The concept for the Capital Region Ujamaa Market predated the coronavirus pandemic, but the health crisis and the economic downturn it caused – as well as a national focus on social justice and equity – crystalized the need for an effort to support and showcase local Black-owned businesses, according to the market’s founder, George Lopez, […]
Tag Archives: Back To Business
Back To Business: Capitol District Supply
March 30, 2021 – 1:57 pm
Selling plumbing, heating, kitchen and bath supplies and fixtures is a very hands-on process. Contractors need to come and pick up their orders, residential customers need to come into the showroom to consult with designers and select their preferred products – from cabinets and sinks to toilets, tubs and showers. At least, that’s how it […]
Back To Business: Betty Boop’s Diner
February 23, 2021 – 12:28 pm
Teresa Soto is a people person. That’s what drove her first career as a nurse’s aide – a position she held for most of her adult life, until a series of neck and back injuries sustained while lifting elderly people in and out of bed finally forced her to retire. “I love elderly people, I […]
Back To Business: Healthy On Lark
February 11, 2021 – 11:59 am
Sharon Lastique, a certified health coach and owner of Healthy On Lark vegetarian restaurant, noticed a trend amongst her customer base during the early days of the pandemic lockdown: Her regular patrons were conflicted. They wanted to boost immunity and stay healthy, especially as they were stuck indoors (often with children) while simultaneously getting less […]
Back To Business: Peelz On Wheelz
January 21, 2021 – 2:17 pm
In 2012, Darlene Herbert had a vision. A fleet of aestheticians, all clad in crisp white coats emblazoned with her company logo, carrying sleek silver cases filled with products and a fold-up high-backed chair, deploying across the Capital Region to deliver elite skin care services to clients in the comfort of their own homes. And […]
Back To Business: Emack & Bolio’s
January 5, 2021 – 1:55 pm
Amy Riddell is living her childhood dream. As far back as she can remember – “basically since I was about four, since my first Mister Softee,” she says – Riddell wanted to own an ice cream parlor. “I carried a book about the best ice cream in the country, and when our family went on […]
Back To Business: Irish American Heritage Museum
December 30, 2020 – 2:49 pm
Since last February, 21 Quackenbush Square has been home to the nation’s only Irish American history museum, where visitors can learn about the cultural and historical experiences and contributions of people of Irish heritage in the Capital Region and across the U.S. You could be forgiven for not knowing about this hidden gem in the […]
Back To Business: Lark Street Mercantile
December 16, 2020 – 12:10 pm
Opening a new business takes a lot of time and planning. Entrepreneurs work months – even years – to get everything ready for opening day: Financing, building, purchasing and more. The momentum, once it’s underway, is hard to stop. Brandon and Michelle Whittall know this first hand. They were building out Lark Street Mercantile, their […]
Back To Business: Palace Performing Arts Center
December 8, 2020 – 12:42 pm
The pandemic has taken a significant toll on the performing arts. While movie theaters and museums have been able to reopen with new public health protocols – although many have opted not to do so – live performances of music, plays and dance are still not allowed. Albany’s Palace Theatre went from hosting more than […]
Back To Business: Historic Albany Foundation
November 30, 2020 – 10:15 am
The coronavirus pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for every business and organization. But some, through a combination of ingenuity, creativity, adaptability and a little luck, have managed not only to survive, but thrive during this unusual time. That has been the case with the Historic Albany Foundation, which has been advocating for, and educating people […]
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