Who We Are & Mission Statement

Hours of Operation:
Monday- Friday 8am-7pm
Saturday/Sunday 9am-5pm

68 Main Street (Behind Sears)
Saranac Lake, New York
518 . 891 . 6079

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Nori's Village Market is owned by Lori Dodge-Cushman, Andy Keal and Amy Kohanski. Nori's store manager is Julie Fischer.

Lori Dodge-Cushman

Originally from Massena, NY, Lori graduated from Paul Smith's College in 1989. After various jobs pertaining to Outdoor Recreation, Lori began working at Nori's in 1994, as Amy's first employee. She became business partners with Amy in 2000, and expanded Nori's at its present location. Lori lives with her husband, Bernie Cushman in a restored 1910 schoolhouse on the Saranac River, just outside of town. They own Moonstone Farm, growing and selling ecofriendly vegetables, herbs and flowers. Lori is the grocery and housewares buyer, establishes monthly sales, hires employees, and runs the day to day operations of Nori's with Julie and Andy.

Julie Fischer

Julie has been in the Adirondacks since 1993 and began working at Nori’s in 2003. She is a graduate of Paul Smith’s College from the Hotel & Restaurant Management program. Julie has served in fine-dining establishments, cooked professionally, bartended and has even “done a little time” in the world of wine & spirit sales. Because of her love of food, cheese & wine, she is often called upon by her customers for various recommendations and preparations. As our health & beauty aid buyer, Julie knows what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body. Julie continues to educate herself and her customers about the origins of our food, sustainability and the greater awareness we must all strive for in our nourishment. When she’s not at the store harassing staff (and customers alike!) Julie hides out in the woods of Lake Clear with her husband Adam and her two black labs.

Andy Keal

Andy grew up in Voorheesville, NY near Albany. Shortly after high school he discovered the Adirondack Region during his enlistment in the U.S. Army at Fort Drum. As with Amy, Lori, and Julie, Andy is an Alumni of Paul Smith’s College. He went on to the University of Montana in Missoula and received his B.S. in forestry and recreation. After working in the tri-lakes for a number of years, including working at Nori’s in the mid-90’s Andy went on to the University of New Haven and got an MS in Environmental Science. In 2006 Andy became a partner of Nori’s. As Andy looks back at his many jobs as a cook, dishwasher, food and beverage manager, waiter, soldier, forester, handyman, or GIS Specialist, he thinks Nori’s is the best of all. Working around good food and fun people is a passion of his and has found Nori’s, a downtown business in a fabulous town, to be the perfect match. Andy lives in Saranac Lake with his wife Heidi Kretser and their two children.

Amy Kohanski

In the end of 2012 Amy steppped on to new adventures elsewhere and has started a project of her own called Stepping Stones. Check out her website here, http://www.steppingstonesptp.com/index.html

Our Mission Statement

We are committed to nourishing the mind, body and spirit by providing products that are environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and (when available) locally produced. We strive to create superior customer service in a comfortable, fun and friendly atmosphere. We endeavor to educate ourselves and our customers about food, its nutritional value and means of preparation. Additionally, we are challenged to convey the purchasing power that we, as individuals have on the political/economic climate and the environment. We support our community through donations, discounts and involvement in local organizations. We make every effort to select associates who reflect our beliefs in the holistic approach to sustenance, sustainability and service. We attempt to create a work environment that enhances personal growth, creativity and happiness while providing a respectable means of living for our employees.