ROTTERDAM Ferrara sisters open studio at new site BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net
When Terri Ferrara learned of plans to demolish Capitol Plaza, the only thing she knew for certain was that her father’s long-standing dance studio would remain rooted in Rotterdam. Little more than a year later, Ferrara and her sister, Lynn Ferrara, found a perfect location for the 52-year-old business just a short distance away from Interstate 890. The studio officially reopened this month in a small plaza off Hamburg Street, near the Fasula Boulevard intersection. “We would never leave the town of Rotterdam unless we were forced out,” Terri Ferrara said during a short celebration at the studio Wednesday. With the new location, the studio is easier to get to than when it was at the busy intersection of Curry Road and Altamont Avenue. The new spot also offers more parking than Capitol Plaza, to become a major drug store. “They think this is so much easier,” she said. “They take I-890, they get off and they’re here.” Supervisor Steve Tommasone said the relocation of Ferrara Dance Studios will add to the character of Hamburg Street as town offi - cials and business owners seek to breathe new life into the area. “You will be one of the critical points as we redevelop Hamburg Street,” he said. The Ferrara’s new studio isn’t much larger than their old one. However, it has an advantage over the former location in the basement of Capitol Plaza — a view of the outside. The sisters also brought with them many of the photos and banners that once adorned Jack Ferrara’s studio. With help from a neighboring business, the Ferraras were also able to move the sign that hung outside the studio in Capitol Plaza since the mid-1960s. “I think he’d be happy with this studio,” Terri Ferrara said of her father. “A little part of him came over here with us.”
This was in a publication of The Schenectady County Chamber's Fast Take.
Ferrara Dance Studio Choreographs a New Location
Fifty-two years ago, after completing his commitment to serve our country in the Army, Jack Ferrara dedicated the rest of his life to serving our community, by sharing the gift of dance through Ferrara Dance Studio. Today his daughters, now the owners, Lynn and Terri Ferrara continue his service at a new location.
The business began on Helderberg Avenue. In 1964 it relocated to Capitol Plaza on Altamont Avenue. The plaza is currently slated to be razed, and numerous tenants are in need of new locations. Ferrara Dance Studio will now reside at 2933 Hamburg Street, Schenectady.
"It's bittersweet," stated Terri Ferrara. "We grew up in that building, and it is rich with memories, many of my dad. However, our new studio is a dream-come-true. We have gorgeous windows, brand-new floors, abundant parking and a great central location."
Ferrara Dance Studio bases its success on a philosophy that the gift of dance should last a lifetime. Their students do not take part in competitions. Instead, their mature adult instructors foster relationship-building amongst students and dance as an enhancement to life.
Classes are geared to those from preschool to adult. They specialize in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, gymnastics and tumbling skills for cheerleaders. Hours are Monday-Friday, 4 until 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The public is welcome to tour the facility during business hours. The studio can be reached at 518.355.2631.
ROTTERDAM: Studio sashays to new spot Posted on: 10/03/07 Written by: Jessica Harding, Schenectady County Reporter email: hardingj@spotlightnews.com
Some people talk about turning lemons into lemonade, but others, like the owners of Ferrara’s Dance Studio, actually do it.
With the opening of their new space on Hamburg Street, owners Terri and Lyn Ferrara have made the best of a difficult situation that came about last year when they found out the Capital Plaza building, where they had rented space for nearly 50 years, was going to be demolished to build a Walgreens. The owners decided to make the best of it, reinvesting in the town and renovating space on Hamburg Street for their new studio.
“We never wanted to leave the town,” Terri Ferrara said. “This is the home of our father, and many of the families who come here.”
Terri Ferrara said the new studio is much nicer than the old one, which was in the basement of the Capital Plaza building. There were no windows in that room and a lot of wasted space, Ferrara said.
The new space used to be a warehouse, but now boasts two dance rooms and a spacious waiting area for parents, as well as new office space.
“The best thing about this place is we can have curtains and real plants. I love plants,” Terri Ferrara said.
The Ferraras also brought over a lot of pictures and mementos from their previous space, adding to the homey feel of the studio.
The new location off Interstate 890 is also more convenient than the busy intersection of Altamont Avenue and Curry Road. There is also a lot more parking.
Employees from the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce, including President Charles Steiner, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and local officials took the time to congratulate the Ferraras in their venture at the grand opening Wednesday, Sept. 26.
“We are excited you decided to stay in Rotterdam, and we are pleased to have a new business here on Hamburg Street,” Steiner said.
“I know a lot of families are excited that you decided to stay in the town,” Supervisor Steven Tommasone said. “A lot is going on right now in the area, and as business starts coming down Hamburg Street, this will be one of our focal points.”
The Ferrara Dance Studio has been in business for 52 years. The Ferrara sisters’ father, Jack Ferrara, started the studio.
The new space is located at 2933 Hamburg St. Ferrara Dance Studio specializes in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, gymnastics and tumbling skills for cheerleaders. They are open Monday through Friday, 4 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is welcome to tour the new facility. For information, call 355-2631.
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