My Glens Falls: Kathleen Goutos

We caught up with Kay Goutos this week! She shares her many passions, from yoga and massage therapy to stand up comedy, her pick for a downtown restaurant with Manhattan vibes, fond memories of family nights in Glens Falls as a kid, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

Hey there! My government name is Kathleen Goutos. I have many aliases but most people know me as Kay or KayKay. Call me what you want! I am free spirited, fun loving, and adventurous. I have a 5 year old dog named Cleo, and she is the light of my life.

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. My parents, Ted and Mary, own a boat tour business on Lake George with my big brother, Tim. It’s called Bolton Boat Tours and they do an amazing job. My family is incredibly close — we support each other immensely and for that I’m incredibly grateful. 

I’ve owned my own business Kay G, Healing Artist, for over 6 years. I’m a licensed massage therapist, certified yoga instructor, aromatherapist, and energy healer. I specialize working with people in the music industry.

Glens Falls has welcomed me and my business since day one with open arms. This community is something truly special and I am so grateful for it. I sublet a studio out of Acupuncture Nirvana and my clients are simply the loveliest people. Holding space for them brings me so much joy and peace.

Last spring, I embarked on another passion/career — stand up comedy. I’ve wanted to perform for people my entire life. I am beyond thrilled to have found something that I feel so passionately about and that makes me feel so empowered. Making people laugh means so much to me and I love it with my entire being.

I am now booking gigs locally and I’m also hosting open mics at The Trap in Fort Ann every Thursday at 7pm. It is for comedy, music, and poetry. Facilitating an atmosphere for people to step out of their comfort zone and realize how talented and powerful they are has been so very fulfilling. We have an incredible amount of talent in this area and I just love to see it!

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I was born and raised in Lake George. My parents owned a motel for 25 years right on the lake. I graduated from Lake George High School in 2012 and after a short crack at college, I realized I just wanted to travel and experience new places and things.

After backpacking Australia for a year, I fell in love with massage therapy and decided I wanted to go to school for it. So once I got home, I applied to the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy in Albany for the following Spring.

After being alone abroad for awhile, I knew I couldn’t be under my parents roof any longer. I found a small room for rent in Glens Falls off of Craigslist and absolutely adored it. My first apartment ever being in Glens Falls was like a dream. It felt like big city living! I could walk to my doctors appointment and I thought it was the neatest thing.

Since then, I’ve hopped around a bit, but the community always felt so strong to me in Glens Falls. I’ve always admired how this small city loves their people so and is committed to growth. That’s why when I started my business 6 years ago, I knew where I wanted it to be.

I do prefer living in the mountains for easier access to adventures, so these days I rent an apartment in Warrensburg, but I spend lots of time downtown between work and spending time with friends. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day in Glens Falls would start with an iced matcha oat milk latte from SPoT. Afterwards, I would head to the library and find a new book to read as each sip brings life into me.

I’d then head over to Juicin’ Jar to say ‘Hi’ to the loveliest gals, Nicole & Cristina, and get a juice to go.

Off to the park I go with my fresh drink, but I’d have to make sure to stop by to see the mural by my bestie Hannah Williams first. It always makes me feel so grounded to nature and fills me to the brim with inspiration. 

I would find myself a cozy spot and read a bit of my new book. I’d then answer some work emails and work on some comedy bits. If you see me in Crandall Park talking to myself, I’m fine, I swear!

After the park, I’d need some retail therapy. I can’t resist a pit stop at MinkyMink to see their new arrivals. Maura would help me find the perfect dress as she always does and I would put it on instantly. Luckily it’s a one-stop-shop, so you know I’m grabbing a beautiful jewelry piece from my other bestie, Tess Bannon of Buffalo Bannon Designs, to complete my look.

Eventually, I’d text a friend to see if they’d want to meet up in town for a bite. We would go to Mint for an espresso martini and dinner. The atmosphere there makes me feel like I live in Manhattan, just without the headache.

I can’t resist a game of pool so we would have to hit up Downtown Social for a round of drinks and a couple games. Once we get there, we’d realize a local band is playing so we’d get to jam out as I kicked my friends butt at pool.

The best part of my day would be that every stop I would take, I know I’d see a smiling face. Whether it be an old or new friend, or even a stranger, I know I’m going to feel the warmth of the small, tight-knit community. What more could you ask for in a day?

On the Past

Growing up, my family would only go into Glens Falls for dinner. It felt like such a treat going into the city coming from Lake George. It was always in the winter time as my parents were too busy in the summer, so the Christmas decorations were so beautiful and captivating to me.

We would go to Mikado at their old location on South Street. It had a lovely family vibe — I remember them being so kind and having the chopsticks with the rubber bands for the kids! The hibachi was the coolest thing I had ever seen and I loved the production of it all. 

On the Future

The future for Glens Falls shines so bright. Between the murals bringing this town to life and the small businesses being the backbone of this area, I see it continuing to grow exponentially.

I may be biased but I think a comedy club in the heart of downtown would be incredible. Laughter is medicine and it brings people together in a positive light. I think that would be so fun and so beneficial to our community. Fingers crossed I’d be able to perform there one day!

My Glens Falls: Jaime DeLong

We chatted with Jaime DeLong this week! She shares a bit about her handmade winter hat business, her favorite local activity (a hidden gem!), the beauty of owning her childhood home, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Jaime DeLong, and I live just over the Glens Falls border in Queensbury with my family. In addition to managing Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course and Tubby Tubes River Co, I recently started a handmade hat business called Hudson Hats. After seasonally retiring from 15 years of crazy busy winters in the ski industry, I decided to turn my winter hat obsession (I’ve somehow acquired 120+ over the years) into a fun hobby. I took a couple knitting classes last December, and then things escalated quite quickly from there!

My mom was an incredibly talented knitter, so it’s definitely in the genes. I do wish that my grandmother was alive to see this though, as she always told me (in good fun) that I was “a consumer, not a producer, and that I was good for the economy!”. She was not wrong, as I did pay someone in my 7th grade home economics class to sew my locker pocket for me (sorry if you’re reading this Mrs. Brown). I’ve made over 200 hats so far, and am still having so much fun — look out for me at some upcoming community events!

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I was born and raised in the Glens Falls region, and feel quite rooted in the community here. I initially stayed in the area to raise my daughter here, and now I can’t imagine living anywhere else, though I do love to travel and go explore the world at any chance I get! My daughter/best friend is currently attending Northern Arizona University, so that alone gets me lots of travel time.

I actually own my childhood home about two miles from downtown — it’s so convenient to bike to the library or to dinner in the warmer months! The home has been in my family since 1962, when my grandparents decided it was time to move to “the country” (a whopping 1.8 miles north from Ridge Street to Ridge Road).

I think that all houses around 75 years plus in age can be considered fixer uppers to a certain degree, but fortunately my grandmother was incredibly meticulous in maintaining the home. The interior layout is very unique, and the property itself backs up to the wetlands by the airport, so I have a beautiful backyard! Growing up I had a few hot air balloons land in my yard, so that’s a favorite memory for sure!

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about the area is that there is a wide variety of things to do, see, and eat, but we still have that small town/community vibe.

We’re very fortunate to be in such a close proximity to outdoor activities — with Glen Lake right there for paddle boarding and kayaking, beautifully maintained mountain biking trails at Gurney Lane, and being within a 2 hour radius of at least 10 ski areas.

My absolute favorite activity is a hidden gem — white water rafting on the Hudson River. I’ve been a guide with Wild Waters Outdoor Center since 2008 (very part time now), and I can probably count on one hand the number of local residents I’ve taken down the river. New Jersey residents, however — I may have taken them all at this point!

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Ahh! I have two “ perfect day” scenarios…

Sunday — first stop is Hot Yoga Queensbury, followed by Sunday brunch at Farmacy. Chef Joe’s Benedicts are world class! Dessert would be some shopping at Fountain Square Outfitters.

Days that aren’t Sunday — Latte retrieval at Kru, a workout at Lake George CrossFit, and while there, hopefully a phone call from Poopie’s telling me that there is buffalo chicken soup on the menu (yes there is a special soup phone list and it is the best).

Family dinner the crew will usually be Sweet Rice Sushi Thai, and date nights are spent back at Farmacy, or at Radici.

On the Past

I love Taste Of The North Country, so I’m really hoping that event will return next fall. I have fond memories of going across the bridge to The Joy Store with my grandmother, and also going to Ames with my mom so she could by yarn!

On the Future

Personally, a yarn store carrying indie dyed wool would be lovely! I know lots of past Glens Falls Living featured people would like a bookstore or a rooftop bar, and I think those would be great additions as well. I’m very much looking forward to checking out The Golden Monkey, and seeing the continued revitalization of South Street.

My Glens Falls: Emma and Kevin Rogan

We’re chatting with Emma and Kevin Rogan this week! They share their love for Crandall Library (and the photography program that they teach there!), their go-to restaurant for take out downtown, some Farmers Market favorites, and more…

Tell us about yourselves!

Emma: My name is Emma Rogan and I'm a professional photographer as well as a Library Assistant in the Children's Department at Crandall Public Library. My husband, Kevin, and I got married on Halloween back in 2014 and we have two adorable guinea pig daughters, Gladys and Lois. We live in Queensbury.

Kevin: My name is Kevin Rogan and I’m a librarian, guitar and ukulele player, photographer, and home barista. I grew up in Lake George, and as a voracious reader of fiction, I visited Glens Falls often to borrow stacks of books from Crandall Public Library. I was fortunate enough to get a job at the Library in 2007, right after finishing grad school at SUNY Albany. I currently commute a whopping six minutes to work (from Queensbury) and when out and about am recognized by the area's toddlers and their parents simply as "Miss Emma's husband."

Emma: I was born in Hudson Falls, and have lived in the area my whole life. I was always at Crandall Public Library as a kid so as soon as I turned 14, I was thrilled to get my first job there. I worked as a page in the Children's Department for many years and continued working there while also attending (at the time) ACC to study photography. I was an odd tween/teen in the sense that I always knew without a doubt that photography was what I wanted to go to school for. I've loved it my whole life. Back then I was still using film and waiting for my photos to get developed! I was lucky enough to learn the basics of photography and the darkroom from my first ever professor, Sara Cutshall-King. She absolutely inspired me and really planted the seed for our photography program, Shutter Squad, down the road. Once I received my Associates, I went on to Burlington College in Burlington, VT to work towards my Bachelor's Degree. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Photography in 2012 and moved back to the area. 

I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do with my photography business at first, so I was experimenting with a lot of different ventures. I tried my hand at freelancing, weddings and family photos. At the same time, I was also back to working part-time in the Children's Department at Crandall Public Library. I couldn't stay away! Eventually I was able to move up in my position and went from being a page to a Library Assistant full time. That's sort of when everything clicked into place for me. I truly love working with children, and thought it would be perfect if I could combine my love of working with kids, with my passion for photography. 

On Starting Shutter Squad

Emma: Kevin also works at the library in the Folklife Center, and we started brainstorming ideas for a photography program. It was very important to us that we provided participants with all of the equipment they would need. I wanted anyone who was interested to be able to attend, whether or not they had experience or a camera to use. We were lucky enough to receive a grant from the Leo Cox Beach Philanthropic Foundation so we could purchase all the supplies. And Shutter Squad was born in fall of 2019!

Shutter Squad is a photography program for tweens ages 10-13. We offer a session four times a year/each season, and each session runs for six weeks. We have ten kits (they include a camera, two lenses, a memory card, and tripod), so we can take ten kids at a time and meet every other Tuesday afternoon for about 3 months. Participants learn the principles of photography using professional equipment in a collaborative, hands-on setting. The kids are able to take the cameras home with them which really enables them to discover and develop their own style. Whether or not they realize it, I always see their own personal styles start to develop. One of my favorite things about Shutter Squad is getting to see the world through their eyes. Once each session is over, we have them each pick out four of their favorite photos and Kevin will print, mat and hang them in the Folklife Gallery for a 3–4 month exhibit. He does an amazing job putting the whole thing together. We also like to have a reception for the kids to celebrate all their hard work once everything is ready to view. It's so fun seeing the kids show off their art to all their family and friends! It's amazing to me that we've already worked with 90 kids since we've started! I get so attached to each group and it's always a bit bittersweet when our session is over. We're just about to start our fall/winter session and I'm so excited to get to know everyone in a couple of weeks. 

If anyone is interested in learning more about Shutter Squad or getting on a list for a future session, they can email me at erogan@sals.edu or learn more here.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Emma: I can't tell you how nice it is to work so close to two coffee shops! We are big fans of Kru and Spot Coffee. You can find us ordering takeout from Siam Thai on a very regular basis. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit all I have to do is call and say what time we're ordering for and they immediately know it's for Emma and what my order will be! If it's a Saturday, chances are you'll find us at the Farmer's Market. I am addicted to all things Pucker and we love the peanut butter cookies from Dickinson's! 

Kevin: Of course, I have to start with Crandall Public Library, which for me is the heart of the city. There's something there for absolutely everyone. The Folklife Center, nestled in the basement, certainly qualifies as a hidden gem. Patrons are always very pleasantly surprised when they discover us down there. The Farmer's Market is another treasure that might fly below some people's radar. Be sure to bring an oversized basket if you go, though, because you're going to want to buy everything you see!

On The Past

Emma: It's so funny the things that stick in your mind, but I remember years ago there was a winter festival in Glens Falls. City Park was filled with all these large, amazing snow sculptures. It was such a fun and unique thing to have in the middle of town. I distinctly remember running around taking photos of all of the sculptures and then dropping off my film to get the pictures developed. That is when I knew I wanted to do pursue photography as a profession!

On the Future

Emma: I'm a huge boba tea fan and I'm so thankful I can get my fix from Siam Thai. I do think it would be fun if Glens Falls had a shop solely devoted to boba tea! 

My Glens Falls: Erica Celeste

We chatted with Erica Celeste this week! She shares some of her favorite memories of growing up in Glens Falls, the breakfast spot that knows her order by heart, a bit about her business, Empire City Massage and Meditation, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Erica Celeste and I’m a massage therapist, yoga teacher and business owner in Glens Falls. I live in Hudson Falls with my husband Will, our daughter and our 7 year old Bichon Frisé, Jax. Entrepreneurship was not a decision I made lightly. It took a lot for me to leave my career as the nerve conduction technologist at Adirondack Rehabilitation Medicine, PLLC. I absolutely loved everything about it, from testing to teaching and the staff I worked with. The change happened after I gave birth to my daughter, Eleanor. For over 10 years, I dreamed of owning my own massage therapy and wellness business. Having this tiny human was just the nudge I needed to do it. In April of 2023 I launched Empire City Massage and Meditation. You can also find me every Thursday at noon leading a guided meditation at Grounded On Glen Street in downtown Glens Falls!

I am the only girl out of six children. I’m lucky to have been born into the family I have. Growing up, my brothers made me feel like I had an army of protectors. Even at the age of 31, they still make me feel that way. I especially looked up to my oldest sibling, Joel. I wanted to do everything he did. I remember walking into the Rec Center and asking to carry his hockey bag so it looked like I played hockey like him. Of course, he was no dummy. He gladly gave up the bag for me to carry in and out of the rink. Joel played violin so I played violin. Joel became the most amazing parent, so I strive to be the same.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I was born and raised in Glens Falls. My father, John Norton, is a longstanding Glens Falls police officer, who was raised here just like my mother was. Growing up, my family was spread throughout city but my favorite home was on Knight St. That’s where I met my childhood best friend, Maddie. Maddie would drive her red Jeep down the street to mine. Even now, I can still hear the tires digging into the gravel driveway. We would head back to her house to play school (she later became a middle school vice principal), pick strawberries, and bug our neighbor Rita for some of her world famous bowties and an endless supply of gum.

Connections like the one I made with Maddie are what keeps me tied to this city. It’s an incredible feeling to know that I could knock on a number of doors and be greeted with open arms. It’s a sense of belonging I haven’t experienced anywhere else.

On House Hunting

My husband and I own a home in Hudson Falls. We began our house searching journey shortly after our wedding. To say searching for a home in a post-COVID world was discouraging would be an understatement. An opportunity presented itself and like all of the good things in my life, picking our home actually became one of the the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. My husband and I were able to purchase our home from lifelong friends without the home ever being listed. The timing was just right!

My favorite part of the home is our backyard. We have a swing that hangs from an apple tree where we get to spend time with our daughter.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day in Glens Falls would start with calling my dad bright and early to see if he is awake. We’re the early birds in the family and love our breakfast. Our go to breakfast spot is Poopie’s on Lawrence St. The wait staff usually has our order entered before we even get our coffee. After that I’d go for a run on the bike path, stopping at my in-laws for some water before heading back home. Later in the day I’d pop over to the high school to watch my nephew’s PAL football game while his sister cheers alongside him. The perfect ending to the day would be sitting around the hibachi table at Mikado with my entire family.

On the Past

One of my favorite Glens Falls memories was creating an apartment crawl with a group of my friends. The leaves were changing color, the air was starting to feel crisp and we were all craving a fall experience. One day we had an idea to use the Warren County Bikeway as a map, connecting all of our Glens Falls apartments. We thought of how fun it would be to just walk along the bike path, stopping at each house to try a signature dish and play a game before moving to the next. There were four stops along the bike path that we traveled to, although there was actually a fifth stop — the starting point. It began with our friend’s home in Hudson Falls. The same home that I now share with my family. It was an incredible night filled with good food, laughter and memories with loved ones.

On the Future

If I could bring something new to the city it would be a sanctuary for peace and wellness. I’ve always felt a strong pull to support people, especially when times are tough. The sense of support I gravitate towards the most is silence and space. My wildest dream would be to create a space filled with botanical gardens, meditation rooms, waterfalls, maybe even a butterfly exhibit! A space that literally asks nothing of the person visiting other then to relax, unwind and connect to the world around them.

At one point in time this idea was specifically targeted at those transitioning toward the end of life, particularly due to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). My grandmother passed away from complications due to ALS when I was five. I’d say it’s been a life-long pursuit to figure out a way to provide support to those experiencing that same transition. However, as I grow and evolve, I think that throughout any person’s life there are endings (and beginnings) that would benefit from a space like this.

The sanctuary I envision is a powerhouse of collaboration, welcoming expertise from fellow health and wellness experts! I am big on collaborating with other local businesses because it leads to serving our community and building amazing connections with the people of this city, more than any one person could do alone.

My Glens Falls: Carly Trerise

We’re chatting with Carly Trerise this week! She shares a bit about her business, Dinner and Flowers, her go-to place for a stroll in the fall, a favorite downtown business from the past that she hopes will make a comeback, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Carly Trerise. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and have been married for nine years. We recently just had our third baby in March. We didn't find out the gender because we had one of each and it was such an exciting thing to do. We were convinced it was a boy. When anyone asked, I confidently said it was boy, so we were shocked - it was a girl!

I own DinnerandFlowers.com, formerly known as SendaMealToday.com. This business idea came about shortly after we had our first baby in 2015. Our family and friends delivered us home cooked meals and desserts so we didn't have to leave the house and could focus on our newborn. 

My dad and I put our heads together and began creating the vision to serve the community with delicious comfort food meals to help ease any stress to families, whatever the circumstance. What began as mostly meals to new parents quickly turned into other occasions such as sympathy, thank you gifts, caring for elderly family members who are unable to cook, or helping people who are going through a difficult time.

My favorite deliveries are bringing our meals to new parents. The look of gratitude on their face is such a wonderful feeling. I will never forget one of my deliveries just after opening the business — a mother was coming home from the hospital after being with her very sick daughter. She grabbed the food, put it down and hugged me so tightly.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

A perfect day in Glens Falls would be to stop in at Spot Coffee for some delicious iced coffee and breakfast. I am a sucker for a cinnamon chip scone. Then the family and I would take a walk around Crandall Park to get some energy out — the fall is my favorite time of year there. We would end the day with the food trucks at The Shirt Factory! There are so many fun things to do there for the whole family. The kids love to ride the horses and go in the bounce houses. My husband and I like to try a new food truck every time we go. It's so nice because we always end up running into friends and are able to catch up.

On the Past

My favorite memory in Glens Falls was my son’s first time at Hometown Holidays in 2016. Watching his face light up to all the Christmas lights reminded me of the Christmas magic when I was a child. The whole night was such a warm and friendly atmosphere.

On the Future

I was a huge fan of Aimee’s Dinner and a Movie. I remember when I was a little girl I had a birthday party there. I think it would be so cool if we could have a business like that again! 

My Glens Falls: Myranda Lynch

We caught up with Myranda Lynch this week, who you’ll likely recognize as the Nail Artist behind Diamond Studio! She shares an amazing roundup of food favorites from The Shirt Factory’s Food Truck Corral, a great idea for local coffee lovers that she’d like to see downtown, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

Hi! I’m Myranda Lynch, owner of Diamond Studio, which is located here in Glens Falls on Lawrence Street inside Studio Elements. I’m a licensed Nail Technician but like to refer to myself as a Nail Artist because painting art is my favorite part of doing nails. I opened my business in June of 2019 right after my nail bestie Bari (Studio Bari) opened Studio Elements. I had always loved painting my own nails but never thought this could be the career that supported my family and I’m so thankful for Bari getting on my case to chase my dreams alongside her. It has truly been a dream to work with so many awesome women and meet so many amazing clients that have become friends! 

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I was born and raised in a neighboring town, Fort Ann, and found myself moving back up this way after I graduated from UAlbany in 2010. My now husband, Adam (Bubs), and I actually lived in Glens Falls for a little while before moving back to Fort Ann and buying my mom and step dad’s home in 2016. Bubs and I have the coolest 6 year old daughter, Alanna (Lonnie), and love being able to raise her close to everything but still outside of town where we have property and privacy. We really loved our time living in Glens Falls and I’m so glad to be working right outside of downtown, still close to everything but better parking!

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

A perfect Glens Falls day for me would start with grabbing a Kale Almighty juice from Juicin’ Jar and heading to the studio to do my own nails. It takes me a few hours to do my own and I love to hang and watch a show while I’m doing them so I would probably order my favorite beet salad with crispy chicken from Kelly’s Roots for lunch for when I finish. After lunch Bubs and Lonnie would meet me at work and we’d go over to Rude Betty to buy some fun trinkets as Lonnie would say, stop for my favorite Owl Margarita from Raul’s, then play some games at Go Play With Your Food until the food trucks at The Shirt Factory started. To end the day, we would grab some pasta from our favorite Giovanni Fresco, a beer from Mean Max, tacos from La Capital Tacos, Chicken Tenders from Coaches Corner, pet some reptiles, get my daughter’s face painted, let her jump in the bounce houses for a bit, then grab a Strawberry Nutella crepe from Holy Crepe, my favorite Lavender Lemonade from Freddy’s Rockin Lemonade, and some delicious homemade ice cream from Kaleidoscope Cafe on the way out. If you couldn’t tell my family really loves food truck night at The Shirt Factory! 

On the Past

I’ve always loved coming to Glens Falls throughout my life and watching it blossom into what it is now. The city has so much more to offer now and I love all of the events that continue to be created to bring the surrounding communities together. Having fun and safe things to do year round is really such an asset to this area. 

On the Future

One thing I would really love to see is a drive-thru coffee shop that isn’t a chain. We have so many amazing cafes and coffee shops downtown and it would be so awesome to be able to have one we could still get to when we may not have time to park and walk up. I love to be able to support local anytime I can which is never hard to do with all of the amazing options this city has to offer!

My Glens Falls: Ryan Simpson

We caught up with Ryan Simpson this week! He shares some great ideas for the perfect Glens Falls region day (including a trip to a zoo and a local hike!), his pick for dinner downtown, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Ryan Simpson. I’m the COO of Slip Stoppers Epoxy. I’m married to Tori Torrisi and we have two lovely cats, Edward and Piper. I am a huge golfer. I’m not the best cook, but I’m a fantastic eater.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I actually grew up in Clifton Park and then we moved to Boston for a few years. Both of our families live in the area. When we came back a few years ago and went cherry picking at Hick’s Orchard, we just happened to go through Glens Falls to grab lunch (and watch Tiger win the Masters!!) and immediately fell in love. About a year later we found our dream house. We have been here for 4 years now and live on Coolidge Ave right by the park. You can catch us out running or playing tennis or over the winter skating and cross country skiing.

We own a Victorian, and we are just finishing a large kitchen renovation which is super exciting. We never plan to move so we really have tried to honor the history of the house and area with our renovations. Everything is super walkable here and our neighbors are amazing. We meet new people literally every day that we love.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing in Glens Falls is the atmosphere! It sounds a bit cliché but everyone seems to know and like each other and the culture is so supportive and laid back. It’s sort of like being on vacation, but all the time!

There are so many hidden gems here. In the downtown area we love Farmacy. The food is always amazing but the people are even better. If you go just a little outside the city, it’s worth going to the Dancing Ewe Farm for a really fun experience.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

Obviously the perfect days are in the fall so we are right there! 

One perfect day is going over to the Jungle Experience Zoo in Granville. It seems like nobody knows about that one, but it is awesome. You can go hang out with kangaroos and camels and feed otters and monkeys. You cannot have a bad day when you get to cuddle with a wallaby. And then grab a milkshake and a burger at Jen’s Pit Stop.

Another perfect day would be going on a quick hike somewhere local - maybe Sleeping Beauty - and then getting a bite at the cafe right there. We’d spend the middle of the day walking around and enjoying the sights with friends and then finishing the day with dinner outside at Farmacy with AJ and crew. I am a mocktail person and they make amazing drinks there too.

On The Past

I think my favorite memory is when we first moved in. It was during the winter and freezing! We had no furniture or anything yet but we really wanted to have friends over and check out downtown. We ended up going to a few places and ending our night playing pool at Downtown Social and then coming back to sleep on our outdoor furniture inside the house!

On the Future

I am sure hoping for changes on South Street! There is so much opportunity to expand there and continue making the city beautiful. It would be awesome to have a nice bookstore right downtown too. Somebody should definitely open up a rooftop bar as well. How do we not have one with our awesome views?!

My Glens Falls: Rebecca Evansky

We’re chatting with Rebecca Evansky this week! She shares one of the city’s hidden gems for walks and runs (especially in the fall!), her passion for fostering pups, a great idea for a downtown store that would help support the local running community (any takers?!), and more…

Rebecca with her dog, Bruno

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Rebecca Evansky. I am a behavioral health administrator, aspiring social worker, athlete, and foster dog mom (and permanent dog mom to my pack of three rescue pups). I’ve worked in a variety of roles in behavioral health throughout my career but decided to go back to school for social work and will graduate this fall — hoping to better support the growing needs in our region. When I’m not walking my dogs, you can find me riding bikes with friends or running on the bike trail. 

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

My husband and I vacationed here to visit family and fell in love with the area. Moving from Florida, it’s been over 20 years of enjoying the beauty of all four seasons.

Glens Falls offers something for every possible outside activity! Mountain biking, trail running, and Nordic skiing right at Cole’s Woods. We can ride the bike trail from home to Grey Ghost Bicycles to meet for a group ride or run the canal trail to Haviland’s Cove. The stretch between the cove and the dam is a true hidden gem in the fall with the changing colors! We have it all here, along with the best athlete community if you want company. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day in Glens Falls would include time to check for a sale at Fountain Square Outfitters basement or Finders Keepers. I love bargain hunting! Lunch is definitely at Siam Thai and it would have to be summertime so I can meet my fellow Lucky Puppy Rescue volunteers and walk my foster dog downtown for Take a Bite. Wednesday evenings we can be spotted with pups wearing “adopt me” bandanas who are socializing and searching for their forever families. 

On the Past

I miss Aimee’s Dinner and a Movie! I spent years working at a unique one screen theatre when I was young and saw the best independent movies. Aimee’s had similar interesting movies and some blockbusters if you were willing to wait for them. Can we get Morgan & Co. to add a screen and a run a movie?! I’d love to watch while sipping their delicious sangria. 

On the Future

I would love to see a locally owned running specialty store come to Glens Falls. It would be amazing if they partnered with schools and organizations to host beginner running events and grow the understanding between physical movement, feeling empowered, and health and wellness. 

My Glens Falls: Nicole Laubenheimer

We caught up with Nicole Laubenheimer this week, who you’ll likely recognize from Juicin’ Jar! She shares her passion for healthy and happy living, her favorite spot to grab dinner (and gelato!), and more…

Tell us about yourself!

Hi! I’m Nicole Laubenheimer, I live in Hudson Falls with my fiancé Ryan, our 2 dogs and 2 cats. We just bought our first home and are expecting our first child in late December!

I work at Juicin’ Jar, a local cafe, bakery and gift shop right in the heart of Glens Falls. We are a family business, my sister and I are partners in running our small, women owned, business. We absolutely love our community and getting to spend our days together cooking, baking and laughing. I am very passionate about healthy and happy living, so being able to share that with our community is such a gift.

I also am a yoga instructor. I teach in Glens Falls in a beautiful studio, Grounded on Glen Street. Another amazing women owned business! Yoga is another passion of mine and it brings so much joy into my life. I teach a variety of different styles of yoga including Pilates and meditation. 

I stay pretty busy between working on our business, teaching yoga and spending time with family. In my free time I love nothing more then hanging out with my fiancé and animals, spending time with my mom and sister, playing around in the garden and nature and just living a simple life.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

When I’m out and about in Glens Falls I love to just enjoy our beautiful charming city — there are so many amazing small businesses in our area! 

My ideal day in Glens Falls would be heading to the Farmers Market on Saturday morning after a yoga class and fresh smoothie from Juicin’ Jar! Going to dinner at Downtown Social, getting a gelato at Lake George Olive Oil Co, having a fun shopping date at Minky Mink! There is so much to do and explore!

Food, shopping and art is what makes our city shine.  

My Glens Falls: Angie Gomez Davis

This week we’re chatting with Angie Gomez Davis! She shares the many hats she’s worn in her career (from counselor to veterinary technician to realtor!), her go-to spots when she’s looking to relax with a facial or manicure, her wish list for future downtown restaurants, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m the oldest of 4, and was born and raised in NYC by a single mom who worked very hard to provide for us. My work ethic and drive comes from her and I’ll forever be grateful for her as my role model. I spent summers with my Grandma in the Dominican Republic, making Spanish my first language.

I have a thirst for knowledge that has led me to wearing many hats in this lifetime, such as crisis intervention counselor and veterinary technician. Currently, I am a realtor with Selling ADK and love being able to use my research skills and compassion to help my community buy or sell real estate with a warm approach. When I’m not working, you can find me on roller skates, reading, or fishing for bass and lake trout.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

My husband was born and raised in Queensbury. We bought a 1900 duplex near Crandall Park in Glens Falls three years ago, where we lived upstairs and rented downstairs. We recently moved closer to downtown and have started putting roots down. I love the community events and support that Glens Falls offers, like the Thursday Market and Food Truck Corral at The Shirt Factory and the ADK Gateway Homeownership Program.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect day starts with a breakfast sandwich at Lox of Bagels and a coffee at Kru. When I’m looking to unwind and relax, I get a facial at 518 Beauty Room and a manicure at Studio Bari. My favorite date night spot is [farmacy] and fave family dinner spot is Log Jam. Some of my other favorites include Sweet Rice Thai, Angelina’s Pizzeria, Alif Cafe, Aroy Dee and the Park & Elm Market.

On the Past

I love the Glens Falls community and have the best neighbors! We have felt welcomed and have received so much love through fresh baked bread, hand picked flowers, cookies, and sharing pastimes. The owners of Jenny Jo’s Smoothies also know how much we love their smoothies, and when they have extras leftover after the Farmer’s Market they leave us some on our porch. 

On the Future

If I could wave a wand, everyone would be dancing. I’d love to see more of a nightlife downtown — a public space that allows people to socialize and dance with a DJ or band. Being that foodie that I am, I also have to say that a ramen spot, rooftop bar or BBQ smokehouse would be nice! 

My Glens Falls: Melissa Seale

This week we’re chatting with Melissa Seale! She tells us about the restoration of the Crandall Park house, pictured behind her, shares a bit about her work in pediatric psychiatry, as well as her go-to downtown events, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Melissa Seale. I own and operate a pediatric behavioral health practice, Well Child, on Broad Street. I work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, specializing in pediatric psychiatry. Prior to this, I worked in New Jersey as a hospital administrator in charge of a pediatric epilepsy center. When I moved to New York, I worked in emergency medicine at Glens Falls Hospital before starting my career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

My husband Michael and I have been married since 2014, and we bought our current home in Glens Falls in 2016. He is also a business owner in Glens Falls — he has owned Adirondack Car Wash for almost 30 years. We have three children, Dylan, Prysilla and Michael.  

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I grew up in Sparta, New Jersey and came to the Glens Falls area in 2008. My family would come to Lake George to vacation every summer, so it has always been my refuge and happy place. I did not know much about Glens Falls prior to moving to the Warren County area. When I started working at Glens Falls Hospital, I spent more time exploring Glens Falls and came to love this city and the people in it.  

On Renovating a Glens Falls Landmark

I have always loved the beautiful Crandall Park Mansion, as many have called it. The architecture stood out among the other homes in the area. When I saw pictures of the interior, I knew that the home was special. Driving or walking by, I would always look at the exterior, imagining the rich history it held and saddened by its continued decay. The structure needed a lot of work, but something inside of me was telling me that this could be a beautiful home again. After speaking with my husband, and being realistic about the time, money and effort it would take for this home’s restoration, we decided to make the leap and take a chance on what we now know as Lang Rig. In doing research on the Crandall Park house, we found that the original owner, George Tait, named the home Lang Rig after his ancestral home in Scotland. The name stuck for us.

This home became part of a wonderful journey for us. We have been able to meet many people and help many charities through opening the home for fundraising events, but most of all, our family has become part of the Glens Falls community through this house. We feel blessed to be able to raise our family in such a rich, diverse city that offers so much.

We love being able to walk into Crandall Park, look at the beautiful homes in the surrounding neighborhood, have people that we know honk as we walk by, being able to walk into town to eat or for entertainment. We love it here!

Some Glens Falls Favorites

Glens Falls really lives up to its Hometown, USA vibe. You quickly will get to know many of the familiar faces in town, each with their own colorful stories. With a diverse population, full of many talented people, we have so much to offer in one city. I wish more people knew about our vibrant art community. We have many talented artists whose murals now adorn many of our buildings in Glens Falls. The Hyde Museum is a hidden gem, with our very own Rembrandt!  

I love listening to music in Crandall Park or going to Spot on a Saturday to hear some jazz. Also, our restaurants are awesome! I love Radici and Farmacy. I am still waiting for the guys at Farmacy to open an ice cream shop — those that have been there know what I mean!

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My day always starts at Kru Coffee! Love my morning latte and scone! My two shopping hot spots are Minky Mink and Laura’s Vintage. Spot and Juicin’ Jar are my favorites for lunch. For entertainment, you will usually find us attending one of the many activities around town! We love Take a Bite, the Food Truck Corral at the Shirt Factory and watching a good play at the Wood Theater! I also enjoy walking to the Farmer’s Market on a Saturday, seeing friendly faces and getting fresh, farm grown food!

On the Past

Glens Falls has such a rich history, so my comments about the past are not so much about me, but of the appreciation of where we live. I love to see the renovations of the beautiful homes in this area, I love to see us take pride in where we live by holding on to an appreciation of those that came before us. We are all fortunate to be a part of this vibrant city and community because of those that came before us.  

On the Future

In the 13 years I have been in this area, I have seen so much change and am so optimistic about the future of Glens Falls.  I hope to see more retail stores (with parking!) and more events to not only bring our community together, but to show visitors how much Glens Falls has to offer. I read someone else’s comment about getting a Trader Joe’s and I second that of course!

Thanks, Melissa!

P.S. See more of our My Glens Falls series by clicking here.

P.P.S. Would you like to nominate someone to be featured in a My Glens Falls story (yourself included!)? Reach out here!

My Glens Falls: Justine Mosher

We caught up with Justine Mosher this week! They share their passion for all things outdoors, including becoming the 27th person to finish the Adirondack 46r Grid (that’s hiking a round of the 46 peaks every month of the year!), a bit of Glens Falls nostalgia (Red Wings and Ice Hawks games, anyone?), and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Justine Mosher and I work in the Compliance Department at Hudson Headwaters Health Network.

I'm an avid runner, skier, hiker, cyclist and all around outdoor enthusiast. I started running my senior year of high school and quickly became addicted. I graduated from Glens Falls High School in 2003 and later from Siena College.

In my twenties, I raced just about every weekend of the spring, summer and fall, from 5Ks to marathons. These days, I've hung up the racing shoes in favor of a more mellow pace. 

Year round, I spend many weekends in the Adirondack High Peaks or neighboring areas, hiking, skiing or biking. This past December, I became the 27th person to finish the Adirondack 46r "Grid", which equates to hiking a round of the 46 every month of the year, for a total of 552 peaks.

In the warmer months, I like to get out on my road bike, typically in the Brant Lake area on the weekend. Riding from The Hub is always a good bet, with various routes to choose from.  A favorite of mine is a 50 mile loop around Schroon Lake with rolling hills.

I don't swim, but I do enjoy getting out on the water in my canoe, especially on the smaller, more desolate ponds in the area. With all of my time in the mountains, I dabble in photography, but very much as a hobby, not a profession.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I was born in Glens Falls and grew up on the East Side of the city, attending Jackson Heights and then Glens Falls Middle School and High School. I now own a home in a quiet neighborhood in Queensbury. 

Many of my friends left for college and didn't come back to the area, but I've never had a real desire to leave. Every time I travel and find myself boarding a plane to come home, I feel content with my destination. I can do just about everything that I enjoy within an hour's drive of my house, and if not, the Albany airport is less than an hour away. 

On Revitalization

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is the revitalization over the past 20 years or so.  When I was a kid, the only thing we really went downtown for was hockey games. Now, all of the restaurants and small businesses lining the streets have completely transformed the area.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

An ideal day around the city for me would start with a run from the YMCA or a bike ride on the Warren County Bike Trail to Lake George (and perhaps beyond). From there, lunch at Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe would be in order and I'd cap it off with a visit to Fountain Square Outfitters for some new gear. 

On the Past

Some of my best memories growing up in Glens Falls revolve around playing in Little League at East Field and riding bikes with friends all around Glens Falls during the summer. Going to Red Wings and Icehawks games with my mother are top tier nostalgia. Adirondack Lumberjacks games with fireworks afterwards were memorable as well. 

On the Future

My friends and co-workers will probably roll their eyes at this one (as they know I'm a fan) — it's not realistic, but a Trader Joe's in Glens Falls would be amazing!
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P.S. Check out more of our My Glens Falls series here.

My Glens Falls: James Rosenfield

This week we caught up with James Rosenfield, who you may recognize as owner of Epiphany North Hair Design! He shares a bit about his circa 1852 home, his pick for best pizza in Glens Falls, an area of the city he’d like to see new energy put into, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is James Rosenfield, and I own Epiphany North Hair Design as well as LHB Soul Center located on Maple Street in the ever evolving downtown Glens Falls area. I am the oldest of five children and have nine nieces and nephews! Our family has always been close. With that in mind, I created a business that is a second home for myself and for our patrons, who we treat as family!

On Life In Glens Falls

I think of Glens Falls as a peaceful place that is evolving into a very positive environment for those seeking a refuge for themselves and their families. I grew up in the Saratoga area and actually went to South Glens Falls High School in 10th grade. I wasn’t brought back to Glens Falls until I decided to open a specialty salon in the downtown area with a colleague who also lives in the area.

My spouse and I bought our house here at the end of 2022 because we knew it was where we wanted to start our family. We now have been blessed with our son, Ezra, who truly makes Glens Falls that much more special to us.

On Old City Homes

The house we bought was renovated during the pandemic. It was built in 1852! It’s a charming farmhouse that actually has a ton of history from the time Glens Falls was built. Our home is said to have been the oldest on our street! We even have the original owner documents. We continue to strive to make this home our home by giving it a face lift where necessary. Our neighborhood is also shifting as other homes are being renovated and fixed up. Other new families continue to purchase homes around us and we just love seeing that as well.

Some Glens Falls Favorite

I think my favorite thing about Glens Falls is that it’s a diamond in the rough, so to speak. Some people wouldn’t expect the amount of wonderful small businesses and amazing restaurants that we have to enjoy! For example, I think people should definitely check out the Shirt Factory in the Arts District as well as the amazing vegan Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe. They have the best pizza, even for non vegans.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

I would definitely start my day off right with a beautiful walk or run to Crandall Park.  Afterwards I would enjoy a refreshing smoothie at Juicin’ Jar to take with me while doing some window shopping on Glen Street. Lunch would be at Rock Hill Bakehouse & Cafe while I get some me time and perhaps some behind the scenes creative business work done on my iPad.  

My favorite downtown activity always includes touring the restaurants and / or Mean Max Brewery, especially if it’s a date night. If not, our go to family restaurant is Raul’s, and then this time of year we will finish it off with an ice cream and a stroll at Coopers Cave! There’s a nice path that takes you through their establishment and beyond.  

On the Past

Honestly, my favorite memory is when I lived in a loft above Spot Coffee before tying the knot with my now spouse! I lived alone for a little bit and truly enjoyed making connections at Raul’s as I built my business when I first opened it back in August of 2016. I made local friends that I am currently friends with to this day!

On the Future

I would love to see South / Broad Street become more evolved and new businesses open up there. Seeing more renovation on that side of town would be a great service to our area. There’s so much empty space there that I think could use new energy!  

My Glens Falls: Drew Cappabianca

We caught up with Drew Cappabianca this week! A lifelong Glens Falls resident, he shares what it’s been like to come of age as the city rebuilt, some thoughts on preserving the architecture of the city, his favorite bike ride route, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Drew Cappabianca, and my wife Sarah and I have three boys: Eben, Alyis, and Isaac. I’m the owner of The Hub in Brant Lake, as well as President of the North Warren Chamber of Commerce and President of the Upper Hudson Trails Alliance. 

On Life In Glens Falls

I was born and raised right here, but I did move to Seattle for about a year in my very early 20s. I moved back to be with my now wife, but being away also made me truly appreciate how amazing this area is.

What keeps me here? It's a fantastic place to live. I have great friends and family, Glens Falls has a thriving cultural scene, and there's just about any recreational opportunity you can think of right here in Warren County.

On Old City Homes

We live in a home that was built by one of my ancestors. One of my many-great grandfathers built two houses, one for each of his two daughters, back in the late 1800s. It's not a fixer upper necessarily, but by the nature of being over a hundred years old it always needs something, whether it's a repair or just updating. For example, we just replaced the original 1800s kitchen. The counters were shallow and the cabinets were so close to the counter there wasn't any space for countertop appliances which made modern living awkward (apparently counter top appliances weren't a design consideration before electricity!). If we needed under-counter flour barrel storage though, it would have been perfect!

There's so much to love about our neighborhood! The K-12 schools are easily walkable, as are Crandall Park and downtown. Leaving town via Exit 18 or 19 is a breeze. The houses are beautiful and there's so much history. 

A Glens Falls Favorite

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is that it's still real. There's no facade, the people are still real, and while some parts are polished, the edges are still rough. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day would start with walking our youngest, Isaac, to school, grabbing an espresso and a Spicy Vegetarian breakfast sandwich at Kru Coffee, and heading out on a road bike ride for a few hours. I would take either the Warren County Bikeway to Lake George and head north into the Adirondacks, or take the Feeder Canal Towpath and head out to Washington County, possibly on the Empire State Trail. 

The day would end with watching Isaac's game and a family dinner at Downtown City Tavern, or if it's a date night, dinner at any of the awesome restaurants downtown and a show at The Wood or The Park Theatre! 

On the Past

My favorite Glens Falls memory is growing up here — everything about it. It's such a great place to grow up and live. You can't beat the walkable / bikeable neighborhoods, the fantastic open spaces, the arts scene, and the fact that you don't have to leave the county to do just about any recreational opportunity you can think of. 

I also really appreciate the time frame in which I got to grow up here. When I was a kid, downtown was dead. Now it's a postcard picture. To come of age in a time when the city was rebuilding itself is really special. To watch and be a part of all the effort that went into making Glens Falls what it is today is truly remarkable. 

On the Future

I’d love to see some kind of program to save the architecture of the all the old houses, many of which are rental units. It pains me to see beautiful ornate porches crumbling into the ground, only to be replaced by square pressure treated lumber, or even worse, just a stoop. I completely understand that it is very expensive to replace them as they were, but I think it's even more costly on the cultural heritage of the city to lose them. I would love to see some kind of publicly funded program to help landowners preserve the character of their properties.

My Glens Falls: Lauren Cygan

This week we caught up with Lauren Cygan, who you may recognize as the Executive Director of the Glens Falls Y! She shares what drew her family to move to the area just over a year ago, the joys of fixing up a 1930’s cottage, her version of a perfect Glens Falls day, and more…

Tell us about yourself! 

My name is Lauren Cygan. I am the Executive Director of the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area and lucky enough to call myself wife and mother in an energetic family including my husband, three teenaged children, two dogs, and two cats.

It is an honor and a privilege to be able to work for the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area. I am thankful that my past experiences as an educator, fitness professional, small business owner, and director opened this incredible opportunity to serve the outstanding community of Glens Falls. Like the community it serves, the Glens Falls Y is the embodiment of the town, its people, and its values. Each day I am humbled and grateful as I go into this incredible nonprofit, nestled between Cole's Woods and Crandall Park, serving people through youth programming, health and wellness initiatives, community engagement, and social responsibility.

The Glens Falls Y, like the town, has a longstanding and rich history. I love grabbing a latte at Spot which is now housed in what was the original location, and imagining what it was once like when the original Y first opened its doors there in 1892.  

On Life In and Around Glens Falls 

My family and I chose to move to Glens Falls a little over a year ago. It is said that every cloud has a silver lining. While no one can dispute the challenges of the COVID pandemic, Glens Falls is our silver lining. The pandemic created changes in work, shed a bright spotlight on family, and even highlighted different ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones regardless of distance. These shifts created an opportunity for us to look at life differently. For instance, remote work meant that we no longer needed to live within a certain radius of our jobs and could choose to live in an area that better met our collective needs, interests, and lifestyle. While my husband and I had always said we wanted to move to a walkable downtown when the kids were out of school, as the pandemic started winding down and the opportunity to move presented itself, the kids absolutely astounded us when they asked us why we were waiting. Turns out, they were up for the adventure too! 

We chose Glens Falls for a multitude of reasons. Not only were we looking for an established town with older homes on treelined streets, downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment, and schools, parks, and recreational opportunities, but Glens Falls also brought us right to the foothills of the Adirondacks and Lake George. My children and I have been coming to the lake and the surrounding mountains our entire lives (and my husband his entire life with me). My parents were first introduced to the area by friends in 1970 when they vacationed at Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Retreat Center. From that day on, the lake, the mountains, and the people in this area have been an integral part in the fabric of all of our lives and a perennial fixture for fun vacations from a quick overnight to a season-long stay. We love hiking, swimming, biking, and boating in the warmer months and snowshoeing, skiing, and skating (preferably on natural ice) in the winter. 

On Renovating an Old Glens Falls Home

It did not take us more than one visit to town with our realtor to find our forever home in the form of a 1932 fixer upper, or as the real estate description so eloquently described it, a house "on the brink of being a stunner". Many close community connections have been forged through working with the absolutely astounding craftsmen our house has introduced us to. From slate roofers to cedar shake siding specialists, vintage metal cabinet refinishers, to electricians, plumbers, painters, contractors and more, bringing our beautiful cottage back from "the brink" has not only been a year-long labor of love, but the gateway to beautiful friendships and a network of incredible people whose passion, creativity, care, and competency shows in all they do.  

On Warm Welcomes

While the house is indeed a labor of love, the community took no work at all to be completely enamored with and to instantly feel a part of. I am absolutely overwhelmed and eternally grateful for the people who make "Hometown USA" just that, our home. We did not feel like newcomers for long. From the moment we arrived, our neighbors jumped right in with warm welcomes, friendly conversations, and lots of town information from leaf collection schedules and back to school information, to the best places to eat and stories of themselves and the history of this incredible town. Even as teenagers, the kids had the same experiences, meeting new people through school, sports, and clubs, and rapidly forging friendships that feel like lifetimes in the making. This is a town and a community where no one is a stranger and everyone is welcomed right into the fold. We chose Glens Falls for the incredible place it is, it will forever be home because of the people who make it so.  

Some Glens Falls Favorites

Trying to identify a hidden gem in a sea of treasure is a daunting ask. If I had to say, the gem is the community and its thoughtful accessibility to everything including art and culture, theater and entertainment, exceptional dining, outdoor recreation opportunities, and easy access to natural wilderness. We love that many of our fast-favorites are only a walk or a bike-ride away. We value that we can just as easily be immersed in Cole's Woods, Crandall Park, or Haviland's Cove as we can check out the most recent installation at the Hyde, listen to live music at bars, restaurants, and theaters, or take in some local history at the Chapman Historical Museum. Where else can you ride your bike to and from Lake George Village on the same day as you enjoy a thoughtful farm-to-table meal and view exquisite works of art including Homer, Rembrandt, Degas, Renoir, and Picasso?  

A Perfect Glens Falls Day 

My perfect Glens Falls Day depends heavily on the season and who I’m lucky enough to share the day with. There is so much to do and see, a day, a week, even a year, are never enough to do it all. So, given that it’s summer, I am harnessing the longest day of the year so I can try to fit in as much as possible. 

I would awaken early and go for a walk or a run through Cole's Woods with my husband, daughter, and (always) the dogs. After, we would walk over to the Farmer's Market to get some of our favorite staples for the week and either grab a smoothie from Jenny Jo's or pick up a latte from Kru or Spot before walking back home to get our bikes.

A late morning ride with the whole family along the feeder canal or the Warren County Bikeway would not only give us the opportunity to take a quick swim in the lake or the river but would also bring us back for a little shopping at the Shirt Factory and lunch and some bakery takeout items at Rockhill Bakehouse. With a family that includes a vegan, two vegetarians, and two omnivores, the dining options in Glens Falls are plentiful for all, but Rockhill Bakehouse's vegan menu is an easy win.

On our way home, we might stop at The Hyde, The Chapman, or do some shopping on Glen with fun stops at Fountain Square Outfitters, Minky Mink, and Rude Betty, or we could swing by the Y for a racquetball round robin, open court basketball, cardio and strength on the wellness floor, or an amazing group fitness class. 

Then, it would be time to head back home to get ready to head out for a night on the town. Dinner is nearly impossible to choose since there is just so much to love. A nice dinner out might be shared at Morgan and Company, Mint, or Park & Elm, all of which share exceptional menus and beautiful outdoor dining options.

If we are in the mood for drinks, food, and fun, we always love the friendly atmosphere of Bullpen (where we shared our very first dinner in town as a family), chips and margaritas at Raul's, or sitting outside just over the bridge at Common Roots enjoying a craft made local beer.

There's great beauty to staying in and enjoying takeout too. A night around the fire pit might include Thai Siam Sushi, Downtown City Tavern, or any number of possible pizza options from Harvest to Angelina's and our "most like we remember" pick I Love New York Pizza.  

On the Past — Memories 

While our past may not go back too far, we already have collected millions of beautiful memories of this town and the people who give it meaning. Within a year we met the most amazing people and gathered a rich tapestry of beautiful moments in and around this incredible town.

From being able to hike our favorite Adirondacks (even after a full day of work and school), to squeezing in a refreshing morning dip after watching the sunrise over Lake George before starting our day, the accessibility to the natural world creates opportunities for breathtaking memories too regularly not to feel completely indulgent.

We treasure the milestones and memories intricately woven into this past year, from walking to Fourth of July Fireworks in Crandall Park or the Memorial Day Parade up Glen, to Ladies’ Night Out Downtown and the Christkindlmarkt in City Park creating festive fun with friends, every holiday offered an opportunity to engage with community. The high school sports' seasons are town events not to be missed. With kids in the schools and on the teams, we loved our time in the stands, especially when the varsity boys’ basketball team made it to the Section 2 Basketball Finals right here at Cool Insuring Arena! 

On the Future — Dreams 

Downtown has such a beautiful balance. Art and entertainment, dining and retail, creative cooperatives, and a vision for future development that honors and pays homage to the past. I would love to see that continue with deliberate small businesses filling the beautiful historic storefronts. I think an independent bookstore would be an asset to downtown. I would enjoy seeing the diversity of dining and shopping experiences continue to expand and flourish. Some ideas to add might be gift shops, a counter-service confectionary, and specialty shops, markets, and grocers, in short, anything that continues the beautiful progress downtown has already so thoughtfully created. I love that the town is so community-centric and invests in art, people, and social and environmental initiatives. I would relish opportunities to continue that forward growth as we as a community work together to honor the past as we proactively strive for a bright future.  

My Glens Falls: Tyler Whitney

This week we caught up with Tyler Whitney, who you may recognize as the Executive Director of SAIL! He shares what continues to draw him to Glens Falls though he lives in a surrounding town, a favorite event at the Civic Center when he was a kid, his go-to restaurant for dinner with his wife, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

Hi! I’m Tyler Whitney and I have the distinct pleasure of serving as the Executive Director of Southern Adirondack Independent Living in Queensbury. I live in Fort Ann with my wife Heather and step-son Hunter. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t mention Miley and Maggie, our two black labs, and our two cats, Jeter and Judge. If you can’t tell already, we are a Yankee household!

You will most often find me with my family, watching Hunter play baseball with the Spa City Stallions, or volunteering in the community. I currently serve with the Fort Ann Rescue Squad in an effort to help my neighbors in need and enjoy time with friends. During football season, you will find me begging the Buffalo Bills to get to a Super Bowl and always planning a way to get to Buffalo to watch them live. 

I fell in love with the city of Glens Falls through SAIL. SAIL originated as the “Glens Falls Independent Living Center” in the early ‘90s on Sherman Avenue, serving the greater Glens Falls Region with only a part-time Executive Director. The mission was to help Glens Falls become more accessible, something that has not wavered through our evolution to a multi-program center, staffed by 40 employees serving 17 counties across New York State.

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I grew up with my parents and sister in Hadley-Luzerne and my family and I now own a home and reside in Fort Ann. The constant about both of these locations is Glens Falls.  This is where my family meets for dinner or to grocery shop and spend time in a city that we love.

I am a graduate of SUNY Adirondack and stayed living local while I completed my BA at the University of Albany. I spent many hours at the Crandall Library studying! 

Glens Falls is the center of everything. If you live in a surrounding town, Glens Falls is what keeps you grounded. The Farmers Market, grocery stores, restaurants – it’s where it all is!  

Some Glens Falls Favorites

I can remember enjoying many days in the city of Glens Falls with my family as a kid, either exploring Crandall Park or catching a show at the Glens Falls Civic Center. I have loved watching the evolution of downtown as it continues to be revitalized and become a tourism destination.

Rude Betty is a top favorite of mine for Glens Falls! Every time I go in, I find another treasure that I need for someone as a gift. While it is always well attended, I still believe that the Crandall Park launch during the Balloon Festival is a blast and to me, a hidden gem! 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day starts with bagels from Glens Falls Bagels and then coffee from Spot Coffee. My family and I would then make our way down Glen Street, shopping at local stores or hitting up the Farmers Market. I love spending time in the park with my family, enjoying the sun and playing ball. My wife and I will forever enjoy dinner at Morgan and Co. and finishing it off with dessert at Farmacy!  

On the Past

My favorite Glens Falls memory would be a Harlem Globetrotters game I went to as a young child with my sister. I can remember walking into the Glens Falls Civic Center as if it were Madison Square Garden. I remember the feeling of awe as I watched the players throw the ball around, and “Globie” the mascot running around and playing tricks on the audience. I will never forget the feeling that I had during that game. As I drive by today, it is often the first memory I think of.

On the Future

If I could wave a wand and bring anything to the city of Glens Falls, it wouldn’t be a space or new restaurant — it would be acceptance and accessibility. From the work that I do helping people live independently within their own communities, I see firsthand the difficulties that individuals with disabilities face each day. Having a community that promotes independence and accessibility allows for all to enjoy and for all to thrive, living within the city that they love.

My Glens Falls: Alina Rosu

This week we chatted with Alina Rosu, who you may recognize as co-manager of the Lake George Olive Oil Company downtown! She shares what brought her to this area from her hometown in Romania, her favorite date night spot downtown, a restaurant that she remembers fondly from one of her first visits to Glens Falls, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Alina Rosu, and I co-manage the Lake George Olive Oil Company in Glens Falls and Lake George. I also own a small business, Herbal Alchemy Handcrafted Bodycare, where I can fully channel my creativity and passion into formulating unique artisan soaps, bodycare products and soy candles. I find so much joy and satisfaction in creating bodycare products using only high quality olive oils, natural oils and butters. 

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I was born and raised in a small town in Romania, around lots of traditions and simplicity that have remained with me for the rest of my life.

While in college in 2015, I took a leap of faith and applied for a work visa in the United States. When I was presented with areas in the country that would offer employment opportunities, Lake George was on that list. At that time, I didn’t know anything about the area, but after seeing it on Google Maps I knew I had to come see it in real life. I secured a position in the service industry and I was so happy and excited to explore the areas around Lake George. 

In my time off from my work in Lake George, I used to come to Glens Falls for a casual stroll downtown or a bite to eat at a wonderful restaurant back then called Rare Earth.

Back in 2015, when I first visited Glens Falls, I remember seeing a beautiful small town with great restaurants and businesses and so much potential that had yet to be explored.

I started working at the Lake George Olive Oil Company in Glens Falls in 2016, my family-in-law owns it and they were happy to offer me the opportunity. I’ve seen Glens Falls grow in such a wonderful way in these past 7 years.

I currently rent a wonderful home in Lake George, but I’ve been considering purchasing my first future home in or around Glens Falls. There are so many wonderful neighborhoods and there is so much potential here.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

I love that Glens Falls has a supportive business community, lots of great places to eat and young energy being put into all of the new projects that have been happening lately. 

The murals around downtown are absolutely amazing and they bring such a unique artistic feeling to Glens Falls. I love the artwork of Hannah Williams, and her mural on Warren Street is such a beautiful expression of appreciation towards Mother Earth. 

I love having the Charles R. Wood Theater downtown. I feel like it is such a great way to experience the community and support it at the same time.

There are so many great boutique shops downtown that need more support from the community. We are so glad to see Rude Betty moved on Glen Street — it widens the variety of shopping that people can do before or after grabbing a nice dinner at one of the restaurants downtown.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My ideal day in Glens Falls would start with a stop at Kru Coffee for a delicious almond milk caramel latte, then it would continue by stopping at the library to grab a new book. From there, I would get a delicious vegan sandwich from Rock Hill Bakehouse and enjoy it with my husband in City Park. I also love going to the new Park & Elm Market for delicious gourmet treats. 

My favorite place for a dinner date is [farmacy] restobar. I love their cocktails along with a nice oyster appetizer and their delicious entrées. 

On the Past

Glens Falls reminds me a little bit of my hometown. The sense of community here is a lot more obvious though, and I love to see places that hold a little bit of the history of Glens Falls being revived. The Shirt Factory is definitely a great place that combines a little bit of history with great new energy and diversity from so many different artists. 

On the Future

I love all the street festivals that take place in Glens Falls already, like LARAC, Wing Fest, and Take-a-Bite. I think that an all year round street festival series where the restaurants and small businesses in downtown would come together and show what they do best every week, would create so much more excitement and connection within downtown. Bringing more people out and about by creating unique events would make Glens Falls a great place to experience year round.

My Glens Falls: Chelsea Bolles

This week we caught up with Chelsea Bolles! She shares what prompted a move north from Saratoga, a bit about how she combined her two passions - movement and mental health - in her private practice, and an idea for a twist on a bookstore downtown that someone should definitely run with…

Tell us about yourself!

Hello! I am Chelsea Bolles — a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Run Walk Talk® Therapist, and Road Runners Club of America running coach. I own my own mental health counseling private practice (@mindfulmovementtherapist) and a run coaching business called Your Happy Pace, LLC. I have always been enthusiastic about supporting others especially when it comes to their mental and physical health. Spending time outside moving my body is something that I have found to be beneficial for my own mental and physical health. For years I dreamed of being able to utilize walking and running in the therapy setting, and I recently began to incorporate movement into my therapy practice. I offer all of my clients the opportunity to have our sessions walking or jogging together instead of in an office or through telehealth. The outdoor environment provides a different therapeutic experience, and can also lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression. I am very passionate about making movement accessible to all humans, and to advocate for mental health awareness. 

On Life In and Around Glens Falls

I consider myself a Glens Falls "transplant." I grew up on Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York. I went to Skidmore College for undergrad and met my husband (who grew up in Glens Falls) two weeks before graduation in 2007. I spent my gap year working and enjoying the area. In fall 2008, I moved to Boston for graduate school at Northeastern University, but found myself coming back every other weekend to spend time with my now husband and our friends, enjoying our local favorite places. I moved back to Saratoga in 2010 after grad school, got married in 2011, bought a house in 2013, and had our daughter in 2014. 

In 2020, we decided to move out of Saratoga to Queensbury. Having endless outdoor activities to choose from, being close to my husband's family, a strong public school system for our daughter, and a nice downtown were important to us. We are always talking about how we wished we had moved up here sooner than we did!

We own a home in a neighborhood near West Mountain, which is perfect for our skiing family! Having a quiet environment with lots of young families was also a factor in moving up here. We have made wonderful friends, and our daughter enjoys being able to walk or ride her scooter around the neighborhood.

Some Glens Falls Favorites

There are too many things that I love about Glens Falls to pick just one! Being a lover of the outdoors, my top choice would be the numerous places to run, walk, hike, and ski. I love Potter Woods, the Glens Falls/Lake George bike path, and the Rush Pond trail. Having West Mountain 5 minutes from our house is another benefit. There are also many options for sports and other activities for our daughter to try.

Chelsea and her dog, Jack, on the Rush Pond Trail

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

For most seasons, my ideal day would start with an early morning trail run with my dog, Jack. Then I would head downtown to the Farmer's Market to get Jenny Jo's smoothies and fresh flowers. The afternoon would be spent with my husband and daughter hiking, at my in-laws pool, or at a nearby lake. At night, we would get a babysitter and go out for a date night at Farmacy, followed by drinks at Craft on 9.

During the winter, my ideal day would include an early morning ski at West Mountain with my husband and daughter, followed by a warm everything bagel with bacon egg and cheese sandwich from Lox of Bagels. I would then come home and read in my reading room with a new book for hours. For dinner, we would order delivery from Queen of Harts or Aroy Dee.

On the Past

Back in 2007, my husband and I went on our very first date at Davidson Brothers, which is fun to remember! Since I am not from this area originally, most of my local memories are with my husband and his family. From my very first night-before-Thanksgiving Wing Night at Dangos, getting pizza from Talk of the Town, lots of ice cream from Martha's, the Adirondack Balloon Festival, running the Memorial Mile, to many pool parties in my in-laws back yard, this area truly has a piece of my heart forever. 

On the Future

Aside from my love of the outdoors, reading is a close second place passion of mine. I would love to open a bookstore that is also a bar, serving drinks that are literary themed. This would also be a dog friendly space, because a good book, a delicious beverage, and a dog snuggling next to me sounds like a dream! Bonus points if there was a way to have a quiet outdoor space to use as part of the book bar!

My Glens Falls: Miriam Weisfeld

We caught up with Miriam Weisfeld this week, who you’ll likely recognize as the Producing Artistic Director of the Adirondack Theatre Festival! She shares the joys of renovating an old city home (with quite the history!), the kindness of Glens Falls neighbors, the importance of community in helping build back the arts post-pandemic, and more…

On Life In Glens Falls

I’m Miriam Weisfeld, the Producing Artistic Director of the Adirondack Theatre Festival. I'm originally from Detroit. When I was in high school I got to see some amazing Red Wings games broadcast by the great Dave Strader. Since then, I've been fortunate enough to live in many of the world's great theatre capitals: London, Toronto, Chicago, Boston, Moscow, NYC, Washington DC, Minneapolis, NYC again, and then the gig at ATF brought us to Glens Falls.

On Great Neighbors

Shortly after we moved here, we discovered what incredibly special neighbors we have here in Glens Falls. It was the spring of 2022. The professional performing arts were struggling to rebuild from the devastating effects of the pandemic. I was preparing to lead my first season at ATF and my husband Joe Isenberg, who is a fight director in the opera world, was injured in a hit-and-run and nearly lost his leg. Suddenly, I was coordinating his multiple surgeries in NYC while caring for our daughter Nina, who was adjusting to elementary school at Kensington, and I was producing a theatre festival that was still recovering from countless post-pandemic challenges.

We’d only just met our Glens Falls neighbors, but they immediately had our backs: mowing our lawn, taking out our dog, and cheering Joe on as he re-learned how to walk, and then to run, and then to swordfight again. Joe has now made a miraculous recovery and he’s back to choreographing at the Metropolitan Opera. We honestly couldn’t have done it without the kindness and encouragement of the other families on our block.

On The Joys of Renovation

After a wild 2022, we’re excited to finally tackle the house projects we’ve been planning since we moved in. Our 1870’s house has a fascinating mythology. Apparently, it was originally built in what is now Crandall Park. When the park was created, the house was lifted off its foundation, put on a horse drawn wagon, and moved across Glen Street to a new lot. We had a great time learning about it from our wonderful realtor, Julie Snyder. Now we’re renovating it room by room. Each time we finish a room, we send Julie photos. We love to hear her “ooh” and “ah!” at the refinished floors, the new sheetrock, the fresh paint. 

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

After all that work, we like treating ourselves to dinner at one of the great spots downtown — Davidson Brothers, Downtown City Tavern, or Craft on 9 — and then sip cocktails on the gorgeous porch at Morgan & Co or around the firepit at Park 26. We love looking out on the treasures of our little town: City Park, Crandall Library, the Arts District. Glens Falls is a great illustration of how artists, foodies, and entrepreneurs can work hand-in-hand to create a unique and thriving civic life.

On the Past

I love the stories from the 1990’s about how the Adirondack Theatre Festival helped to drive the rebirth of downtown Glens Falls: how ATF’s founders, David Turner and Martha Banta, produced a season of shows in the old Woolworth’s Five-and-Dime and then worked with Partners for Progress to help transform it into the Charles R. Wood Theater. The Wood is now such an iconic presence in Glens Falls. ATF is fortunate to be the anchor tenant and to continue that symbiotic relationship with the Wood Theater.

On the Future

If last year taught me anything, it’s that recovery takes a village. That goes for the US arts sector, too. Since the pandemic, Broadway alone has lost two million audience members. But we’re coming back. This season, Adirondack Theatre Festival’s subscribers have increased by 20%. That’s almost unheard of. Our community is with us. And every community member counts. Everyone who buys a ticket, or pledges a sponsorship, or urges a friend to see a show is helping us build back to our full capacity to challenge, entertain, and nourish audiences in this very special corner of the world.

[Editor’s Note: Here is a link to view the season lineup and purchase ATF tickets, if you’re interested!]

My Glens Falls: John Coleman

We caught up with John Coleman (and his adorable pup, Dobbs!) this week! He shares some favorite East Field memories, a couple of go-to local trails for a bike ride, where you might catch him playing guitar around town, and more…

Tell us about yourself!

Hi, my name is John Coleman. I’m a freelance graphic designer, musician, and dog dad to a 12-week old puppy named Dobbs.

In addition to running my own design business, John Coleman Design, I am also Art Director of Mountain Gazette, a bi-annual, print-only outdoor magazine, and I play guitar and sing at a handful of places in town (Fenimore’s Pub at The Queensbury Hotel, Flight Wine Bar, and Mean Max). 

On Life In Glens Falls

I was born and raised on the east end of Glens Falls and have remained here, primarily, my entire life. I went to elementary school at St. Mary’s until grade 7 when I transferred to Glens Falls Middle School. I graduated from Glens Falls High School in 2003 and attended college at SUNY Plattsburgh where I studied Magazine Journalism and Graphic Design and played baseball for the Plattsburgh State Cardinals.

I moved back to Glens Falls after college to take a job as a marketing writer at The Post-Star newspaper and later joined the editorial team as a community news reporter. I went on to work as a marketing coordinator at Finch Paper for three years before landing my first full-time graphic design job at Trampoline Design, where I worked for five years and gained a lot of experience from the awesome team there. 

I was very fortunate to find good work locally without having to take a common route for graphic designers — which is to first get an internship (sometimes non-paying) at a big agency in New York City before getting a full-time designer gig. I was also lucky that a lot of my close friends found well-paying jobs in the area and settled down here to raise their families. Some of my favorite memories were the years after college, camping and fishing with friends in the Adirondacks. Once I discovered all the Adirondacks had to offer – I saw no reason to ever leave.  

I have owned homes in the city — both Glens Falls and Queensbury — but I’m currently renting an apartment downtown. It’s great to be so close to the action, although I often miss the peace and quiet of owning a home. 

Some Glens Falls Favorites

My favorite thing about Glens Falls is the range of options for arts, music and dining; but mainly the incredible access to the outdoors – whether it’s a quick nature trail walk or bike ride – while still being able to be at a High Peaks trailhead or trout stream in less than an hour. 

Sweet Side Records is a Glens Falls hidden gem. It’s so cool to have a record shop with a knowledgeable staff in town.

A Perfect Glens Falls Day

My perfect Glens Falls day is walking the dog through Crandall Park, stopping into Kru Coffee to grab coffee, chat with friends and maybe answer some emails; then I’d probably head to Gurney Lane or Rush Pond for a bike ride. I’d grab dinner at Raul’s or Farmacy, see a show at the Park Theater, then stop into Mean Max for a pint and darts. 

On the Past

I have so many great memories here. Some of my favorites are night skiing with friends at West Mountain, going to Adirondack Red Wings games at the (then) Civic Center, and watching Adirondack Lumberjacks games and going to Summer Jam at East Field. Attention Mayor Collins: bring back Summer Jam!

On the Future

We have a lot these days — a TON more than when I was a kid; but I second what my friend Chris Ristau said when he was interviewed by Glens Falls Living: I miss having a book store downtown. I feel like they add a lot to the fabric of a city, and it’d be great to attract an independent bookstore like Northshire Books. I feel like we’re all set on bars!