A few of the regions local businesses
Done Right Pools & Spas, Inc.
709 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush
479.SWIM; www.donerightpoolsandspas.com
Owners: Dianne & John Warner
Describe your business with a brief history: They are three-time winners of the NESPA Service Company of Excellence Award, and are the only company in upstate New York to have received that award. Originally formed as a service company, Dianne and John opened a retail location at the request of their customers. The store became an extension of their customer service by matching products to best meet the needs of their customers by taking the time to listen. Each customer is given their own maintenance routine as well as special instructions for unique problems. Products are matched to each customer’s lifestyle and habits.
How do you see the business climate for your business in the next 6-12 months? In current times they are ready to help residents of the Capital Region maximize the potential of the untapped assets in their back yards.
What services do you or will you give your customers in the next 6-12 months that will set you ahead of others in your field? Nothing compares to being able to return to the personal oasis you have created at your own home. Starting with environmentally-friendly patio furniture by Royal Teak with choices of teak and wicker furniture to create a simple gathering place or enhance an existing space. They also have a unique cast stone offering by Eye Level Living featuring pergolas, arbors, flower beds, and other accents. Of course, they also have swimming pools and portable spas. Dianne and John have chosen to offer San Juan Fiberglass pools. San Juan’s 50 years of commitment to excellence and product development make them an obvious choice for an in-ground swimming pool. San Juan has models and sizes to meet every need. What better center piece for your oasis! Portable spas offer another option for incorporating water into your oasis. Not only do they offer a social environment, the therapeutic benefits of hot water are still being discovered. They have chosen the Sunbelt Spas because of their unique Wave Series of spas, offering an unmatched hot water massage experience.
What one thing would you like to brag about? They proudly donated a spa to The Miracle League of East Greenbush, which was offered for a raffle drawing in May. In addition, they also presented the league with a check for $700.
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 11am-3pm.
Fly Boutique
421 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham
250.5946; flyboutiqueonline.com
Owner: Ann Maloney-Constantino
Describe your business with a brief history: Fly Boutique’s tagline is: “Sophisticated, delicate and utterly feminine clothing”, and that’s truly what you’ll find when you visit the store. The stage is set when you enter the building. There is so much natural light streaming in, it creates a mood that is soft and inviting. Our intention was to create a space that the shopper would want to spend time in and to fill that space with lovely clothes.
How do you see the business climate for your business in the next 6-12 months? The response from customers has been wonderful. More than half of them have returned to the store a second and third time to purchase a garment they couldn’t stop thinking about. I think this is emblematic of the current economic environment; women are making conscious, thoughtful decisions about their purchases. They are less impulsive with their shopping decisions, opting instead to methodically select styles that will last well beyond this year’s current trend.
What services do you or will you give your customers in the next 6-12 months that will set you ahead of others in your field? My goal is to continue to carry clothing that allows a woman – of any age-to feel fabulous when wearing it. When I go to New York City to buy for the upcoming season, I try to seek out small, unique labels. I find that these companies take great pride in the design, fabrication and quality of their garments, and as a result produce beautiful pieces.
What one thing would you like to brag about? My son and daughter, on any given warm summer day, can stick their little pointers out into the sunlit sky, and catch dragonflies. It’s magical…and the meaning behind the store’s name.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
Ghent Wood Products, Inc.
Owner: Meltz family
Describe your business with a brief history: Ghent Wood Products, Inc. was purchased in 2003 from the Tipple Family. The Meltz Family has been operating Meltz Lumber Co. of Mellenville, Inc. since the 1940s.
How do you see the business climate for your business in the next 6-12 months? We will continue to provide customers with products directly from the forest (our logging operations at Meltz Lumber) to the finished products, which include flooring, paneling and siding.
What services do you or will you give your customers in the next 6-12 months that will set you ahead of others in your field? Individual service and custom products to your specifications.
What one thing would you like to brag about? That you can buy direct and save money.
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-5pm; Saturday 8am-3pm; closed Sunday.
Hinman Construction
3378 Birchton Road, Ballston Spa
885.0384; www.hinmanconstruction.com
Owners: Jami & Kimberley Hinman
Describe your business with a brief history: Entering the construction field in the early 80s after college, Jami was fortunate enough to be in a position to learn from some very talented craftsman. As a result he learned the details of framing, roofing, siding, building and remodeling, additions, kitchens and baths. So, a building and remodeling business was a natural transition. And now more than 20 years later, we are providing our customers with drawings, 3D visuals, engineered plans that coordinate with a detailed scope of work and budget to meet their needs. And we enjoy doing it.
Some recent projects are: Music Studio, Adirondack Style Screen Porch, two-story addition with large country kitchen below two new bedrooms above.
How do you see the business climate for your business in the next 6-12 months? The industry is changing and EPA rules and regulations are a big part of it. Pre-1978 homes have additional requirements for Lead Safety. This will have a major impact on the way remodeling is performed. Hinman Construction is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm.
What services do you or will you give your customers in the next 6-12 months that will set you ahead of others in your field? We have the ability to design projects and provide visuals and engineered drawings. We are skilled in all phases of construction and all our projects are coordinated by us from start to finish. We use a step-by-step process to ensure project details are well-planned and confirmed prior to construction. We believe the pre-construction process is essential to each project.
What one thing would you like to brag about? Our reference list is six pages long. We provide a quality product at a fair price with honesty and integrity. We approach every project with the understanding that our performance today will determine whether or not we are called for the next project. We are a family business that believes in delivering what we promise.
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-5pm. Project review by appointment (885.0384).
Mooradians Furniture
800 Central Avenue, Albany, 489.2529
1758a Route 9/Parkwood Plaza,
Clifton Park, 694.8452
www.mooradians.com
Owners: David & Bill Mooradian
Describe your business with a brief history: In 1931, with the birth of his fourth child, Mihran Mooradian realized that his successful meat market needed to expand if he was going to realize his dream of building a business his sons could carry on and improve. That same year, he opened an appliance store next to his meat market in Watervliet. He always stressed to his sons that if you work hard to provide the best value and treat people fairly, your customers will reward you with their patronage.
Through the years Mooradians has enjoyed success as a meat market, appliance store and now a furniture store. As we enter the new millennium, it is our hope that we can fulfill our founder’s dream of becoming the leading furniture store in the Capital Region.
How do you see the business climate for your business in the next 6-12 months? There are increasing signs that a recovery is in the making, but it still feels like a recession to the millions of unemployed people. At Mooradians, we are enjoying good business even in the face of this difficult economic time. We feel if we give customers good value and service they will give us a chance to meet their buying needs. The days of selling consumers is over.
What services do you give or will you give your customers in the next 6-12 months that will set you ahead of others in your field? What we give our customers now and will continue in the future is the ability to listen and help them with their decorating needs. We provide a low-key atmosphere, with no pressure to make a quick and hasty decision. We want them to make an educated decision so they will be happy with their choice for years to come. Word-of-mouth is still the best advertising. We would like to think that in our 79 years of being in business we have accomplished what our founder set out to do.
What one thing would you like to brag about? We are the oldest remaining furniture store in the Capital Region. We must be doing something right.
Shaker Shed Farm Market
945 Watervliet Shaker Road, Albany
Owners: David & Bridget Brizzell
Describe your business with a brief history: We have been operating since 1974, starting as a very small fruit and vegetable stand. Now, we sell plants, hanging baskets, produce, pies and other bakery products, Amish furniture and gifts. We also have a cafe where you can enjoy lunch Monday-Saturday.
How do you see the business climate for your business in the next 6-12 months? I see it continuing to be strong.
What services do you or will you give your customers in the next 6-12 months that will set you ahead of others in your field? I think that quality and locally-grown sets us above the grocery store. We are kind of unique compared to other farm markets.
What one thing would you like to brag about? I don’t like to brag, but clean and neat is how we like to keep our place.
Hours: We’re open Easter to Christmas. Our hours are Monday-Friday 9am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm. The Cafe is open Monday-Saturday 9am-3pm.
Slingerlands Wine &Spirit
Owner: Shelia McNeil
Describe your business with a brief history: I’ve been in the wine and spirits retail business for 35 years and have owned Wine & Spirits of Slingerlands since October 1997. The Bethlehem roundabouts and difficult economic climate have presented challenges over which we’ve triumphed. Competitive pricing and individualized customer service have been, and continue to be, hallmarks of our success.
How do you see the business climate for your business in the next 6-12 months? I am very optimistic about it because of our competitive pricing in the face of heavy competition and a rough economy. Among our vast selection, including wines from esteemed regions, we are focused on supplying our customers with a variety of wonderful, value-oriented jewels from countries like Argentina and Chile, which we personally taste prior to purchasing. As well, we support local vintners and distillers and recently expanded our New York State wine section. All of our wines are discounted 15%: every bottle, every day.
What services do you or will you give your customers in the next 6-12 months that will set you ahead of others in your field? Remaining strongly competitive while offering quality customer service, great selection and pricing, a monthly newsletter that allows us to keep our customers abreast of current trends and our email club, which lets our customers know about special events in the store, including our complementary weekly wine tastings every Friday from 4pm-8pm and Saturdays from 2pm-6pm.
What one thing would you like to brag about? It is our knowledgeable employees who set us apart. We pride ourselves on providing superior customer service geared toward the tastes of each individual that comes into the store. We get to know and remember our customers’ preferences, and because of this, we are able to introduce them to new potential favorites. We get to know our customers’ preferred style of wine and are always on hand to make recommendations for food and wine pairing. Our staff is always reading, learning, tasting, doing winery tours and attending classes. We love wine: learning about it, sipping it, sharing it and educating our customers about it.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm; Sunday Noon-6pm.