Glens Falls Collaborative History
The Glens Falls Collaborative, Inc. was initially formed in 2012 by owners of Sterling & Co., Trampoline Design, Scoville Jewelers, Fountain Square Outfitters and UnCorked Glens Falls to cross-promote and increase traffic to Glens Falls shops.
The corporation was formed by Matt Fuller as the incorporator, and the first board members were: Rich Cirino, Mark Fleischer, Christina Kaidas, Amanda Magee, Derek Slayton, and Paula Slayton.
Working with then City of Glens Falls economic development director Ed Bartholomew and Mayor Jack Diamond, the Collaborative was funded with assistance from the above businesses, and also a significant advertising grant from the City. Branding and design work for the organization and events was done by Trampoline Design, and early marketing initiatives included two billboards; one on Route 4 in Whitehall and one on I-87 as well as a series of print ads. The Collaborative ran a series of print ads in the Chronicle that featured business owners. Some of the ads still hang on the walls at Fountain Square Outfitters. There was also a Downtown Glens Falls Facebook Page, started by Kate Austin and gifted to the group.
Take A Bite was started in 2011 by George Normandin, Amy Collins and Chris Scoville under the umbrella of the BID, then subsequently handled in 2012 by the Collaborative, with Candice Frye and Chris Scoville at the helm. The BID provided funding for the event while the Collaborative carried it out.
Sara Mannix hosted a website for the Collaborative on glensfallsregion.com that included microsites for GFC members.
The 2012 event lineup included Stew Fest, Boo2You, Take A Bite and Hometown Holidays.