Category Archives: Business News

By Rachel Phillips

Kathryn Pellett opened The Little Gym of Saratoga at 2110 Ellsworth Boulevard in Malta, offering a fun and educational program for children that can help them get stronger, and build confidence.

Pellett, a mother of four young children, first experienced The Little Gym when she enrolled one of her sons at a facility in Loudenville, which was the closest location to her at the time. Though she was initially concerned about how the instructors would respond to her son’s autism and speech disorder, from the beginning she said she was put at ease. The instructors accommodated her son’s needs, allowing him to learn on his own terms.

“The classes are totally inclusive,” she said.  “Teachers understand this, and talk to the parents to figure out what’s best for each individual child.”

At first, her son preferred to watch the classes from the side. At home, he would demonstrate the moves he’d learned from watching. Eventually, he developed friendships with the other children, and began to actively participate in lessons.

After seeing the positive effects The Little Gym had on her son, Pellett decided to bring the system to families in the Saratoga area.

By Jill Nagy

Jayson Greco, former chief technology officer for Ayco in Saratoga Springs, has started a company to provide information technology services for small businesses.

Enginuity Technologies offers a range of services from a basic consultation to full management of a company’s IT structure.

Greco has some 20 years of experience in the field.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for several years,” he said. Over time, he has done side projects of his own, but this is the first time solo business venture.

He will work out of an office building at 77 Van Dam St., Saratoga Springs, near the hospital. There is a small window in front but, so far, the only sign is in the building lobby. The decor is “modern, clean, with artwork representing things important to me, he said.

By Maureen Werther

Sports 4 All is a new sporting goods and memorabilia shop located at 78 Church St. in Saratoga Springs.

Its owner, John Vrana, has been in the business for more than 13 years and plans on growing his business in the region.

Originally from Collingswood, N.J., Vrana is a big in fan of thoroughbred racing and was a frequent vacationer in the Spa City for years before deciding to move here permanently about a year ago. He ran a similar business in New Jersey for more than a dozen years, with an inventory consisting of autographed items such as baseballs, batting helmets and bats, and other items that are favorites with sports fans.

The local store also offers silk-screening and embroidering, sports apparel and equipment.

Vrana said that he also buys, sells and trades sports memorabilia.

By Liz Witbeck

Good Eats, a restaurant that recently opened in Ballston Spa, combines American diner classics with Middle Eastern specialties.

Good Eats is located at 11 Prospect St. Matt and Ranan Akari own the building and business. Previously, the space had been rented out to Willow’s Bistro. That restaurant went out of business last June.

The Akaris have lived in Ballston Spa for 23 years. They also operate the gas station next door to the restaurant, and have been in business there since they first moved to town.

“It was his idea to start the restaurant, not mine,” Ranan said of her husband. “I cook a lot in the house. Every night I am cooking.”

“We owned the building. We could either open up the restaurant ourselves or rent it out. I think we can do it,” said Matt.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Chef Brady Duhame has launched a pop-up eatery at Sinclair Saratoga, a game room and bar at 17 Maple Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

Duhame worked as the head chef at 15 Church, a  Saratoga Springs high-end restaurant, for three years before holding the title as director of culinary operations for Saratoga Hospitality Group. He said he always had a dream of one day being able to open an Asian-style restaurant and when the opportunity arose, he decided it was time to make that move.

“For as long as I can remember I wanted to combine my two loves, Asian cuisine and noodles,” said Duhame.

Buddha Noodle is located at 17 Maple Avenue and is open daily from 5-10 p.m.

“I was in California and a connection from Sinclair called. Once I was back, I looked at the space, walked through the arcade room and felt it was the perfect scenario, so we partnered up,” said Duhame.

He said he plans to make some renovations in the near future, especially as the business grows, but for now he is happy that his vision has a home.