That person is Mario, our store mascot and frontman! He has been entertaining tourists in Saratoga Springs for nine years now. When I first brought him home to Saratoga, I had a lot of trouble carrying him up a hill. I thought that this was a lot of work for a statue. A passerby was trying to be funny and said “Hey buddy, is that a statue of you?”
I know I need to lose weight, but come on, man!
He has stood the test of time and weather to become a Saratoga landmark. Children and adults stop to get their pictures taken with him and some rub his belly for good luck. Paula and I worry over him when he is outside and it is too cold, too hot, raining or snowing, etc. We got him to give people a reference point of where our store was but he has exceeded that job description and become our symbol. He lets customers know that this is a special place—oh, and he is also a good listener!
Many days we will hear children talking to him and we think maybe we should put a microphone in him so he can talk back like Marty Moose or a Disney character.
“Who’s the moosiest moose we know? Marty Moose!”
So when you stop by to ask how the Lowendehales and the RussRevs are doing, you must first say hello to Mario and maybe ask for a stock tip. Have a great 150th Hats Off weekend my Foodie Friends, and remember: “Life Happens in the Kitchen”
Take care,
John and Paula
