This week we’re chatting with Christy Alexander! You’ve most certainly seen her around downtown, at WorkSmart, or even in this recent Times Union article! Read on to find out which downtown stores she frequented as a kid (which were probably your favorites, too!), some treasured memories made raising her children here, and her go-to lunch spot when she steps away from her desk.
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! I am Christy Alexander. I own WorkSmart, a coworking and meeting space in downtown Glens Falls, but my most treasured role is mother to my three children. When I am not spending time with my children or with the community members at WorkSmart you’ll find me running, biking with friends or paddle boarding on Lake George.
On Life in Glens Falls
I grew up in this area and raised my family here. With so many parks and playgrounds within walking distance, seasonal events like the Adirondack Balloon Festival and its proximity to Lake George, Glens Falls has been a fantastic place for my family to grow up. I now have a home in Queensbury where I am close enough to ride my bike to work and I can be on the lake in less than twenty minutes!
One of my favorite things about Glens Falls is its walkability. When I was younger, I would walk downtown to Woolworth’s and the Boston Candy Kitchen with my great grandmother. Now, being located in a walkable city is a great asset for those of us building our businesses within WorkSmart. Walking has become an important part of our workdays, whether to grab lunch, go to the bank or just gain a fresh perspective on our business projects.
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
My perfect Glens Falls day? First, it would be a warm, summer day. I would begin with a run through the city streets and along the Feeder Canal path ending at the Glens Falls YMCA where I would swim a few laps. Next I would head over to join the buzz of activity and conversation at WorkSmart. We would celebrate a win that resulted from a collaboration between members and get caught up in sharing visions for success in our latest ventures. My family will then meet me for lunch on the patio at Doc’s Restaurant. We would spend the afternoon on Lake George swimming and playing around on our paddle boards and kayaks. Following an afternoon of hot sun and fun on the water we would finish the day together with dinner at Siam Thai. I love their fresh rolls and pad thai!
On the Past
My most treasured memories in Glens Falls include time spent with my children. There was never a shortage of activities offered for children and families at the Hyde Museum, the Chapman Museum and the neighborhood schools. In the summer we often walked to Crandall Library, biked to Cooper’s Cave for ice cream and had picnics at the playground in Crandall Park.
In the winter I always looked forward to bundling everyone up on the evening of the first snowfall. We would take a walk through the crisp, white, newly fallen snow as flakes continued to fall on our faces. When the children were young, they were pulled on sleds and when they got older, we were dodging each other’s snowballs.
On the Future
I recently visited the Chapman Museum’s “Building Stories” exhibit, and I was struck by the vitality of the streets in old photographs of Glens Falls. It’s an energy that is coming back to our little city. You can see it in the new restaurants and boutiques, you can see it in the investments being made to bring old properties back to life, and I hope to be part of this revitalization by bringing together the talent and energy of entrepreneurs and independent workers downtown at WorkSmart.
If I could wave a magic wand, I would wish for continued momentum in downtown Glens Falls. The store fronts would be filled with interesting shops and open into the evening alongside the restaurants. This may seem like a dream but there are a lot of great people in the region who are working to make this happen, so I wouldn’t bet against it.
Thanks Christy!
P.S. See more of our My Glens Falls series here.