This week we caught up with Carly Samach! She shares a bit about the history of her charming craftsman home in the city, the unique Glens Falls location for her wedding, an awesome idea for a downtown business that someone should scoop up, and more…
Tell us about yourself!
Hello! I’m Carly Samach, I live with my husband, our two pups and our mischievous orange cat right outside of the Crandall Park area. Professionally I am a clinical therapist that specializes in the treatment of obsessive compulsive and anxiety disorders. I own my own practice in town treating individuals locally and all around New York State, and also provide education on these disorders to schools and medical teams that often interface with them. The disorders I treat are so common throughout the world, but I feel especially grateful to do the majority of my work here in our community. Anyone living with OCD and anxiety deserves to know that things can get better — I witness my clients create that truth everyday!
I am also lucky to teach Kambal Yoga at Restore Balance - or as I fondly refer to it, sleepy time yoga. I love art, music, good food, being outdoors — all of which I strongly believe Glens Falls is an expert at curating and providing!
On Life In Glens Falls
Glens Falls was a chance situation for my husband and I. Back in 2017, we found out we’d have to move from the home we were renting very quickly. The universe set its sights on Glens Falls for us, because at that point in the year we could not find a place to live anywhere in the Capital District, except a very sweet apartment on Glen St in Glens Falls. My husband grew up in and around Glens Falls, so for him it was a lot like returning to a nostalgic home. For me, Glens Falls was a space I hadn’t explored yet, and it's safe to say I fell in love fast.
It's been 7 years since that fateful move and we now own a home in the city and are so happy to have built a life and community here. The primary variable that keeps us here is the very evident heart of the people in this town. It's illustrated through the beautiful businesses, the care individuals take in their older homes, the smiles you are greeted by when taking a walk around the park and the willingness to help one another out when needed. We’ve made friends that are now family for life in this community.
On Historic Homes
Our home is a gorgeous craftsman with some pretty cool history. Thanks to our neighbors, we learned that our home was owned by one of the twin daughters of the Mayor of Glens Falls way back in the day. He built ‘twin craftsmans’ for his daughters and through our neighborhood and the previous owner we learned that the original owners lived here until they eventually passed. We’ve found love notes and sweet pieces of history as we’ve been slowly restoring it. Having grown up in an old farm house in Maine, this is what drew me to the homes of Glens Falls — they all have love in their stories.
On Local Talent
One thing I wish more people knew about Glens Falls is what incredible art is here. Not only the newest murals at The Shirt Factory, but around town and built into the homes and buildings that have stood the test of time, and the many incredible artisans at The Shirt Factory. And I can’t forget to mention the number of incredibly talented musicians that reside here. Whether I’m catching a jazz night with The Daley News at The Bourbon Room or rocking out to Tom’s House at Mean Max — there is never a shortage of incredible music to enjoy!
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
A perfect day in Glens Falls for me starts at Kru Coffee — my husband and I love their cortados and an avocado smash to fill up on. In my opinion, one of the best parts about Glens Falls is that you can spend time in the city to get the day started, and then drive or walk a few miles out and be in the mountains and the woods. After filling up on breakfast our day would likely take us there with the pups — we love to explore trails in the area and in the 7 years we’ve lived here we never fall short of finding new spaces to check out. From there our day is all about yummy food, or doing some light shopping in town, like stopping by Minky Mink, Fountain Square Outfitters, and Rude Betty to name a few. Whether we cook at home and then go in town for dessert or do the whole shindig in town we are never failed by the likes of Farmacy, Radici or Mint!
On the Past
Fun fact: in May of 2021 my husband and I got married in the alleyway between Farmacy and Radici! Every time I pass that space between the two buildings I think of the beautiful Sunday afternoon where our incredible friends at Farmacy helped us create a magical and sweet day. To have our nearest and dearest standing with us in an alleyway that had been dressed in flower petals and loving mementos literally took my breath away. We couldn’t have asked for more.
On the Future
My wish list business for Glens Falls would be a coffee shop bookstore that turns into a cocktail reading hang out in the evening. My friends and I fantasize about how awesome that would be all the time. Please somebody go for it! I promise regular reading coffee / cocktail visits by so many!