By Rachel Phillips
Marini Homes has plans to build 22 townhomes behind Ellsworth Commons, off Route 9 in Malta.
The plaza is located at 2101 Ellsworth Boulevard in Malta, in the heart of the downtown district of Malta.
West Mountain ski center off of Northway Exit 18 has sprung into a new season with renovations and additions to offer skiers new options.
New chairlifts, expanded terrain, 100 percent snowmaking capabilities, learn-to-lessons, after-school programs, tubing, night skiing and an up-and-coming alpine racing program are all part of West Mountain, where Spencer Montgomery, co-owner and managing member, has developed a place for family fun.
With 31 trails and five lifts, skiers and riders of all abilities come to West Mountain. Improvements include a new “Apex” triple chairlift on the Northwest side, 15 tower snow guns that round out the completion of the snowmaking capabilities, and a five-acre Tree-Top Aerial Adventure Park.
In addition to the updates on the mountain, a brand new West Express Cafe will be open on the first floor of the main lodge this season offering more healthy food options. Skiers and riders also have the option of experiencing the mountain under the lights with night skiing.
The area’s longest-running farmers’ market, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market Association is in a new location for the winter at the Wilton Mall.
Markets run each Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will feature 50-plus vendors selling a range of locally produced items including fresh produce, ready-to-eat foods, and artisan products.
The market will be located in the interior space of the mall near the DMV and former Bon-Ton entrance.
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Holidays goers can once again enjoy the annual Quick Response Restoration holiday light show and display.
The event, called Santa’s Playland, is now in its 19th year. It will be held at the company headquarters, 2077 Route 9, Round Lake.
Vincent Laurenzo of Quick Response said this was something his father started as a away to give back to the community and today the show still upholds that tradition.
“This is something that is important to our family and to all of those 50 plus volunteers who make it happen,” said Laurenzo.
Saratoga Hospital is honoring a beloved Saratoga Springs icon with its 2019 collector’s ornament, “Celebrating Mrs. Marylou Whitney.”
Proceeds from the sale of the ornaments will support the Saratoga Hospital Cancer Patient Fund.
“Marylou was so impressed by the quality of care she received at Saratoga Hospital,” said John Hendrickson, Mrs. Whitney’s husband. “I know she would have been humbled and honored to have the hospital’s holiday ornament dedicated to her memory.”
The 24th in the collectible series, the ornament features the Saratoga Race Course clubhouse entrance, renamed in Mrs. Whitney’s honor. Previous ornaments depicted historic places, buildings, statues, or iconic areas or pastimes.
The artwork is by Saratoga Hospital surgeon Dr. Joseph Bell, vice president and medical director of perioperative services.
“Mrs. Whitney’s loss reverberated throughout the city,” Bell said.
By Susan E. Campbell
Anyone who needs work or meeting area but doesn’t want the burden of their own office can rent shared space at The Worker’s Club for a day, a year, or anything in between.
This business is owned by Monika LaPlante, who has produced a modern, comfortable environment in Suite 4 of the historic building at 3 Franklin St. in Saratoga Springs, two blocks off Broadway.
“I am from Lake George, where many families owned businesses,“ she said. “I was surrounded my whole life so it was in my head to start my own.“
Hannaford Supermarkets opened its new Ballston Spa store in November at 3 Via Rossi Way.
The new 39,000 square-foot store features a full-service kitchen department, offering an expanded selection of hot foods and meal solutions, as well as hand-crafted sandwiches and salads made on-site daily. There is also an in-store café, which will also serve as a community gathering space.
The new store also offers Hannaford-To-Go, a service that allows customers to order groceries online and then pick them up at the store. Additionally, the store has a drive-thru pharmacy.
The store will employ approximately 125 full- and part-time associates.
The Saratoga Casino Hotel Foundation, Inc. recently awarded over $28,000 to 24 different nonprofit organizations. The ceremony took place in Fortunes Restaurant at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The Foundation distributes these grants annually to recognize and support organizations that benefit residents of Saratoga County. Organizations whose initiatives that support youth, senior citizens, recreation, arts and community benefit are given priority.
Since its inception in 2004, the foundation has awarded over $425,000 to more than 175 nonprofit groups in Saratoga County.
Saratoga Casino Hotel opened a new sports bar on Nov. 1, featuring two tiers of 360-degree multimedia screens to view sporting events.
The new bar also has a large variety of craft beers and an a la carte menu offering high-end pub fare.
The new bar, named the Mane Bar, is located just inside the main entrance to the casino.
It features 20 taps highlighting several local craft beers and a gastropub menu with items such as lobster sliders, wagyu steak sandwiches and truffle parmesan Saratoga chips.
The bar is illuminated with a high-tech, dynamic lighting system which allows the casino to change the overall ambiance of the bar by adjusting the lighting options.
Construction is underway on a $9.5 million renovation project at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Spa State Park.
Officials said the work will improve visitor services and add a four-season event space.
The project is supported by $8 million in private funding from Live Nation and Saratoga Performing Arts Center. New York state is providing up to $1.5 million in grants from Empire State Development and State Parks, awarded through the governor’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
As part of this project, SPAC will undergo a complete replacement and upgrade of the existing concessions and restroom facilities. Two new concessions buildings will replace the existing tent structures, which have lacked proper security, infrastructure and storage space, officials said.