Three New Businesses In North Albany

This year has seen a surge in new businesses in North Albany so it's time I get back into reporting on the events taking shape.

Opening this Wednesday, May 25th is STOUT, an Irish Pub and eatery located directly across from Wolff's Biergarten featuring subs it takes two to eat and exceptionally well priced, salads, and an outdoor patio right on Broadway. Tables, benches, and a dart area beer holder were designed and made by who else but Silver Fox Salvage. The owner is Mike Grainy, just a fabulous guy. Come out and support this new business.

Next, Green Takedown Demolition, Inc. made its' working debut this weekend in Malta, removing a collapsed pole barn that was part of an old mink farm. This new corporation, formed to insure a steady source of architectural salvage and wood to Silver Fox Salvage and other manufacturers of furniture from antique wood, has hit the ground running with several jobs lined up. They also offer exceptional artistic garden design and construction made from natural stone and enhanced with statuary. They use natural stone, salvaged elements and can add water features.

Another new eating and drinking establishment opening soon is the Barrell Saloon located in the old bank on Broadway, just North of STOUT and run by Chris Pratt. This bar has a Western influence featuring BBQ with "cowboy fare." Once again, the interior and bar were built by Silver Fox Salvage.

Personally, given three establishments in close proximity, there needs to be traffic lights at both ends. In my opinion, this area now has the potential to add evening and late night retail beginning at North Ferry Street and running North to the Menands border.

Patrons could walk the streets during the warm months and particularly after the Alive at Five shows Availability may be a problem, but there are still some options. I envision a jewelry store, a few boutiques, tattoo shop, upscale desert shop, and a small movie theater similar to the Spectum and of course a coffee and gelato shop.

What are your thoughts?

North Albany In A Deep Freeze But There Is Hope

The real estate market and prices have hit hard in North Albany. Commercial properties that were up for a few years have sold for half the asking price, but wait, there is some hope. Wolff's Biergarten on Broadway and Silver Fox Salvage along with Thatcher's pub are thriving. What do they have in common: nothing. Beer & Soccer, antique lighting and furniture and beer and bikinis. The most important thing is that people are traveling for the exceptional and there is usually plenty of parking. Stop by, say hello, pick up a gargoyle and have a beer down the block.

Silver Fox Salvage Expands Lighting Department

Silver Fox Salvage has increased its lighting department to include over 100 chandeliers, ceiling fixtures, and lamps. There is also a large assortment of antique, vintage and new crystal prisms for sale. We offer some in house lamp and chandelier repair. Call for details 518-431-0606. We are open 7 days a week. You can visit our website at http://silverfoxsalvage.com

June 28th at ALBANY FLEA

This was a great Sunday at the ALBANY FLEA. Not one drop of rain, steady crowns, new vendors and plenty of fun. Today was Kariza dress day. Women were falling in love with the best summer dress you could buy. One dress that can be worn a 100 ways. Four of the staff were modelling them: Camille, Amy, Lauren and Nicole. Each dress is different. Now quite a few will be seen around Albany and hopefully the flea will be packed with women looking for more. But enough about my eye candy wishes. There was plenty else to be found and we must have sold over 100 books, about 40 LP's and a variety of other items. Statuary was also big, with a giant Gargoyle sold and awaiting delivery poolside on Tuesday in time for the 4th. If you were there, leave a comment.

Father's Day at ALBANY FLEA

First, the weather held out. Only a drizzle the last half hour. Vendor turnout was light. Times have changed. There was a time good vendors came rain or shine. Now even the threat of rain scares them off. People turn out was good, but less than last week. There were plenty of new customers: some came from the TU listing, others from Craig's List for the plant and statuary sale and others on their way to Huck Finn's Warehouse. Still no one showed up from the ad in the Berkshire Buyer's Guide. We need to reach NEW people. Any ideas? See you next week.

This Sunday at ALBANY FLEA

This Sunday is Father's day and Silver Fox from ALBANY FLEA will offer a 15% discount on all garden statuary and their exquisite line of plants, shrubs and trees. Hours are 10am till 4pm. Located at the corner of N. Ferry & Learned Streets in N. Albany. See you there. Visit our website at www.albanyflea.com

Last Week at ALBANY FLEA

June 7th was the kick off of the ALBANY FLEA. Over 2,000 came through the gates and were quite surprised that such a place existed in the run down warehouse section of North Albany. But isn't that how neighborhoods change? Vendors were selling funky lawn ornaments (a return this coming Sunday), garden statuary, great photography, antiques (the guy from Connecticut will be back) and collectibles, housewares, high plants, vintage and used clothing, and much more. We have 8 new vendors: one selling custom made jewelery and vintage glasses, another from Art on Lark will bring his paintings and much more. It's exciting to see this grow. Be a part of it. Let it become a woven part of this city and area. This Sunday there is free COTTON Candy to the first 100 kids. We are looking for theme days: 60's fashion day, motorcycle ride fund raisers and more. Please submit your ideas.

Albany Flea This SUNDAY 10am till 4 pm

This Sunday starts Albany Flea, Destined to be THE Sunday destination. Great vendors, food and more. We are located just around the corner from Miss Albany Diner and Woff's Biergarten (on Broadway). From 10:00am till 4:00pm. We are pet friendly, plenty of parking. We are dedicated to used and locally made items as the majority of our vendors. Great concrete garden statuary, plants and trees, used furniture, books and household items, pottery, paintings and photography, and much more. You have to see it to understand this is an oasis in Albany. Quality Vendors always wanted. Visit our website at http://www.albanyflea.com or call 431-0606

Albany Flea Starting ON Sunday JUNE 7th

ALBANY FLEA to make it's debut on Sunday June7th. Check out the website at http://albanyflea.com Be there for opening day. ATTENTION VENDORS. THere is still room. Call 431-0606

Bikini Contest & Free Sex At The Warehouse

Of Course not, but if you searching those things stop by anyway and check us out. Hey, look at the bright side. It could have been an under cover cop.

At The Warehouse Expanding To Outdoor Flea Market

The indoor market know as AT THE WAREHOUSE is pushing to open a large outdoor flea market at their site in North Albany. Check out their website for details http://www.albanyflea.com


See you there in June.

Is Capital Grand on Hold?

I heard that the Capital Grand condo project on Broadway has been placed on hold. Is there any truth to that? Someone came to AT THE WAREHOUSE and mentioned that to me last weekend. I tried to place a call to Capital Grand and only got a message. Let me know if you are privy to the details. I'll see what I can find out.

Demolition Companies Missing Out

If someone offered you pure profit, would you turn it down? No scam, just 20 minutes of your time. That's what Silver Fox Architectural Salvage does. They pay demolition companies, or individuals, for the SALVAGE RIGHTS to demolition or renovation projects. They go in, remove what would otherwise end up in a dumpster. And, they pay for it. Pure profit. There is no higher margin. Then why isn't the phone off the hook? If I could answer that I wouldn't be writing this blog post.

For most businesses, these are tough times. So why turn down a great opportunity? If you are a demolition company or contractor doing renovations of old homes, write a comment on why you wouldn't benefit from such a service.

The Economy and North Albany

Admit it, the economy is bad and like the beginning of winter, it's only going to get worse. The lofts on Broadway, rumor has it, are on hold. Local businesses everywhere are seeing sales drop. We all have to cut expenses, in business and at home: drive shorter distances for the same item, eat out less, forgo luxuries, cut out unnecessary expenses. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Drive shorter distances, but don't compromise quality. Walk when you can. The fuel you save may be significant.

2. Eat out less. Chances are you will eat healthier in the process. But don't abandon restaurants. Think about what it would be like if they all failed. Life without restaurants. Patronize local, good quality restaurants before chains. Money spent from local establishments stays in the community.

3. Think about purchases. Ask yourself if you really need it. Can I buy a less expensive item that will do the same thing.

4. Unnecessary: land lines when you have a cell phone, second cars, second homes, RV's with little use (hotels can be cheaper), are some examples.

5. Turn your thermostat down one or two degrees in winter and up in summer.

See you at the bank.

Has the mortgage crisis got you down?

It's probably a good time to buy with prices slowly decreasing, but the lenders are tight. Camille and I recently took out two separate mortgages and the scrutiny was incredible. They required proof for everything. If it had been that way years ago perhaps this wouldn't have been such a problem. But what about today, what about your dream home? If you are in it for the long haul, then buy the house you love. If you think it's a great investment, factor in closing costs, interest, taxes, repairs and you will see that owning a home isn't as profitable as people believe. Few rarely do all the math and look at the buying price vs. the selling price. I like a simple formula for rental property: if I can make a few hundred dollars a month over ALL expenses and keep about 50% of my mortgage payment as equity, then it's a good deal.

Former Noche To Reopen With A New Name and Look

Unfortunately Jack Rabbit Slims was not successful. This is the site of the former NOCHE bar. According to Matt Baumgardner, former owner of Noche, the club will eventually reopen with a different name and theme. Let's keep our eye on it. Their success is North Albany's success. Come down and support them.

So Much For Sale

As I look around the neighborhood at the old warehouses and commercial buildings, it seems there are quite a few for sale. Some are located on Broadway and others off road. Just as things were starting to pick up in North Albany, the housing disaster struck. It may take a while, but I still think the area is a great place for the right businesses. The former Noche has now undergone a facelift and Jack Rabbit Slims seems to be an up and coming music venue. I'll have to stop in. Some of the artists have stopped by the warehouse and one band purchases a maniquine torso which now is on stage with them.

Plugging The Local Business

Silver Fox Architectural Salvage, http://www.silverfoxenterprises.com ,home decor division took a trip to NYC today to drop off some of their finest wares at New York Magazine. They are going to appear in an article about Brooklyn Flea, a new market starting on April 6th. Out of the 100+ vendors, the were selected as part of the top 10 to gain mention in the article, due to come out March 24th. Let's hope it brings them more business.

On another note, Habitat for Humanities ReUse store will be having an open house this Friday from 10am - 4pm. A collaboration between the ReUse Store, Historic Albany Foundation's parts warehouse and Silver Fox Architectural Salvage focusing on advertising and possibly combining resources on select salvage jobs may be in the works.

Another Warehouse

Well, Camille and I were looking for another warehouse in N. Albany to house a thrift store and "anything goes" flea market. We heard about the old housing supply store on Broadway and the adjacent properties. It sounded good, but unfortunately the owners let the roof leak, the cellar was flooded and our pockets are not deep enough and our time is not long enough to take on another property needing that much attention. The word on the street is "foreclosure" is in the future. Maybe we can get it for a dollar from the city. NOT. Just kidding. Well, I've learned one thing. If it looks bad, it will cost you at least double your estimate. We will keep on looking, waiting for that great space. And we are committed to NORTH ALBANY.

Barbara Smith's Visit

About an hour after closing on 12/23 Barbara Smith came to visit AT THE WAREHOUSE. It was perfect timing since the customers and vendors were gone, so Camille and I and Barbara spent a great deal of time discussion the area and the business. She loved the place and she is friendly, articulate, funny and caring. We are going to be attending some of the local neighborhood association meetings and hopefully hold some AT THE WAREHOUSE. Our goal has always been to get the local politicians involved. It's great to add her to the short but growing list. I asked Barbara to get the word out to Corey Ellis and with the right support, hopefully we can have a robust outdoor Farmers Market come spring.