4/28/2021 ADHD & Autism Psychological Services and Advocacy Announces Grand Opening of New FacilityRead Now The New Hartford Chamber of Commerce welcomed new member, Dr. Andy Lopez-Williams and ADHD & Autism Psychological Services and Advocacy (AAPSA) on April 22nd during the Grand Opening of their new state-of-the-art facility for children with autism. The new facility on the Par Technology campus features an open concept which blends rich educational components with fun and exciting activities and learning opportunities for their clients. It boasts a new classroom, computer and technology space, arts and crafts area, and a functional play space that allows them to incorporate learning with everyday life skills.
Over the past 14 years, AAPSA has established itself as one of the leading assessment and treatment centers for neurodevelopmental disorders in the CNY region. Part of their mission is to educate the greater community about evidence-based practice, particularly emphasizing early diagnosis and intervention. A wealth of scientific evidence supports that treating autism in preschool years leads to much better outcomes. This new facility allows their team of highly-trained professionals to provide an intensive level of positive support to children with autism, teach new skills, reduce challenging behavior, and prepare each child for a successful transition into a structured educational setting. “AAPSA is incredibly excited about this new facility which will allow us to provide children in our community with the very best therapeutic, educational, and social experience!” AAPSA has offices in Syracuse and Utica and can be contacted by visiting their website at www.aapsa.net; followed on Facebook @adhdandautismpsychologicalservicesandadvocacy or by calling 315-732-3431. One week ago today, Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's celebrated "Community Day" which started with a Ribbon Cutting and welcome from our New Hartford Chamber of Commerce. The Zeina family pledged to donate 50% of that day's sales to the New Hartford Fire Department in support of the community in which they live.
Today, the chamber returned to Lafa's to commemorate the donation of $4,000 to The New Hartford Firemen's Benevolent Association. Joe Luker, President of the Association, graciously accepted the check from Albert, Elias and Layla Zeina, pictured above with Chamber President Mark Turnbull. In July 2016, the Zeina family was displaced from their home due to a tragic fire that left their house uninhabitable. Luckily everyone was safe and the structural damage was limited to the kitchen area. Lafa manager/owner Elias Zeina explains “The New Hartford Fire Department was quick to respond to the fire and were extremely empathetic during a challenging time for our family. We are honored to support this organization in any way we can.” Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s is a fast-casual “walk the line” Mediterranean restaurant specializing in completely customizable grain bowls, pita wraps, and salads, with ingredients prepared in small batches in an open kitchen. The menu features a variety of classic Mediterranean favorites such as hummus, falafel, taziki, shawarma, and baklava. As well as a selection of hand-crafted modern Mediterranean options such as lamb meatballs, red pepper sauce, and quinoa tabouli. Lafa is located in the Men’s Wearhouse Plaza at 4666 Commercial Drive, New Hartford and is open Monday-Saturday 11:00am - 8:00pm. For additional information follow Lafa on Facebook and Instagram or contact manager/owner Elias Zeina at (315) 606-5232. On Monday, April 19, Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s, a newly opened restaurant in New Hartford will be hosting a Grand Opening Community Day event. Fifty percent of Lafa’s sales on the day will be donated to the New Hartford Fire Department. The restaurant will be open 11:00am - 8:00pm.
In July 2016, the Zeina family was displaced from their home due to a tragic fire that left their house uninhabitable. Luckily everyone was safe and the structural damage was limited to the kitchen area. Lafa manager/owner Elias Zeina explains “The New Hartford Fire Department was quick to respond to the fire and were extremely empathetic during a challenging time for our family. We are honored to support this organization in any way we can.” Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s is a fast-casual “walk the line” Mediterranean restaurant specializing in completely customizable grain bowls, pita wraps, and salads, with ingredients prepared in small batches in an open kitchen. The menu features a variety of classic Mediterranean favorites such as hummus, falafel, taziki, shawarma, and baklava. As well as a selection of hand-crafted modern Mediterranean options such as lamb meatballs, red pepper sauce, and quinoa tabouli. Lafa is located in the Men’s Wearhouse Plaza at 4666 Commercial Drive, New Hartford and is open Monday-Saturday 11:00am - 8:00pm. For additional information regarding the Grand Opening Community Day event follow Lafa on Facebook and Instagram or contact manager/owner Elias Zeina at (315) 606-5232. The New Hartford Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that one of it’s newest members is opening this weekend…but they won’t be here very long! Upscale Resale Events is a pop-up children’s consignment sale that is located in the former Forever 21 location in Sangertown Square across from Dick’s Sporting Goods. The Chamber welcomed the unique business with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 16th.
Knowing how fast children grow out of their clothes and get tired of their toys, four working mothers decided to start their own business helping families have a clean, safe place to sell their no-longer-needed items and replace them with new ones. From this, Upscale Resale Events was born. Created by Tiffany Christian, Stephania Werchinski, Jessica Kurpiewski and Tracy Haven, Upscale Resale Events is a pop-up children’s consignment sale that will operate from March 18 through the 21st…and then again in August of this year. At the sale, shoppers will find everything they need for newborns through teen, sizes preemie through 22 and shoes sizes newborn through adult size 5. Maternity wear, outdoor toys, games, books, educational materials, arts & crafts, puzzles, decorations, furniture, feeding and bathing items, potty seats, safety items, bikes, bedding, strollers, swings, seats and TOYS, TOYS, TOYS for all age ranges will also be there. There is truly something for everyone. There is a special shopping event for new and expecting parents on Thursday, March 18th from 6pm until 8pm. The shop opens to the public on Friday from noon until 7pm; Saturday from 9am until 6pm; and again on Sunday from 9am until 2pm. Sunday will feature many of the remaining items being sold at half-price. For more information about Upscale Resale Events, please check their website at www.upscaleresaleevents.com/ or you can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. The New Hartford Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome its newest member, Rejuvn8 Aesthetics to its membership and to the New Hartford business community. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Monday, March 1st during their grand opening celebration. The new state-of-the art medical spa is located at 4848 Commercial Drive in New Hartford and is the company’s second location. Rejuvn8 has been providing med spa services in the Syracuse, NY area since 2015.
Rejuvn8 Aesthetics offers the very best in beauty and wellness treatments. Nurse Practitioners and Medical Aestheticians perform safe and non-invasive treatments that enhance one’s beauty. They work with patients to achieve their personal goals of a more youthful and refreshed appearance, and healthier skin. “Our team looks forward to serving both the New Hartford and Syracuse areas,” said Ryan McCarthy, NP-C, Director of Medical Aesthetics for Rejuvn8, and a national trainer in cosmetic injectables. “We are dedicated to helping our clients level-up in beauty and confidence by providing them the very best in medical aesthetics.” Rejuvn8 Aesthetics services will include Botox, Lip and Dermal Filler, Kybella, Skincare, and laser treatments. They can be reached by calling 315-451-9509 or by visiting www.rejuvn8.com. The Town of New Hartford houses nearly 1000 businesses and encompasses the hamlets of Washington Mills and Chadwicks, the Village of New Hartford and part of New York Mills. New Hartford has been a major commerce hub in the Mohawk Valley since the Seneca Turnpike opened in the year 1800. Every day, thousands of people travel to New Hartford to dine, shop, attend events and connect with service providers. The Chamber’s mission is to foster economic vitality and quality of life in the Town of New Hartford. For more information, please visit www.newhartfordchamber.com. The Chamber proudly welcomed Central New York Brain and Spine Neurosurgery to its membership on December 14th with a private ribbon cutting ceremony which gave chamber board members an opportunity to learn about their services; and also, the state-of-the-art technology they have brought to our community.
Led by world-class neurosurgeon Dr. Nicholas Qandah, AKA “Dr. Q”, the practice has an established reputation of excellence in Central New York as the leading back and spine doctor. Dr. Q’s clinical expertise and his ability to put patients at ease have made CNY Brain & Spine Neurosurgery the preferred practice for patients in Utica, New Hartford, Rome, Oneida, Herkimer, Amsterdam, Schenectady, Lowville and Canton. This past July, Central New York Brain and Spine Neurosurgery announced the installation of new scanning technology at their main location in New Hartford. The SIGNA™ Pioneer from GE Healthcare combines the advancements in MR with the sophisticated engineering of a 3.0T wide bore system. This new scanner provides a whole new level of patient comfort with adaptable designs and techniques that minimize scan times and improve image quality. This is another example of Central New York Brain and Spine’s commitment to providing their patients with the latest in diagnostic imaging technology. CNY Brain and Spine Neurosurgery is located at 83 Genesee Street in New Hartford, but also has locations in Rome, Lowville, Canton, Herkimer and Schenectady. They can be reached at 315-792-7629 or www.cnybrainandspine.com. The New Hartford Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomed its newest member, Alivana Aesthetics, to its membership and to the Town of New Hartford with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on December 10th.
Alivana Aesthetics offers a holistic approach to health and wellness, developing customized treatment plans that are based upon their patients’ physical characteristics and their unique aesthetic and cosmetic goals. They offer a full range of anti-aging, skincare, and general wellness treatments. Alivana Aesthetics is owned by Jennifer Baldwin, MSN, FNP-BC. Baldwin is an AANP certified Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience that spans the areas of Family, Occupational, Emergency, Wellness, and Aesthetic Medicine. Passionate about medicine to the core, Baldwin continued her education and received high-level certifications in nearly a dozen synergistic areas of aesthetics, functional, and wellness medicine after receiving her MSN. This included advanced training in Lasers, Medical Weight Loss, IV Therapy, BoiTe, Anti-Aging Skin Rejuvenation, Skin Care, and Master-level Certification in Neurotoxins and Injectable Fillers. “I first started shifting my medical career out of conventional medicine in 2005 when I co-owned a wellness spa with my sister for several years doing skin consultations, advanced facials and acne care, which all ignited my interest in the Aesthetic field of medicine,” said Baldwin about her early beginnings in the industry. Baldwin decided to launch her own business back in January not knowing that the looming pandemic crisis would have such an impact on her industry. “I finally decided to take the leap and go out on my own creating a business that would allow me to serve my clients in a meaningful way with a level of service that is a critical parallel to the care provided.” “Almost immediately, the pandemic hit causing me to move my services to a telemedicine and concierge-style hybrid platform constantly evolving to stay compliant with state health regulations. Behind the scenes, I built the brick-and-mortar location where I am currently practicing in beautiful New Hartford New York.” When asked how she chose New Hartford for her new business, Baldwin replied, “My desire to be in the New Hartford area started about two years ago. I am a competitive triathlete and suffered an athletic injury. I needed very specialized equipment and treatment that was only available to me in a limited number of places; one of which was at Function Better Physical Therapy in Yorkville. I got to know the owner who is a native to this area and spent a lot of time here. As I moved closer to choosing an area to open my practice, it seemed like a natural fit and I am extremely happy with the decision I made. I am excited to be a part of the Chamber as well as this community and look forward to growing my business in this beautiful area.” Alivana Aesthetics is located in the former Aspen Dental building at 4626 Commercial Drive, which is now being renamed for Baldwin’s business. A temporary banner currently hangs where a new sign will be erected in time for their open house slated for January 7th. More information will be available at www.alivana.com. Many businesses have closed this year as a direct- result of COVID-19, but there are a few exceptions, such as Rintrona’s Bistro, a new restaurant that opened on July 26th in South Utica.
The New Hartford Chamber of Commerce formally welcomed Rintrona’s Bistro to its membership and to the community with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. “Opening a new restaurant in the middle of a pandemic that has put many other restaurants out of business and adapting to the regulations has been a little difficult,” said owner Marisa Rintrona. Rintrona and the rest of her staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the new restaurant complied with the state’s COVID-19 regulations. “The result was a successful grand opening despite all the obstacles,” Rintrona said. “It’s very challenging, but we stick with the regulations as they change daily, and we just have to go with how times are now,” Rintrona said. Marisa Rintrona is not new to the restaurant industry, as she has more than 20 years of experience in several local restaurants. Her first job in the industry was at Carmella’s Cafe where she worked for seven years and learned about the foundations of the business. Rintrona comes from a family of business owners in the area, most specifically Rintrona’s Bakery and Verilli’s Market in East Utica. It was that family-oriented environment which Rintrona wanted to create in her new restaurant, making every customer feel like a “part of our family” as soon as they come in. Rintrona is also a big fan of sports, a passion that she showcases at Rintrona’s Bistro with decor inspired by all the New York teams. Rintrona doesn’t run her restaurant by herself, and she is proud to have her daughter Gianna’s assistance along with her boyfriend Fred Heintz and his two boys, Brady and Freddie by her side. “Family is a team, so when you come to see us, you are all family,” Rintrona said. The New Hartford Chamber is proud to have Marisa and Rintrona’s Bistro as it’s newest member and wishes them the greatest success in this new venture. Cousins Open Nothing Bundt Cakes in New Hartford
Pair is excited to share the second Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery in the state Jim Scarchilli and James Caiola are cousins by birth but say their relationship has always been more like brothers. With entrepreneurial spirits, the two men are excited to join forces to open just the second location in the state of New York. “Our community enjoys food whether it’s a restaurant, a bistro or a bakery, and we’re confident that after one bite, they’ll fall in love with these amazing Bundt Cakes,” shared Jim, who owns the local bakery with James. “Growing up in a close-knit Italian family from Frankfort, some of our favorite memories are those of sharing our grandmother’s bundt cakes at Sunday dinners, celebrations and family gatherings. So this is a natural fit for us.” The bakery officially opened on Friday (10/11) but will host grand opening festivities for the community in a few weeks (see details below). GRAND OPENING EVENTS Monday, November 4 5 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting with the New Hartford Chamber of Commerce Friday, November 8 The Ride for Missing Children Benefit Day – 20% of sales will be donated to our local chapter, dedicated to honoring the memory of all missing children and raising public awareness for child safety education Saturday, November 9 10 a.m. – Free Bundtlets for a Year – The first 50 guests on this day will win free Bundtlets for a year (one per month for 12 months, one card per household) 12-2 p.m. – Family Fun Event – Take the kids to enjoy activities and a’bundt’ant samples of their delicious cakes! Nothing Bundt Cakes is located in Consumer Square at 4759 Commercial Drive, Suite 200 and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The concept combines the warmth of nostalgia with a fresh, modern approach. The luscious cakes are made with the finest ingredients, including real eggs, butter and cream cheese, in 40 unique designs and 10 delicious flavors. Four sizes are available, including full-sized Bundts perfect for sharing; small Bundtlets, great for gifting; and bite-sized Bundtinis® by the dozen. Nothing Bundt Cakes was founded in Las Vegas in 1997 by friends Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz and offers premium, high-quality Bundt Cakes in a variety of sizes and classic flavors. There are more than 300 bakeries in 38 U.S. states and Canada and this bakery is the second in the state of New York. Nothing Bundt Cakes has been named to several prestigious industry lists, including Franchise Business Review’s “Top 50 Franchises” and “Top 40 Food Franchises,” Franchise Times’ “Fast and Serious” for four years in a row, and numerous local and regional vote-driven “best of” lists. The brand has also been featured by national media such as Entrepreneur, The Wall Street Journal and CBS’ “The Talk.” For more information about Nothing Bundt Cakes, visit www.nothingbundtcakes.com. The New Hartford Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the election of a new member of our Board of Directors.
Eric Bjornland has been serving as Membership Committee Chair and has been a major contributor to the growth the chamber has achieved so far this year. Eric is the President of Technology Innovations CNY and has over twenty years of experience in the office technology industry. His company provides custom printing, network and mailing solutions designed to integrate seamlessly into any business operation. His customers include many local companies but also serves universities, hospitals and nonprofit organizations between Albany and Buffalo. The Chamber is fortunate to have Eric driving our membership growth and we are seeking fellow chamber members to serve with him as Chamber Ambassadors. The Membership Committee meets once per month in a social setting to discuss growth strategies, conduct ribbon cuttings and develop connections to new members. Not a member yet? You can join today for as little as $50 per year for your in-town business at www.newhartfordchamber.com…or call Eric Bjornland at 292-2366! The New Hartford Chamber of Commerce is actively seeking new members for its various committees and yearly projects. Choose your favorite activity and share 1-2 hours per month with like-minded colleagues…and you too can help fulfill our chamber’s mission of Fostering Economic Vitality and Quality of Life in New Hartford, New York. |