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Company Approved for START-UP NY Program
Schenectady, N.Y., August 4, 2016 – Schenectady County officials today joined with Metroplex and Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) to announce that Beekman 1802 LLC has been approved by the START-UP NY program and will lease space at the Electric City Innovation Center (ECIC) at 433 State Street in downtown Schenectady.
Anthony Jasenski, Chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “We are pleased to welcome Beekman 1802 to downtown Schenectady. This is an internationally recognized company that will relocate their corporate offices to Schenectady County.”
Beekman 1802 Co-Founder Brent Ridge said, “We are so excited to be moving our world headquarters near our “neighbors” in downtown Schenectady. While we had opportunities to relocate elsewhere in New York State and the US, we felt privileged to be a part of Start-Up New York and fortunate to be closer to some of our key business partners in the Schenectady area.”
Company Co-Founder Josh Kilmer-Purcell added, “We’re very energized by all of the redevelopment occurring in the city and expect that will be key to executive recruitment as we grow our business.”
Beekman 1802 was founded in Sharon Springs, NY in 2008 by Dr. Ridge and his partner, Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Their lifestyle brand and farm-based business quickly became world renown as subjects of their reality TV show, The Fabulous Beekman Boys, and when the duo won CBS’s The Amazing Race, in 2012.
Since its inception, Beekman 1802 has become one of the fastest growing consumer brands in the US. The company sources, brands, produces and distributes local, farm-sourced and artisan-inspired products in food, beauty, home, garden, pet, and other categories. In addition to distributing through its E-Commerce platform and Mercantile store in Sharon Springs, Beekman 1802 partners with and distributes through world-class retailers such as Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and EVINE. The brand’s growth and recognition has been further fueled via the production of related content and media, including bestselling books, videos, magazines, and other branded consumer experiences.
The company joins other START-UP NY companies including Furlocity, Lottery Rewards, SureDone and Fundabilities in downtown Schenectady.
Beekman 1802 will occupy space at the Electric City Innovation Center and expects to create 25 jobs within five years.
“We’re excited to add our first START-UP NY company to the ECIC community. Beekman is a dynamic addition to help grow our local innovation ecosystem,” said Bill Kernick, Executive Director of ECIC.
Denise Zieske, Vice President for Workforce Development and Community Education at SCCC said, “Beekman 1802 is such a unique company and a wonderful addition to our group of START-UP NY businesses working closely with SCCC. We look forward to partnering with the team as they establish roots in the community.”
Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair said, “Having the Beekman 1802 corporate offices in downtown Schenectady adds a great new fast-growing brand to our community. We are thrilled that Beekman selected Schenectady County for this expansion of the exciting work the company does in Sharon Springs. I would also like to thank Deputy City Clerk Chad Putman for putting us in touch with the Beekman Boys as that contact helped start discussions that resulted in today’s announcement.”
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About Beekman 1802
Beekman 1802 is a premium-branded, multi-category consumer products, content and event production company, creating artisanal and seasonal products and experiences for sale, via multiple channels, to consumers worldwide. The Company sources primarily from local farms, food producers and artisans, and promotes its products, publications, programming and events under the Beekman 1802 brand, which has become known for purity and quality, gaining trust from consumers worldwide. www.beekman1802.com