Category Archives: New Businesses

Stephanie Siracusa has opened a new show store, Stephanie Anne’s in Saratoga Springs.

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

Stephanie Siracusa is trading in her real estate career for a new pair of heels–to be exact, a whole store full of them.

Her new shoe store, Stephanie Anne’s, opened in the Saratoga Marketplace, 454 Broadway, on the main level, in between Pangea and Mango Tree. Siracusa offers a wide assortment of shoes, boots and sandals that will appeal to women who love shoes.

“I’ve thought about opening either a clothing or a shoe store for years,” said Siracusa. She is originally from Dallas and lived for several years in New York City as well. When she moved to Delmar, the Shoe Depot in Saratoga became her “go to” store for shoes. “When they closed, it left a gaping hole in the market,” she said.

When Siracusa moved from Delmar to Saratoga Springs a few years ago, her plan was to either sell real estate or open a shop. She stuck to that plan and worked with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services on Broadway.

But, the lure of opening her own retail store was strong and, after a couple of years as a realtor, she decided to make the career change.

Cathy Carollo, owner of Curtain and Carpet Concepts, with assistant designer Scott Drake.

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth

After years of being in the home decor business, Cathy Carollo said she knew it was time to find a space that could accommodate both her growing business and her growing dream.

Carollo has been helping clients with curtains, carpets, and home décor for 22 years. She bought the popular Curtain Exchange of Saratoga in 2002 in the former fire department building at 543 Broadway.

To account for expansion, she moved recently to larger space and created Curtain and Carpet Concepts at 46 Marion Ave., in the shopping area that has Fresh Markets, Smashburgers and other commercial ventures, behind the Hamlets housing project.

“I have been in business in Saratoga, in the oriental rug and carpet end, for 22 years, beginning with Jacobsen Orientals, then with Stockade Orientals as a third-generation rug dealer,” said Carollo.

Louise McManus, left, and Anouk Booneman are the owners of Vischer Ferry General Store at 357 Riverview Road, Rexford, that features a café open for breakfast and lunch.

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Liz Witbeck

Vischer Ferry General Store, owned and operated by Louise McManus and Anouk Booneman, features retail space as well as a café open for breakfast and lunch.

The store, at 357 Riverview Road, Rexford, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 22.

“People have been thrilled,” said McManus, who opened the store in December. “They want a place to eat and to walk to. Some people even come in twice a day.”

McManus worked at the bridal shop Lily Saratoga for 10 years and also worked as a jewelry designer before opening the business. She brings to Vischer Ferry General Store her knowledge of the retail industry and is responsible for purchasing items for that portion of the store.

“My inspiration is trying to carry unique things that nobody else carries,” said McManus. “I am very inspired by nature. I love the nature preserve that we have here. Many of our items are tied to nature in some way. We also have a lot of books, history related items, and local items.”

Some of McManus’ favorite items at the shop include the jewelry line by Alex Monroe. The line features nature-inspired pieces, such as rabbits and birds. Another favorite is Library of Flowers, a bath and body line featuring lotions, perfumes, soaps, candles, oils, bubble bath, shower gels, and more.

Darren DeVietro, left, and his father Dominick DeVietro, have opened the Beekman Street Cafe in the Beekman Street Arts District in Saratoga Springs.

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By R.J. DeLuke

A new restaurant serving breakfast and lunch has opened on the west side of Saratoga Springs, specializing in fresh breakfast sandwiches, homemade baked goods and its unique blend of coffee.

Beekman Street Cafe opened in April at 51 Ash St. in the Beekman Street Arts District (at the corner of Beekman and Ash streets), “quietly,” said co-owner Darren DeVietro, and its official grand opening was held May 1.

He owns the business with his father, Dominick DeVietro. The pair has owned the restaurant 62 Beekman St., just down the block, for nearly three years.

DeVietro said about a year and a half ago, 62 Beekman started making its own homemade desserts (he is the baker) and “they just took off” in popularity. With the demand growing, and limited space, they started looking for another place where the baking could be done.

The building, formerly Rena’s Fine Flowers, became available and “we jumped at it,” DeVietro said. “We love the arts district. We love where we”re at and all the locals.”

Hal Raven has started a boat charter and cruise company on Saratoga Lake.

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Sarah Jean Worden

There’s a new way to enjoy Saratoga Lake this summer with the introduction of local entrepreneur Hal Raven’s latest venture, Adirondack Cruise and Charter Co.

“Don’t worry about driving,” said Raven. “Grab a bottle of wine and come out with us.”

Raven runs a boat charter and cruise company that will take people around the local lake. Tours will typically be two-hour rides for up to eight people with a cost starting at $275.

Starting small this season with just one eight-passenger pontoon boat, Raven already has big plans for the future of his business. He anticipated adding a 30-passenger vessel to his lineup to accommodate larger parties. Part of his vision includes early 1900s-style steamboats like ones that used on the lake a century ago.

“It just seems so Saratoga,” he said.

This rendering shows a typical Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews building in the 500-plus restaurant chain. Company officials are anticipating a July opening.

Courtesy Red Robin

By Liz Witbeck

Red Robin will open a new restaurant in summer 2016 at 3008 Route 50 in Saratoga Springs, on the site that was once Uno Pizzeria & Grill, which closed last year.

“We can confirm that Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews is planning to open a new restaurant in Saratoga Springs in summer 2016,” said Les Lehner, senior vice president of real estate at Red Robin.

He said the restaurant is tentatively slated to open in July. It is located on 1.3 acres of property.

Lehner said renovations for the site include improving the patio space with lighting; moving the dumpster and enclosure areas; and enhancing the curb. The exterior will also be modified to have the Red Robin look and signs. There will not be a drive-through at the location.

By Maureen Werther

Blue Agave Cantina opened in mid-March at 135 Crescent Ave., the site of the former Leon’s Restaurant.

Brad Smith is the new owner and Patrick Longton is the chef.

Native Saratogian Smith received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his master’s degree from UNLV School of Hospitality. His credentials include managing some restaurants in Las Vegas, including Wynn, Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grille and three of Wolfgang Puck’s restaurants.

In 2011, Smith returned to Saratoga and worked for DZ Restaurants for a period of time, before becoming part owner in 2014 of the Mexican Connection. Blue Agave is his latest culinary adventure. He said he is excited about his collaboration with Longton.

Longton has an American/French culinary background, but when he and Smith got together to talk about Blue Agave, “It was like two musicians jamming and feeding off each other’s passions,” said Smith. The menu is “kind of like Bobby Flay meets Rick Bayless.”

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Warren Tire will build a full-service automotive repair shop in Halfmoon, about two miles from its long-standing shop at the corner of Routes 9 and 146.

The 7,200-square-foot store, with eight service bays, will be built at 159 Stone Quarry Road, just north of the Crescent Bridge. It could open this fall.

The location, on the west side of the road, is still a wooded lot. It is near two competitors: Adirondack Tire and The Tire Warehouse. Bob Kellogg, owner and president of Glens Falls-based Warren Tire, said he wasn’t targeting the other businesses when he picked the site.

“We were just looking for a spot in Halfmoon or Clifton Park to secure our future there,” he said.

The store at the corner of Routes 9 and 146 is leased property. Most of it sits within the town of Halfmoon and a small portion is in Clifton Park. Although Kellogg recently renewed the lease, he wanted the security of knowing he also owned a building in the town.

By Liz Witbeck

Marybeth Stacchini knows about teenagers. She has been working with them for the past 15 years as part of her driving school, Marybeth’s School of Driving, located in Saratoga Springs.

An accident at work last year prevented her from continuing to do the driving lessons. Stacchini was at the kitchen table one night playing ping pong, when she came up with an idea for a new business: a venue where children and families could go to play games with each other.

Saratoga Game Station opened on March 1 at 18 Geyser Road in Milton.

The gaming center features table tennis, foosball, air hockey, billiards and darts. Customers come and pay $5 for each hour of unlimited games.

She hopes that this will be a resource of entertainment for adolescents, instead of getting involved with drugs and alcohol. “This gives them a safe place to go.”

By Jill Nagy

Nicholas Porreca, the chef when the Pasta Penne Rustic Italian Bistro in Clifton Park opened 15 years ago, now owns the restaurant.

He said he plans no major changes.

Porreca has been a “passionate chef for 20 years. It’s something that I love to do.”

For most of that time, he has been cooking at the Clifton Park bistro he now owns at 18 Park Ave.

He and his wife, Nicole, took a three-year hiatus in Hawaii, where he was a chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in Maui. While in Maui, the Porrecas had twins, Sonny and Liea, now two years old. They returned to Clifton Park because, he said, it is their “home base” and family and support systems became more important with two small children to raise.