Category Archives: Business News

By R.J. DeLuke

Gaffney’s, a landmark Saratoga Springs restaurant and bar, has changed hands and with that transaction, the owner is riding off to the ski slopes after investing 35 years of his life in the business.

By R.J. DeLuke 

“For us it’s about bringing in a greater general awareness and knowledge about the mechanics of economic development,” said Marty Vanags, president of Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, about the Saratoga County Prosperity Summit held Nov. 10

“The more people that understand that, the more we can corral resources toward that effort when the time comes,” he noted.

About 100 people attended the summit, a mix of public and private sector representatives, supervisors and town council members, business leaders and others.

By Maureen Werther

Mark Baker traveled from his home state of Wisconsin in 1983 to help break ground at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The center opened one year later and now, 33 years later, Baker is retiring as president and executive director, a role he has held during his entire tenure there.

Under his stewardship, and with the help and support of the Saratoga City Center Authority and the city of Saratoga Springs, the center has expanded to offer more than 32,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and reached an all-time high benchmark of 310 days of use in 2016.

“We are so fortunate to be in the city of Saratoga Springs, which is nationally recognized,” said Baker.

The Saratoga Builders Association recently presented proceeds totaling $70,000 from the 2016 Saratoga Showcase of Homes to two nonprofit organizations.

Checks were presented to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

Showcase officials said the total is the highest amount raised in the past five years. The Saratoga Builders Association has now contributed over $1 million to local charities from the home tour event.

By Liz Witbeck

Saratoga Rugby Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing rugby for people within the city. There are currently youth rugby teams for children 6 years old and up, competitive teams for high school and college students, and programs for adults.

It was founded in 2005 as a social organization. In a few years, the group has grown into a competitive program that now competes at Division 2 levels. This year, it held the Saratoga Collegiate Cup Sevens tournament.

With the growth of the organization, Eric Huss, vice president of the organization, has been interested in seeking out partnerships with community organizations.

“We are always looking for strategic partnerships. We want a partnership where we can both benefit from each other,” said Huss.