by Andrea Harwood Palmer
Tailgate & Party Shop has moved to 33 Phila S. in Saratoga Springs. The store held a soft opening in late April.
“In one week, we moved our entire shop. We picked up one store and put it down in another. It was one of the hardest things physically that I’ve ever done in my life,” said owner Kirsten Lambert.
Lambert had been renting her previous location on Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs for quite awhile. She and her husband had been considering purchasing property in for investment purposes. She then had a conversation with Richard Frank, owner of Four Seasons Natural Foods Café and friend of Lambert. At the time, Frank was deciding his own future plans.
“We had such great conversations about what each of us wanted to do,” said Lambert. “It was like the stars aligned. He was ready (to leave the Café space) and we were ready.”
Lambert purchased the building that previously housed the Four Seasons Café. Frank will maintain the Four Seasons Natural Foods health food store on Henry Street.
“I told him I would treat the building nicely. And I have. So far it has been just a great experience. It’s a wonderful location with a lot of foot traffic and visibility. It’s really changed things for us,” said Lambert.
Lambert’s previous location was in a restaurant area, with very little retail surrounding her. With the change of location, she said business has increased dramatically.
“It’s been crazy busy,” she said.
She opened her store in June 2020. She saw the need for a party and tailgating supply store in Saratoga Springs when she couldn’t find anywhere locally to find supplies for her mother’s 80th birthday party.
“There really aren’t any party stores around here. Party City is a half hour away. That was sparking the need, in my mind, for a shop of that nature. This town does more than just the traditional parties. There’s a lot of summer tailgating and other similar events. Our new store has two levels. One side has hostess and party supplies. Then you go down two steps to where we keep things like drinking games, man-cave stuff, NFL stuff, coolers, tailgating supplies and that kind of thing,” said Lambert.
Lambert put AstroTurf down in the tailgating section, and painted some old cooking hoods with red and white stripes like Saratoga Race Course.
“It all came together so much better in the new location,” said Lambert.
Tailgate & Party now has helium balloons. There was recently a nationwide helium shortage, as helium is a finite substance found in the ground and is found in limited amounts. Helium was being held back from recreational suppliers in favor of industrial users.
“At a small shop, helium can be very hard to get,” said Lambert. “But we have it.”
“If people saw our old store, they will definitely recognize how much of an upgrade the new store is,” said Lambert. “It’s fun. There is so much to see and absorb. We have a lot of inventory.”
The phone number is 518-886-9015. Its website is www.tailgateandparty.com.