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Jill Nagy
Only months after opening the Palette cafe and workspace in Saratoga Springs, Catherine Hover is planning a second location, this one in Schenectady.
The Saratoga cafe opened last June. The upstairs co-working space opened in November. The Schenectady location will probably open in late spring or early summer, she said.
For now, things are slow due to COVID-19 restrictions but, “We’re hanging in there,” she said. The cafe is restricted to curbside pick-up, delivery, and takeout.
“We’re doing as we are told, trying to make the best of it and stay cheerful,” she said. The cafe still offers members a menu of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, soups, and homemade baked goods. Baker Sam Pierre remains on staff and, in fact, “We’re not laying off anybody.”
The Schenectady cafe and co-working space will be located in the Foster Building at 508 State St. Palette will replace Liza’s Cafe on the ground floor and occupy office space upstairs. They will share the building with other businesses, including a new restaurant, and apartments.
“It may seem like Saratoga and Schenectady are very different,” Hover said. “Saratoga has that stigma of being upper-lip and snooty and Schenectady has got this persona of being blue collar and gritty. I think that, at the end of the day, all of that is irrelevant. Wherever there is a space, there are women who need support.”
For now, planned events are digital only and so is the shop. They are listed on Palette’s website, palettecafe.com. The shop offers clothing items and jewelry.
The Schenectady facility will have a dedicated child care space.