Stewart’s Shops has announced plans to
rebuild a store on the site of the very first shop,
opened 70 years ago.
The shop on Church Avenue in the town of
Ballston will have a new look, from the ground
up. Plans were approved Oct. 1 by the Ballston
Planning Board.
“Everyone always asks me where the Stewart’s
name came from, and this is where it all
started,” said Stewart’s President Gary Dake
about the shop. “Donald Stewart’s business
already had an identity and good reputation–
one we could build from–so we kept the name.”
In September of 1945, brothers Charles V.
and Percy Dake purchased the dairy and ice
cream business on Church Ave from Donald
Stewart. At the front of the dairy plant was a
small store that became the first Stewart’s Ice
Cream Shop.
The ice cream shop evolved into a Stewart’s
Soup and Sandwich Shop with booths and
waitresses. It was heavily damaged by a fire in
1984, which lead to its demolition. A new Stewart’s
Bread and Butter store was constructed
the following year, focusing on groceries like milk and bread, as well as ice cream.
Another
30 years later, the shop the company looks to
expand its food service.
Company officials said the new shop will be
an increase of about 1,500 square feet, with a
wider variety of “easy food” items including
fresh made pizza and subs. A larger footprint
also provides more seating, a walk-in cooler
called a beer cave, and two bathrooms.
Outside, a larger parking lot will pave the
way for two more fueling points than the current
store (six total) and include diesel fuel.
The new shop construction is anticipated
for 2016.
“We are thrilled that 70 years after my
grandfather and great-uncle purchased the
property in the town of Ballston that we are
able to redevelop and continue our long history
with the town,” said Dake. “We look forward to
continuing to serve this community and thank
the town as well as the village of Ballston Spa
for their long-standing support.”
There are 331 Stewart’s shops located in 31
counties across upstate New York and southern
Vermont.