By Susan Elise Campbell
A new bar called Lucy’s is on a fast track to open in mid-June at 5 Caroline St. in Saratoga Springs, according to co-owner Zach VanEarden.
As recently as only eight months ago, VanEarden had never even imagined owning a retail business in his native city.
VanEarden received a call from his long-time friend and restaurateur Kelsey Whalen, owner of Whole Harvest, a downtown Saratoga Springs establishment that was located at 5 Caroline St. Whalen was preparing to relocate that business to 419 Broadway, and did so in April.
Whalen suggested the idea of opening the bar.
VanEarden owns and operates VanEarden Brothers Painting LLC with his brother Ben. A painter for more than 15 years, VanEarden started the company in 2018 after leaving the Marine Corps and a year-long deployment in Japan, returning to the area with his fiancée, Lucy Rivas, to be closer to his aging parents.
VanEarden and Whalen have known each other since their teenage years. Now they are co-owners of the new bar off Broadway. Rivas is a third partner.
VanEarden and his company helped renovate 5 Caroline St. for Whalen’s Whole Harvest business.
“Now that Kelsey was going to vacate and move Whole Harvest, many restaurants and businesses were interested in becoming the next tenants,” VanEarden said. “But she said to me, ‘We shouldn’t give this space up.’”
He signed the lease in March.
“The space is ideal for a bar because it’s small but well-lit,” he said. “There is no room for Lucy’s to expand from a bar into a restaurant and that’s not our concept. Just good booze, no food.”
VanEarden said he doesn’t want to limit his offerings or be known as a craft beer bar exclusively. He has applied for a full liquor license and will serve a range of beers, wines and mixed drinks while emphasizing local breweries and wineries.
“I like the latest and greatest craft beers and we will roll a keg of craft beer from regional breweries,” he said. “But my father likes his Budweiser, Lucy has a pink moscato from time to time, and anybody should enjoy having their favorite beverage.”
Renovations will begin May 24 and there is an aggressive timeline for a June 15 opening. The work will be done by Justin McLagan of True-North Construction out of Mechanicville.
“We love the history of the building and the architecture,” he said. “The atmosphere we’re looking for is eclectic and fun, and Lucy is partial to an old world Spanish vibe.”
“There are so many happy memories we have growing up in Saratoga,” said VanEarden. “Nothing would make me happier than to own a piece of it.”