Category Archives: Business News

Three local small businesses were recognized during National Small Business Week at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 20th annual Small Business Excellence Awards luncheon in Albany in May. 

Small businesses are selected for the Excellence Awards based on longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity or community contributions.

Among those honored was Armor Group Insurance Agency based in Clifton Park. Robert Cowan started the business in 2013. “Through his highly-effective targeted marketing efforts, outstanding salesmanship and super

The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association is requesting nominations for its 2018 Property Beautification Awards in Ballston Spa. 

The awards are given in recognition of the restoration, renovation, new build, and beautification efforts by homeowners and businesses, which have enhanced the Ballston Spa area within the past two years.  

This year’s awards will again be sponsored by Curtis Lumber.  

Over 300 business and community leaders attended the Saratoga Economic Development Corp.’s 40th anniversary event at the historic Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs in May.

At the event, Stacie Diana presented Dennis Probston, SEDC president, with a copy of an  entry in the Congressional Record submitted by Rep. Stefanik honoring SEDC’s 40th year of private sector driven economic success.

 Celebrating 40 years of success, SEDC  continues to work with nearly 300 employers. 

The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership announced the completion and launch of new marketing resource it says will strengthen the collaborative effort to attract new businesses and private investment to Saratoga County.

The Saratoga Partnership worked with the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to spearhead development of the agency’s new logo—its first since the organization was founded nearly 50 years ago—and a modern website to replace one that had not been updated in more than a decade. 

Aligned with the brand identity of the Saratoga Partnership, the new IDA logo and website support a unified message that effectively markets Saratoga County’s world-class business tools and assets to prospective companies and employees across a variety of industries, officials said. 

By Jennifer Farnsworth

For people in Saratoga Springs that may have a craving for something with a European flare, KaffeeHouse owners say their establishment is the place to go. 

The new coffee and pastry shop at 120 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, offers roasted coffee, homemade German-style pastries, and lunch items like soups and salads. 

Owner Marcus Solga said the family business is something that was always a goal of his. He loves the area, so when the opportunity arose, he took it.

By Rachel Phillips

Yoga Mandali, a 14-year-old yoga studio located at 454 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, has recently come under new ownership.

Located on the second floor of the Downtown Marketplace, the facility has two large yoga studios, as well as a smaller meditation space, including a lounge area and office with small retail area for yoga mats and books. 

The studio is open seven days a week, with instructors offering vinyasa flow, yin, gentle restorative, kripalu and other types of classes five or six times a day. Yoga Mandali has also been doing yoga teacher training for 10 years.

The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership is expanding its professional team with the addition of a former top official with the Office of the United States Trade Representative. 

Mary Estelle Ryckman, who spent 30 years developing trade and investment policy and negotiating international agreements in a variety of senior U.S. government positions, has joined the Saratoga Partnership as a global markets advisor, business retention and expansion specialist. In that role, she will provide critical guidance to assist businesses in addressing significant changes in U.S. policies affecting global trade. 

By Jill Nagy

After nearly three years in Glens Falls, Dizzy Chicken is shifting its restaurant operations to a newer outlet in Saratoga Springs. 

The Glens Falls site, at 72 South St., will be devoted exclusively to a catering facility.

Justin Bartlett, co-owner with his wife, Annamaria, attributed the change to a poor location and lack of parking in Glens Falls. 

“The business was not large enough to merit keeping it going,” he said. The Saratoga restaurant opened in August 2017 and is “going well,” he said, “and kind of met our expectations for the winter.” 

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has approved $1.75 million to rehabilitate and upgrade Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s amphitheater ramps, lighting and other high priority infrastructure as part of the recently approved state budget. 

The funds will be used to rejuvenate SPAC’s facilities for future generations, officials said.

“We celebrated SPAC’s landmark 50th anniversary in 2016 and now, as we embark on our vision for the next 50 years, we are committed to enhancing SPAC’s historic venue for 21st century audiences,” said Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC president and CEO.

Circus Smirkus, the international youth circus, returns to the outdoor soccer field at the Saratoga Casino Hotel for four performances this summer.

On July 9 and 10, families can gather as the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs presents the Circus Smirkus 2018 Big Top Tour.

This theme of this year’s circus tour is “Vaudeville!” a celebration of the grand American tradition of variety entertainment. The show will include acrobats,  magicians,  jugglers and wirewalkers.

Thirty budding stars ages 10 to 18 perform in the circue. The 2018 performance troupe, comprised of 30 troupers, come from 14 states and Canada. The show is full of talent and spectacle, with aerials, acrobatics, wire walking, juggling, clowning, live music and an array of brilliant costumes.