The familiar red lifeguard chairs sit on dry-dock at Glimmerglass State Park and await deployment to Otsego Lake’s northern shore as the park puts out the call for workers who can keep the place operating during the busy summer season. Glimmerglass is open year-round, and its 2022 swimming season begins May 28, running weekends only through June 18, then adding weekday hours thereafter for the remainder of the summer. Storefronts, restaurants, hotels, inns, and family attractions throughout the Cooperstown, Oneonta, and surrounding areas are scrambling for full- and part-time employees as the region prepares for a busy summer tourist season and a hoped-for return to pre-pandemic levels — despite rising inflation and gasoline costs.
The Oneonta Theatre has been on the market for five years.
City Hall will seek $500,000 in state funding to restore the Oneonta Theatre, the former movie house at 27 Chestnut St. that has been on the market and unused for five years.
Mayor Gary Herzig received Common Council’s unanimous approval Tuesday, Jan. 5, to seek the money through the state’s Main Street Anchor Program aimed at restoring vacant buildings.
While there is no time-frame for approval or construction, Herzig said the priority is stabilizing the building.
“The theater is not only beautiful and vintage, it is a glorious piece of Oneonta’s history,” he said. “If the building could not be restored, it would be a loss that would never be recovered.”
Plans for the restorations would include maintaining the building as a theater. “It would be a place to have a variety of performances, including live stage and film productions within the community,” Herzig said.
He added, “It would increase the quality of life of our residents and also provide an asset and attraction to visit and possibly even relocate to the area.”
“We’re off to the races,” Herzig said as the motion passed.
He plans to complete the application prior to the Jan. 15 deadline. While there is no time-frame for approval or construction, Herzig said the priority is stabilizing the building.
“The theater is not only beautiful and vintage, it is a glorious piece of Oneonta’s history,” he said. “If the building could not be restored, it would be a loss that would never be recovered.”
Plans for the restorations would include maintaining the building as a theater. “It would be a place to have a variety of performances, including live stage and film productions within the community,” Herzig said.
He added, “It would increase the quality of life of our residents and also provide an asset and attraction to visit and possibly even relocate to the area.”
“We’re off to the races,” Herzig said as the motion passed.
He plans to complete the application prior to the Jan. 15 deadline.
Tyler, Jayden and Nathan Zakala prepare scoops for customer’s at the newly opened Adaline Ice Cream in Oneonta’s east end. The parlor, which is housed in the former location of Ed Hughs’ gas station, held a soft opening on Saturday, while crowds on Sunday were steady, with many people seen enjoying their desserts on the outdoor seating. Make sure to stop in and try some of their many flavors, all churned on site! (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
It’s only the first day at the Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans Thrift Shop and business is already bustling. “We had people here the moment we opened!” said volunteer staff member Emily Phillips, Oneonta, seen above tagging clothing. At right, Irene Bourgeois, Oneonta, takes care of customer Barbara Moore, New Lisbon, who was going home to bring them donations. Located at 4 South Main Street in Oneonta, next to Casey’s Barber Shop, the new store offers customers gently used and new clothing, household items, antiques, collectable items, jewelry, locally made crafts, gently used pet supplies and more! They are currently open Thursday – Saturday 12-6pm. All proceeds go to support Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit pet rescue registered with the New York State Department of Agriculture who just last year helped find homes for nearly 300 animals. “If we can get some well behaved puppies, we’ll bring them into the store!” said Phillips. “We will even have a wall of pet photos behind the counter of animals that people can adopt.”(Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)