Category Archives: New Businesses

By Jill Nagy

People looking for a change from a pony or lizard on their polo shirt can replace it with an abstract racehorse and jockey, the “brand” of Embrace the Race, a horse racing-themed clothing store opening in a new location at 327 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. 

The business was founded six years ago by Mike DeAnzeris III as a small retail store, also in Saratoga Springs, and an online presence. The business already has customers in all 50 states and seven or eight foreign countries, most of whom found them through the local  shop, he said.

Embrace the Race, according to DeAnzeris, “serves the stylistic and emotional needs of horse racing enthusiasts.” In fact, they have registered both the “Embrace the Race” trademark and another one, “the apparel for the horse racing lifestyle.”

By Jill Nagy

When Cannone’s Deli re-opened in mid-May in Wilton, it was a homecoming of sorts for John Cannone and his family. 

“It’s amazing. I’m seeing faces I haven’t seen in 20 years,” he said.

Cannone started the deli in 1984 and operated it until 1999, when he sold the business and went on to other pursuits, including operating a restaurant at the Saratoga Harness Track. The restaurant also continued, known for a while as Kelly’s Deli. Nineteen years later the new owners were ready to sell.

The Cannones were “looking for a new venture and this came up,” he said. “We know the business better than anyone.”

By Susan E. Campbell

A new staffing company has been formed that the owner says helps individuals and companies “be a guest at their own party” or event. 

87 North Staffing provides full-service labor so that when guests leave, there is no work to do, said Jason Ambesi, who formed the LLC on April 28.

Ambesi graduated college 20 years ago with a degree in culinary arts. Now he and his fiancée are partners in the business.

The concept for the company is to go to a client’s home or business, arrange the party or event, and provide all the labor necessary to make it a success. He said the company can also supplement the workforce for events with caterers.

By Maureen Werther

Larry Zhao and Danny Lin are co-owners of a new restaurant in Saratoga Springs offering sushi, sashimi, teriyaki and stir fry food. 

Wasabi, located at 63 Putnam St., is offering an upscale version of “all you can eat.”

Unlike Asian restaurants that offer pre-made, buffet-style items, Wasabi has differentiated itself in a few important ways. People who come to dine are seated at a table and given a menu. They choose their selections and give them to the server, who brings unlimited quantities to them for a fixed price. Nobody has to get up from their table and serve themselves in a buffet line. All food is freshly prepared to order. 

By Susan E. Campbell

A woman-owned and managed landscape engineering business opened in March in Saratoga Springs. 

Larch Landscape Architecture and Engineering PLLC was founded by Jessica Marquard, RLA, ASLA, APA, to provide quality landscaping and planning for commercial, industrial and municipal projects.

Marquard is a Cornell University graduate with two masters degrees. After getting her professional career started in Philadelphia, she and her husband returned to the area where she grew up and joined Saratoga Associates, then later C. T. Male Associates.

Apex Solar Power, a Queensbury-based company that installs solar power systems through the region, has launched a new division of the company: Apex Roofing.

The addition of a roof-focused division came about as a solution for home and business owners who have expressed interest in solar power, but would require a new roof to have the installation completed on their property, the company said.

 “Most solar installations are performed on rooftops, so adding a roofing service provides our customers with a simple solution to complete both projects for their home,” said Stan Dobert, president of Apex Solar Power.

A new store selling a line of face, body and hair care products, Amour New York, has opened at 6 Phila St. in Saratoga Springs.

All the products are said to be certified original products from the Dead Sea in Israel, according to the company. Amour New York is the Shemen Amour brand of Dead Sea products sold in the United States.

“Everything comes direct from the Dead Sea, including pure magnesium bath salts and nutrient-rich black mud,” said store owner Christine Marks. “These remarkable holistic products, known for their natural healing properties, are SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) and paraben-free and certified cruelty-free (no animals are used for testing). The store is unique in that we want customers to try a number of the products prior to purchase.”

By Jennifer Farnsworth

People from age 8 to 86 have walked through Donn Delane’s doors of Tru-Escape, located in Rotterdam, Queensbury and now Clifton Park. 

The Clifton Park Country Mall location is off to a solid start, according to Delane who opened the third location just a few weeks ago.

“It truly is such a fun outing for all ages. You really meet a lot of interesting people, it’s been great,” said Delane.

Escape rooms are described as live-action, team-based games where players discover clues, solve puzzles and accomplish tasks in a themed room. The object to accomplish a specific goal in a set amount of time, in this case an hour. 

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Patty Novo, owner of the new Taverna Novo in Saratoga Springs, is certain that her cozy restaurant in the Saratoga Arts district is the perfect place to bring a bit of Italy to the Spa City. 

The response so far is proof to Novo and her husband that opening Taverna Novo, 62 Beekman St., was not only a good decision for them as a couple, but for those looking for an authentic Italian meal that is not too far from home.

“Our vision for the restaurant is a warm, inviting place to have true Italian food, and I think we accomplished that. Overall everything is running smoothly. We have a great team,” said Novo.