Some people talk about turning lemons into lemonade, but others, like the owners of Ferrara’s Dance Studio, actually do it.
With the opening of their new space on Hamburg Street, owners Terri and Lyn Ferrara have made the best of a difficult situation that came about last year when they found out the Capital Plaza building, where they had rented space for nearly 50 years, was going to be demolished to build a Walgreens. The owners decided to make the best of it, reinvesting in the town and renovating space on Hamburg Street for their new studio.
We never wanted to leave the town, Terri Ferrara said. `This is the home of our father, and many of the families who come here.`
Terri Ferrara said the new studio is much nicer than the old one, which was in the basement of the Capital Plaza building. There were no windows in that room and a lot of wasted space, Ferrara said.
The new space used to be a warehouse, but now boasts two dance rooms and a spacious waiting area for parents, as well as new office space.
`The best thing about this place is we can have curtains and real plants. I love plants,` Terri Ferrara said.
The Ferraras also brought over a lot of pictures and mementos from their previous space, adding to the homey feel of the studio.
The new location off Interstate 890 is also more convenient than the busy intersection of Altamont Avenue and Curry Road. There is also a lot more parking.
Employees from the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce, including President Charles Steiner, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and local officials took the time to congratulate the Ferraras in their venture at the grand opening Wednesday, Sept. 26.
`We are excited you decided to stay in Rotterdam, and we are pleased to have a new business here on Hamburg Street,` Steiner said.
`I know a lot of families are excited that you decided to stay in the town,` Supervisor Steven Tommasone said. `A lot is going on right now in the area, and as business starts coming down Hamburg Street, this will be one of our focal points.`
The Ferrara Dance Studio has been in business for 52 years. The Ferrara sisters’ father, Jack Ferrara, started the studio.
The new space is located at 2933 Hamburg St. Ferrara Dance Studio specializes in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, gymnastics and tumbling skills for cheerleaders. They are open Monday through Friday, 4 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is welcome to tour the new facility. For information, call 355-2631.“