We chatted with Diana Kloepfer this week! She shares what drew her to this area from Long Island, what has made her feel most at home here, her favorite spot for cocktails and dinner downtown, and more…
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! I'm Diana Kloepfer. I am a Chef and Culinary Artist. I currently hold the position of Sous Chef at The Gem in Bolton Landing. I also have my own cake and private chef business, known as The Aquarian Culinarian. I live with my fiancé, who is a Glens Falls native, and our pup, who goes by the name Angelo.
On Life In and Around Glens Falls
I have called Glens Falls home for almost 8 years. I moved here from Long Island in October of 2016. I have wanted to live near the Adirondacks since I first came up here on family vacation when I was 12. It was love at first sight.
I didn't know much about Glens Falls until I met my future husband. He grew up in Glens Falls and we ended up getting our first apartment on Harrison Ave. I was immediately drawn to the charm of downtown. After the first LARAC Arts Festival that I attended, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
Since moving here I have formed lifelong connections and friendships with empowering individuals. The group of women friends I have formed, as well as the fellow entrepreneurs, creatives, and makers I have met, all inspire me on a daily basis. It's quite literally magic to feel supported in your dreams and encouraged to be your true self by the environment around you. Glens Falls has brought a missing puzzle piece to my life and I am so grateful to be here.
Some Glens Falls Favorites
My favorite thing about Glens Falls is that it lives up to the Hometown USA vibe. The community is full of some truly talented people with a shared vision of continuing to make Glens Falls a great place to call home. The murals that have gone up, the Arts District, the culinary scene, the tattoo shops, thrift stores, small businesses, work spaces, coffee shops, fitness options, Farmers Market, Crandall Park and Coles Woods...we truly have it all. My favorite hidden gems include Kind Cycling, Black Walnut Books, Sweet Side Records, the winding trails of Coles Woods and Pure n' Simple Foods.
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
A perfect Glens Falls day would be a Saturday morning trip to the Farmers Market, followed by a hearty breakfast at Juicin' Jar, and then a fun shopping trip to Finders Keepers. I’d enjoy a nice walk through City Park and around town to admire all of the historic buildings and then drive over to the Arts District for a visit to the shops and studios in The Shirt Factory. An afternoon scone from Rockhill Bakehouse to hold over until dinner is always a great idea. From there, getting some mindful movement in with a class at Kind Cycling or Hot Yoga Queensbury to work up an appetite for some well-deserved craft cocktails and culinary delights at no place other than [farmacy]. You can find me there about once a week.
On the Past
A favorite Glens Falls memory of mine is the day I came up from Long Island to sign the lease to our first apartment. It just so happened to be the same day as the Balloon Festival evening event at Crandall Park. I had never seen hot air balloons up close before, and we were able to walk there from where I would be calling home soon. I remember feeling so excited that this was going to be my new home. It was amazing to walk around my new local park, with hot air balloons tethered all around me, with families gathered and music playing. It was the perfect way to start a new chapter. It felt like a "welcome home" party in a way.
On the Future
I know exactly what I would bring to downtown, but for now I can't say too much about it. I am hoping to find the perfect location to one day open up a business of my own and join the small business community I love so much. Until then, I am enjoying all the new places that call Glens Falls home.
