Northern New York's Premier Business Monthly
North country counties saw an increase in first-quarter sales tax receipts, with Lewis County seeing a particularly big jump following a return to more typical winter weather.
“I attribute it to the snow,” said Lewis County Treasurer Patricia L. O’Brien, whose county saw a 5.9 percent hike. “We didn’t have snow last year, and this year we did.” [Read more...]
People meander around Sunday during the Sportsman’s Expo at the Massena Arena. A piebald deer mount sits in the foreground. Photo by Melanie Kimbler-Lago/Watertown Daily Times.
MASSENA — Lovers of the great outdoors filled the Massena Arena over the weekend for the 35th annual Massena Rod & Gun Club Sportsman’s Expo.
Hunting and fishing were on prominent display, with vendors peddling everything from smoked venison to all-terrain vehicles. [Read more...]
Gordon N. Griffith paints the inside of the old Balmat school Tuesday at Route 812 and County Route 24. Mr. Griffith is turning the old school into a boxing and wrestling club. Photo by Melanie Kimbler-Lago/Watertown Daily Times.
BALMAT — A two-time New York State Golden Gloves heavyweight champion is starting a boxing club in the former Balmat school.
“For a boxing gym, it’s absolutely beautiful,” said Gordon N. Griffith. “We’re close to being ready to open the club up.”
The club will be for anyone who wants to learn how to box or train. [Read more...]
Mark Scott, Waddington town supervisor and owner of Artworks Creperie, 2 Main St., Waddington, will receive Clarkson University’s Reh Center for Entrepreneurship’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award April 19 at the annual Entrepreneur Recognition Dinner. Photo by Jason Hunter/Watertown Daily Times.
WADDINGTON — From its walls peppered with paintings and watercolors by local artists, to its Black Forest crepe topped with chocolate mousse and maraschino cherries, Artworks Creperie, 2 Main St., has become a unique stop for travelers along Route 37.
Although owner Mark Scott is not an artist, he does recognize the importance of investing in local talent — be it the three employees who craft his crepes or the dozens of artists whose works line the walls of his restaurant and gallery. [Read more...]
Scott and Kelly Skinner and their daughter, Katie Skinner Youngs, in an aisle at their store. Photo by Amanda Morrison/NNY Business.
Operating a family business can be challenging and rewarding, yet at times, stressful and frustrating.
In many cases, families have to develop some type of “system” that allows them to work together during the day and still be talking to each other at night.
Several north country family businesses have not only made it work, but have been pretty successful at it. [Read more...]
From left, Chris J., Ben M. and Kyle R. Matott, own The Computer Guys in Canton and Potsdam. The three brothers manage the firm that their father, Wendell L. “Lee” Matott, started in 1996. Photo by Jason Hunter/NNY Business.
Tech and text are the two things that bring together the Matott brothers each day.
Kyle R., Christopher J. and Benjamin M. Matott are just doing what they know best, and following in their father’s footsteps. However, as their business, “The Computer Guys,” a two-store family-owned computer repair and textbook sales operation in Canton and Potsdam, continues to grow, they are looking toward the future for new opportunities. [Read more...]
Alcoa employees listen to U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand during a press conference at Alcoa Massena Operations, East Plant. Senator Gillibrand was promoting Made In America Manufacturing Act, legislation to help bolster high-tech manufacturing in the North Country. Photo by Melanie Kimbler-Lago/Watertown Daily Times.
Alcoa has committed to investing $42 million to modernize its Massena aluminum production facilities, preserving 900 jobs for the north country, in a deal with the state that guarantees a long-term supply of low-cost electricity from the New York Power Authority.
The critical development, announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo at the close of business Friday, was met with enthusiasm and a huge sigh of relief from community leaders who had been anxiously awaiting Alcoa’s decision as a Sunday deadline approached. The official announcement is scheduled for today in Massena. [Read more...]
Trevor Brunet, a Culinary Institute of American graduate and owner of Simplicity Cafe, Ogdensburg. Photo by Jason Hunter/NNY Business.
The Simplicity Café at Ogdensburg’s Dobisky Center is many things to owner Trevor R. Brunet.
It’s a foray into restaurant ownership, a market testing site for future expansion and the culmination of several business ideas he had while attending the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. [Read more...]
Kenneth M. Hebb, posing in front of his brew house tanks Friday, is awaiting more brewing equipment and approvals from state agencies before opening his Canton microbrewery off Commerce Lane. Photo by Jason Hunter/Watertown Daily Times.
CANTON — Large metal tanks, a giant cooler and other beer-making equipment have been installed at the new St. Lawrence Brewing Co., which plans to begin production later this month and be ready for customers by June 1.
The startup microbrewery is housed in St. Lawrence County’s new industrial building off Commerce Lane between the St. Lawrence County jail and Triple A Building Center. [Read more...]
POTSDAM — As spring approaches, vacant buildings downtown are beginning to fill with hopeful new business owners.
Multiple business closed in 2012, including restaurants La Casbah and Julian’s and retail locations such as St. Lawrence Chocolates and Good Times Party Store. [Read more...]