He told them never.

The catalog company has since made exact copies of Old Adirondack chairs, moved manufacturing to Vietnam and stripped “local made” from product descriptions.

The rip-off venture is not using Adirondack cedar or Forest Stewardship Council-approved wood.

ADIRONDACK BRANDING

But sticking to Adirondack roots has drawn the attention of a “hand-made” collection in California looking to add Old Adirondack to an exclusive line of products. The venture could deliver increased sales.

The silver lining Maselli sees, ironically, is soaring fuel prices.

The high cost of global shipping is creating a “local made” consciousness with affinity for green business practice.

It could boost local economies, if the region can muster support.

“The biggest asset is that we are located here in the Adirondacks,” Maselli told the Government Review Board and its APA guests.

“We’re not just selling a chair — we’re selling a region; we’re selling a lifestyle.

“People are now beginning to ask the questions: Where is this made? Is this green? Is it toxic paint? All of a sudden, I feel like I’m going with the current instead of against it.”

Maselli recommended that APA and the Review Board establish a “Made in the Park” brand for authentic products and manufacturing.

“We need marketing materials to express what this experiment called the Adirondacks is all about.”

He also encouraged a larger New York state agency incentive to “buy local” instead of buying to “low bid.”