of Saratoga County HH
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
GLENS FALLS, NY 12801 PERMIT #600
AUGUST 2024
www.saratogabusinessjournal.com
Arrow Financial Corp Unifies Glens Falls And While Controversial, ProcellaCOR Is Deemed Saratoga National Banks Into Single Entity Effective At Controlling Saratoga Lake’s Milfoil
Saratoga National Bank is one of the subsidiaries of Arrow Financial Corporation that will be rebranded under the new corporate plan. BY SUSAN ELLSE CAMPBELL Arrow Financial Corporation has finalized plans to unify its two banking subsidiaries and is soon to reveal a new logo and signage under which the two financial institutions are being rebranded, announced parent company president and CEO David S. DeMarco. The 37 branches of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company will be named Arrow Bank going forward, he said. DeMarco said the change was years in the making. “What we are doing is different from an ordinary bank merger, as Arrow Financial already owned these two community banks,” he said. DeMarco explained that since the two
Courtesy of Arrow Financial Corporation
banks have different back offices, the systems behind their operations have to become one to achieve the efficiencies the parent company is seeking. “Sharing the same ‘back room’ is more efficient than two banks doing the same functions independently,” said DeMarco. “This will free up resources to enhance our strategic growth opportunities and provide unparalleled customer service.” Glens Falls National Bank was formed in 1851 and, like Saratoga National Bank, has a strong presence in the communities it serves. The latter was formed in 1988 and has been a subsidiary of Arrow Financial since its beginning. But the two banks have different charters. “As part of the reunification, Saratoga NaContinued On Page 13
Students learn the importance of native aquatic vegetation aboard the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District’s floating classroom. BY PAUL POST Chemical applications have eliminated Eurasian watermilfoil in problem areas of Saratoga Lake, saving considerable money and providing better recreational conditions for boating, swimming, fishing and paddle sports, which contribute to the local economy. “Milfoil rapidly takes over a lake,” said Cristina Connolly, Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District executive director-administrator. “Years back this lake was pretty much all milfoil. It was so bad you could almost walk across the lake. It out-competes the native plant species and native wildlife and their habitat.” But in 2020 and 2021, the district hired a private firm to treat the worst sites (54 and 32 acres, respectively) with a chemical called ProcellaCOR, which has been used in hundreds of lakes throughout the country since the U.S. Environmental Protection
Courtesy of Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District
Agency approved its use in 2017. “It was very successful and we have not needed to do another treatment since then,” Connolly said. “It targeted the milfoil and allowed the native plants to thrive and out-compete any milfoil that was there. To this day we do regular vegetative assessments and one large annual one where we hire a consultant. Milfoil is now minimal. There was no reason to do another treatment this year. We’ve been very, very happy with it.” Small patches of milfoil are still present in some places, but not large enough to warrant additional applications. “But we keep our eye on it,” Connolly said. ProcellaCOR, manufactured by Indiana-based SePro Corporation, kills plants with a hormone that plants absorb, causing them to grow too rapidly and die off within a few weeks. Plants turn Continued On Page ??
Plans Are Now Underway For An Exciting Entrepreneurial Couple Has Expanded Their New Year’s Celebration In Saratoga Springs Many Offerings By Opening Eggs On The Run While most Saratogians are busy enjoying popular summer entertainment options like SPAC and the track, some event organizers are focused on one of the Spa City’s most popular winter events. Saratoga New Year’s Eve, originally called First Night and for a short time Saratoga New Year’s Fest, will offer residents and visitors a fun way to ring in the new year in downtown Saratoga Springs. The two-day event will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. New this year, Proctors Collaborative will partner with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga Springs City Center, and the City of Saratoga Springs to present Saratoga New Year’s Eve. Proctors Collaborative will assist in securing entertainment acts to be featured at its Saratoga Springs venue Universal Preservation Hall as well as the Saratoga Springs City Center on New Year’s Eve. “We are thrilled to partner with the Saratoga County Chamber, Discover Saratoga and the Saratoga Springs City Center and deepen our connection with the vibrant community of downtown Saratoga Springs,” said Teddy Foster, director of Universal Preservation Hall. “This collaboration not only enhances our cultural offerings but also integrates us further into the fabric of this wonderful city. We look forward to many exciting events
Universal Preservation Hall is the site of some entertainment during Saratoga New Year’s Eve. Courtesy of Saratoga New Year’s Eve
and opportunities together.” Local company Death Wish Coffee is once again supporting this community event by returning as a presenting sponsor of Saratoga New Year’s Eve. Continued On Page 9
BY ANN DONNELLY At the heart of Malta, New York, a historic landmark is serving up more than just memories. The 450 E. High location, once the home of the Wiggins-Collamer family, has evolved over time, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of its current owners, Doug Dockendorf and Shelly Walker. Their latest venture, Eggs on the Run, is a testament to their commitment to not only offering delicious food but also transforming a historic landmark into a vibrant community hub. The concept of Eggs on the Run was born during a winter vacation in Florida in 2023. Dockendorf, an entrepreneur at heart and owner of Priority Electric, saw an opportunity to enhance the offerings at 450 E. High. Their vision? A unique ‘hybrid’ eatery experience – quick yet upscale, with the ambiance of a dine-in restaurant but the convenience of grab-and-go. “Customers were coming into The Coffee Bar, located inside Finishing Touches, and asking if we had food,” explained Walker. At that time, their offerings were limited to cookies, brownies, and biscotti. Having already established a successful coffee bar in 2022, they were eager to expand their culinary horizons. The introduction of Eggs on the Run in May 2024 proved to be a winning formula.
Eggs on the Run offers a menu of delectable breakfast treats for busy people. Courtesy of Eggs on the Run
The secret to their success lies in a carefully curated menu, designed in collaboration with a chef friend. Breakfast takes center stage, featuring classic options with a touch of French Continued On Page 9