Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Inner Harbor aquarium project to begin with design phase
SYRACUSE — The upcoming $85 million Inner Harbor aquarium project will begin with the design phase. The Onondaga County Legislature narrowly approved the project in a 9-8 vote during its meeting of Aug. 2. Like the legislators who voted against it, some segments of the community believed county officials could’ve spent that money on other […]

Salina 1st project is under way with site remediation
SYRACUSE — The early work on the Salina 1st project, south of downtown Syracuse at 1081 S. Salina St., has focused on site remediation. Crews have been involved in site work and remediation because the property is a brownfield, Gail Montplaisir, a real-estate developer from Washington, D.C., working with Taurus Development Group, tells CNYBJ in

Cake Bar opens second downtown Syracuse location
SYRACUSE — Cake Bar, a local bakery and bubble tea shop that opened in The Salt City Market in January 2021, debuted a second downtown Syracuse location in August. Cake Bar opened its new café at 252 W Genesee St. on Friday, Aug. 12. The space, which was most recently occupied by the Bamboo House

Margaritas Mexican Cantina expanding in Armory Square & beyond
SYRACUSE — Just three years after opening, Margaritas Mexican Cantina is expanding its location at 203 Walton St., nearly doubling the restaurant’s space and seating. Alejandro Gonzalez and his business partner Jose Avalos opened Margaritas in September 2019. Gonzalez worked for years in the restaurant business before venturing out on his own. While born in

NBT Bank provides financing for transformative Syracuse projects
SYRACUSE — NBT Bank officials say they are excited about the revitalization taking place in Syracuse and their role in helping to secure financing for some of the projects. The Syracuse redevelopment and revitalization projects that NBT has participated in include the following three. Housing Visions: Winston Gaskin Homes Housing Visions, a regional nonprofit developer,
Vintage clothing business, Black Citizens Brigade, to open downtown store this fall
SYRACUSE — Black Citizens Brigade (BCB), a vintage clothing business featuring curated labels from the 1960s through 1980s, is getting ready to open a storefront in downtown Syracuse. BCB, owned by Cjala Surratt, has until now operated online and through local pop-up shops and events. The business is planning to open a brick-and-mortar store in

VIEWPOINT: How Ability to Reimagine & Reinvent Drives our Community Forward
As we have adapted to new work styles it’s clear that to cultivate a strong city center, we need to re-imagine our downtown as a place beyond the office. Our focus is on building vibrant communities that are great places for people to visit and to live. With the disruptions created by COVID-19, it’s easy to

City Center getting redeveloped for commercial tenants
SYRACUSE — The 280,000-square-foot downtown Syracuse building that was once home to the Sibley’s department store is receiving a visible makeover. The Hayner Hoyt Corporation of Syracuse has been working to redevelop the building at 400 S. Salina St. in Syracuse, which is now known as City Center. The structure is situated on a block

Luck Grove benefits from growth opportunities
SYRACUSE — Founded in 2008 by Michael Roberts, Luck Grove Telecom, Inc. enjoyed a bit of a low-key existence as a designer and construction contractor company for the telecommunications industry. Just a few years before the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was just ramping up its growth strategy with the hiring of Vincent Cioci as CEO.

JMA begins work with new HQ, 5G plant near downtown Syracuse
SYRACUSE — When President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act on Aug. 9, John Mezzalingua, CEO of Syracuse–based JMA Wireless Inc. attended the ceremony at the White House. In a statement after the signing, Mezzalingua described the new law a “critical step” in reestablishing American competitiveness in wireless technology. “Today, the enactment of
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.