Revolving Door
People
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James (Jamie) Sabatier |
It’s westward, ho! for James (Jamie) Sabatier of Briarcliff Manor and his family, who will be relocating to Denver, Colorado. An investment advisor and former senior executive with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Sabatier was recently named president and chief operating officer of Destination Hotels & Resorts (DH&R), a leading hospitality management group comprising more than 40 independent hotels, resorts, and conference centers, including the Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center. Robert J. Lowe, Jr., co-president of Lowe Enterprises, the Los Angeles-based parent of DH&R, tapped Sabatier, who has 25 years of experience within and outside the hospitality industry, because “he is well-suited to guide DH&R through a new phase of growth.” During his tenure at Starwoods, Sabatier completed about 50 corporate and real estate transactions. DH&R is the third largest hotel management company in the U.S.
New Businesses, Relocations, and Operations
Blow-dryers will be humming, puppies will be barking, and chopsticks will be clicking throughout Mount Kisco, thanks to the leasing of 60,000 square feet of retail and office space by Admiral Realty. The following are just a few of the tenants: Indulgence Blow Dry Bar salon is opening on Moger Avenue, animal supply retailer Petco just opened in an 11,240-square-foot space on North Bedford Road, and Hito, an Asian eatery, plans to open on Main Street. Petco was represented by Brian Schuster of Ripco Real Estate. Aunt B’s Yogurt Bar has plans to open across from the Jacob Burns Film Center at 351 Manville Road in Pleasantville. We hope they’ll be open in time for summer!
Coifs and creameries are not the only categories on the move. East Main Street Counseling (also known as Brush Hollow Counseling) leased space in Mount Kisco, and the Behavioral Health Center is expanding its office space in Chappaqua.
We hear there’s a “rainforest” up in Chappaqua, too. WeeZee…World of Yes I Can is a new sensory play space for children ages one through 12. Founded by a child psychiatric nurse, Louise Weadock, whose own daughter has a severe sensory integration disorder, the 16,000-square-foot facility at 480 Bedford Road includes a rainforest/water experience, oxygen bar, vibration station, karaoke jam room, and a zen den. Private tours began on April 6; and the space is scheduled to officially open to the public on May 1.
Grand openings and expansions are not the only paths to business growth. The Gym in Armonk has a creative new model for using space and expanding its services beyond fitness training. The Gym subleased some of its 46,000-square-foot space to related businesses, including LV2Bfit, which is taking over the boutique on May 1, Escape Spa & Wellness, and ProClinix Sports Physical Therapy, and Chiropractic Wellness, all month-to-month tenants. The space was previously used by The Gym for its own fitness equipment and classes and the boutique and spa were self-managed. Additionally, Super Soccer Stars, Jodi’s Gym and Contenders Club New York rent space on an as-needed basis. Jamie Nicastri, general manager of The Gym, says this strategy enables The Gym “to focus on what it does best: delivering a high-quality fitness experience to all members and guests.”
The Gym did not divulge how much revenue these leasing deals generate, but says they “diversify its revenue stream” and “provide an additional funnel of potential members that will check out our facility and could become members.”
The former Border’s site, which is a 22,500-square-foot space, still sits empty. Carl Austin, President of Austin Corporate Properties, says “We have had a good deal of interest in the space and are in conversations with two or three prospects. It’s an important location in the village of Mount Kisco and we are determined to do the right thing for both the village and the owner, a New York City investor. The ownership has made a decision at this point not to break up the space because we want to keep the integrity of the unit, especially because we have had such good interest.” Austin continues to seek a major retailer and is working with Goldschmidt & Associates on leasing the space. Austin adds optimistically, “There has been an uptick in the economy and renewed interest in the Mount Kisco area.” He declined to reveal prospective tenants, although he said he has inquiries from bookstores, supermarkets, sports facilities, and restaurants.
Kudos
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Mark Levenfus |
Mark P. Weingarten |
Business leaders are still finding ways to give back to their communities. The UJA Federation of New York’s Westchester Business and Professional Division will honor Mark Levenfus of Scarsdale and Mark P. Weingarten of Golden’s Bridge at its 2012 Spring Luncheon at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase on Thursday, May 17. Levenfus has dedicated his time and talents to a number of non-profits, including Kids in Distressed Situations and the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. He is managing partner of Marks Paneth & Shron, an accounting firm with offices in Manhattan, Long Island, and Tarrytown, and Weingarten is a partner in the White Plains law firm of DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, LLP, and is active in the March of Dimes’ March for Babies, which raises more than $1 million annually.
Bizz Buzz
Mio-My-oh! About 140 Kraft Foods employees won’t be going to Chicago! The company’s beverage research and development group responsible for the creation of Mioliquid water enhancer will be staying put in Tarrytown. According to company spokesman Michael Mitchell, “Other Tarrytown employees—about two hundred twenty-five—who work in the beverages business unit and desserts R&D will be relocating to the Chicago area (Northfield, Illinois) as the North American grocery business consolidates its management centers.” Why did the lucky beverage crew get to remain in Tarrytown? According to Mitchell, “Management determined it would be best to…maintain continuity for this team.” Senator Charles Schumer and County Executive Rob Astorino were, according to several news reports, lobbying Kraft executives to preserve the company’s Westchester workforce. Speculations about tax breaks and financial incentives could not be confirmed.
Hot Properties – 914INC.’s commercial real estate showcase
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Property: Commercial building lot in Peekskill
922 Main Street
Peekskill
Brokered by:
NAI Friedland
Ryan Shay
rshay@friedlandrealty.com
Availability: 25,018 square feet of land for sale and approved for a three-story development. Buildable to 90 percent coverage. Asking $560,000. The city would like to see retail on the ground floor, with artist work/live lofts above. Ground was broken, but was halted due to financing issues.
Selling Points: Up-and-coming area for artists and retailers. A small-scale developer could create an investment opportunity.
Downside: Restrictive zoning that only allows for artist live/work. Developer must have vision and patience during the “renaissance” of the area.
914 Datebook
THURSDAY, 4/19/12
Business Council of Westchester Hall of Fame Ceremony, 5:30 pm, Glen Island Harbour Club, New Rochelle – The Business Council of Westchester will induct the Class of 2012 to its prestigious Hall of Fame. Cocktail reception and dinner is $250. Register at http://events.westchesterny.org/sbaweb/events/events.asp?&id=1&wpid=-101&details=true&cale_id=526&newsession=FALSE&sid=15471192
The Yonkers Downtown BID will hold its Sunrise-to-Sunset Yonkers Downtown Business Seminar at the Grand Roosevelt Ballroom in Yonkers. It’s a free, daylong seminar on topics including financing, marketing, advertising, public relations, and social media, as well as a networking event after the final discussion panel. Deadline for registration is April 18. To register, call Jessica Ardrey at (914) 969-6660, or email jardrey@YonkersDowntown.com.
TUESDAY, 4/17
Get happy with other young professionals at the Westchester County Association’s Young Professionals Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Ron Blacks in White Plains. No pre-registration required.
MONDAY, 5/7
Professional Women of Westchester can teach you The Benefits of Blogging for Your Business from 6 to 8pm at the Crowne Plaza at 66 Hale Avenue in White Plains. Local bloggers Stacy Geisinger of StacyKnows; Dagmar Bleasdale of Dagmar’s Momsense; and Liz Nunan, vice president of global business development for Houlihan Lawrence, share their wisdom. Panel will be moderated by Lisa Kaslyn of Prosper Communcations. $15 for members; $20 for non-members. Cash bar with appetizers included. Pre-payment is required. Register online at professionalwomenofwestchester.com.
THURSDAY, 5/10
Businesses can add social media to their marketing menus as the regional development director of Constant Contact will speak at Plates restaurant at 121 Myrtle Blvd in Larchmont about Social Media Made Simple. The lunch and program is $25. Networking begins at 11:30am, with seated luncheon, presentation, and dessert following. RSVP at: constantcontact.com/local/newyorkmetro/events.jsp?template=day&trumbaEmbed=date%3D20120510
FRIDAY, 5/11
The Westchester Children’s Museum is holding its annual benefit at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, in White Plains at 7pm. Event honoree is Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. Tickets are $200 and discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. RSVP to rsvp@discoverwcm.org or (914) 421-5050.
WEDNESDAY, 5/16
Be entertained, mingle, and educate, as you listen to Broadway star Christine Andreas, starting at 6:30pm. The fundraiser at Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill is called “Sing for Scholarships,” and contributions go towards Westchester Community College’s scholarship program. Tickets are $300. Call (914-) 600-6558 or visit sunywcc.edu/aboutwcc/wcc_foundation/foundation_events.htm.
THURSDAY, 5/17
A panel of experts will discuss “How the Coming Health Care Exchanges Can Impact Your Business” from 11:30 am to 2 pm at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown by the Westchester County Association. Event sponsors are Compufit, Inc., Mahopac National Bank, and Mercy College. For details and to register, go to westchester.org.
TUESDAY, 5/22
Breakfast with Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore from 8 to 9:00am, as the Westchester County Association’s “Political Friday” moves to a Tuesday for this special event, sponsored by Paraco Gas. It will be held in the executive dining room at 1133 Westchester Ave. Register at westchester.org
MONDAY, 6/4
The Westchester County Association’s Young Professionals group meets at Captain Lawrence Brewery at 444 Saw Mill River Rd, Elmsford. The meeting will include a special presentation by Scott Vaccaro, founder of Captain Lawrence. Sponsored by J.H. Cohn and Northwester Mutual-The Seery FinancialGroup. Registration limited to 100. Go to westchester.org/article.php?a=156.
MONDAY 6/11
Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s 35th Annual Golf Classic, Mount Kisco Country Club, 10 Taylor Rd, Mount Kisco, 8:30 am – 8 pm – Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning will host this event, featuring some of the best blind golfers in the U.S. Details are at guidingeyes.org.
Do you have tips, scoop, or gossip concerning business in Westchester? If so, our new INComing blogger, Nancy, is all ears-please email her at 914incoming@gmail.com.
