Something looks (mostly) normal here

By Marlene McTigue

For Capital Region Independent Media

Around 50 members of the Ravena Coeymans Selkirk Community Business Association (RCS CBA) and their guests gathered last Thursday at Patrick Henry’s Waterfront Grill in Coxsackie to network and celebrate the recent success of their growing organization.

Since 2016, the all-volunteer organization has sought to be a catalyst for growth and prosperity in the RCS communities and has seen a recent uptick in interest from many fledgling businesses.

The group is starting off 2024 with some big wins. Since their first event of the year, a marketing seminar held at the RCS Community Library in January, nine new businesses have joined the organization, an all-time high for one month since the group’s early days. 

The association provides programming that informs and instructs membership, such as project management, insurance options for employers, getting to know your local school district’s budget and how it can impact your business, as well as tours of local member business in their effort to give members a greater understanding of the local business community. In the past, tours have included the Port Coeymans, TCI and Palliatech.

Though the event was all about getting membership together and having a good time, many local businesses volunteered their time and services to enhance the party atmosphere.

As attendees ascended the steps from the lower level of Patrick Henry’s to the second floor event space, they were greeted by a festive atmosphere.

In one corner near the bar, participants could don feather boas, hats and crazy sunglasses before they hopped up into 360 Photo Booth provided by 360 Photo Fun by R U Ready Events, free chair massages by Jessica Whitbeck of Body Balance Massage, and a chance to meet and have photos taken with Henry Bellagnome, the Capital District Tourism Gnome. 

Aaron Flach, a CBA member and owner/developer of Patrick Henry’s, The Wire Conference Center and the James Newberry Hotel, led attendees on a tour of the campus’ properties.

Long-time members took part in the fun as well as some new faces.

Eric and Nadia Busuttil of Brooklyn were in the area for the NYS Legislative and Business Conference in Albany. The couple’s business, O’Rita’s Roasters, is considering opening a Greene County manufacturing facility and decided to stop in.

“This is a phenomenal event,” Eric Busuttil said. “We were happy to participate and be involved. The space here is phenomenal. Our tour with Mr. Flach was phenomenal as well.”

Local business owner Jessica Whitbeck, who provided free chair massages, said participating in events like this is good for her business.

“It’s a great opportunity to connect with the community and talk about the health benefits of massage,” said Whitbeck, whose massage studio is located on Route 9W in Ravena. “Being a member of the CBA has helped grow my business in the community and connect with others as well. It’s so important to get to know the businesses here and having an association like CBA is something I’m very grateful for.”

While CBA leadership is working on the school budget review session planned for the upcoming weeks they also have another reason to celebrate. March will mark the launch of Discover RCS, a community and business attraction program years in the making.

According to Vice Chair Rebecca Flach, who spearheaded the project, “The goal at Discover RCS is to showcase the excellence of Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, promoting its finest attributes to generate interest and investment in our charming small towns.”

A kickoff party where members and nonmembers alike will be the first to see the new website and accompanying hard copy of the community business map is planned for the upcoming weeks. Check back in with the News-Herald to learn more.