USHP Logo

Search




Newsletter
Events
Resources

Newsletter

Troy's Community Newsletter

Troy's Old And New Businesses

By Patricia Dumas

TUI's series on old and new businesses in Troy focuses in this issue on Broadway and Second Street. 0Clement Frame and Art Shop, a long established business, occupies the southeast corner and The Good Food Company is on the northeast corner.

The family-run Clement shop has been a presence on Second Street since 1967, previously having been housed in the Caldwell building on Second and State Streets, the site of two art business predecessors, Lewis Frame and Art Shop and Gunthers. Clement's moved to its present site in the spring of 1997, making it more visible to pedestrian trade and providing more room for the owners to host receptions for local artists.

Tom and Ray Clement and their mother, Mildred Clement are at the shop weekdays to assist customers with custom picture framing and with purchases from the shop's wide range of painting engravings, collector graphics, and antique prints. They also are available to refer customers to another branch of their family's art work, paper restoration. of such items as old maps and historical documents. That is the specialty of Dan Clement who is located outside the city. Another branch of the business is located in Albany, staffed by Ed Clement, the family patriarch.

Paintings by many well-known artists are on display at the shop as well as an extensive array of art work featuring local scenes. These include framed enlargements of antique post cards depicting Troy's riverfront and street scenes during the early part of this century.

In 1995, the shop owners commissioned artist Leonard Weber to paint a Townscape of Troy, a second edition of the townscape which the city commissioned the artist to paint in 1989. Copies of it in custom made frames have been featured during the city's annual Victorian Stroll.

The shop's emphasis on local scenes reflects the Clement family's appreciation of Troy's past and their confidence in its future. Tom Clement notes that things go in a cycle and as people tire of the mall scene, they will turn to the "mallternative" of small specialty shops. He terms Troy "small enough to be manageable" and sees it as having the potential to recreate much of what made it unique in the past. He praises the city administration's ongoing efforts to revitalize Troy.

Across from Clement's, The Good Food Company which opened in December 1998, is already expanding to serve a growing number of customers.

The shop is a division a Barrie House Coffee and Tea Company and represents the first time that company has operated a food service establishment in addition to its principal role as a product distributor.

Lisa Goldstein, head of the company's northeast region was instrumental in deciding to open the gourmet food shop and catering service in Troy. She was familiar with the site because the Barrie company which is headquartered in Yonkers, previously had occupied marketing offices on the upper floor of the Troy building.

Michelle Gander is the cook and on-site supervisor in charge of the food shop and catering. Eva Alund is the secretarial and business staffer. The shop offers a variety of hot and cold entrees and special pastries as well as the name-brand coffee and teas. With food items available either for eat-in or take-out, the shop attracts business lunch-hour and pedestrian traffic. Also featured are a variety of "breakfast specials" which are a favorite with early morning customers.

Both of the principal employees commute to work, Ms. Gander from South Glens Falls and Ms. Alund from Pittstown. They have found Troy to be a "friendly city" and are pleased with the new sidewalk and street improvements on Broadway.

The store has been closed during the last part of August and early this month while preparations are underway to offer full table service and an expanded menu. It is slated to reopen September 27.


In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation
Items published herein do not necessarily represent the opinions of Troy United Ink Corp., its officers or it's Board of Directors.

B a c k


  |   Uncle Sam's Home Page Project   |   POB 625   |   Troy, NY 12181   |   E-Mail   |

  |   Copyright © 1998   |   Contacts   |   Statue   |   What's New   |   Search   |   09/07/99   |