Clinton Chamber Small Business Highlight

A'Peel Day Spa
2 Fountain Street, Suite 103
Clinton, NY 13323
315-794-6532
apeeldayspa.com

1. How long have you been in business? 6 years

2. What do you love about your work? My job is very rewarding in many ways. I love having the opportunity to meet such great people up close and personal. I have met some wonderful people and clients who have turned into friends. I love the excitement from my clients when they enjoy their treatment and when they use my products and see the results.

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?
Support those people in your community who took a risk to follow their dreams and do their own thing. When you shop local and support small businesses it has a direct positive impact in your community.

4. How does your business give back to the community? I have supported local organizations and charities by donating baskets, gift certificates, etc and have helped to raise money and awareness to a variety of causes in a variety of ways. I like to help my community as much as I possibly can.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? I offer a variety of spa services and waxing but I also sell Eminence Organic Skin Care Products. These products are created with the finest, natural, organic and Biodynamic ingredients. Also, Eminence Organics plants a tree for every retail product sold, allowing us to support communities in developing countries.

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? A gift certificate to A’Peel Day Spa makes a wonderful gift for anyone on your list. I also have a variety of stocking stuffers and gift baskets available at the spa.

Dawn Marie's Treasures
13 College Street
Clinton NY 13323
315-796-9099
www.facebook.com/Dawnmariestreasures

1. How long have you been in business? 14 years, 12 years on West Park Row and 2 years on College St.

2. What do you love about your work? We love the mix of vintage & new. We like repurposing items from our past. We also love seeing how excited our customers get when they find something they love. It’s a very rewarding job.

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?
We’ve noticed especially since Covid, how important it is to our customers to shop small. They tell us that they make it a point to shop small. We really appreciate and are thankful for our wonderful customers over the years.

4. How does your business give back to the community? We choose a charity every year to help support, whether it be helping women, families, children and our wonderful animal shelters.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? Our items are not just delivered to the shop unless they are new, Alan & I spend a great deal of time picking out unique one of a kind items for the shop. Several items do not make the cut. Items certainly have changed with the times over the years.

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? Vintage Rick & roll vinyl albums, mid century Barware, jewelry is a huge seller, and many other items.

CNY Green Bucket Project
PO Box 394
New Hartford, NY 13413
315-922-0642
cnygreenbucketproject.com

1. How long have you been in business? It will be 4 years in March that CNY Green Bucket Project has been running

2. What do you love about your work? Helping the Earth and helping people who love to help the Earth

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?
In order to make food scrap collection a bigger scale it must start small and it must start locally.  If people aren't interested in it being a small business, there is no potential for it to grow.

4. How does your business give back to the community? We help our clients and the communities we live in as much as we can, serving the world through the people we serve.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? We have saved over 48,800 pounds from the landfill so far!

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? Ask to sign up starting at the low 2021 rates and keep them until July 2022!

The Cremeria
17 College Street
Clinton, NY 13323

315-967-3336

www.thecremeria.com

1. How long have you been in business? 2½ years

2. What do you love about your work? We love watching our customers smile and enjoy our gelato as much as we do!

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small? Supporting small businesses not only helps to boost our local economy and employment opportunities, but also creates a greater sense of community, work ethic, and pride in our small towns.

4. How does your business give back to the community? We make donations to local community-oriented organizations.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? We're open year-round, except for the month of January.

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? Gelato tokens! They're small wooden nickels that are redeemable in our shop for one small gelato.

Daughter For Hire
315-725-2955
www.daughter-for-hire.com

1. How long have you been in business?  9 years! We opened our door in December of 2012 and in 2017 we expanded our footprint to cover the Capital District area as well.

2. What do you love about your work?  As the Director of Client Care for the Mohawk Valley, I love that I am in a position to help our senior community by providing compassionate and dedicated caregivers who make it possible for our clients to stay in their homes as they age. Building relationships is important to me as well, and being in this position allows me to do just that with our clients and their families. I love that every morning I wake up excited to go to work because I have the opportunity to help make a difference within our community. 

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?  When our community uses a small business for services like ours, all dollars remain local.  We employ local caregivers and office staff and those salaries are invested back in our community. 

4. How does your business give back to the community?  We partner with our local County governments to assist seniors in need, who may not financially be able to afford help.   Our caregivers are trained to work with seniors who are afflicted with Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses.  This provides help for those seniors directly as well as respite for their family members.  

5. What's something people might not know about your business?  We're all about socialization!  Yes, we grocery shop, provide light housekeeping and medication reminders.  But most people are surprised to learn that we love to take our clients to the Wellin Museum, a baseball game, a walk through Root Glen, out for car rides, and out for dinner.  Our role is to keep our clients' lives fulfilled!

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business?  Gift Certificates!  They are available in any amount and can be ordered by phone by calling 315-725-2955.  

Lucianna's Boutique

West Park Row
Clinton, NY 13323
(315) 381-3614
Luciannasboutique.com

1. How long have you been in business? I’ve been in business 2 1/2 years. 

2. What do you love about your work? I love meeting new people daily and creating relationships with them. 

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small? So many reasons but one of my favorite is the one on one service you receive that you can’t get from big box stores or shopping online. 

4. How does your business give back to the community? Most recently we have worked with the United Way collecting hygiene products they distribute locally to those in need. 

5. What's something people might not know about your business? We have a large online following and ship to people all over the country. 

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? We have so many non-clothing items; Things that are unisex like mugs, ornaments, wood bookmarks, candles, something for everyone! 

Soul Stop

8 College Street
Clinton, NY 13323
315-725-7314
www.soulstop.clubready.com

1. How long have you been in business? Soul Stop opened its doors three years ago.

2. What do you love about your work? We get to help people identify and reach their fitness goals along with some time for stress management and socializing.

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?

Small local businesses help promote a positive community and build relationships.

4. How does your business give back to the community? We help promote physical and mental wellness within our community. We participate on several community boards including Clinton Central Schools Wellness Committee.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? We host health coaching workshops and are available for private specialty classes. This fall we had a pumpkin patch yoga class and a brides ride for a bride to be and her bridesmaids!

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? Everyone is always looking to start the year healthier! A gift certificate for exercise classes is a great gift for anyone you care about in your life.

Strategic Financial Services

114 Business Park Drive

Utica, NY 13502

315-724-1776
https://investstrategic.com

1. How long have you been in business?
 Strategic Financial Services was founded in 1979 by Alan R. Leist Jr. The firm launched from a one room office in the old Mayro Building in downtown Utica, NY.

2. What do you love about your work?
Strategic is an innovative company of good people investing heavily back into the community where we live and work. Together, we get to work with amazing clients and community partners to build a brighter future.

 
3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?
Communities are strongest when its members support each other and nurture growth. And we are in luck because our area is so rich in amazing local retailers to choose from!

 
4. How does your business give back to the community? We know that when business is done right, it has the power to change lives and strengthen communities. Strategic gives back in two primary ways: financially to impactful charities and local projects and by volunteering our time and expertise. This is guided in our core principles to Serve, Grow and Live.

 
5. What's something people might not know about your business? Strategic is a Registered Independent Fiduciary Firm. This means that we are legally and ethically bound to put our client’s best interests first. As such, Strategic is a fee-only firm which means we are only paid on the amount of investable assets we manage for our clients.

 
6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? Talk to your loved ones about their financial future and encourage them to meet with a professional to ensure that they have the support and resources they need to live their vision for a great life! Even better…do it over a coffee @uticacoffeeroasters or pizza @alteris or a glass of wine over @Nolasinclinton. 

Tom's Natural Foods
16 College Street
Clinton, NY 13323
315-853-6360
https://www.facebook.com/tomsnaturalfoods/

1. How long have you been in business? We have owned the store since June 2020, but the store has been in Clinton since June 1972.

2. What do you love about your work? I enjoy getting a little too deep at the register.

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small? Keep money in the community.

4. How does your business give back to the community? By offering great staple products within walking distance, making Clinton a very liveable village.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? We have a great selection of local organic meats.

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? Many of our products would make great gifts, little snacks and local items that represent our area.

TRand Art Studio & Gallery
84 Utica Street
Clinton, NY 13323
315.527.4774
www.trandart.com

1. How long have you been in business? I just celebrated my first decade in business earlier this year - I can't believe it's been that long already!

2. What do you love about your work? I absolutely love sharing my work with our community - whether it is the Beatles mural on West Park Row, teaching painting and printmaking classes at the KAC, or walking by my 'Famous Mugs' series at the Clinton Pottery, it's good to know we live in such a vibrant little village.

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?
There are so many upsides! I love shopping in Clinton because when I walk into Alteri's or Agway and The Compound or The Cremeria - they all say 'Hi Tim, how's it going today' and that makes me happy. Shopping Small gives your gift a story and a face and a name, and that's pretty cool in my book.

4. How does your business give back to the community? Last year was rough for everyone, but lots of people wanted new art on their walls. I was blown away by the response to my Life Is Sweet raffle and happy that I was able to raise money towards pandemic relief at a local food pantry. I also try to promote wonder and beautify our village with projects like the mini murals at the outdoor seating area on West Park Row. It's so much fun coming down to town with my paints and talking to people who stop to chat and ask what I'm doing. 

5. What's something people might not know about your business? I think walking into a home-operated business like mine is definitely stressful or intimidating to a lot of people - I have that conversation a lot and I totally get it! The best way to visit is to just email me (talexanderart@gmail.com) and we can set up a time that works for you. It's cool if you want to just swing by to see my work or lots of people want to know if I do custom commissioned work for the holidays and have specific ideas - I do! There's a three room gallery downstairs and a typical studio visit lasts anywhere from five minutes to half an hour. You can also purchase my work at my online shop at www.trandart.com, and join my newsletter so you get to see new works!

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? Art is always a fun gift to give. It brightens your home every single day and takes you away. I've done a lot of new art this year and worked on several new series including my Life is Sweet and Fish Out of Water series. You can buy prints or originals this year starting at $30 and up and I'm really excited about my new printmaking products. Check them all out at www.trandart.com or call/text 315.527.4774 or email talexanderart@gmail.com with any questions! I'm located at 84 Utica Street in Clinton.

Utica Coffee Roasting Company
1 West Park Row
Clinton NY 13323
315-272-2358
www.wakethehellup.com

1. How long have you been in business? 15 years

2. What do you love about your work? Helping our community

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small? You get to really know your neighbors and the money stays local

4. How does your business give back to the community? Everyday we put into practice our belief that our community can be revitalized through responsible business development.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? We are not just a cafe, the cafes only make up 25% of our business, we do fundraising, wholesale and ship coffee nationwide. This year we shipped to literally every state in the country.

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? Our gift boxes that can include coffee and lots of local products!

Utica Bike Rescue
8 College Street
Clinton NY 13323
315-525-9554
www.uticabikerescue.org

1. How long have you been in business? 
Since 2013

2. What do you love about your work? The opportunity to serve the community

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?
More money stays local

4. How does your business give back to the community? We are a non-profit community bike shop that provides bicycles, bicycle repair, and maintenance instruction with a focus on individuals and families with limited financial resources. We also partner with local service organizations and agencies to provide bicycles to the families they serve.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? We offer mobile bicycle repair service at your home or place of business. Call/text 315-525-9554, email info@uticabikerescue.org or reach out in FB Messenger to schedule.

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? A refurbished bike. We have a lot of kids bikes available for well under $100, most are $50 or less. All bikes get fully refurbished and are in 100% working order. Call/text 315-525-9554, email info@uticabikerescue.org or reach out in FB Messenger for more info.

Ward Arcuri Foley & Dwyer

(315) 797-7300

www.wardarcuri.com

1. How long have you been in business? The Firm has been in business for 15 years.  We have added two partners earlier this year as well.

2. What do you love about your work? The opportunity to meet to members of the community and help them solve their problems.  There is nothing more rewarding than a client leaving our meeting saying that we have relieved all of their stress.

3. What's the importance of Shopping Small?

Small businesses are the heart of our community.  Money spent at small businesses stays here!  This is the key to a strong local economy.

4. How does your business give back to the community? In addition to supporting many local charities, our team serves on almost a dozen local Not-for-Profit Boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, ARC, Kelberman Center, UCP and the Utica Zoo.  We also volunteer time in the community and our schools.

5. What's something people might not know about your business? We have offices in Clinton, New Hartford and now Old Forge, and we have an office in New York City.  We will also be opening an office in Naples, Florida in 2022.

6. We're coming up on the holiday season - what would make a great gift from your business? A gift to our business: A smile (when masking isn’t required  ) and a friendly wave! A gift from our business: Just ask … we are always happy to assist our friends and neighbors.