SCHENECTADY Downtown scene is ‘making a comeback’Some merchants overwhelmed by success of recent events BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
If there’s such as thing as too much success, Schenectady is suffering from it this month. The Upper Union Street strawberry festival on June 9 proved so popular that vendors ran out of strawberries. The block party a week later at Katie O’Byrne’s drew so many customers that the bar sold out of three brands of liquor. Even the city’s newest event, a monthly Art Night, drew twice as many people as expected on June 15. Artists reported selling as many pieces that night as they’d normally sell in a week. Business owners said they were happy to be dealing with the problem of too many customers. “I was just smiling,” said Katie O’Byrne’s owner, Eddie Minahan. “For whatever reason I tapped into a market that was not there before.” He expected 1,800 to 2,000 customers during his block party, about as many as he had at the bar’s first party last summer. Instead, 2,800 people showed up. He ran out of Capt. Morgan’s rum. Then the Absolut Vodka went. Even the Jack Daniels sold out. He’d started with 90 bottles of liquor, certain that he wouldn’t go through all of them in one night. “When I got two cases of Jack Daniels, I thought there was no way — I thought I’d have a few bottles left. You know, there’s a lot of drinks in one bottle,” he said. “And then it was completely gone.” Luckily he’d decided, on a whim, to hire a third beer truck. “And we overload all the trucks because whatever we don’t use, they take back. So we didn’t run out of beer,” he said. Employees did have to get creative as the crowd grew. Anticipating long bathroom lines, they made both indoor bathrooms women-only. The men had to use the port-a-potties. At least Minahan had enough employees to handle the rush. On Union Street, Rich Watson was all alone when customers showed up en masse for the strawberry festival. Watson, owner of Piece of Heaven Candies, had signed up to offer chocolate-covered strawberries. He dipped what seemed to be a goodly number, then opened the store — and didn’t get another moment’s rest until the festival ended. The customers just kept coming. He spent the entire day dipping more strawberries as quickly as he could, running the cash register all the while. It got so busy that when his wife stopped by to visit, he drafted her to help out. Nearby, the farmer’s market sold out of strawberries. Then Gershon’s Deli, which was offering strawberry shortcake, also ran out. The owner made an emergency trip to Price Chopper to buy more, halfway through the day. “The strawberries were gone pretty quickly,” said event spokeswoman Joanne DeVoe. “It was our first strawberry festival, so you don’t know what to expect — but I think there were some other springtime events on Upper Union Street that didn’t go so well.” What made this one so different? “Maybe it’s a new Schenectady phenomenon,” she said. “Maybe people are rediscovering their hometown or coming in. There’s a new energy that maybe we need to catch up with.” But it’s risky to count on big crowds, DeVoe added. “These are smaller businesses. When they invest in a product, especially a commodity that can spoil, they’re cautious,” she said. “Next year, we’ll know better.” Organizers of the city’s monthly Art Night are already preparing for larger-than-expected crowds. About 500 to 600 people attended this month’s event, said Art Night coordinator Mitch Messmore. During the events, artists set up displays in vacant storefronts and bands offer live music. The goal is to showcase artists as well as encouraging customers to come downtown. One artist, who had just graduated from Niskayuna High School, sold $800 worth of artwork during the latest event, Messmore said. Another artist sold half a dozen pieces. “Most of them sell more than they’d sell all week,” Messmore said. He was also overwhelmed by the crowds at the first Art Night, which coincided with a sold-out Proctor’s show and the grand opening of Movieland. There were 3,500 to 4,000 people walking through the area that night, he said. “I was just standing there, eyes wide open. I don’t remember this many people downtown since I was a kid,” he said. “Schenectady’s making a comeback.”
Unfortunatly Senders you are correct. I don't know why the dems just come out with a political platform that says 'if you vote for us, your community will receive benefits. But if you vote rep, you will get nothing.' Simple as that. BK had the right idea...go give your sales tax dollar to another county cause we ain't gettin' nothin' for ours here!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I went to Jazz on Jay street yesterday,,,,it was nice,,,,I haven't been down there is about 10years,,,soooo many empty store fronts....very artsy-fartsy, we bought hotdogs from a vendor,,,bought some stuff at the bookstore,,,avoided the 'headshop'.....but the music was fabulous....the atmosphere needs----'just a little more something'....it is starting to look good....but those folks who used to 'live' there--will be moving to someother area where they can "avoid" the systems of society.....I just hope their next stop wont be Hamburg Street.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
There is still nothing down there to make me go! I need more of a draw. Bars and a movie theater just isn't quite enough. And I still do not feel safe there!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Went to Jazz on Jay again today...we ate at the sub place on the corner of jay and state.....music was awesome....farmer's market......next week we plan to have crepe's for lunch.....alot more folks this week,,,although it wasn't a holiday either.....very nice afternoon.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
An item here last year pointed out downtown Schenectady would get a boost from Joe Tullio opening a beauty salon at Broadway and Hamilton. Tullio is one of the Capital Region's premier hair stylists.
For many years, he has owned two shops at Crossgates Mall and one at Rotterdam Square.
Unfortunately, after just seven months, he decided to shut down the business located just a block from landmark Proctor's Theatre.
"There are plenty of office workers in downtown Schenectady, but we couldn't develop a walk-in trade," said Tullio, who began his hair career 33 years ago in Italy. "At day's end the office workers jump in their cars and head for home."
Also he said there was a lack of nearby parking.
Several times he paid customers' fines for meter overtime parking. "Some of customers living in or near Schenectady said they would stick with our mall salons. They wouldn't switch because they didn't feel comfortable coming downtown."
SCHENECTADY SummerNight gets city hopping BY LINDSAY GREENE For The Daily Gazette The chill in the air did not prevent people from coming downtown for a good time Friday night. “There is so much to do,” Maureen Strichman said. “The kids are having a great time.” Strichman, her husband and two children were enjoying the festivities of Schenectady County’s second annual SummerNight. There were smiles on the faces in the crowds and people everywhere were eating, waiting in line to get their faces painted and swaying to the music. State Street was blocked off between Broadway and the Courthouse, and stages were set up along the way. On the main stage there were performances by the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, Grand Central Station (the Capital Region’s showcase party band) and local blues legend Ernie Williams. Elsewhere there was comedy, a hypnotist, magic and puppet shows. And there was food, tons of it. While listening and singing along to the song “Respect,” Burt Taylor of Schenectady said he was surprised there were so many people out. “It’s really cool,” he said. He added that he thought the turnout would have been even better if it was a warmer night. But Mayor Brian Stratton said he thought the turnout was bigger than last year. “I think it’s a great crowd,” he said. “I think the word is getting out that Schenectady is hopping.” Others agreed. “We’re just enjoying the whole scene,” said Schenectady native Lisa Russo. The entire crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially the children. One of the biggest events for them was a show put on by The Puppet People called “Puppet Potpourri.” Kids of all ages sat on the pavement and watched the half-hour show that included a witch, knights and a big hairy orange creature with a heart-shaped tongue. “I want to see it again. It was awesome!” said Briana Davies, 7, of Rotterdam. But before she could think of it being over, she heard the Radio Disney folks say there was going to be a Hannah Montana singalong contest and she ran off with her parents on her heels. Others in the crowd joined in on the activities because they were waiting for the release of the new J.K. Rowling book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” at midnight. In an homage to Rowling and her boy wizard, sand artist Matt Deibert created a giant sand sculpture of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry right on State Street. “I wanted to create a Harry Potter theme,” Deibert said. “It makes the kids like it.” Deibert worked on the sand sculpture all day Friday and his hard work paid off. People continued to come up to him and ask numerous questions about it, some kids even asking if they could knock it down. But the majority of the youngsters were in awe. “Whoa!” was a popular reaction. “It’s amazing that he can do that with sand,” said Theresa Kaczor of Rotterdam. She was joined by her son Alex and their cousins, Allison and Sarah Wright, from Utica. All the kids were dressed up with capes on and Alex had a replica of Harry Potter’s wand that lighted up on the end. They had all just come from The Open Door Bookstore, which was hosting games and activities for the release of the new book, and they were all heading over to Movieland Cinemas to see the Harry Potter movie before getting the book. “We came here for the release of Harry Potter, but stumbled on this event,” Kaczor said. “It’s really nice.” After admiring the sand castle, they were off to get some food. The only suggestion from people to make the event even better was to get more vendors. Robert Cooke of Schenectady said he wished there was more variety of vendors. Overall, though, Cooke said he was having a good time and really enjoying the revived downtown area. “It’s come a long way,” he said. SummerNight this year coincided with Art Night Schenectady, a oncea-month gallery stroll through the city. Albany resident Gary Schumaker, who came to the SummerNight fun after visiting Union College’s Mandeville Gallery, said it was great for the two events to be on the same night. He said it was also great to see art and listen to music on the same night. While eating a plate of peppers and onions, he said “I’ve seen a part of Schenectady that I’ve never seen before and I think everyone is really enjoying themselves. It’s great.” BRUCE SQUIERS/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER A large crowd fills State Street in downtown Schenectady Friday night at Schenectady County’s SummerNight event. Pat Feri uses a unicycle on State Street to excite and entertain the crowd at Friday night’s Summer-Night in downtown Schenectady. BRUCE SQUIERS/ GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER
Back in the 50's that's the way State Street looked every Thursday night when the stores stayed open until 9pm. That's back b4 malls and there were good stores downtown where you could get quality clothers or anything else you needed.
Back in the 50's that's the way State Street looked every Thursday night when the stores stayed open until 9pm. That's back b4 malls and there were good stores downtown where you could get quality clothers or anything else you needed.
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