What is normally the slower time of year for downtown Saratoga Springs has turned into a frenzy of activity as business owners relocate and renovate in preparation for spring, track season and a turn in the economy.
"If you look at downtown, it's something that is continuously changing, but at the same time it remains stable," said Joe Dalton, president of the Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce. "High rent could be a reason for changeover on Broadway, but it's a successful area. It doesn't have empty space for long."
The owners of the Pink Paddock had that idea in mind - empty spaces don't stay that way for long, and co-owner Kim Burton had her eyes on a larger space in the Granite Palace building and when The Curtain Exchange relocated to 543 Broadway, Burton knew that space wouldn't be open for long so she worked hard to make sure it went to her.
On Saturday, January 16, The Pink Paddock, A Lily Pulitzer Via Shop opened in their new location after five years in business just down the street.
"There was definitely a space issue. We have loyal local customers as well as seasonal shoppers who come back every year, and we really just needed more room to showcase all that we have to offer and have a more comfortable space for our shoppers," Burton said. "We wanted a big, bright and colorful area for our customers; they deserved better than the small space."
Burton and her husband and co-owner Steven Snyder seriously looked at places for a few months when they discovered the space in Granite Palace.
"We didn't want to leave Broadway, so when The Curtain Exchange went out, we knew this was an opportunity we couldn't miss,' Burton added.
Taking the place of The Pink Paddock's former site at 380 Broadway will be Zola Kids, an eco-friendly baby and kid's boutique. Next door at 382 Broadway will house Johnny's Gourmet Italian Ice which is slated to open sometime in the spring.
Eugenio Bizzarro, owner of Eugenio's Café Gelato, had the opposite problem from Burton: he didn't need as much space as he had. To make a cozier spot for his customers, he is in the process of moving his café to the other side of Broadway in the space located at 454 Broadway, next to Celtic Treasures, which is also undergoing a major reconstruction and renovation.
"I want the café to go in a different direction," Bizzarro said. "We are going to have wholesale distribution soon, and at the new site I will have an outdoor seating area and patio for the customers."
There will also be an expanded menu and a bathroom with public access. The new menu will include organic items to add to their gluten-free and dairy-free items.
"I think that the winter is a great time to move. It's a slower season so that will give us more time to perfect the new store before spring -- gelato season," Bizzarro said.
After three years of success, Laura Farrar, owner of Violet's of Saratoga, is opening Stella's of Saratoga, a shoe boutique that will compliment Violet's. She was originally going to open another clothing shop, but after listening to customers, Farrar learned that the women in town really wanted another shoe store on Broadway.
On March 18, Farrar will host a soft opening at her new store, located in The Collamer Building on Broadway.
"This is something the people of Saratoga have wanted, and this is the perfect time for us to open a new shop. The busy holiday season has settled down and we have time to focus on inventory and the aesthetics of the shop and have everything ironed out by our opening in March," Ferrar said.
Image Photo and Events left their studio on Putnam Street in order to focus on their photography services, said owner Elizabeth Macy.
"We have discontinued our retail lab services due to a combination of the economy and technology changes and to focus on our portraits, weddings and event photography. We moved just a couple of miles from Downtown, off of Lake Ave. on Eureka Avenue," she said.
Other businesses in
the Shuffle
Saratoga Strike Zone's renovations are well underway at 32 Ballston Ave., and operations are still running as work continues. Owner Rich Sheldon is looking forward to the completion of the renovations which will include private party space, bumper cars and more.
Friehoffer's Bakery Outlet has left their spot on 18 Congress Street to 610 Maple Avenue in order to provide more parking for customers. While foot traffic will be less at the site, the loyal customers will have easier access.
Sushi Thai Garden will be opening a sister shop at 54 Phila Street called Phila Fusion. The new restaurant will carry Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Korean meals as well as a full bar.
Wells Fargo Advisors relocated from Broadway to 37 Henry Street.
Sorelle Gallery has relocated from Phila Street to a space in The Shoe Depot, located at 385 Broadway
Aimee's of Saratoga opened on the corner of Broadway and Spring Street where Phillip Bevan's Hair Studio was located. Aimee's is a clothing boutique.
Haute Mama closed its doors on Lake Avenue.
80 West on Broadway is
temporarily closed.
"While there is a lot of movement on Broadway and in the downtown area, there are still stable businesses that have established themselves like Impressions of Saratoga, Celtic Treasures and Soave Faire," Dalton said. "Some people have ideas and try them out but they don't seem to work, and others are stable and strong. Broadway is a constantly changing area while at the same time, staying the same."
The owners of the Pink Paddock had that idea in mind - empty spaces don't stay that way for long, and co-owner Kim Burton had her eyes on a larger space in the Granite Palace building and when The Curtain Exchange relocated to 543 Broadway, Burton knew that space wouldn't be open for long so she worked hard to make sure it went to her.
On Saturday, January 16, The Pink Paddock, A Lily Pulitzer Via Shop opened in their new location after five years in business just down the street.
"There was definitely a space issue. We have loyal local customers as well as seasonal shoppers who come back every year, and we really just needed more room to showcase all that we have to offer and have a more comfortable space for our shoppers," Burton said. "We wanted a big, bright and colorful area for our customers; they deserved better than the small space."
Burton and her husband and co-owner Steven Snyder seriously looked at places for a few months when they discovered the space in Granite Palace.
"We didn't want to leave Broadway, so when The Curtain Exchange went out, we knew this was an opportunity we couldn't miss,' Burton added.
Taking the place of The Pink Paddock's former site at 380 Broadway will be Zola Kids, an eco-friendly baby and kid's boutique. Next door at 382 Broadway will house Johnny's Gourmet Italian Ice which is slated to open sometime in the spring.
Eugenio Bizzarro, owner of Eugenio's Café Gelato, had the opposite problem from Burton: he didn't need as much space as he had. To make a cozier spot for his customers, he is in the process of moving his café to the other side of Broadway in the space located at 454 Broadway, next to Celtic Treasures, which is also undergoing a major reconstruction and renovation.
"I want the café to go in a different direction," Bizzarro said. "We are going to have wholesale distribution soon, and at the new site I will have an outdoor seating area and patio for the customers."
There will also be an expanded menu and a bathroom with public access. The new menu will include organic items to add to their gluten-free and dairy-free items.
"I think that the winter is a great time to move. It's a slower season so that will give us more time to perfect the new store before spring -- gelato season," Bizzarro said.
After three years of success, Laura Farrar, owner of Violet's of Saratoga, is opening Stella's of Saratoga, a shoe boutique that will compliment Violet's. She was originally going to open another clothing shop, but after listening to customers, Farrar learned that the women in town really wanted another shoe store on Broadway.
On March 18, Farrar will host a soft opening at her new store, located in The Collamer Building on Broadway.
"This is something the people of Saratoga have wanted, and this is the perfect time for us to open a new shop. The busy holiday season has settled down and we have time to focus on inventory and the aesthetics of the shop and have everything ironed out by our opening in March," Ferrar said.
Image Photo and Events left their studio on Putnam Street in order to focus on their photography services, said owner Elizabeth Macy.
"We have discontinued our retail lab services due to a combination of the economy and technology changes and to focus on our portraits, weddings and event photography. We moved just a couple of miles from Downtown, off of Lake Ave. on Eureka Avenue," she said.
Other businesses in
the Shuffle
Saratoga Strike Zone's renovations are well underway at 32 Ballston Ave., and operations are still running as work continues. Owner Rich Sheldon is looking forward to the completion of the renovations which will include private party space, bumper cars and more.
Friehoffer's Bakery Outlet has left their spot on 18 Congress Street to 610 Maple Avenue in order to provide more parking for customers. While foot traffic will be less at the site, the loyal customers will have easier access.
Sushi Thai Garden will be opening a sister shop at 54 Phila Street called Phila Fusion. The new restaurant will carry Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Korean meals as well as a full bar.
Wells Fargo Advisors relocated from Broadway to 37 Henry Street.
Sorelle Gallery has relocated from Phila Street to a space in The Shoe Depot, located at 385 Broadway
Aimee's of Saratoga opened on the corner of Broadway and Spring Street where Phillip Bevan's Hair Studio was located. Aimee's is a clothing boutique.
Haute Mama closed its doors on Lake Avenue.
80 West on Broadway is
temporarily closed.
"While there is a lot of movement on Broadway and in the downtown area, there are still stable businesses that have established themselves like Impressions of Saratoga, Celtic Treasures and Soave Faire," Dalton said. "Some people have ideas and try them out but they don't seem to work, and others are stable and strong. Broadway is a constantly changing area while at the same time, staying the same."
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