A brother business: For Matotts, Computer Guys are all in the family

April 5, 2013 By

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...]

Filed Under: Business, Entrepreneurs, Small Biz, St. Lawrence County, Tech Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

What’s happening here?

January 7, 2013 By

Above, Kenneth V. Carlin, Edwards, uses a nail gun while working on an addition to Frazer Computing, 6196 U.S. Route 11, Canton. The $450,000 project will add 4,800 square feet to the company’s headquarters. Inset, a company sign is hoisted into place in 2010 after the software firm relocated to the 7-acre site from the Canton Masonic Temple. Photo by Jason Hunter/Watertown Daily Times

Frazer Computing expansion

Location: 6196 Route 11, Canton

Size: 4,800 square feet on a seven-acre site

Cost: $450,000

Architect/Designer: Rebecca N. Weld, Renew Architecture and Design, Potsdam

Estimated completion:  Spring 2013

Local jobs: About a dozen construction jobs. Frazer Computing Owner Michael J. Frazer said the expansion will help to accommodate the company’s growth and expectation to hire between five and 10 new employees in 2013. “We’re growing like crazy,” Mr. Frazer said. “Our existing building will be overflowing with employees before we can get this addition built.”

Filed Under: Business, What's Happening Here? Tagged With: , ,

Growing a beautiful business

November 12, 2012 By

For Sposa Bella, superior service is secret to lasting success

Sposa Bella owner Michele R. Scanlin, right, and her daughter, Erin S. Alguire, at their Canton store. Photo by Jason Hunter.

It was 1974 when Michele Scanlin had an inkling something vital was missing inside the bridal shops she visited with an engaged friend, something she felt was just as important as the gown the bride would ultimately wear down the aisle. That something was customer service.

“I was completely appalled by the way we were treated. I encountered rudeness and very little help, if any. After visiting a handful of stores, I ended up sketching the gown for my friend. She fell in love with it, and so I made it for her,” Ms. Scanlin said.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Entrepreneurs, Small Biz, St. Lawrence County Tagged With: , ,

Business magazine rates Potsdam high school tops in region

October 24, 2012 By

Potsdam’s high school as been ranked the north country’s number one school in academic performance by the magazine Business First.

The next four are Beaver River, Canton, Thousand Islands and Parishville-Hopkinton. The bottom three are Watertown, Brasher Falls and Edwards-Knox.

Business First, a Buffalo business publication, today released its full academic rankings for the 33 districts in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. (The study was limited to districts with enrollments of more than 260 students.)

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Briefcase, Web Exclusives Tagged With: , , , , ,

Canton Corning plant lays off 12 workers

September 19, 2012 By

DEKALB JUNCTION — A dozen production and maintenance employees have been laid off at Corning Inc.’s Canton plant, including six who agreed to take a voluntary layoff.

The specialty glass plant on McAdoo Road, town of DeKalb, was forced to adjust staffing because product demand has dropped, said Joseph M. Dunning, a Corning spokesman.

Six employees agreed to take a voluntary layoff that took effect Monday. Another six were notified Monday that their layoff takes effect Oct. 1, he said.

“This is sort of following the ebb and flow of the industry, of the market,” Mr. Dunning said Tuesday. “Periodically, there are changes in work force numbers and that’s driven by demand.”

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: , ,

New Canton industrial building aims for Dec. 31 finish

September 18, 2012 By

CANTON — Construction of the new light industrial building that will house St. Lawrence Brewing Co. should be finished by Dec. 31.

Over the past several weeks, workers have constructed the building’s foundation, walls and trusses at the 19 Commerce Lane site.

The 15,000-square-foot industrial building is being developed by the St. Lawrence Industrial Development Agency at a site between the St. Lawrence County Jail and Triple A Building Center.

“It’s starting to take shape and look like a building,” IDA Chief Executive Officer Patrick J. Kelly said. “There has been a lack of this kind of space in Canton. When the new jail was built, excess land was set aside for this type of development.”

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: , ,

Hampton Inn eyeing Canton for new hotel

July 24, 2012 By

CANTON — The national hotel chain Hampton Inn is interested in building a 55-room hotel on state Route 11 adjacent to the University Plaza.

A preliminary site plan for the three-story building was reviewed last week by the village Planning Board.

“We looked at a very preliminary layout for where it might go,” said Planning Board Chairman Timothy J. Danehy. “When more detailed plans are available, they would get sent to the county Planning Board for its review.”

Amy Franco, an engineer from Clough, Harbour & Associates, Syracuse, met with planning board members to discuss the preliminary plan. An aerial photograph was distributed which shows the proposed footprint of the site on the eastern edge of the village.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Web Exclusives Tagged With: ,

20 Questions: Kathryn L. Mullaney, St. Lawrence University

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Kathryn L. Mullaney, Vice President for Finance and Treasurer of St. Lawrence University, Canton.

  • Age: 60
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology, Union College, Schenectady. Graduate of the General Electric financial management program.
  • Career: Twenty years at General Electric, lastly as manager of finance for locations in Binghamton and Valley Forge. Eighteen years at St. Lawrence University in current position.
  • Family: Married to husband, Brian, two children ages 26 and 24, and a granddaughter, 5.
  • Last book read: “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back,” by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent.
    [Read more...]

Pages: 1 2 3

Filed Under: 20 Questions, Interview Tagged With: , , , , , ,