How winter is affecting businesses in Schenectady

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With winter months in full swing, some businesses in Schenectady said they're feeling that winter slowdown, while others said they've never been better.

Rich Sarnacki just opened Storied Coffee on Jay Street in Schenectady this past August. He said since opening, the winter has been a slower time for the business.

“I would say we’re less busy now because cold weather definitely keeps people away a little bit more," said Sarnacki.

Sarnacki said his Schenectady location is definitely getting more business than his first location in Scotia, but it is still less than he expected.

“I have found that the foot traffic is less than I thought it might be you know knowing about Jay Street, having grown up around here knowing the kind of traffic you have potential for," said Sarnacki.

Maureen Newfeld, executive director with the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation said this is a common trend they see in the winter months.

“The warm weather months or sort of mid-weather months are really really good for Schenectady," said Newfeld. "I would say that January and February are always a little bit of lull."

However, Newfeld said it really all depends on the type of business. Heather Lent owns the Bittersweet Candy Shop on Jay Street -- a store that has been selling homemade candy for the last five years.

“The worst for me is August and the best for me is winter time going between Christmas and Valentines day and stuff like that, but it's all cyclical." said Lent.

Terry Aldrich owns Backstage Pub in Schenectady near the Proctors Theatre. He said he also relies on the colder months, as well as the theater fans.

“It’s definitely seasonal for us, summer time is definitely a little bit slower for us, there’s not a lot of proctors shows and then people with patios they tend to go there," said Aldrich.

Both Lent and Aldrich reported seeing an increase in sales from last year. Aldrich said his sales are up about 1.5 times this year compared to last year. A heightened social media conversation around business in Schenectady sparked last week when one business owner, Aneesa Wahed took her concerns to Facebook.

Wahed opened Tara's Kitchen in Schenectady 13 years ago, but she said they've been struggling for a little over a year now. Her restaurant has locations in other cities such as Guilderland and Troy, but her sales have decreased about 18 to 26% in the last year, only in Schenectady.

“We really saw that trend continue to grow with a greater number in Schenectady, which was very alarming for us because Schenectady has always been our biggest location," said Wahed.

Wahed had about 200 comments on her Facebook post from people citing issues such as parking and safety, as to why they are not coming downtown as often. However, Aldrich said his customers have never expressed a parking problem.

“With somebody who technically doesn't have any parking and I have street parking that goes up to admission that’s usually full, I'm fine without it. There’s a lot of other lots," said Aldrich.

Newfeld explained that parking is free on the weekends and after 5 p.m. on the weekdays. Additionally there are kiosks which accept cash and credit for those who do not want to pay on the app.

According to Ray Gillen, chair of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, business has been thriving in Schenectady. He said five new office tenants moved into downtown in 2024 and a few new establishments opened as well. One restaurant on State Street, Zen Asian Fusion Lounge, closed in 2024. But Gillen said it was quickly replaced by another restaurant Ember & Cork.

The Schenectady Business Improvement Corporation also plans to hold more interactive events such as January's Soup Stroll for businesses to thrive. Up next, is Schenectady's Restaurant Week which will take place from February 24 to March 2.

Despite recent struggles, Wahed said she has no plans on leaving Schenectady anytime soon. However, she does want to come together and have conversations about what issues community members have brought to her attention.

“I think it’s about the entire downtown area supporting each other, coming together to support all of us," said Wahed.