By Christine Graf

Almost 80 years ago, the Dake brothers opened their first Stewart’s ice cream shop in Ballston Spa. Today, Stewart’s Shops has 357 stores and more than 5,000 employees on the payroll.

Each year, the company spends approximately $50 million to purchase property, build new stores, and renovate existing stores.

“For the last five to ten years, that has been our model,” said Robin Cooper, public relations manager for Stewart’s Shops. “We identify which stores don’t have the food-to-go option—the pizza, the sandwiches, the soups. That’s been our growth area, and that’s what customers seem to be wanting more of. Some of our older stores may have been renovated but may not have been expanded to the level where we can add some of those things.”

When expansion isn’t possible, the company sometimes purchases nearby property, building a new store and shuttering the old one. That was recently the case for the small shop located at the corner of Watervliet-Shaker and Old Loudon Roads in Latham. Expansion of the store, one built in 1981, was not possible, and there was no adjoining property available for sale.

By Susan Elise Campbell

Saratoga business developers Ed and Lisa Mitzen are within months of adding two new eating establishments to their portfolio and another, an additional location for the iconic Hattie’s Restaurant, opened only weeks ago. As is their mission, profits from all three businesses will be used to give back to the community.

The Mitzens are founders of Business for Good, a not-for-profit foundation that channels proceeds from its donor companies to worthy charities in the communities they serve. Lisa Mitzen said recipients are other non-profits that primarily provide help for food insecurity, housing instability, animal welfare, and other causes that are close to the Mitzen family.

Hattie’s Albany opened its doors on March 14 with a celebratory ribbon cutting at 121 Madison Avenue in Albany, former home of the renowned Lombardo’s Italian American Restaurant. 

By Christine Graf

Work is currently underway on a $6 million renovation project at the Southern Saratoga YMCA. Located in Clifton Park, the branch is one of the 10 operated by the Capital District YMCA (CDYMCA).

As part of its $20 million capital campaign, the CDYMCA plans to renovate some of its older facilities. The project in Clifton Park represents phase one of the plan, the rest of which has yet to be announced.

Built in 1994, the Southern Saratoga YMCA will undergo a major interior and exterior facelift. Unutilized and underutilized spaces within the facility will be repurposed, mechanical and HVAC systems will be upgraded, and technologic capabilities will be enhanced.

“We will be adding new administrative office areas as well as collaborative spaces for learning and sharing—a community space with multi-purpose rooms,” said David Brown, CEO of the CDYMCA. “We’re  also enhancing the kitchen, making it a chef’s kitchen. That will allow us to offer more classes and programming in the kitchen.”

The renovation includes new and expanded spaces for teens and youth, a refresh of the lobby and gyms, and enhancements to the childcare facilities. The pool area, locker rooms, and sauna will also be updated. The facility’s wellness centers will be expanded, a larger spinning studio will be added, and several new lines of high-tech fitness equipment will be purchased. 

By Susan Elise Campbell

A paid parking proposal before the Saratoga Springs City Council had many local business owners scratching their heads for the past few months, but a simpler approach is now in the works.

The multi-faceted proposal seen in news media and spearheaded by Department of Public Works Commissioner Jason Golub calls for the City-owned parking garages and surface lots north of Spring Street, east of Broadway, and north of Division Street to the west to charge a fee of $2 per hour from the time of entry. 

Paid parking would only be in effect for the summer, but residents and businesses get permits to park for free.

“A growing city like Saratoga Springs needs to consider how it can pay for, and expand, services that support a booming tourist industry and our residents,” said Commissioner Golub. “Investing into the downtown corridor and streamlining visitor parking without balancing it on the back of the taxpayers was one of the primary goals of the seasonal parking program.”

While Broadway was deemed to remain meter-free and accessible by all, the original proposal designated several blocks of parking spaces on streets adjacent to Broadway as “permit only” or “two-hour free or permit only,” according to a presentation Commissioner Golub made to the Downtown Business Association members and their guests. The forum was at DBA’s invitation and held at City Hall on February 15, 2024, according to Joseph Vidarte, a Merrill Lynch financial advisor who has worked from an office on Broadway since 2017. 

The full proposal was submitted one week later to City Council.

STRIDE Adaptive Sports, one of America’s most respected nonprofits committed to empowering individuals through life-changing sport and recreation programs, is proud to announce the appointment of Alex Brame as its new Executive Director.

Alex joins STRIDE with an impressive background and passion for making a positive difference in sport.  Alex was the executive director of New York West Youth Soccer Association for 7 years, fundraising and advocating across New York State for youth programs, competitions and tournaments across a 54,000 membership. With a focus on inclusivity and a proven track record of strengthening organizational funding, Alex is well-positioned to lead STRIDE into its next chapter of growth and impact.

Alex inherits the leadership of STRIDE from Mary Ellen Whitney, the Founder and CEO of STRIDE for almost 40 years.  The Board of Directors, staff, and all of STRIDE’s communities are indebted to Mary Ellen’s immeasurable dedication to build and lead STRIDE since 1985.  Under Mary Ellen’s leadership, STRIDE hosts and delivers more than 14,000 annual adaptive lessons and activities at sites across the New York Capital region, positively impacting the lives of more than 2,500 families annually.

“I am thrilled that we have hired Alex as the next executive director of STRIDE after a 16 month search,” said Mary Ellen Whitney. “I know that Alex will be a significant asset to drive the future of STRIDE.  I am looking forward to focusing on my passion and first love of teaching and volunteering with STRIDE athletes. I will also be joining the STRIDE Board of Directors in an ex-officio capacity, and I will be working within the STRIDE community to support Alex’s leadership and the next chapter of STRIDE’s journey.”

By Christine Graf

Guilderland’s Jason and Bobbie Sellie, Dogtopia franchise owners, are preparing to open their second Capital Region dog daycare and pet spa in Clifton Park. The couple has operated the Latham Dogtopia for just over a year, winning the franchise’s Rookie of the Year Award.  

Expected to open in late March or early April, the Clifton Park Dogtopia will be located in North Country Commons at 1208 Route 146. A major renovation of the plaza is underway, and new tenants include Goldfish Swim School, CrossFit House Party,  and Flipside Gaming. Ocean State Job Lot, Cartwheels Gymnastic Center, and Clifton Park Bottle & Can are longtime tenants of the plaza, one of the oldest in Clifton Park.  

The new facility will feature four spacious doggie daycare playrooms, an outdoor play area, and a grooming salon. Open play daycare will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and overnight boarding services will also be available. 

Each of the four playrooms will be staffed by Canine Coaches, individuals who have completed  a rigorous three-level certification program. Dogs are divided between the rooms according to their size, temperament, and play style, and animals must complete a temperament evaluation before being allowed into one of the rooms for the first time. Pet parents must also show proof of vaccination and spay/neuter.