Schroon Laker is saddened to report the closing of Main Street's Giant Mountain Studio after three years.

Gallery owner Anthony Ruiz made the announcement today In an email to SchroonLaker.com.

Giant Mountain was an oasis in a mostly barren art scene in Essex County. Anthony hosted dozens of shows featuring some extraordinary pieces by local and North Country artists.

Anthony said he was about to start a new, new full time job.

 "It has been an absolute pleasure meeting and working with local artists and it has been a joy sharing their art with the local community. My family and I are thankful for the past 3+ years and for all those who encouraged us and our vision for a fine art gallery in Schroon Lake that featured local artists.

We are thankful for the many new friends we've made. And, we're grateful to know we connected many folks with artwork that they enjoy and that will bring them many smiles over the years. We hope our time here was good for everyone - we know we loved being a part in the small ways we knew how.

These next couple of days our doors will be open and a handful of the artists currently showing their work will be offering discounts. A number of works will be discounted at 20% or more. Some of those discounted works include paintings of Schroon Lake by Anne Diggory, furniture and paintings by Jonathan Swartwout, and works from very local artists like Robert Hacunda (oil paintings) and Stephen Dicerbo (Japanese fish prints). I'm also personally offering 33% off my panoramic photographs and encaustic paintings.

I'm sad that I had to make this choice. The gallery has meant a lot to me, to the artists we've represented and hopefully to the community.

However, I am also looking forward to the future with excitement and hope as I've recently been accepted for a position in a local non-profit organization that focuses on rural preservation and community development in the Essex, North Warren, and North Washington County areas. In my work there I hope to be able to continue to have a positive impact in our local communities."

The closing of the studio comes at a time when the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce is trying to attract business to our area. It is the second marquee Main Streeet business to pack up shop in as many years, following the closure Mr. P's Mountain Smokehouse and Shelby's Kitchen Therapy.

But there's good newss on three new business that opened in thaht time: the sumnerime destination Viine and Barley tavern, atop the Towne Store and home furnishings nugget Pine Cone Mercantile and Northwood Bread Company in the rear of the store, formally the digs of the Morning Star Bistro.