By Jennifer Farnsworth

Fred Whipple knows fire safety. From his family’s history with the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, to building his own career, he has been a part of the fire safety field for his entire life.

Now, the retired firefighter is bringing his knowledge to his own business, Saratoga Fire Extinguisher.

He said after retiring he wanted to still utilize his expertise via fire extinguisher sales and service. He specializes in portable fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and other safety products for business and residential customers.

“I wanted to start this business to provide a service that is lacking locally. There are a few companies out there but none that are from Saratoga Springs,” said Whipple.

He said state and local laws govern all public places and businesses in regard to fire extinguishers, and those extinguishers need to be serviced and inspected yearly by a trained professional company.

By Jill Nagy

An octagonal boat with a thatched roof began navigating Saratoga Lake in July. The boat, operated by Tiki Tours, is the second one launched in the area this summer.

The company started on Lake George earlier this summer.

Cruises leave from the South Shore Marina, 113 Route 9P, near the Nostalgia restaurant, and last for an hour. Fare is $35 per passenger for up to six passengers. The boat will also pick up passengers at Doc Brown’s Restaurant, 511 Route 9P, Saratoga Springs. The passengers determine where to go and whether to make stops on the way.

Greg Teresi, owner of the company, said the boat is rented on a charter basis. It went out about 50 times in its first month of operation in Saratoga.

The boat, decorated like a small Tiki lounge, measures 15.5 feet by 16.5 feet and is powered by a 30-horsepower outboard engine. It can accommodate six passengers.

He said it is manned by a captain and a deckhand. There are few amenities: an ice chest and ice, a portable toilet with a privacy shield, and is radio equipped with bluetooth technology.

By Liz Witbeck

Make Me Fabulous hair salon and spa recently opened inside of the Pavilion Grand Hotel on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

Make Me Fabulous is the second location for owner Alayne Curtiss. The first is at 32 Front St. in Ballston Spa, which has been in business since 2011.

The salon is not just for hotel patrons. It is open to the public.

The newest location at 30 Lake Ave. has both salon and spa services in a 1,500-square-foot space.

“The Ballston Spa location has more of a hometown vibe, while [the new venture] vibe is more Saratoga,” said Curtiss.

“Our business needed to be in Saratoga,” said Curtiss. “We were always inside of the hotel for events. When the space became available, we started talking. The owners couldn’t have been more helpful.”

“We are able to service guests better now that we are here in town.”

About $50,000 was spent in renovations, in order to update the spa and salon treatment facilities, she said.