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Saturday, March 16, 2024

June 2020: Locally Owned Businesses Section

All of the top locally owned businesses in the Capital Region.

Colonie Animal Hospital
1946 Central Ave., Albany
518.456.1613; colonieanimalhospital.com
Owners: Dr. Calla Kinne, Dr. Yossi Koren-Roth
Give a brief history of your business and describe the services you provide.
Our hospital was founded in the 1940s, so we have served generations of families and pets in the Capital Region. Our hospital provides care for dogs, cats, birds, ferrets and a variety of warm-blooded pocket pets.
What makes your business stand out?
We love our ties to the community we practice in. Our aim is to provide quality preventive care medicine with a personal touch. We are one of the few veterinary hospitals in the Capital Region that provides care for birds and other exotic animals. Our hospital has been American Animal Hospital Association accredited since 1956.
What are you doing differently in these changing times?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our business has taken steps to continue to offer essential veterinary services to outpatients while at the same time protecting our staff members and clients. We offer curbside care to pets while minimizing contact with pet owners. Guidelines set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the New York State Veterinary Medical Society have informed our decisions for formulating safety protocols.
What is the key ingredient to the success of your business?
We are among only 12 percent of veterinary practices in the United States and Canada that has made this voluntary commitment to excellence. In an era where corporate veterinary practices are becoming commonplace, we are a privately owned veterinary practice. Practice policies at Colonie Animal Hospital are molded to best service our patients and their owners’ individual needs.


Harold Finkle Your Jeweler, Inc.
1585 Central Ave., Albany
518.456.6800; yourjeweler.com
Owner: Justin Finkle, GIA Graduate Gemologist & Vice President
Give a brief history of your business and describe the services you provide.
We are a third-generation, family-owned business specializing in one-of-a-kind custom pieces, bridal jewelry, specialized and general repair work, watch repair, watch batteries and estate and insurance appraisals. Harold Finkle founded the business after serving in World War II, and his son, Martin, later joined it with his wife, Paula. In 1995, Marty and Paula relocated the business to its current location. I have since taken over the lead role of day-to-day operations, ensuring that the business is around for many more years.
What do you love most about the service or product you provide?
My favorite part of the business is the bridal aspect—meeting with couples to learn what they’re looking for in an engagement ring and/or wedding bands. Harold Finkle is a small, mom-and-pop-style business, and I say that with pride. When you walk into our store you are greeted, and we don’t hover over our customers, creating a high-pressure situation for them.
Our certified loose diamond prices (lab grown or natural) are second to none. When comparing apples to apples, we clearly beat our local competition in terms of the lowest price, and we are just as competitive in terms of pricing with the national diamond buying websites you can find online; however, we’re able to show you the stone before purchase.
What is the key ingredient to the success of your business?
Being personable, fair and honest; you’re only as good as your word. When my grandfather started this business, everything was done on a handshake, and this philosophy has kept us in business for more than 80 years.


The Cross Eyed Owl Gift Shop
3143 US Hwy. 9, Suite 8, Valatie
518.758.6755; crosseyedowl.com
Owner: Patricia Varga
Give a brief history of your business and describe the services you provide.
Since 1993, we’ve been providing cards and gifts for every occasion that you can think of. We’ve become an essential part of our community by sponsoring local events and activities, and our customers have become family after all these years.
What makes your business stand out?
Everything we do—from the products we carry, the events we host, the charities we support and the ways we engage with our customers and our community—is done to bring about positive change and encouragement to make the world a better place.
What do you love most about owning a business here in the Capital Region?
The people here are simply the best, and they are very supportive of local shops.
What are you doing differently in these changing times?
We have increased our online presence during the pandemic, including video tours of the shop, pictures galore and one-on-one conversations that are sort of like virtual personal shopping trips. We’ve continued to do what we do best, connect with people and make them smile. Retail may look different going forward, but the care that we put into helping each customer find what they need will stay the same. That is what matters most to us.

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