Alpine Ski Shop Celebrates 85 Years

On Saturday, October 10, Alpine Sport Shop was inducted into the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry (HBPR). Friends, family, members of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner gathered on Saturday morning to honor owners, Cathy and Jack Hay. 

The HBPR, established in 2020, highlights New York businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their community’s history.

In 1941, Alpine Sport Shop was established by Edwin Taylor Jr. Taylor and his wife Josephine, located on Spring Street near the original downtown Skidmore College campus. 

Cathy Hay’s parents, Thurlow and Dorothy Woodcock, purchased Alpine Sport Shop in 1966. In 1970, Skidmore College built their new campus on North Broadway. The same year, Thurlow Woodcock designed and built the chalet style building located at 321 Clinton Street, where the business remains today.

“I am so happy to be able to congratulate you on 85 years,” Saratoga Springs Mayor John Stafford told Jack and Cathy Hay. “Anyone who’s been in business knows how difficult it is to keep something like this, to keep it relevant, and keep it successful.”

The HBPR has over 300 businesses in its registry which can be viewed on an interactive map at parks.ny.gov/preservation/programs/business-registry.