Courtesy Catherine Hover
By Andrea Harwood Palmer
Catherine Hover, owner of Palette Café on Broadway and Paint & Sip on Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, has revised and redirected her business services in the wake of the coronavirus economic shutdown.
“The most important thing for me is my team and keeping them employed. They have so much invested in Palette Café and Paint & Sip, and I have so much invested in them. It’s not someone else’s problem—it’s my problem, and I’m going to be part of the solution. Putting my staff on unemployment is not solving the problem. We’re going to pivot the hell out of this thing,” said Hover.
Hover utilized both businesses to put together “Paint & Take” paint kits. The kit includes a canvas, brushes, all the paint you need for the project. There is a $3 refundable deposit for the brushes, refundable when brushes are returned. Step-by-step instructions are included in the kit, and a recorded instructional session is available as well.
Wine is included with the kit for $15. Customers choose between a white or a red house wine.
Tuesday and Thursday pick-ups are from 5-7 p.m., with different kits for each day. People can sign up online and show up between the hours posted for safe, properly distanced curbside pickup. Social media and the company’s website, www.thepalettecafe.com, are the best place to view upcoming paint kit options.
“It’s not rocket science, it’s painting, Bob Ross style, with some music and some wine. I’m trying to think about what I would want for myself right now. And I would want someone to help me,” said Hover.
In addition to Paint & Take kits, Palette Café is offering a take-out food menu, deliverable with curbside delivery through Grub Hub and Door Dash.
Hover is originally from New Orleans, and was 19 years old when Hurricane Katrina hit the area.
“Katrina was very localized. This is a lot like that, on a global scale. We’re all being challenged with the question of, ‘How do I want to show up for this?’ Are you going to fold and not be able to come back up? Are you going to be able to think creatively and keep going?” said Hover.
“We have a great community in Saratoga and I believe the Capital Region will come together as a whole like they never have before. We have so many different resources here, and we can piggyback off of each other,” said Hover.