By Maureen Werther

The Homewood Suites by Hilton Saratoga Springs opened on June 20 at 3368 South Broadway, on the property that was formerly home to Weathervane Restaurant.

It is a venture of Turf Pioneer South Broadway LLC and .

The four-story hotel has been in the works since 2013 and taken four years for approvals and construction. The cost of the project came in at approximately $20 million, nearly double what owner Mike Hoffman originally estimated in 2013, when the project was still in the planning and approval stage.

The property had originally been zoned for medical/office/professional development and Hoffman requested a change to tourism-related business district designation.

The upscale Hilton-brand hotel has 113 suites—ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom units—an indoor pool and hot tub, a basketball court, a fire pit and two grills for guests to barbecue. The hotel will also offer a shuttle service for guests who want to dine in Saratoga Springs.

Homewood Suites are known as upscale extended-stay “home away from home” hotels that offer fully equipped kitchens for people who are planning to stay for longer than normal one- to two-night hotel stays.

By Maureen Werther

Hoffman’s Car Wash opened the company’s 22nd location this year on Route 50, just north of Northline Road.

The car wash at 2214 Ballston Ave. is the company’s third location in Saratoga County.

Prior to the new opening, the closest Hoffman car wash facility for residents in Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa and Malta was the Wilton location at Northway Exit 15.

Hoffman’s Car Wash invested between $2.5 and $3 million into the Route 50 location. According to Tom Hoffman Jr., CEO of Hoffman’s Car Wash, the company had hoped to have the facility open in December. But extensive designing, engineering and traffic studies had to be completed before the project was given the green light by the city of Saratoga Springs.

City officials wanted to make sure that installing a car wash along the Route 50 corridor would not cause adverse traffic conditions, said Hoffman.

By Liz Witbeck

Weddings are among the most celebrated events in people’s lives. Some people spend thousands of dollars to create a lifelong memory.

One way to make the celebration memorable is to incorporate horse-drawn carriage rides, adding to the level of romance and drama.

Beth and Steve Podhajecki, owners of Loon Meadow Farm, have been working in the horse and carriage industry for 35 years. People contact them to add their services to special occasions.

The Podhajeckis previously owned and operated the business in Norfolk, Conn. In 2016, the couple decided to move back to Greenfield Center, where Steve is originally from.

“We both wanted to move here,” said Steve. “We were looking at combining our passion of horses with our plans for the future.”

“People don’t do these horse and carriage rides just to get from point A to point B,” said Beth. “They are doing it to make a dramatic effect. You are trying to create a special effect that will enhance the event.”

The Podhajeckis currently own five horses, which have been specially trained for carriage work. Some of the most common events that the horse and carriage rides are used for include weddings, funerals, parades, proms and other festivities.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Valentino’s Hair Salon, in its new Fresh Market Plaza location, is not just a place to get a quick cut and color.

Shop owner Fawn Williams said after being in Wilton Mall for 12 years, she knew it was time to make a change. She said the move is reflective of the soul of the business, and being outside of the mall has been a positive change.

The new location provides Williams and her staff a place to flourish. Their passion for people is part of their success.

“We knew it was time to leave. I have been in this industry my whole life, so I can sense when an opportunity seems right. When the opportunity arose to move into the new space, I thought to myself, ‘You can do this,’” said Williams.

The new space is about 2,000 square feet, which is actually smaller than the previous space. But Williams said it is more intimate. She said she and her staff like to get to know their customers and the new space allows for that connection.

She said a grand opening held late last month brought in a lot of familiar friends, as well as many new faces.

Valentino’s is known for the $10 Tuesday haircut, which Williams said is something they are continuing.