ADAM weitsman

Adam Weitsman is an American industrialist, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist known for his business acumen and unconventional style. Driven by his unyielding grit and passion, he is the CEO of Upstate Shredding — Weitsman Recycling, the East Coast’s largest privately held scrap metal processor, with 15 state-of-the-art locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania offering both commercial and retail services. 

Adam is an investor at the forefront of economic growth, bringing new ideas and products to the market. With an impressive portfolio ranging across a wide variety of industries including crypto mining, wellness, tequila, and beyond, he is always looking to invest in bigger and better ideas and creative people exploring new ways of making the world a happier place.

  • 1991

    After working at the Hirschl & Adler Folk Gallery in Manhattan, Weitsman opened the American Folk Art Gallery in Greenwich Village.

  • 1996

    Weitsman purchased 17 acres of land and founded Upstate Shredding.

  • 2009

    Between the years of 2009 and 2016, Weitsman acquired acreage and opened scrap yards across New York and Pennsylvania.

  • 2014

    The Weitsman family purchased and restored The Krebs restaurant, a historic landmark in Skaneateles, NY.

  • 2019

    Elephant and the Dove, a Mexican restaurant inspired by artists Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera was opened in the heart of Skaneateles.

  • 2022

    Passing along the entrepreneurial torch, Weitsman opened Clover’s Diner, named after his business partner and daughter.

The Early Entrepreneur

Adam grew up in Central New York in the small town of Owego. His father operated a scrap metal processing company, formerly an auto parts business with a small scrap yard owned by his grandfather. When he was 11 years old, two antique stoneware bottles were unearthed on the property, sparking Adam’s interest and curiosity in antiques. He and his father researched the bottles at local museums and discovered that the 19th-century utilitarian jugs with brilliant cobalt blue folk art designs were considerably valuable. Adam began collecting more stoneware, earning money to add to his collection by doing chores. He scoured the East Coast shopping for pieces while bidding on others at high-profile auctions and sales. By the time he was 14, he had obtained a 60-piece collection of jugs. 

In 1986, Adam graduated from Owego Free Academy and later attended university at LIU Post. At the age of 21, he took a position at the Hirschl & Adler Folk gallery in Manhattan, running errands and learning to curate exhibits. With his entrepreneurial spirit brewing, two years later Adam opened his own gallery, American Folk Art Gallery on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. His business catered to top interior designers and art collectors from around the world. Making enough money to pay the rent, Weitsman lived in a walk-up apartment in the city and ran the gallery with the help of NYU interns.

In 1996, Weitsman donated his 100-piece stoneware collection to the New York State Museum in Albany. Since then, he has acquired and donated over 500 pieces to the museum for the public to view. 

From Folk Art to Scrap Metal

In the mid 1990s, after the passing of his sister Rebecca Weitsman, Adam returned to his hometown to help his father with the family business. Adam joined Ben Weitsman & Son as Vice President and faced his new challenge with the same tenacity he had set forth in his prior ventures. He became intrigued by the processing side of scrap metal and recycling and in 1996 he purchased 17 acres to build his own plant and effectively founded Upstate Shredding. In 2005, his father retired and Adam acquired the company which he would merge with Upstate Shredding, forming what is today known as Upstate Shredding — Weitsman Recycling. 

Under Weitsman's leadership, Upstate Shredding grew rapidly, expanding its operations and acquiring other scrap metal companies. Weitsman's innovative approach to the business, including his use of cutting-edge technology and his focus on customer service, helped Upstate Shredding become one of the largest and most successful scrap metal companies in the United States.

The Restaurateur with a Cause

Adam’s love of art, his entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for philanthropy are most notably combined in his restaurants. Weitsman owns and operates several restaurants with the charitable mission to donate profits to local in-need individuals and organizations.

In 2014, the Weitsman family purchased the historic Krebs Restaurant which underwent a massive $5-million renovation project to restore the town landmark, giving it new life with updated finishes while keeping 1920s charm. Designed by NYC’s McAlpine, Booth & Ferrier Interiors, the restaurant offers a modern approach to classic techniques, resulting in an American fare that is familiar and exciting. 

In 2019, the Weitsman family opened Elephant and the Dove, a Mexican restaurant designed by world-renowned interior designer Thom Filicia and inspired by Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The menu features authentic and finely prepared, yet affordable, traditional Mexican food as well as a full-service bar complete with signature cocktails.

In 2022, Weitsman and partners opened Clover’s, a family dining space that serves breakfast and lunch. Named after his eldest daughter, the restaurant boasts a warm and welcoming environment that offers affordable, quality food. 

Investing in Ideas & People

Adam’s entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t end with his own business ventures. In addition to his success as a business owner and founder, Adam has leveled up as an investor with a number of holdings spanning a wide variety of industries. From crypto mining to mental health, Adam’s investment portfolio speaks to the heart of who he is as a businessman and a person. 

People are central to Adam’s investments. With each new organization he supports, Adam looks for leaders and industry disruptors who are bringing new ideas to the table. With his focus on innovation, Adam spent 2021 and 2022 building up his investment portfolio. He’s invested in companies like Nushuma, a revolutionary mental health treatment center, Azucar Tequila, a woman-founded, vegan, gluten free, and kosher tequila brand, and Anti Fund, a rebellious venture capital organization founded by Jake Paul and Geoffrey Woo. 

Each company Adam backs and the people behind them hold a place near and dear to his heart. Because he cultivates such a personal connection to each organization, he is a hands-on investor, and a valued member of many of their boards. His people-first commitment to each brand has led him to build a network of truly ground-breaking products and services under his investment umbrella. 

GIVING BACK

Adam’s passion for helping people doesn’t stop with his investment portfolio. In addition to his charitable ventures with The Krebs restaurant, which has donated 100% of net profits to local organizations including the Rescue Mission, the American Red Cross, Food Bank of CNY, and more. Adam is a proud member of his community and champion for social activism.

As an avid philanthropist who aims to make a real-world impact on the communities and individuals he supports, Adam established CNY Tuesdays in 2019. This charity organization allows community members throughout Central New York to nominate in-need organizations and/or individuals to receive weekly $2,000 grants provided through his company Upstate Shredding - Weitsman Recycling. 

Following the success of the program, Weitsman, in conjunction with his daughter Clover, established Southern Tier Tuesdays, which serves the communities in New York’s Southern Tier, where Adam grew up. He’s also a regular supporter of the Tioga chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of America, which was founded by his grandfather, Ben Weitsman. 

Adam takes his philanthropy seriously and isn’t afraid to put in the necessary work himself in order to make a difference. With a focus on in-need organizations and individuals in his local community and throughout the Northeast, he regularly gives back to those around him.