
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Rachel Phillips
It’s that time of year again. Amidst all the joy and happiness that comes with the holiday season, it’s also a hectic time for many people. Finding the perfect gift for everyone can be stressful.
Big chain stores offer a seemingly endless selection of pre-packaged gift sets and generic knickknacks. For those seeking a more personal touch, however, these gifts may fall short.
Fortunately, Saratoga County is home to an array of local businesses selling items that make for a personalized gift-giving experience. Ballston Spa is home to many of those kinds of shops.
Those shopping for antique lovers have a few options in the area.
In Ballston Spa, 91 Milton Ave., is the Two If By Sea Gallery, owned and operated by Gregory Tkal. The gallery is a showroom of antique lighting fixtures, as well as vintage art, prints, ornaments and stained-glass panels. The light fixtures, which include chandeliers, table lamps and more, have each been fully restored, rewired and cleaned, and are “ready to be used for another 100 years,” said Tkal. “The pieces I carry are very unique. Each light fixture is an older piece, and you just can’t get the quality of workmanship in a modern fixture.”
Tkal’s wares are also displayed on an online gallery, at twoifbyseagallery.com, and on his Etsy shop by the same name.