Category Archives: New Businesses

By Liz Witbeck

I Love My Laundromat, a local family owned business, recently opened a third location in Mechanicville.

I Love My Laundromat is owned and operated by the Modasra family: Ravi and his wife, Soniya, along with Ravi’s parents Funil and Bhavna.

The family had many years of experience in the hotel and motel industry, and eventually decided to expand to laundromats. They opened their first location in Scotia in 2009 and a second location in Troy in 2013.

The newest venue is located at 27 Park Plaza in Mechanicville.

The location is a self-service laundromat. Customers are able to come in and wash and dry their own clothes in a clean and friendly environment. There are coin-operated machines available for customers.

Hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, to make it truly convenient for people to come in and do their laundry, even if it requires coming in before work or later at night.

The Modasra family is planning on adding more services to its locations in the near future, they said. When researching throughout the Capital Region, Ravi said he saw that many areas lacked full-service laundromats.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Two restaurant concepts, one roof.

That comprises the business venture—R&R Kitchen and Bar—that Ronnie Farber and Ralphie Balsamo officially opened in July in Saratoga Springs.

The business is located at 43 Phila St., in the space last occupied by the Seven Horse Pub.

Balsamo said that so far the reception has been everything they hoped for.

“We are already making great friends. We have a great following,” said Balsamo.

The two separate spaces—upstairs and downstairs—offer different cuisine, but both provide a comfortable place to get together with family and friends, according to Balsamo.

R&R Kitchen and Bar features what Balsamo described as “global comfort food” in a casual setting. He said the top floor is what they call Ronnie & Ralphie’s, and it is more of an intimate fine dining experience.

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.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Fantastic Sams has opened a location in Malta.

The full-service hair salon is a national chain. The new shop is located at 1105 Ellsworth Ave., in the Ellsworth Commons building.

Like the other salons across the area, owner Jeff McNamara said they offer quality service and style, all at a “fantastic price.”

“We have four talented and very eager stylists eager to provide service at our upbeat Malta salon,” he added.

The Malta Fantastic Sams is a higher-end “budget” salon offering everything from hair coloring services and highlights, to straightening and texturizing, facial waxing and perms, he said.

They also provide up-dos for special events. In addition to female clients, McNamara said they are a preferred men’s haircut salon. Services for men include haircuts and beard or mustache trims. He said many of their customers are children as well.

People can make an appointment for a consultation before committing to any sort of style or color.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

The highest compliment to a business owner just may be relocating to another state and having some employees pick up their lives and come along.

Scott Brankman and Emily Farnsworth-Brankman left the restaurant they owned in Boston when they learned of an opportunity to set up shop in Saratoga Springs. With them, came three employees. The couple and their former employees can be found at the newly established Braeburn Tavern which opened in May at 390 Broadway.

Farnsworth-Brankman said she and her husband, who is a chef, feel they have a perfect spot. When learning of the chance to be downtown, they were thrilled.

“It is just so great having a business in Saratoga. We could not be happier,” said Farnsworth-Brankman.

The Braeburn Tavern is the located in the  former home of the Crown Grill.

The restaurant is open for dinner every day and for lunch and dinner Friday through Sunday. They can seat up 130 inside and some outdoor seating.