The Greater Binghamton Chamber is pleased to congratulate and recognize the Chamber’s 2025 Building BC Award Recipients:

2025 Restorative Award

Station 45 American Chop House
Accepted By: Mark Yonaty & Anthony Capozzi

 

The Restorative Award recognizes a project that brings new life into an aging building.

Surviving the 1960’s Urban Renewal project, the iconic Lackawanna Train Station has become a historical landmark on the outskirts of downtown, Binghamton. After being dormant for over 60 years, local developers Mark Yonaty and Anthony Capozzi, saw the potential in the train station, beyond being an aesthetic landmark. This follows numerous revitalization projects undertaken by Yonaty across the Binghamton region, especially downtown, contributing to the ongoing efforts to revive the area.

In addition to the revitalization efforts, Yonaty and Capozzi sought to fill a gap in the restaurant industry. The Co-Owners decided to move forward with this project in response to the increasing demand for more restaurants that create an exceptional dining experience.

After years of careful refurbishing to keep the station’s character intact, Station 45 blends the past with the present. The modern interior speaks to the creative twists taken on traditional American steakhouses while maintaining its prominence. Station 45’s mission is to create an exceptional experience in a breathtaking environment, allowing patrons to enjoy a “big city feel”, right here in downtown Binghamton.

This project has and will continue to enhance the economic growth of our area – including the creation of 30+ jobs, increased sales tax for the County, all while restoring a beloved historical landmark. Residents and tourists now have the opportunity to enjoy an upscale dining experience while also paying homage to the many World War II veterans who left this station for war.

2025 Transformative Award

Spark JC, LLC
Accepted By: Marc Newman & Doug Matthews

In 2019, Spark JC, LLC, a joint venture of the Matthews and Newman families, decided to take on the challenge of redeveloping the former Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, now known as the “Oakdale Commons”. The Matthews and Newman families have extensive experience in operating local businesses and working in both retail and residential development, making Spark JC, the perfect company for the job.

For many years, the mall was left neglected and with four out of five anchor tenants leaving the center, also went local jobs and investment. With an increase in e-commerce following the pandemic, many malls across the nation have closed their doors. Seeing this trend, the Matthews and Newman families decided to take an unconventional approach and transform the underutilized space into a mixed-use center that fits all community member’s needs, including retail, wellness, service, and leisure amenities.

The Matthews and Newman families together, have brought in many new tenants including the Dick’s House of Sport, BJ’s Wholesale, Dave and Busters, Five Guys, Five Below, Lourdes Health & Fitness, Beer Tree Factory, and several Broome County Government Offices.

The Dick’s House of Sport is notably, the largest store ever built by Dick’s Sporting Goods. The Johnson City location is now home to a 17,000- foot outdoor track and turf field that is converted to an ice rink in the winter. The facility also includes golf fitting rooms, a climbing wall, and batting cages for customers to try out merchandise.

Spark JC has recently announced plans to build 125 units of workforce housing on the north end of the property, Guthrie’s new Orthopedic and Spine Center and Ambulatory Surgery Center, as well as a 22,000 square foot childcare center with 200 daycare slots.

Once completed, the redevelopment of Oakdale Commons is expected to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in local investment and the creation of hundreds of good paying jobs and housing units for our local workforce.

The Matthews and Newman families attribute the success of this project to the support of the entire community, including Broome County, Village of Johnson City, Town of Union, the Broome County IDA/The Agency, Tompkins Community Bank, NBT Bank, and Arrow Financial.

2025 Legacy Recognition

 

Bates Troy

Accepted By: Ed Arzouian

Bates Troy, now a third-generation family business, dates to 1852. Bates Steam Laundry merged with Troy Laundry in 1902 forming Bates Troy. Two brothers Kenneth and Arthur Kradjian, immigrated to Binghamton during the Armenian Genocide of 1915, worked long, hard hours at Endicott Johnson Shoes like many immigrants of their time. They saved their money and eventually purchased Ballard & Ballard Dry Cleaning in the late 1920’s. After experiencing some success, they went on to later purchase Bates Troy in the early 1940’s.

At first, the company started off as a laundry with a house-to-house route-based business, prior to washing machines becoming popular in the 1920’s and later incorporated dry cleaning services. Bates Troy grew and added many specialties such as, industrial uniforms, hospitality (hotel linens), F&B (restaurant linens), fire & water restoration. Bates Troy refocused and began specializing in healthcare in 1995. Today the company is run by President, Brian Kradjian and is a Hygienically Clean Accredited Healthcare Laundry providing sanitized linen to the Acute Care (hospitals), Ambulatory Care (outpatient clinics), & Long-Term Care (nursing homes) facilities within 120 mi. market radius of Binghamton including NEPA.

Despite facing many challenges such as hyperinflation, COVID-19, and keeping up with NYS’s aggressive business climate, Bates Troy has accrued success over the years – many of which can be contributed to its talented team. Bates Troy’s has been recognized by the Reader’s Choice Award as the “voted best dry cleaner” for fifteen consecutive years! As they look toward the future, Bates Troy continues to reinvest in its people, physical plant, and equipment. Keeping abreast with our fast-paced society, they are also looking at ways to incorporate further automation and artificial intelligence in their business.

As a partner of New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID), the company creates meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities and also partners offsite with AVRE and Achieve locally. Bates Troy has made it a priority to give back to the Greater Binghamton community. They also continue to invest in numerous local non-profits, charities, and community events, including free services for WBNG’s Annual Coats for Kids Drive & Showers for Hope. Bates Troy assisted the local community having offered services/supplies when needed in the 2007 and 2011 floods for displaced residents.