Retail cannabis licenses will be issued next week for the Finger Lakes
Retail cannabis licenses are coming to the Finger Lakes region soon. RochesterFirst.com reports that retail licenses for cannabis dispensaries will be issued next week. The Cannabis Control Board will meet June 15 to decide on ... more
State could let marijuana be sold at farmers markets after mishandled license rollout
The state is apparently considering the sale of cannabis at farmers markets. This comes after the incredibly slow rollout of legal marijuana sales in New York. Farmers have hundreds, some even thousands of pounds of ... more
Downtown Ithaca Alliance announces new chief executive officer
The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) has announced the appointment of Nan Rohrer as the new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding former Executive Director Gary Ferguson. Baltimore-based Rohrer, known for her extensive background in business development, is ... more
Packaging and Recycling Infrastructure Act faces pushback from state business leaders
The Packaging and Recycling Infrastructure Act, a late amendment bill aimed at mitigating plastic pollution and enhancing recycling statewide, has drawn strong opposition from state business leaders. The proposed legislation seeks to establish an Extended ... more
Seneca County IDA says solar projects will have significant benefit
Two Lodi solar initiatives, under review by the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), demonstrate a robust cost-benefit ratio of approximately 12-to-1, according to recently released reports. The assessments form part of the application process ... more
FLX TODAY: What’s next for the Ovid Big M as ownership change nears?
For Sue Cirencione there isn't an exact moment she can pinpoint over the last couple years where the decision was made to sell the grocery store that's been her family's business for decades. Earlier this ... more
Agency says money stored on apps like Venmo, PayPal, or CashApp may not be safe
In a statement on Thursday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) cautioned users of P2P payment apps such as Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp, about the potential risks associated with long-term storage of funds on these ... more
Wegmans is going to close this unusual store
In an unusual move Wegmans announced on Thursday the closure of its first-ever multi-level store inside a major mall. Opened in 2018, the Natick Mall location in Massachusetts, about 20 miles west of Boston, is ... more
Don’t expect bill allowing wine sales in grocery stores to be approved
The proposal permitting wine sales in New York grocery stores is expected to be shelved for the year. Top Democrats have indicated the lack of legislative consensus as reason for the delay. Additionally, a comprehensive ... more
Hochul announces small business outreach tour, but the nearest one will be over an hour away from the Finger Lakes
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of a new small business outreach effort, led by the New York State Department of Labor, to help connect entrepreneurs to no-cost supports and services. Unfortunately, the tour won't ... more
K2 Brothers Brewing finalizes purchase deal of former Walworth elementary school
K2 Brothers Brewing, a prominent Rochester-based brewery, has purchased the former Freewill Elementary School, located at 4320 Canandaigua Rd, Walworth, as part of their expansion strategy. The deal, which was agreed upon last year, was ... more
State settles lawsuit, clearing way for cannabis licenses to be distributed in Finger Lakes region
The New York state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) has voted to authorize the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to settle a federal lawsuit that has been impeding the establishment of retail dispensaries in several regions ... more
FLX TODAY: National Right to Work Foundation talks Starbucks unionization efforts (podcast)
In the American economy there are few things more complicated and sensitive than labor. There are an array of issues debated on a daily basis, ranging from fair treatment to compensation to work-life balance. Many ... more
Seneca Falls sets out to boost small businesses
The Town of Seneca Falls, in conjunction with the Seneca Falls Development Corporation (SFDC), is set to boost small business in Seneca Falls thanks in part to a recently awarded Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP) grant. ... more
Livingston County targets workforce development with new funding
In October of 2022, the Livingston County Board of Supervisors allocated $100K in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to boost and support the training and job placement of residents through the County’s Office of ... more
Starbucks blocked most transfer requests as company shut down remaining Ithaca stores
Starbucks has announced the closure of its last two stores in Ithaca earlier this week, following a strike by employees. The decision, effectively a mass layoff of unionized workers, won't impact the branded cafes within ... more
New Microtel opens in Macedon
Indus Hospitality Group, a Rochester-based company, has announced the launch of a new Microtel Inn & Suites at 350 State Route 31, Macedon. The hotel, nestled in historic Macedon, boasts 71 rooms with varying accommodation ... more
Employees strike as final days of operation loom for closing Starbucks locations in Ithaca
A year after becoming fully unionized, all corporate-run Starbucks stores in Ithaca are scheduled for closure by May 26, as announced by the company. The news, communicated to employees through personal interactions and phone calls ... more
Wegmans advocates for state allowing wine sales in grocery stores
Supermarket chain Wegmans, backed by some state legislators, is pushing for New York to join 40 other states that permit the sale of wine in grocery stores. This recent campaign, Wegmans' second attempt following a ... more
