Saratoga Business Journal

‘Behind The Scenes’ Efforts In Economic Development Projects Shown At Summit

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Marty Vanags of the Saratoga Prosperity Partnership speaks at the recent summit. Courtesy Saratoga Prosperity Partnership — Marty Vanags of the Saratoga Prosperity Partnership speaks at the recent summit.
Courtesy Saratoga Prosperity Partnership

By R.J. DeLuke

“For us it’s about bringing in a greater general awareness and knowledge about the mechanics of economic development,” said Marty Vanags, president of Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, about the Saratoga County Prosperity Summit held Nov. 10

“The more people that understand that, the more we can corral resources toward that effort when the time comes,” he noted.

About 100 people attended the summit, a mix of public and private sector representatives, supervisors and town council members, business leaders and others.

President Of Saratoga Springs City Center To Retire After Being At The Helm For 33 Years

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Mark Baker is retiring after 33 years as president of Saratoga Springs City Center ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Mark Baker is retiring after 33 years as president of Saratoga Springs City Center
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

Mark Baker traveled from his home state of Wisconsin in 1983 to help break ground at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The center opened one year later and now, 33 years later, Baker is retiring as president and executive director, a role he has held during his entire tenure there.

Under his stewardship, and with the help and support of the Saratoga City Center Authority and the city of Saratoga Springs, the center has expanded to offer more than 32,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and reached an all-time high benchmark of 310 days of use in 2016.

“We are so fortunate to be in the city of Saratoga Springs, which is nationally recognized,” said Baker.

Seraphina Divine Beauty Relocates To The ‘Art Alley’ Section Of Village Of Ballston Spa

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Autumn Wright offers haircuts, coloring and styling at Seraphina Divine Beauty in Ballston Spa. She is an ex-Marine who who specialized in driving 22.5- ton hydraulic trucks in Iraq. ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Autumn Wright offers haircuts, coloring and styling at Seraphina Divine Beauty in Ballston Spa. She is an ex-Marine who who specialized in driving 22.5- ton hydraulic trucks in Iraq.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

Reading Autumn Wright’s resume before visiting her hair and beauty salon, one might have a hard time believing that she is a licensed cosmetologist.

This Marine Corps veteran, who specialized in driving 22.5- ton hydraulic trucks in Iraq, also loves doing hair and makeup and does so at Seraphina Divine Beauty in Ballston Spa.

After graduating from Ballston Spa High School in 2005, Wright enrolled in the Marine Corps. As she headed out to boot camp, the former high school cheerleader’s parents didn’t think she would last more than a week.

Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant Will Open ‘To Go’ Shop In Saratoga In January

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Augie Vitiello, owner of Augie’s Family Style Restaurant in Ballston Spa, is opening a new location in Saratoga Springs. Augie’s Family Style To Go will have takeout food when it opens in January. ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Augie Vitiello, owner of Augie’s Family Style Restaurant in Ballston Spa, is opening a new location in Saratoga Springs. Augie’s Family Style To Go will have takeout food when it opens in January.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Augie’s Family Style Restaurant in Ballston Spa will be expanding into Saratoga Springs early next year.

Augie’s Family Style To Go will open at 223 Lake Ave. From ready-to-heat and eat meals to desserts, the new location will serve as a convenient stop and shop for those seeking fresh Italian food.

Augie’s owner, Augie Vitiello, said he was hoping to hold out a little on the announcement of the Saratoga business, but people began to talk and ask questions about it. He said for years patrons have said they would love a second location with a take-out option.

After Leaving The Business For Five Years, Man Returns, Opening The Floor Store In Malta

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Paul Mastroieni was working in the financial field after giving up a six-store group of flooring outlets. He has left that field and opened the Floor Store in the Shops of Malta. ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Paul Mastroieni was working in the financial field after giving up a six-store group of flooring outlets. He has left that field and opened the Floor Store in the Shops of Malta.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jill Nagy

The Floor Store is back and in a new location after a five-year hiatus.

Owner Paul Mastroieni was working in the financial field after giving up a six-store group of flooring outlets in 2011.

“I hated finance,” he said, and so he is back in his previous business with a store at 7 Kendall Way in Malta, part of the Shops of Malta near Exit 12 of the Northway.

Personnel Briefs: December 2016

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Roohan Realty announced two new hires.

Brittany L. Alexander and Megan M. Alexander, are both licensed real estate salespeople and will be specializing in residential real estate. They are also sisters.

Halfmoon Wine And Liquor Opens In The Route 9 Crescent Commons Shopping Plaza

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Shelley Colvin, manager of Halfmoon Wine and Liquor, displays some of the product availablle at the store, which opened in November in the Crescent Commons on Route 9. ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Shelley Colvin, manager of Halfmoon Wine and Liquor, displays some of the product availablle at the store, which opened in November in the Crescent Commons on Route 9.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

Halfmoon Wine and Liquor store opened in November in the Crescent Commons shopping plaza.

The store is located at 1471 Route 9, just south of Grooms Road in the town of Halfmoon.

Saratoga Native Will Return To Hometown To Open His Own Edward Jones Financial Office

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Brandon Bogardus will open an Edward Jones Financial office next year. Courtesy Brandon Bogardus — Brandon Bogardus will open an Edward Jones Financial office next year.
Courtesy Brandon Bogardus

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Saratoga native Brandon Bogardus is adding his name to the roster of local of financial advisors under the Edward Jones Financial umbrella.

A 2012 graduate of Saratoga High School, Bogardus will officially be an Edward Jones advisor early next year, after completing an intense training course that will allow him to offer a variety of financial planning tools to area residents.

Bogardus said the business will focus on five specific client needs; preparing for retirement, living in retirement, paying for education, planning an estate and preparing for the unexpected.

Annual Showcase Of Homes Raised $70,000 In 2016 For Two Nonprofit Organizations

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Members of the Saratoga Builders Association present checks to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Courtesy Showcase of Homes — Members of the Saratoga Builders Association present checks to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.
Courtesy Showcase of Homes

The Saratoga Builders Association recently presented proceeds totaling $70,000 from the 2016 Saratoga Showcase of Homes to two nonprofit organizations.

Checks were presented to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

Showcase officials said the total is the highest amount raised in the past five years. The Saratoga Builders Association has now contributed over $1 million to local charities from the home tour event.

Skidmore College Arts Planning Group Has Grants For Saratoga Springs Arts Programs

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

The Skidmore College Arts Planning Group has a new program designed to directly support arts organizations in the Saratoga Springs community, with over $42,000 in grants available for the 2017 calendar year. Under the new program, 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts organizations located in the Saratoga Springs area—including Greenfield, Malta, Ballston Spa, and contiguous communities—may...