Breaking Ground in Lake George: Mountain’s Edge, The Area’s Newest Community of Fine Homes Set Between the Mountains and the Lake

WWW.MOUNTAINSEDGEATLAKEGEORGE.COM

LAKE GEORGE, NY – Construction has just begun at Mountain’s Edge at Lake George: the area’s newest housing development, just a half-mile from Million Dollar Beach. The picturesque 14 acre-site offers 16 uniquely carved private lots ranging from .47 to 1.48 acres each and custom homes will share a modern Adirondack style and high-end finishes.

The site’s developers know exactly what today’s buyers are looking for in a new home. Local top REALTORSÒ and real estate developers, Gerald Magoolaghan and Heather Willig, saw the potential in this existing subdivision with the road, power, utilities already being in place. They closed on the deal in March 2022 and conceptualized this new community together using their collective vast market expertise.

“Our goal was to create a neighborhood of fine homes where people can enjoy the year-round benefits of the Lake George lifestyle but maintain their privacy and feel part of a community,” explained Magoolaghan. This new project comes on the heels of completion of Magoolaghan’s last successful real estate development, Schuyler Hills, a 28-lot subdivision in Saratoga.

The pair chose Kodiak Construction out of Saratoga Springs as the site’s builder for both its fine craftsmanship and exceptional reputation in the market.

“We’re thrilled to work with Kodiak on these homes,” Willig shared. “Their attention to detail and use of high-quality finishes and natural materials are just what we envisioned to bring to market here in Lake George.”

The home designs offered feature modern design with a subtle Adirondack style and efficient floor plans ranging from 2,000 square foot ranches to 3,000 square foot two-story homes. Most importantly, they can build a completely custom home for clients, if preferred.

Activity is flourishing quickly at Mountains Edge with the first home is already nearing completion and two more are pending and will break ground soon.

“It’s exciting to see our project come to life and be appreciated by buyers,” Magoolaghan added. “We’ve worked very hard to get this site started and know it’ll be a terrific community for these 16 homeowners.”

In addition to new construction development, Magoolaghan and Willig are both licensed real estate salespersons with Cartier Real Estate Group in Saratoga Springs. They each work with dozens of residential and commercial buyers and sellers every year and are regularly ranked among the area’s top agents for their sales records.

Kodiak Construction, based in Saratoga Springs, has been thoughtfully building exceptional, award-winning custom homes for over a decade with great success. Their meticulous attention to detail and hands-on process has been appreciated by clients throughout Saratoga County, the Capital Region, and the Adirondacks.

Cartier Real Estate Group is a woman-owned, boutique brokerage based in downtown Saratoga Springs, N.Y. that operates throughout the Capital Region and North Country. Founded upon the simple principles of hard work and professionalism with an unwavering commitment to ethical standards, its team of dedicated REALTORS® serve residential and commercial clients with a marketing-driven approach and a heightened level of attention.

Oh Corn! Arepas moving to 429 River St. Troy, NY

The former River Street Cafe building, at the end of a block along the Hudson River waterfront in downtown Troy north of the Green Island Bridge, will become the new location of Oh Corn! Arepas and More, formerly in Halfmoon. An opening in late August is projected. 

Provided photo

TROY — The owners of Oh Corn! Arepas and More, which has been closed since the end of October while they searched for a location to succeed the Halfmoon original, have purchased the former River Street Cafe building and hope to reopen in late August. The fast-casual restaurant was in a commercial plaza on Route 9 for five years, starting in 2016.

Jose Theoktisto, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Belkis Castro, said renovations are being done on the Troy building, at 429 River St., at the end of the block north of the Green Island Bridge that also includes Ryan's Wake and Brown's Brewing. The Business Review, which first reported the new location (subscription required), said Theoktisto and Castro paid $485,000 for a property that River Street Cafe chef-owner George Schroeter owned for 32 years until finally closing in 2018. It was a fine-dining destination in Troy for decades prior to the Collar City’s restaurant renaissance of recent years.

Given the layout, with the kitchen on the street level and a second-floor dining room, it is not immediately clear whether Oh Corn! will open with a format at first focused primarily on takeout, as in Halfmoon, and later expand to table-service dining, or immediately begin as a full-service restaurant.

The hunt for a new home included scouting downtown locations in Albany, Schenectady and Troy, as well as some suburbs, with a preference for Troy because the company got its start as a vendor at the city's farmers market, Theoktisto said last fall.

Oh Corn! features a variety of foods stuffed into arepas, a Venezuelan staple made of white corn that has a texture similar to steamed bao and a pita-style pocket for fillings.

Theoktisto and Castro moved to the area about 16 years ago, when he was transferred from Venezuela by his then-employer, General Electric. Her parents, Prospero and Gladys Castro, were regular visitors to see their granddaughters, who are now in their early 20s, and as domestic turmoil increased in Venezuela, the older couple decided to relocate to be closer to family.

Prospero Castro, a retired lieutenant in the Venezuelan Air Force who went on to a career as an attorney, and his wife had no experience in the restaurant but quickly became a hit with Oh Corn! customers. Prospero Castro died in August at 82.

Cartier Real Estate Group, Cartier Construction Co. celebrate new home

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Husband and wife Cohen and Melissa Cartier celebrated the ribbon cutting for their new offices on Thursday.

The couple, who own and operate their own separate businesses, now have side-by-side office space at 116 West Ave.

Melissa owns Cartier Real Estate Group and Cohen owns Cartier Construction Co. While the two run their businesses completely independently from one another, they do occasionally work together. They’ll partner up to build and sell three to five custom-designed houses and one “spec house”- built on the speculation that it will sell quickly for an easy profit – every year. There’s no “family discounts” or freebie work – the Cartiers pay each other in full for all services rendered to each other’s companies.

“People think we’re crazy to want to work together, but we love it,” Melissa said. “Because our industries are so aligned, we ‘get’ each other and can support each other. It’s nice having offices next to each other, because we can talk and bounce ideas off each other. It works well for us.”

The new West Avenue location is a move from Clinton Street. Cartier Construction Co. did the building work and Cartier Real Estate Group designed the layout. What Melissa loves most about her new space is the bright white, 10-foot ceilings and all the natural light that comes in from the glass walls facing the street. The new office is bigger too, and each of her agents – there’s 12 of them total – now has their own workspace.

Melissa said she’s looking forward to doing business with her new neighbors.

“We love the West Avenue community,” she commented. “All of the prizes for our raffle drawing today were donated by companies on the street. There are so many good businesses here.”

Prominently displayed throughout each office are the birds that are part of each company’s logos.

Cartier Construction Co. is represented by a rooster, which invokes the hardworking, rural roots of the company. Cartier Real Estate Group’s motif is a hummingbird, which possesses all the traits that Melissa believes are essential to being a good real estate agent. As a front wall of the office explains, “hummingbirds are known for their endless energy, persistence, agility, and ability to accomplish great feats despite their size.”

At Thursday’s ribbon cutting, the Cartiers were welcomed to their new home by the Saratoga County Chamber and Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community,” Kim said to the Cartiers, presenting them with a proclamation marking the date as “Cartier Real Estate Group and Cartier Construction Co. Day.”

For more information about each company, visit https://www.thecartiergroup.com/ and http://www.cartierconstructionco.com/.

Melissa Cartier: Top Real Estate Agent and Local Developer Moves Business to Cartier Real Estate Group

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                   

MAY 3, 2021

CONTACT: GERRY MAGOOLAGHAN, LIC. RE SALESPERSON, 518.788.8220

MELISSA CARTIER, BROKER/OWNER 518.321.5762

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Local top REALTOR® and real estate developer, Gerald Magoolaghan, has moved his business to Cartier Real Estate Group after seven consecutive years as one of Select Sotheby’s highest performing independent agents. This decision came in tandem with another to partner with Cartier Construction Co. as the builder of record for his latest subdivision, Mountains Edge at Lake George, which he is in the final stages of acquiring with a partner. 

“I enjoyed my tenure with the Select Sotheby’s firm tremendously,” Magoolaghan explained, “this decision is purely a business one as I see value in providing my clients a seamless experience between Cartier Construction and Cartier Real Estate Group as we create a community together at Mountains Edge, like they’ve done here in Saratoga County.“ 

Cartier Construction is completing a 12-lot subdivision in Greenfield Center where they’ve designed and built custom-crafted comparable homes over the past four years, represented by Cartier Real Estate Group. As a husband-and-wife team, Cohen Cartier, Builder/Owner, and Melissa Cartier, Design Partner/Real Estate Broker, have established a neighborhood with a cohesive look and feel using superior materials while providing a uniquely collaborative experience for each client to build a one-of-a-kind home. Magoolaghan would like to replicate this approach for his new subdivision. Together, they plan to start the model home in just a few weeks. 

This new project comes on the heels of completion of Magoolaghan’s latest successful real estate development, Schuyler Hills, a 28-lot subdivision in Saratoga, in which he partnered with Cerrone Builders. In addition to new construction, Magoolaghan works with dozens of both residential and commercial buyers/sellers each year throughout Saratoga, Washington and Warren Counties. Respectfully, he leaves Select Sotheby’s as its first – and only – agent to reach $100 million in total home sales, and a consistent top producer. 

Throughout his career Magoolaghan and Cartier Real Estate Group’s Broker/Owner, Melissa Cartier, have shared a mutual respect for one another’s working styles. 

 “I’m thrilled to welcome Gerry and his many talents to our office,” Cartier stated, “Beyond Gerry’s impressive new construction expertise, his commitment to a positive experience for clients and work ethic mirrors ours. We look forward to putting our marketing department to work for him and seeing his continued success.” Cartier leads Cartier Real Estate Group with marketing prowess and the intent to maintain a positive environment in the office –and with clients and fellow professionals. 

I feel fortunate to be joining the successful team that Cohen and Melissa Cartier have built together,” Magoolaghan said. The timing was perfect as Cartier Construction was looking for their next subdivision, while Magoolaghan and his partner were evaluating builders for theirs. 

 “After such a great experience with Cerrone Builders at my site in Schuyler Hills I had a very short list of builders that I was willing to work with in Lake George. I couldn’t be more excited about the product Cartier Construction will deliver in Mountains Edge, and the team at Cartier Real Estate Group are a marketing powerhouse who will provide my clients far more exposure when selling their homes. I couldn’t be happier!” Magoolaghan added.

Magoolaghan lives with his wife Kelly in Washington County and has volunteered for organizations such as Operation Adopt a Soldier, United Way, and Ronald McDonald House. He is a graduate of SUNY Oswego with a B.S. in Communications, and a Veteran of the United States Air Force. Magoolaghan is a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Greater Capital Association of Realtors.

Cartier Real Estate Group is a woman-owned, boutique brokerage based in downtown Saratoga Springs, N.Y. founded upon the simple principles of hard work and professionalism with an unwavering commitment to ethical standards. Its team of dedicated REALTORS® serve residential and commercial clients throughout Saratoga and surrounding counties with a marketing-driven approach and a heightened level of attention. The brand’s hummingbird logo symbolizes the endless energy, focused attention, and positivity they believe a successful Realtor® should embody.

Real Producers - March 2020

5 Ways to Revamp Your Bathroom

5 Quick, Budget-Friendly Ways to Makeover Your Bathroom! Choose one, do them all! Any improvement will help you make your time during this #stayhome movement feel productive and proud. Use this as an opportunity to improve the space you’re in! 

Complete your project, post your pics and tag us @cartierrealestategroup to be entered to win a $50 gift card to either @curtislumberco or @sherwinwilliams to continue to your projects! One winner chosen each Monday (3 more to go!) Enter as many projects as you’d like. Entries stay in the raffle weekly and accumulate! Get yours done and in today. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Saratogian's Reader's Choice Best of 2020

Melissa Cartier, Cartier Real Estate Group, Voted the Saratogian's Reader's Choice Best Realtor of 2020.

Herlife Spotlight →

Checkout Melissa’s Spotlight interview in Herlife Magazine.

2019 Media Release

May 1, 2019

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Downtown Saratoga boutique real estate brokerage, Cartier Real Estate Group, celebrates one-year since its ribbon cutting this Friday, May 3rd marking a year of notable success alongside the significantly larger brokerages in town, many of which are franchises. 

“Our sales this first year surpassed my expectations, but it hasn’t been a surprise to me that people have responded favorably to our boutique brokerage concept,” explained Melissa Cartier, Broker/Owner. “The transparency of the real estate market over the past several years has leveled the playing field among brokers, and I was confident our listing clients would appreciate our elevated levels of service, strategic marketing expertise, and community commitment. There’s nothing a larger brokerage offers that we can’t. And, I believe we offer more.” 

The group strives to stand out among stiff competition in Saratoga by producing stunning marketing materials, creating buzz about listings through strategic marketing, networking with fellow realtors through social media and unique broker events, using creative methods to find homes for buyers all while working proactively and ethically for clients with budgets of all sizes. 

“Over the past year we’ve closed deals for land ranging from $12,000 - $410,000 and homes from $92,000 to $1,100,000 and all of these clients received the same level of attention and care from us,” Cartier noted. “We focus on the people and their goals, not the potential commission.” 

Cartier, who was with RealtyUSA/Howard Hanna for eleven years prior, launched the company in December 2018 with a marketing/administrative manager and was joined by one additional realtor, Colleen Cameron, also previously with Howard Hanna.  

“Colleen and I share the same commitment to ethics, hard work, and exceptional service to our clients so I was thrilled to have her on board,” Cartier explained. “Colleen moved her business here for the marketing support and positive atmosphere which she only adds to with her incredibly upbeat attitude and professionalism.” 

Cameron increased her sales from $3.5 to just over $5.7 million in 2018, and Cartier increased her sales from $10 to $12.2 million. Together, the two completed 61 transactions for buyers and sellers for a total of $17.9 million in sales from January – December 2018, ranking the company 12thin total sales in their core market throughout Saratoga, Greenfield, Ballston and Wilton towns, and 4th for total sales in the Town of Greenfield, where Cartier and Cameron both reside. 

“While I’m thrilled with the total business our clients trusted us with this year, my goal in launching wasn’t to hit sales marks,” Cartier added. “I set out to continue serving my clients as I always have while building a brokerage of like-minded, hardworking realtors that appreciate a creative and supportive atmosphere to grow their businesses. I feel like we’ve succeeded there too.” 

Since the launch two other agents have joined the Group: Nicole Mazzotti, formerly with Howard Hanna, and Jaime Pritchard started as a new agent and just recently closed her first two transactions in 2019. In addition, this month Tanya Walkup, the Group’s marketing manager, completed her licensing and is now the fifth licensed agent in the firm. 

Founded with the simple principles of hard work and an unwavering commitment to ethical standards, Cartier leads the company with marketing prowess and the intent to maintain a positive environment in the office –and with clients and fellow professionals. The brand’s hummingbird logo symbolizes the endless energy, focused attention, and positivity she believes a good Realtor® embodies.

The year ahead will be one focused on thoughtful growth in both the team, and in the space with an expansion planned to their office in the Blackmer Building at 28 Clinton St., Cartier reports. The Group also added commercial real estate to its list of specialties this year and has since brokered transactions for a restaurant, fitness trainer, and a law practice.

“I’m excited to continue working for my own clients and to assist my fellow agents here in growing their businesses,” Cartier said in closing. By maintaining their commitment to doing right by clients and fellow agents she is hopeful their success will continue in this busy greater Saratoga market.

The Group is civic-minded as well, maintaining memberships with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, and supports several local nonprofits including the Greenfield Lions Club, Saratoga Lions Club, Upstate NY Autism Alliance, Greenfield Historical Society, The Incredible Teddy Foundation, Proctors, Saratoga County Children’s Committee, HopeClub of Capital Region, Saratoga Regional YMCA, Dake Foundation for Children and several school events and local sports teams. In addition, they make a donation annually to Shelters of Saratoga each December for each house they represent during the year.

Cartier is also the wife of local builder and remodeler, Cohen Cartier of Cartier Construction Co., where she participates in the home design process with clients building on private lots and in the subdivision Belle Estates of Greenfield. This relationship affords mutual clients a seamless, full-service experience with uniquely qualified insights into new construction and renovations balanced with real estate expertise and advice on resale value.

Cartier Real Estate Group is a boutique brokerage based in downtown Saratoga Springs, New York, serving clients throughout Saratoga and surrounding counties with a fierce commitment to ethical standards, a proactive, marketing-driven approach, and Realtors® that stay ahead of the market and make things happen for their residential and commercial real estate clients.  

AgentBrew Interview

Melissa's story of how she made the leap to her own brokerage is one you will not want to miss, check out her story on the AgentBrew Website!

Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening

Thank You

We appreciate you taking the time to celebrate with us! We launched in January and its been an exciting and productive first quarter of 2018.

So many partners helped us get our new business off the ground. With thanks we recognize the following:

John Bolster, Reduced-Fat, for creating our brand identity. John understood our vision and developed a beautiful concept that perfectly represents us.

Fast Signs, Rick Bult and his team, for working with us to execute our unique signage to help us stand out in the market. 

Cartier Construction, for renovating our office space in record time. 
Cohen Cartier, Brian O’Hanlon, Owen Jensen, Marcus Jennings,
Mike Waters and Tim Moore

Sherry Hoffman, State Farm Insurance, for protecting our investments and offering valuable new business advice.

Ginley & Gottman, P.C., Michael Ginley for his imperative legal counsel.

Toshiba Office Solutions, Liam Bancroft, for keeping our marketing matierials looking professional.

Jeannine Dubiac, Priority One Payroll and DeLorenzo and Associates, for making payroll and accounting a breeze.
 
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, for the warm welcome, guidance, support, and today’s event.

We especially thank all of our past and present clients that have enthusiastically joined us in this new venture! Your trust in us has validated the decision to launch this brokerage, and your continued business and referrals allow us to keep doing what we love: Making things happen for our clients, who often become our friends.

Our families and our friends have shown endless patience and support that has been invaluable to our successful launch.
We’re incredibly lucky and thankful!

With immeasurable gratitude,

Melissa Cartier
Colleen Cameron
Jaime Pritchard
Tanya Walkup