ShopRite

Slingerlands Shoprite

Sprawl at work ... paraphrasing from the Times Union:

Four out of the five ShopRite locations opened about ten years ago, and although they initially moved into newly constructed buildings, the actual ownership of these structures lies with limited liability companies (LLCs) rather than ShopRite itself. These LLCs lease the space to the grocery company through long-term agreements. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the current entities managing these LLCs and whether they have any affiliations with ShopRite's parent company, Wakefern Food Corp.

Initially, Columbia Development, based in Albany, owned the buildings in Albany, Bethlehem, Colonie, and Niskayuna when ShopRite established its presence. Subsequently, Columbia Development has sold all these properties. Notably, the Bethlehem ShopRite building's LLCs have been enjoying tax breaks since the agreement's approval in 2011, with last year's tax break amounting to $44,188, as per the town IDA's annual report. It is interesting to observe that these tax breaks are scheduled to conclude next year, although the recent store closure does not impact their continuation, according to Bethlehem IDA Executive Director Catherine Hedgeman. The IDA is yet to receive information on whether a different business will occupy the vacated space.

In Colonie, Columbia Development projected that ShopRite would generate 335 jobs when applying for tax breaks. However, according to the state's WARN notice, only 99 individuals, along with five at the accompanying gas station, were employed when the closure announcement was made last month. Similarly, a decade ago, Bethlehem's location anticipated creating 300 jobs, but at the time of closure, only 114 individuals were employed.

 

August 26, 2015 evening

It looks like the clouds are dominating the night sky tonight as the temperature falls to 65. There is some moonlight filtering through the clouds but where I’m sitting out back I can’t see the moon through the trees. At 80% full, there is plenty of moonlight. Full moon Sunday. Crickets sing back and forth between trees in stereo and a train whistles in the distance.

Looking at 60 degrees for a low tonight and maybe some clearing if the persistent clouds finally give up. 5:44 AM is the civil twilight and sunrise is 6:13. Looks like 63 degrees and partly sunny for the morning commute. But if the current pattern continues, call it for more clouds then sun. Probably only going to get to 75 degrees tommorow.

Drove down to the park this evening. Finally getting around fairly well with my ankle. Probably won’t be hiking up any mountains for a few weeks or for that matter walking around the neighborhood but I’m at the point I’m not really depending on a hiking stick to walk. The sprain boot is uncomfortable to walk in but at one and half weeks from spraining my ankle I’m finally feeling like I may recover. I don’t have much pain at all anymore. I so look forward to walking around town again.

Not sure about the weekend now but I am really thinking of heading camping for one night, buying firewood in advance and keeping as much weight as possible off the one foot. With my truck camper, there really isn’t that much to set up, especially if I keep the lights simple. As I mentioned earlier Speculator Tree Farm and Mine Kill are on the short list. That said, I want my ankle to fully heal and don’t want to do any damage that could risk Labor Day Weekend or attending the Trappers Expo at Herkimer Fairgrounds, which I know at this point should not be on my agenda but I’m crazy and really want to go.

Friday morning I’m looking at that Remington 597 and making my mind up on the index fund buy. Opinions are mixed on that gun but I want to look at it more. 22 ammo is easier to get now. Probably kick in $250 in index funds, because I feel like now is a good time to get I’m – assuming the market doesn’t rally before Friday. If it does, I’ll wait for the October crash to score a better deal. I don’t care if it goes down after I buy – sure I’d like a better deal – but I’m in for the long haul. My investment account is primarily for retirement, but it’s beyond the regular tax exempt IRA that I try to max out yearly. I could do deferred comp but I don’t want to lock up too much money in a way that it’s impossible to access before I retire. I plan to move to a state without state capital gains taxes before I take any of the money out.

July 22, 2015 morning

Good morning, Happy Wednesday. It’s 70 degrees with clear weather and low humidity. Look for 80 degrees later with a small chance of rain.

Still chewing over the weekend. It would be nice to leave Friday night. But I don’t know. Saturday might also be fine, as I have a full week to travel. Saturday I could take the full day to drive and only cross part of the way to the Finger Lakes, taking back roads and visiting various scenic vistas and maybe stopping for some fishing. Night over at Long Pond or maybe Charles Baker.

Been thinking of doing some more grilling rather than frying when camping. The thing is I don’t really have a grill and while many campsites have grills, not all do. After giving it some thought, I decided I don’t really need or want a full barbecue, just a grill I can set on rocks or the fireplace, and just use some charcoal. That way it takes up little space and I can just burn up the charcoal with the rest of the campfire. I don’t want propane, as the refillable cylinders are big and heavy, and I refuse to buy the disposable ones. Charcoal probably tastes a lot better.