Advantage Suzuki Constructs new dealership in four months-now that's speedy!

Advantage Suzuki expects to complete construction on its brand-new dealership by December 1--that's just four months after the project began.

Advantage wanted to update their facilities, said Scott Autrey, Advantage's Service Manager. Autrey said the multimillion-dollar project includes a new more attractive showroom and service area. The improvements are all about customer-comfort, he said. The new facilities were built "from scratch" after the old facilities had been demolished, he said. The new showroom overlooks Central Avenue with its large sunny windows, and features a sleek new interior and exterior. The showroom is also about three-times as large as the previous showroom, Autrey said. They have also added wireless internet capacity for the convenience of their customers.

Advantage is also adding drive-in service facilities, so that customers are protected from the elements when they drop off their vehicles. The new service area will also feature a car-wash, Autrey said.

They look forward to continuing to provide excellent service to all their customers, Autrey said.

Utilty Work To Cause Service Interuptions at West End of Central

Utility work to cause outages!

Several businesses will need to have electrical service shut down for a time as National Grid contractors replace overhead service during the Reconstruction of Central Avenue. This will happen starting today and over the next few days (weather may extend the schedule) Please call the BID office if you are not sure, as we have a copy of the Schedule available. The CBID will be handing out notices in order to double check to make sure businesses are aware of the schedules.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 518-462-4300

Capital Thai and Sushi offers wide array of specialties

We visited Capital Thai and Sushi for dinner and left full and happy. We started with the Thai iced-tea, a sweet and creamy concoction that would have made a fine dessert, but also went well with the gyoza we ordered as an appetizer. The small pork dumplings were served with a coconut-based sauce to cut their spiciness. For dinner, we sampled food from both sides of the China Sea. The sushi and sashimi platter, made before my eyes at the on-site sushi bar, boasted fresh, tender fish. The rolls were simple, but flavorful. The generous portion of pad thai was served with bean sprouts and peanuts over lettuce, and made an impressive presentation. The restaurant decor is clean and sparse, with just a few official-looking portraits decorating the walls. Our server was very attentive and friendly, and took time to visit with all of the customers. Even though it just opened, the restaurant had its share of customers that night. It won't be long before this new spot is discovered--so don't wait to visit!

The new restaurant located at 977 Central Avenue, next to Lexington Vacuum, near the Home Depot.

Renovation Complete on Central Veterinary Hospital—Animals Give it Two Paws Up

The Central Veterinary Hospital is now five times as big, giving patients and doctors more space to stretch out in.
Now it’s almost too big, jokes Dr. Michel Hardaker, the hospital owner. “It’s kind of peculiar because I thought this would be everything I ever wanted, but now everything’s taking longer to do because it’s so much bigger,” she said with a laugh. She and her staff were used to working in the cramped 2,000 square foot facility, but are learning to stretch out, and enjoy the extra 8,500 feet that was added, she said.
The hospital completed construction on a brand-new $1.2 million state-of-the-art wing this summer. The staff moved into the new two-story wing in September.
“We had been doing as much as we could in that tiny space for too long,” Hardaker said.
The hospital will now only use the old facility for canine boarding, allowing them to expand their kennel operations.
The new facility features dedicated facilities for dogs and cats, making it a more comfortable experience for both animals and owners. The place has six exam rooms, three for dogs and three for cats. There are also separate waiting areas for the different species, allowing cats to wait “without having a German Shepherd breathing down your neck,” Hardaker said.
The new facility also has a cat boarding area, and a large new space that they are currently using for exercising the dogs, although they may adapt it for puppy classes or doggy daycare at some point, Hardaker said.
The hospital now has an entire dental suite, and laser capabilities. They also added two new doctors, and some support staff, expanding their staff from 12-15 to 20 people, and more are expected to join, Hardaker said.
The hospital has been located at 388 Central Avenue since 1982. Hardaker purchased the business in 1990. The expansion is a perfect way to celebrate the hospital’s 25th Anniversary.

WAMC A New Hub of Arts & Entertainment

WAMC Northeast Public Radio and Central Avenue Business Improvement District is teaming up to create a new Arts and Entertainment District along Central Avenue. The district will encompass a two-block radius around the Linda Norris Auditorium and will consist of a mix of theaters, galleries, and outdoor cafes.
WAMC has contributed $30,000 to the project, and the BID has contributed $10,000. The two organizations have solicited proposals from planning organizations to create a comprehensive plan for the proposed district, said David Galletly, WAMC Vice President.
The request for proposal (RFP) outlines the requirements for this comprehensive plan. The plans must address future capital developments, zoning, branding and signage, and provide master plans for the area. The Proposals were due July 6, 2007 and are currently under review. The RFP asks designers to preserve and restore architectural features and streetscapes, and to create a “vibrant blend of commercial and residential uses/densities, including artisan live-work space, and residential and commercial mix-uses."
The final proposal will be selected by the end of the summer, and will then be presented to the community for review, Galletly said. The plans would provide a "recommended path" for the district, he said.
The RFP requires that the designers meet with the community in a planning charrette. This formal critique will allow for the community to make suggestions and participate in the design process. WAMC and BID also held a public meeting on the proposed district on June 21, where they were able to talk with members of the business and residential community in this area.
The RFP also notes several other projects that are currently under way on the Avenue that will affect the new district, including the creation of a new parking multi-use parking facility on Central Avenue next to the Linda Norris. The lot will serve auditorium patrons at night, and CDTA park-and-ride customers during the day.
Anthony J. Capece, Executive Director for the Central BID, said secure parking is the first step in bringing many folks to the area. The next step will be to attract some restaurants and other targeted businesses to the area, Capece said.
WAMC has several holdings along Central Avenue, including the building that now holds the studio and offices and the Linda Norris. The station just recently purchased a large piece of property on the corner of Central Avenue and Quail Street. The property encompasses two buildings and extends away from Central Avenue one neighborhood block. The buildings now holds a vitamin and supplements store, a laundromat, and a pizzeria.

Written by Molly Belmont

Honest Weight Food Co-Op Buys $1.35 M Building

The Honest Weight Food Co-Op, a local natural and organic grocery store, has purchased a new $1.35 million building on Watervliet Avenue, and plans to relocate to the new space in 2009.
The co-op has been at the current location on Central Avenue behind the Dollar General Store for 12 years, but it is beginning to feel "pinched" in the space, said Cindee Lolick, Operations and Administrative Coordinator.

The new location offers three times as much retail space, and will also allow the co-op to add a teaching kitchen, and a full-service deli, juice bar, coffee bar, and salad bar, Lolick said. Located on 2.8 acres, the new location will also provide more parking space for customers.
The entire process is expected to take 18-24 months, Lolick said. The building still has tenants until August. After that, renovation of the facilities will begin. The co-op is working with 3t Architects to create a design for the new space. The new location at 100 Watervliet Avenue will open late spring or early summer of 2009.
“We’re thrilled,” said Lolick.

ROAD WORK UPDATE

**New Work**
CENTRAL AVENUE I-90 bridge to King Avenue - MILLING & PAVING -
Beginning tonight and working Monday thru Friday 7PM to 6AM each night
for the next three weeks the City's contractor will begin to mill and
pave base course of asphalt. This week the work will be from the I-90
bridge east to Colvin Avenue. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in
each direction and all intersections will be maintained, controlled by
flag persons as necessary. The contractor will mill the existing
asphalt and then install new pavement. It is anticipated the work will
take twelve to fourteen nights to complete without a stoppage of work
for weather. Access to all business will be maintained. Delays are
expected during this work.

Everett Road Central Avenue to I-90 Bridge: The City's Contractor will
continue road repairs Monday thru Friday nights from 7PM to 6AM to
repair pavement joints and roadway median. There will be a single lane
closure in each direction during these hours.

Central Avenue - West City Line to King Avenue - Road reconstruction -
Utility Work continues through May 1, 2008
Gas Main replacement: The work hours will be from 6PM - 6AM each night
Sunday through Thursday nights. The contractor will be replacing the
gas main on the south side of Central Avenue starting at King Ave and
working west in the eastbound curb lane. A single eastbound lane
closure will be set up during the work hours. Additionally limited off
roadway work will be performed Monday - Friday during the daytime
hours. A sub-contractor will be repairing the pavement in the trench created
by the contractor installing the gas main. This work will occur Monday
- Friday from 9AM - 3PM.

Overhead utility replacement:
This work continues daily between 7AM and 7PM on Central Avenue
westbound between the west City line and Colvin Avenue. The contractor
for National Grid and Verizon is working off roadway to set new utility
poles. Minimal impacts to the eastbound traffic during this work.
Various other overhead utility companies will have right eastbound or
westbound lane closures between 9AM and 3 PM daily to relocated their
utility lines.

Rosen's Uniforms Expands Downstate

Rosen's Uniforms has expanded to Middletown, NY.

This second location caters to firefighters, police, and emergency personnel in the Southern tier, said co-owner Adrienne Scherzer. The third generation business saw an opportunity in the area when Middletown’s Tri-State Uniforms closed in July. The Rosen owners, Scherzer and her sister, Karen Krakat, kept Tri-State's knowledgeable, three person staff for a smooth transition. "They closed one day, we opened the next," Scherzer said.
Rosen’s Uniforms has been in business since 1929. Rosen’s has been located on Central Avenue, since their grandparents opened the business 78 years ago, Scherzer said.
The new location will feature the same excellent selection, in-house embroidery, and high-quality goods. The new location is also in a Middletown business improvement district, just like its Capital counterpart, Scherzer said.
The Middletown location opened August 1, and the official ribbon-cutting celebration will take place November 1.

Business news blog - Times Union Albany NY - The Buzz: Business news » School moving to Albany’s Central Avenue - timesunion.com - Albany NY

Business news blog - Times Union Albany NY - The Buzz: Business news » School moving to Albany’s Central Avenue - timesunion.com - Albany NY

Carmine’s New TV Show

CARMINE'S RESTAURANT

Be Part of the NEW Show!

Do you wonder what it is like to be on television? Well, here's your chance to find out. Our crew will be shooting LIVE here at the restaurant. That means if you make a reservation for lunch between 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. OR dinner from 4:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m., you just might be asked to be part of our live studio audience! Our television studio is right here at Carmine's Restaurant, and we will be taping segments for our upcoming season while guests are enjoying lunch or dinner. Call for more info, or to make reservations! 518 -458-8688

~Carmine
Carmine's is located at:

818 Central Ave
Albany, NY 12206
Phone: 518.458.8688
Fax: 518.458.2997