Craft beverage drinkers can gain access to special offers and the chance to win Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail swag through a new digital passport offered by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB.

“The craft beverage industry is a year-round attraction that ranked high in consumer traveler surveys distributed by our destination partners to gain insight into what people are looking for when they visit our area,” said Chamber Executive Director Gina Mintzer. “We feel this is an offering that will help visitors find what they’re looking for and gain more visibility for our local craft beverage scene.”

The passport is being marketed to a targeted demographic that mirrors the organic traffic to adkcraftbev.com, which draws many website visitors from out of the area. The top location from out of the area is New York City.

The digital passport was developed through Bandwango, a company that develops digital passports for destinations around the U.S. and Canada. It provides a simple way for the Chamber to analyze redemption and usage data, spot trends and track leads that can help measure economic impact of programs like this.

“We chose a digital passport because we liked the ease of updating the passport throughout the year, the fact that we could continue to interact with users of the passport digitally, analyze data and react to trends,” Mintzer said. “We also like that it can be accessed on a smartphone and isn’t something additional that consumers have to remember to carry with them. We also wanted something that would be simple for the craft beverage makers and their staff to participate in.”

This passport currently features 15 craft beverage producers (with more to be added) in Essex, Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties. These producers craft local wine, beer, hard seltzer, hard cider, spirits and soft drinks, she said.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Kurt Borchardt is hoping to make his craft brewery, which he is moving to a new location, more than just a place to have a beer.

His vision includes beer, food and maybe even a hike. Borchardt said he wants the new Artisanal Brew Works to be more of a destination spot.

He plans to convert the former Cole’s Collision Center at 617 Maple Ave. in Saratoga Springs into a 10,000-square-foot, sit-down restaurant and brewery.

“Our goal is to bring in both beer enthusiasts, as well as families. The new site ties into the Palmertown Range, which will have some great trails for hiking. We really want it to become a destination,” said Borchardt.

Right now, they are operating out of a temporary location at 615 Maple Ave. on the Cole’s Collision site and are in the process of having the water and sewer pipes upgraded so that they can proceed to the full expansion and use the entire property.

The first location for the brewery was on Geyser Road. Food trucks were at the microbrewery, but that changed after a neighbor complained to the city. That prompted Borchardt to look for something that would allow him and his partner to build the brewery they envisioned.

“I was just done after that. I knew it was time to find a spot where we make the business into what we wanted,” said Borchardt.

NYRA Update June 16, 2021

COVID-19 protocols lifted for outdoor sports venues

With 70 percent of adult New Yorkers now vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on June 16 announced the immediate removal of COVID-19 protocols and restrictions for nearly all activities and industries, including outdoor sports and entertainment venues. Accordingly, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will open all sections at Saratoga Race Course at 100 percent capacity.

The lifting of all COVID-19 protocols, including the requirement for fans to provide vaccination status, applies to all hospitality areas and venues within the facility, including the popular Saratoga backyard, 1863 Club and The Stretch. Season admission passes, which provide access to the backyard, will be available for purchase and use without the prior requirement that fans provide proof of vaccination status.

 “As New Yorkers collectively reach this major milestone in the fight against COVID-19, NYRA thanks Governor Cuomo for his leadership in achieving this goal and for the opportunity to welcome fans back to Saratoga this summer,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “This season will be a celebration like no other in Saratoga’s long and storied history and we are thrilled to open the gates to the best fans in racing in just a few short weeks.”

The following article in the June print edition is updated with the lifting of all COVID-19 Protocols.

Updated Story Link: Saratoga Race Course to re-open at 100 percent capacity this summer

Saratoga Race Course will re-open to fans at near full capacity when the 2021 summer meet commences on July 15.

In order to re-open Saratoga Race Course to fans at near full percent capacity, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will designate most sections for vaccinated fans only, including the popular Saratoga backyard. Officials said the policy aligns with current state guidance for large outdoor sports and entertainment venues, which allows for fully vaccinated sections to operate at full capacity without social distancing measures in place.

Alternatively, NYRA will designate a small number of hospitality and seating areas for non-vaccinated fans. Fans in these sections will be required to observe social distancing guidelines and to wear a face covering at all times during their day at Saratoga Race Course.

NYRA said all fans who show proof of vaccination through Excelsior Pass–the state’s free, fast, and verifiable way to present digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination—on Opening Day, Thursday, July 15, will receive free grandstand general admission. Fans can also present alternate forms of proof of vaccination, including paper form such as their CDC COVID-19 vaccination record card, to redeem the free admission.

Visitors to the Saratoga Race Course who are under the age of 16 years old will be allowed to accompany fully vaccinated adults anywhere throughout the track. If not accompanying a fully vaccinated adult, they will be required to stay within the non-vaccinated areas, NYRA said.

“The historic Saratoga Race Course is one of the Capital Region’s most storied attractions, drawing over a million New Yorkers and visitors to Saratoga Springs each summer,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “The racing season is quickly approaching, and this year we are excited to welcome fans back to the course with free admission on Opening Day for any individual who shows proof of vaccination. This is all part of New York’s rebirth and resurgence as we continue to build back better and stronger from this pandemic.”

The 2021 B2B Expo of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will be held this year on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

This event attracts attendees representing a wide range of private, nonprofit and public sector organizations.

Chamber officials said it is traditionally the region’s largest B2B networking event of the year. 

“We are happy to report with the recent trend of vaccinations in our region, we are able to bring this event back to our members,” the organization said.

The event will run from 3:30 -7 p.m.

The Chamber has new incentives for those that become sponsors.

Revitalized levels of sponsorships will include:

• New parking spaces reserved at the City Center’s new attached parking garage.

• Food and beverage drink tickets available for sponsor visitors.

• A personal helper to assist in carrying items from vehicles to booth spaces.    

• Logo presented on all B2B-mentioned emailsstarting this summer through October 5 (10,000+ email addresses).

• A chance to hold a seminar at the Expo with a topic of the presenter’s choice, including private meeting space and announcements made throughout the day for attendance.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

After years of working in the restaurant industry, Kyle Geniti is now living his dream as owner and chef of Trattoria Fortunata, and Italian-American restaurant at 21 Phila St. in Saratoga Springs.

Geniti described his restaurant as  small, cozy, rustic and simple. The maximum capacity is 36 people, including staff, so reservations are highly recommended.

“We like to think our space is a quiet and intimate setting just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Broadway,” he said.

Specialities include fresh seafood, pasta and steak, however Geniti said they have had to limit what they can offer on the current menu due to product shortages and price increases.

“I look forward to being able to incorporate some more of the foods that I enjoy the most. I’ve recently become more interested in cooking vegan and vegetarian dishes, and have developed a passion for sourcing ingredients from responsible, sustainable sources, and local whenever possible,” said Geniti.

“I also plan to expand the menu and add more vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, and seafood options, as well as to add desserts made in-house as soon as we can find the right staff to allow us to do so,” he said.

The inside decor features artwork of three local artists; watercolor paintings by Amanda Engels, landscape photography from the Adirondack mountains by Adam Desorbo, and chalkboard art by Anna Hunter.

He is also working to include menu options that can meet the dietary needs of certain patrons.

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has purchased a dilapidated property at 65 Phila St. in Saratoga Springs and has plans to renovate it.

The group stepped forward after objecting to plans to demolish it. Since the Foundation was established in 1977 it has been a voice for preserving the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.

The Foundation has advocated for the preservation of 65 and 69 Phila St. since the inception of its endangered buildings list in 1998. The group hopes to get the building in shape for a capable buyer who would put it to best use.

The 1851 Italianate-style house at 65 Phila Street was constructed by Alexander A. Patterson, an architect and builder, according to the Foundation. That same year the brick Italianate-style house located at 69 Phila St. was constructed by mason Robert Hunter.  Both houses are listed as contributing buildings to the East Side Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At a news conference in late May, Samantha Bosshart, executive director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, said “Now after more than 30 years, both of these buildings will receive the much needed attention they deserve.”

The Foundation has been an advocate for endangered buildings including 25 Washington St., which is now Universal Preservation Hall; 5 Clinton St., a row house; 117 Grand Ave., the former station of the Adirondack Railway Co.; and 15 Church St., now a popular restaurant. 

The Foundation not only advocated for these buildings, but at times undertook the rehabilitations themselves.