February 28, 2022 Ticonderoga, NY – The Ticonderoga Revitalization Alliance is pleased to announce it has awarded the first Stuart Family Entrepreneurs Loan from its Entrepreneurs Fund to the Silver Bay General Store in Hague. Owners Paul and Joanne Budd will use the loan to expand their inventory and offerings for the coming summer season. The loan is named for the family of William and Helen Stuart, who donated the money to the Entrepreneurs Fund.
The Silver Bay General Store is the story of a successful transition of an Adirondack business. Sal and Kathy Santaniello owned the store for decades and raised their family in Hague. Sadly, Sal passed away in 2020. Kathy was ready to retire, so she put the store on the market in hopes of finding a way to keep this stalwart business going.
Enter Paul and Joanne Budd. Paul grew up on Long Island and visited Silver Bay every summer with his family. As an adult, he, Joanne, and their family continued to vacation in Silver Bay with his extended family, always going to the store for supplies and treats. Like many Silver Bay families, it’s “their place.” When the store went on the market, Paul and Joanne noticed, talked about it, then decided to take the plunge.
“Silver Bay, Lake George, and the Adirondacks always felt like a second home to me,” said Paul. “We already feel at home and like we are becoming a part of the community. We’re so excited and feel very privileged to carry on the tradition of the Silver Bay General Store. It’s an important part of this community and we hope to create great memories for our family and the next generation of customers. We’re hoping to put some new creative touches on things and that lots of people will discover or rediscover this wonderful little country store.”
Ti-Alliance welcomes the Budds to the community and to the Ti-Alliance “family” and congratulates them on their successful business transition.
The Ti-Alliance Entrepreneurs Fund is designed to stimulate economic growth and opportunity through gap financing for new and existing small businesses in the Ticonderoga Area. The Entrepreneurs Fund can assist motivated local applicants with very low-interest loans up to $20,000 and flexible terms. Business owners in Ticonderoga, Hauge, Crown Point, and Putnam are eligible to apply.
Ti-Alliance is an economic development non-profit working to develop business, employment, housing, education, and other activities that enhance the economy of the Ticonderoga Area and build a strong regional economic hub in the southern part of the North Country.
For more information about Ti-Alliance and the Entrepreneurs Fund, visit the official website at www.ticonderoga-alliance.org.