ACE PLACES

5 Queer-Owned Creative Businesses

June 27, 2021 By upstatecreative

Meet five of the Capital Region’s most passionate and exciting creative businesses, run by Makers, Designers, Writers, Performers, and Culinary Connoisseurs. Each is bringing personal — and inclusive — perspectives to the creative economy in Upstate New York.

Bold Strokes Books

Humans seek stories to make sense of the world, which is why representation in media matters so much. Since 2005, Bold Strokes Books in Cambridge, NY, has been publishing fiction centered around LGBTQ+ themes and characters. Their goal: to push print culture toward diversity and inclusion.

Bold Strokes Books was founded by award-winning lesbian romance novelist (and former surgeon!) Len Barot. After publishing her first book in 2001, Barot said, “I began to look at how publishing worked. It became apparent to me very quickly that LGBTQ+ fiction is needed.”

Previously, LGBTQ+ media was an underground art form. The vast majority of the publishing industry’s gatekeepers did not represent and barely acknowledged LGBTQ+ readers and writers. Therefore, queer-themed books were dismissed as ‘taboo’ and not commercially viable.

Happily, Barot’s vision is now an expectation-exceeding reality. Bold Strokes Books is a modern continuation of “queer bookstore culture.” It provides the global LGBTQ+ community with relatable material, safe (online) meeting space, and information about health and social services. .

Not surprisingly, the pandemic was no match for Barot’s energy. Despite the challenges, Bold Strokes Books launched a new YouTube channel, virtual events, and live, online readings and discussions. So, while society continues to prove unpredictable, Barot never loses sight of her purpose. “We are here to reach members of the community who are looking for visions of their lives.” Her motto: Serve. More. People.

Trojan Womyn Productions

Have you ever enjoyed a fajita while a drag queen serenades you from a stage? Cried with laughter between shots of tequila when a drag comedienne heckles you with a raucous, bawdy joke? Luckily for lovers of performance art, such a sensational show exists in the Capital Region.

Troy-based theatre company Trojan Womyn Productions is an artist-led troupe of the area’s most talented drag queens, dancers, and performers. Their well-rounded cast includes Acrylic Facade, Daniella Diamonte, Demona Blackheart LaTease, Anita Dickinson, and a rotation of fabulous guests. From Burlesque to Broadway, this crew does it all, while always staying true to their values.

“We’re about visibility, inclusivity, and acceptance.” says co-director Susan Preiss.

In the Beginning…

Trojan Womyn began when co-director Marisa Ledesma-Henry learned her drag queen friends were often earning less than $10 per night, despite long hours of prep and massive out-of-pocket spending. Marisa contacted Susan to discuss the need for financial and community support for drag queens in the Capital Region. Trojan Womyn Productions was in development soon after. According to Marisa, “It was time to bring this art form out of the bars.”

In the past three years, Trojan Womyn Productions has been providing fair wages, and scouting for venues where the queens can best entertain.

This summer, you can see Trojan Womyn’s daytime Drag Brunch in Albany and evening Burlesque in Troy. Later this year, Trojan Womyn Productions will organize a fundraiser in remembrance of Marisa’s drag mother, Chardonnay LeTease, one of the original members of Trojan Womyn whose effervescent spirit inspires everything they do. “We would be nowhere without Chardonnay LaTease,” Marisa said.

Jacob Alejandro

At the end of 2020, a year of uncertainty, instability, and chaos, two coffee lovers took a risk. With over 15 years of experience, a love of craft, and a lot of dollars, Alejandro and Jacob Griffin-Diaz invested in a charming shop on tree-lined River Street in downtown Troy.

Jacob Alejandro is a specialty coffee shop that shares the personalities, values, and expertise of both owners. The Griffin-Diaz pair are coffee innovators and educators. “We want to share coffee with people.” Alejandro says.

The Griffin-Diaz duo were students of the industry long before becoming owners. Jacob studied at The Culinary Institute of America, Alejandro worked at numerous shops and cafes in Guatemala, his original home. Each were experts before they met at a coffee shop in Westchester, NY. The Griffin-Diaz team always had their own cafe in the back of their mind. When the right place came along in the neighborhood they love, they went all in.

Specialty coffee experts like Alejandro devote their lives (and time and energy!) to studying and curating the coffee experience. All the shop’s coffee beans are sourced from ethical, sustainable, fair-wage farms. All syrups and milk alternatives are handmade by Alejandro, a true innovator. (See for yourself: try the Strawberry Milk Cold Brew, or a Rosemary Infused Blackberry Latte).

A Destination Built on Makers

Alejandro and Jacob designed the shop to be an inviting, urban haven for coffee culture, but that’s not all. The team plans to use Troy’s central location to further define The Capital Region’s creative culture by attracting travelers.

“We want to create a coffee destination.” Alejandro explains. “You shouldn’t have to go to New York City to get a coffee education.”

“We also want this to be a safe space for LGBTQ+” says Alejandro. “A safe space for everyone.” There will be plenty of space this summer when Jacob Alejandro opens a patio in Franklin Alley and extends business hours. Downtown Troy summer is going to be sweet!

KASURI

It is common for the average shopper to enter a high-end store and feel out of place or the pressure to buy a “Pretty Woman” moment. Many of us avoid luxury shops for this reason. “I’m just looking” feels different when all the price tags have commas.

These literal and figurative barriers — and this type of exclusion — are exactly the things that KASURI creative director Jonathan Osofsky won’t allow.

“I believe in collapsing the boundaries between art and everyday life.”

Jonathan Osofsky and Layla Kalin, the executive talent behind KASURI, run the brand’s boutique in Hudson, NY. The shop holds a carefully curated collection of contemporary apparel, designed by artists who challenge and ignore fashion norms.

The Style: Expressive, Fearless, Experimental, Innovative, Out of Bounds.

The Experience: Engaging, Immersive, Intimate, Socially Conscious.

KASURI combines these aspects to provide an incomparable service in an unlikely place. “We bring a form of cultural production to a place that it would not normally exist.”

Jonathan, a Hudson Valley native, knows well the demand for eccentric design in a small Upstate city. Growing up, he had limited access to the avant garde, so he pursued magazines and media to quell his craving for contemporary design. Seven years ago, he created KASURI to fill this niche. Now, KASURI is the type of discovery zone Jonathan would have frequented as a youth.

“The fact that young kids today in Hudson can walk in and see, touch, try on, and learn about all these visionary designers, in an environment that is open, and welcoming, and queer, that doesn’t exclude people, this feels very special, even radical to me.”

Fighting the Norms and Providing a Place

Although fashion is often defined as “self-expression”, American fashion culture implicitly promotes uniformity — ‘the model-type”, dress codes, categorical trends, etc. It’s portraying a manufactured ideal. In the years before meaningful social progression, self expression in LGBTQ+ and other anti-norm cultures could result in jail time or violence, forcing vibrant creativity out of society’s view and to the underground.

Now, KASURI is moving the culture by redefining, or un-defining, the word “fashion” and discarding all of the rules.

Upcoming KASURI projects include a renovated e-commerce marketplace, the 2nd Annual Fundraiser for Black Lives, and expanding capacity so they can display the work of more artists. And of course, as always, dismantling and rebuilding what fashion means to society.

“Hopefully, we will obliterate some of the hierarchies of who is seen and not seen, who is validated by the system, and who operates outside it.”

Village Common

The emotional connection between senses and art is profound. Songs can bring back memories. Scents can take you to places from your past. Village Common owners Blake Hays and Benjamin Lebel utilize this phenomenon when designing and hand-crafted candles from their studio in Catskill, NY. Each candle comes with a poem written by Blake, and an image that captures the scent’s essence. Each candle tells a story.

Blake and Benjamin had success in creative fields before moving to Catskill from New York City in 2016. They recognized the demand for quality, accessible home goods in Upstate New York, so they brought the Village Common brand to Hudson. The brand has been around since 1968, when Benjamin’s grandmother ran an antique shop with the same name. Blake and Benjamin’s modern redesign keeps the Village Common tradition of high quality and incorporates their value of travel, home, the earth, and artistry.

All Village Common candles are 100% plant-based, infused with pure essential oils, hand poured in New York, and sustainability packaged. The scents are inspired by the land we share, what connects all of us, our “Common Ground”.

The Value of Hand Made

Expert crafters, aka “makers”, hold a very unique, respected, time-honored position in the creative production economy. Their impact began centuries ago, when everything was made by hand. Value lies in product, practice, and specialized knowledge. Small batch makers have more control over inputs and ingredients, and are able to easily tailor the product to the consumer’s wants and needs. Makers are often members of the community they serve, so they have a special connection to the people and can learn the effects of their product first-hand. A crafter’s proximity to a neighborhood shows in the material, the symbolism, the colors, the feel. In turn, this attracts buyers who love their home, or want to be reminded of it.

Village Common uses the simplicity of candles to highlight complex issues. This summer’s sold out Artist Collection featured hand painted designs by local artists, and all proceeds went to organizations that support the movement toward social equity for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC. This collection shows how makers can truly capture culture and preserve a moment in time.

The five businesses featured today are an intregal part of the wealth and breadth of the Upstate Creative Economy. Their stories inspire, connect, and make apparent the talent and artistry the Capital Region is so proud to share.

Foreland: A Fantastic, New Arts Complex in Catskill

June 8, 2021 By upstatecreative

Along the Catskill Creek, on the site of a Civil War Era mill, sits the huge, new arts campus called Foreland. This completely renovated, artist-led, contemporary art complex is gearing up for a fantastic summer opening. The vision is to provide space, resources, and programs designed for artists, by artists.

“We left no stone unturned,” said Stef Halmos, Foreland’s founder. “Foreland is an artist-led development. Therefore, we’ve created the studios, galleries, and special project spaces that we ourselves would want to inhabit.”

Foreland’s Renovation Story

In 2017, Stef Halmos acquired the flagship building of the Foreland Campus at 111 Water Street. Mentored by her father, she hit the ground running. It took 18 months to complete the structural remediation — essentially, saving the building’s shell. Since then, the two remaining buildings of the Campus (125 Water Street and 361 Main Street) have begun renovations. The buildings will be completed by August, 2021.

Foreland Interior — Foreland’s Interior Space

The transformation from dilapidated factory to thriving arts campus is remarkable. “Our Campus includes 4 contemporary exhibition spaces and 31 artist studios,” said Halmos. “Plus, there are two food & beverage spaces, and two residential loft apartments. Soon, a cooperative workspace and two massive waterfront event / project spaces” will also come online.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity at Foreland means more than demographics. “We are very proud to have diversity of ethnicity, age, sex, and so forth in our artist-neighbors, and which we feel is crucial to the success of the project,” said Halmos. “Additionally, we’re intentional with the type of (and caliber) of work made within our buildings. Our tenants range from highly conceptual video artists to novelists and ceramicists.” Click here for more on Foreland’s resident artists, including Laleh Khorramian, seen above.

And, Foreland’s campus is kid-friendly, pet-friendly, and accessible to the disabled. To keep up to date on this summer’s opening schedule, as well as gallery, food, and event plans, visit https://www.f orelandcatskill.com/. Interested in finding out more about Foreland’s artist studios? Click here.

5 Sizzling Capital Region Summer Arts Experiences

June 2, 2021 By upstatecreative

Andrea Hersh mural at the Adams St. Rail Trail entrance in Delmar (corner of Adams St. and Hudson Ave., Albany)

After more than a year of being cooped up indoors, I’m ready to explore and experience everything the Capital Region has to offer — safely, of course. I’ve been spending all of my spring and summer weekends exploring the outdoors, hunting for public art and enjoying whatever arts scene I stumble upon and of course, am always on the lookout for a new local spots to grab a craft beer or delicious food.

Here are five art experiences that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone — solo, on a date, or with your kids. Visit one at a time, or make a day trip out of it! So, get outside and enjoy the summer weather, AND support our amazing creative economy.

Art on the Rail Trail (ART)

Perfect for: solo exploration, family fun, a daytime date

Albany Rail Trail — The entrance of one of the trailheads, 722 S Pearl St, Albany, 12202

The nine-mile Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail is perfect for walking, biking, or — my transportation mode of choice — rollerblading. I visited the trail on an absolutely gorgeous summer day and was blown away by how beautiful the scenery is! There’s greenery, flowers, and river. It’s a perfect spot to mix up an outdoor adventure while enjoying public art installations created by local artists. There are spots along the trail where you can see the art. Pop by and grab an Instagram pic at each!

Check out the current art installations at these locations along the Art on the Rail Trail (ART):

Young People's Mural — Young People’s Mural

Susan Togut art installations between Main St. and Grove St. in Voorheesville (2020).
Young People’s Mural at the Kenwood Ave. trailhead in Slingerlands (created 2019) — community mural designed by student Emily Meier, project work led by artist Andrea Hersh.
Angela Cuozzo‘s mural for Bliss Juice Bar on Delaware Ave. in Delmar (created 2019).
John DeMarco’s art on the columns under the Cherry Ave. bridge in Slingerlands (created 2018).
Ramiro Davaro-Comas mural on the Rail Trail bridge crossing Delaware Ave. in Delmar (created 2018).
Andrea Hersh mural at the Adams St. Rail Trail entrance in Delmar (created 2017).

Bliss Juice Bar (stop #3 on the Trail) is a perfect place for a pick-me-up, especially on a hot day. Delicious smoothies, toasts, coffee, and more…all right off the trail! Plus, there’s plenty of bike parking outside.

New York City Ballet at SPAC

Perfect for: family fun, a date

Gabby and her grandma — My Grandma and I, ready for the ballet!

Every year, my grandmother and I see a summer ballet matinee at SPAC. This July, we’re really looking forward to New York City Ballet‘s two 75-minute special programs –- Short Stories, hosted by Principal Dancer Maria Kowroski and All Balanchine, hosted by Principal Dancer Gonzalo Garcia. Both are excerpts from the Company’s wide-ranging repertory, performed by 15 dancers accompanied by piano on SPAC’s main stage. Socially distanced seating will be provided in the amphitheater and on the lawn. It’s a lovely way to spend a beautiful summer’s day or night with the family or on a date.

Where to eat, you ask? Before or after the show, my grandma and I usually make reservations at her favorite Saratoga restaurant, Scallions, or if we’re in the mood for a smaller bite, we head to Boca Bistro for tapas and wine.

(P.S. Another one of my absolute favorite summer activities at SPAC is going to the Jazz Fest! This is another annual tradition my grandma and I have. If you haven’t attended, I HIGHLY recommend the experience. It’s a bit more casual than the ballet. We bring in our own food, drinks & meet up for a picnic with some other jazz-loving friends while being serenaded by world-renowned artists. It’s this coming weekend, June 26-27 and there is still time to buy tickets!)

Explore Downtown Albany’s Public Art Scene via CDPHP Bicycles

Perfect for: solo exploration, family fun, a day date

The array of public art in Downtown Albany is growing by leaps and bounds. One of my favorite initiatives is #CapitalWalls, which is a partnership between Albany Center Gallery, Albany Barn, and Albany Parking Authority. This project seeks to inspire the local community with uplifting, educational, or thought-provoking works of public art. You’ll find pieces under bridges, alongside buildings, and other structures. Click here to check out the current murals and locations and rent a CDPHP cycle to take a tour of your own!

Nearby the art displays, there’s SO much to explore! A few of my favorites… For a drink and/or delicious food, Loch and Quay or The Cloud Food Hall. For a cool little shop with local goods, Fort Orange Shop. Lastly, my personal favorite (because I’m an obsessed plant mom), River Garden Studio.

Cat’n Around Catskill

Perfect for: Family fun

Looking for a super fun day trip with the kids? Downtown Catskill is where it’s at. For the 15th year in a row, Catskill’s Historic Main Street will be lined with community member renditions of cats! Designed by different local artists, each has its own unique theme and feel. Cat’n Around Catskill will take place through September. The cats will be auctioned off at the end of the showing period and proceeds will be donated to charity.

Not only is it fun to walk along Main St. to enjoy the colorful cats, but there is so much more that the area has to offer. Historic architecture and unique shops are a big draw to the area. One of my favorite shops to visit is the Mahalo Gift Shop. There is such a wide variety of creative local goods there – mostly all from women-owned businesses. It’s a great place to visit with the kids too. They also have a toy shop close by!

Now I will recommend my new favorite place to eat in Catskill, and I am salivating just writing this: J&J Smokehouse BBQ. The flavors, the smells…everything about the place is just delectable. Try it out, you won’t be disappointed.

Stonewall Memorial and Black Lives Matter Memorial in Downtown Schenectady

Perfect for: solo exploration, family fun, a day date

IMHO, the Stonewall Memorial Schenectady memorial/public art display doesn’t get the attention it deserves. And, as June is Pride Month, there’s never been a more perfect time to head to Gateway Plaza, and explore the display. The Stonewall Uprising was a milestone in the gay-rights movement. This piece beautifully memorializes the civil rights struggles of the L:GBTQ community, and shines pride brightly.

Recently, new additions were added to the park (right next to the Stonewall structure) to raise awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement. As a Schenectady resident, I’m proud of these pieces and the effort it makes to educate visitors on both Stonewall and Black Lives Matter. This park has become one of celebrating civil rights for everybody and a symbol for equality.

If you’re looking for food or activities nearby, I’ve got you covered. One of my favorite summertime spots is Jumpin’ Jacks Drive-In on the Mohawk River. It’s only a few minutes away by car or bike (there are CDPHP bikes to rent right in the park). I’ve been going there every summer since I was a little kid.

If you have the family with you, right across the street from Jumpin’ Jacks is Collins Park, which has a playground, basketball courts, a splash pad and more! My nephews LOVE it.

Whether you’re looking for family fun, solo exploration, or a new date spot, these five outdoors arts experiences are a great way to support our local creative economy. If there are other experiences or events we should add to the list, send me an email to let us know! Enjoy and be sure to tag us in your adventures, @upstatecreative!

ACE Craft Beverage Spotlight: Left Bank Ciders, Catskill

May 31, 2021 By Maureen Sager

Co-Founders Tim Graham and Anna Rosencranz, with Left Bank Ciders mascot, Abraham

Left Bank Ciders opened its doors on July 10th, 2021, which wasn’t an obvious time to start a brand new tap room business. But partners Tim Graham, his wife Anna Rosencranz, and their friend Dave Snyder, had an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. “The space was so good,” Graham said. “We just had to give it a go.”

Congressman Antonio Delgado talks cider with co-founder Dave Snyder

The 3000 square foot basement space at 150 Water Street in Catskill was rustic and unfinished, “like a subterranean wine cave,” said Graham, who had been home brewing for several years before making the leap to a full-scale operation. “The temperatures are super stable, which is great for making cider. There probably weren’t a lot of other businesses that would love being in a basement, but for us, it’s perfect.”

They poured concrete floors and made the furniture themselves — a perfect complement to the rustic, lime washed brick and beams. There’s also a spacious outdoor patio that overlooks the Catskill Creek, with a great view of the Hudson Valley sunsets.

The cider is made on site from wild apples they forage themselves, along with stock from “friends and acquaintances who give us everything they can’t use,” said Rosencranz. “Everything else, we buy in from local suppliers.” There are usually 8 or more varieties on tap; read their origin stories here. My personal favorite: the Spyser — a co-ferment made with apples and honey. It’s smooth, dry, and just a bit tart. My perfect Sunday night go-to!

You’ll notice that there’s a fourth founder crawling and playing at Left Bank. Tim and Anna had a baby, Abraham, in May 2020, just two months before they opened mid-pandemic. So, with Abe snuggled in a Baby Bjorn, they were fearlessly tending the bar and making cider with an amazingly cheerful newborn on board.

Where to Find Left Bank Ciders

Drop by the tap room to relax by the creek! It might be a bit tricky to find Left Bank Ciders on your first try, so: If you’re on Main Street, you can find Left Bank Ciders by walking down the alley next to New Century Chinese Food (Left Bank posts a blackboard sign on Main Street to guide you down the alley, on the days that they’re open). Or, if you’re on River Street, use Google Maps or Ways, and park in the lot on the right side of Left Bank’s patio.

Once you’re there, you’ll find local beers on tap and by the can, and a nice wine selection, in addition to the killer cider. Looking for dinner, too? Grab some takeout from nearby Avalon Lounge (they’ll deliver!) or Mermaid Cafe and dine on the Left Bank Cider porch. It’s one of my very favorite ways to enjoy Catskill.

Left Bank Ciders has also begun distributing their products locally, in Hudson, Catskill, Millerton, Coxsackie and Saugerties, and they’ve got a grab-and-go section at the tap room.

Left Bank Ciders is located at 150 Water Street, Catskill, NY 12414. You can find their hours on Instagram @leftbankciders and on their website.

5 Off the Beaten Path Food Spots: Glens Falls Insider

March 23, 2021 By Nate Hallmark

How to pick just 5 off the beaten path spots in Glens Falls? There are so many places you might not stumble across so easily. Here’s my insider’s guide, written not just for the pass-through tourist, but the wandering foodie who appreciates the hidden gems Glens Falls has to offer.

Vibrant, Sustainable, Growing

The city of Glens Falls has restaurants, social bars and coffee shops for just about any occasion. The downtown hub hosts over twenty places within a walking block, where you can order out, dine in or simply enjoy the small city feel.

Small businesses like these support the community of Glens Falls, and bring us together like a pot luck family gathering. Each creates wonderfully delicious foods, enriching the tastes and culture that keep Glens Falls vibrant, sustainable and growing. Bon appetite!

A Little Background on Glens Falls

When I moved to Glens Falls in 2001, I saw the beginning of the revitalization process that’s made the city what it is today. Beginning with the reconstruction of the tech-forward Crandall Library, the downtown rapidly revitalized itself. Shops and restaurants returned. They brought new flavors that filled the city with a fabulous variety of tastes and art not seen before. So here are my 5 off the beaten path spots not to miss in Glens Falls.

Glens Falls is officially all of 3.4 square miles. At its center is Finch & Pruyn, one of the oldest running paper mills in the country. This mill made Glens Falls a town where generations of blue collar union workers could be employed straight out of high school. Where locals could raise their families on comfortable, middle class incomes. The burst of the tech bubble in the 1990s hit hard, leaving Glens Falls’s future as bleak as an overcast day.

Handcrafted Juice and Good Vibes To Start The Day

Owners Christina Hanchett and Nicoe Laubenheimer from Jucin' Jar

Off of Glen Street — the main section of US Route 9 that runs through the heart of town — there’s a little alleyway you could blink and miss, called Exchange Street. Just around that corner you will find the Juicin’ Jar. Owned by Cristina Hanchett and managed with her sister Nicole Laubenheimer, the business opened in 2015, when they were in their in their early 20s. Since then, they’ve expanded their offerings to include a full menu of freshly prepared foods and sandwiches. Everything complements both their rejuvenating beverages and their warm welcoming energy that feels like morning sunshine. Cristina said they always envisioned a place where they could replenish the community with good food and a positive spirit.

Cristina recommends trying The Juice Monkey – a wholesome blend of banana, milk, Nutella & peanut butter, and any of their freshly pressed juices. Team it with The South of the Border Wrap, a roll up of romaine, hummus, black bean, corn, tomato, onion, jalapeño, sharp cheddar, avocado, hot sauce and creamy avocado dressing. I recommend one of the warm rice bowls like the Sweet Potato Bowl, a combo of brown rice, sweet potato, apples, walnuts, onion, cranberries, creamy avocado dressing and feta cheese. All items are made fresh and ordered a la carte. You simply won’t find a healthier better way to energize your day in town.

Nationally Acclaimed Breads And a Community Hero

Among the 5 off the beaten path spots this one is just outside the downtown area. The Shirt Factory is home to over 100 creative tenants, including artists, studios, galleries and makers. It’s here you’ll also find the amazing Rock Hill Bakehouse and Café, creators of handmade breads made from wholesome organic ingredients, most of which are sourced locally. Owned by Matt Funiciello since 1991, they’ve racked up outstanding reviews. The New York Times said, “Rock Hill makes the best Jewish Rye east of the Mississippi.” New York Magazine said, “No other sourdough in the city has the same rich layering of flavors under a crackly crust.” And even Vogue weighed in, “(Rock Hill Bakehouse) is the paragon of purism”.

The café offers an extensive vegan-friendly menu, and many items can be veganized to order. Try the Healthy AF – roasted red peppers, tomatoes, olives, onions, and pesto with balsamic on wholesome Farm bread — or the vegan Bison Buffalo chicken pizza. Finish them off with freshly made chocolate chip cookies. Moreover, the business has been helping the community during the pandemic, with a “no questions asked Community Bread Rack.” “Since we have been relatively unscathed, we really wanted to help our neighbors who have lost their jobs, their homes and often their ability to put food on their tables.” The café continues to provide curbside delivery and the bread rack stands at the doorway open to all. Donations are accepted at the entrance.

Real Deal, Homemade Mexican Food

Continuing down to Warren Street, you will find a little Mexican shop, Tacos El Sombrero. Mrs. Anel Colio started this restaurant with handmade tortillas created the way her family made them in Mexico, with a bit of a southern California style twist. All of the food is prepared from scratch, with fresh ingredients she sources from the area. The tamales make every bite make you feel like you found something special. She recommends the fried plantains and the crème filled churros — I can’t argue with that!

Anel came to America with her familia when she was eight years old. She got married, had four boys and decided to start a business as a second income to support her family. Since her opening in 2017, Anel has reclaimed Taco Tuesdays with $1 deals that make an affordably delicious way of life. Her menu also includes enchiladas, burritos and other traditional specials that make all your Mexican tastes feel like they’ve found a new standard for Hispanic food.

Wood-Fired Pizza and Community Pride

Behind the shops on Glen Street, you’ll find the Downtown City Tavern. Owned by Craig Merrill and managed by Journey Kerchner-Pirrone, DT City Tavern has firmly established a hometown “Cheers”- like setting. The wood fired oven creates a cozy tone, and turns out amazing pizzas. Local craft beers on tap that are switched out regularly with care. When I pushed him for a favorite, Craig recommended the alcohol infused milkshakes, as a house specialty dessert.

The pandemic has brought welcome adjustments to the DT City Tavern, including efficient online ordering. They also have outdoor seating for when the weather is favorable. Craig’s mission for the Tavern — and its sister location, the Downtown Social — is to provide excellent dining and service, while keeping his staff fully employed. You’ll feel Glens Falls pride in both locations, and will leave quite satisfied in both appetite and hospitality.

A Trip to Thailand, No Airplane Needed

Up a few blocks on Ridge Street from the circle, sits a can’t miss Thai and sushi restaurant. Being a foodie myself, I like my experiences to be authentic and exotic. At Aroy Dee, you get a full serving of both. Owner Nhong Rujirat Currie first came to America on a visit in 2008. Shortly afterwards she met her husband and over the next few years she worked three jobs. Finally, in 2012, she’d saved enough to bring her family over from Thailand, to start her restaurant.

The food is everything you would expect if you were 12,000 miles away, in Thailand, with service just like you were family. The traditional Pad Thai rice noodle dish is a starter staple. Nhong said the most popular items have become their special house recipe Crab Rangoon, a crispy fried wonton stuffed with cream cheese, crab and onion served with sweet and sour sauce. My favorite is Drunken Noodle – a choice of meat stir fried with flat noodles, bell peppers, onion, tomato, egg and basil leaves in a brown Thai sauce. There’s even a new creation they call Sushi Pizza.

The Heart of Community

Nhong really appreciates the welcome reception the community has given her and her family business. In return she has given back with gratitude, providing free gift cards to the local schools and families to benefit during the ongoing pandemic. She opens her kitchen to internships from the area to continue sharing the traditions and methods of her culture with others that want to learn.

Small businesses like these support the community of Glens Falls bringing it together like a pot luck family gathering. Each of these 5 off the beaten path spots in Glens Falls brings their own wonderfully delicious foods, enriching the tastes and culture to the table while equally supporting those that keep Glens Falls vibrantly sustainably growing. Bon appetite!

Written by: Nate Hallmark