Write a commentGLASS | ARK, a new, mixed-use commercial development on the North Shore of Oneida Lake enjoyed its long awaited Grand Opening over Labor Day weekend.
In homage to the "Old Country Store" and "Trading Post" that once occupied the sprawling historic property in years past, the current owners redesigned the space and restocked the shelves with an eclectic array of products from local and regional craftspeople, artisanal food producers, antique vendors, collectors, up-cycled clothing retailers, jewelers, original artists and more!
Together with the North Shore Coffee and Tea Company and the Toy Library of the North Shore (501c3), the GLASS | ARK welcomes residents and travelers to swing by for a visit, meet the members and owners, and get a glimpse of what they've been up to at the revived venue. Functioning as the primary tenant, it is a flexible, multi-use space that is “member supported” by its vendors, patrons and (future) educators, performers, etc. By opening day, it had already shaped itself into a number of attractions: a funky retail Shoppe; a petite clothing Boutique; an Analog Media center; an Art Gallery; an Artisanal Food Pantry; and a place for community gathering. Ultimately, it is envisioned as a mixed-use community asset that provides space for the arts, creativity, entertainment, teaching, learning, sharing and shopping, while featuring a quality local cafe and "free" children's' library, a safe play space where kids can learn the responsibilities of caring for borrowed items.
The property and historic structure were purchased in 2021 by Syracuse-area artist, Jacob Alan Roberts, who offered to facilitate a rapid transition from a recently empty Antique Store into a center that best serves the immediate population, while also becoming a future attraction for visitors from afar. To accommodate the re-development of the building from a single family home designation back into a commercial property, including raising capital, overseeing renovations and upgrades, and building a team of operators, he offered a “Membership” model and multi-owner buy-in for the project.
Located at 676 Route 49 in Bernhards Bay, a Hamlet within the Town of Constantia, NY, the nearly 7,000 square foot building dates back to 1840, originally built as a showroom for one of numerous Glass Factories that once graced the northern edge of Oneida Lake. With examples of original plate glass still being showcased, it has since become known as a local meeting place, a telegraph and post office, a general store, and - most recently - an antique shop. Situated at the center of the North Shore of Oneida Lake, in beautiful, rustic and rural Oswego County, NY, it is only a short trip from the much larger metropolitan areas of Syracuse and Utica / Rome, NY.
In honor of the alchemical process associated with glass-making, combined with the experience of taking a diverse group on a journey to a shared destination, as on an Ark, the owners envision designing and developing a space that is multi-purpose, flexible and capable of facilitating a range of events, gatherings, workshops, classes, performances, as well as light food and beverage-related gatherings and affairs, offered in-house and / or catered. By utilizing the structure efficiently and effectively, while activating the potential of the acre of land, large parking lot, surrounding natural features and other area attractions, they are confident that they can create a rotating calendar of programming that both interests the local residential population, while also attracting patrons, students, and artists from the region.
