Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga 250 and Stewart’s Shops today unveiled a special Henry Knox themed Ice Cream Scoop ahead of the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery. Knox Cannonball Crunch took the victory in an ice cream naming battle that played out over the summer. 

Saratoga 250 Commissioner members, Stewart’s Shops representatives, Saratoga County representatives and 18th Century Reenactors gathered the morning of October 1, 2025, to unveil this commemorative scoop at Stewart’s Shops in Schuylerville. 

Saratoga 250 and Victory Circle Partner Stewart’s Shops commemorated the 250th Anniversary of Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery with a special ice cream naming poll to honor Knox’s remarkable feat—hauling artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston Harbor in the dead of winter (Dec 1775–March 1776)—by creating this limited-edition commemorative scoop. History buffs and ice cream enthusiasts had the option to vote for a variety of names with the top three contenders being Knox Cannons ‘n Cream, Knox Cannonball Crunch, or Knox Sled Tracks. 

Knox Cannonball Crunch is available at more than 40 Stewart’s Shops located along the Knox Trail in New York now through the end of the year. These shops are located in: Ticonderoga, Bolton Landing, Lake George, Queensbury, Fort Edward, Gansevoort, Schuylerville, Stillwater, Mechanicville, Waterford, Cohoes, Watervliet, Rensselaer, East Greenbush, Schodack, Valatie, Kinderhook, Chatham, Claverack, Hudson, Hillsdale.

Knox Cannonball Crunch and select ice cream flavors will be also available on October 11th at Saratoga 250’s Saratoga Siege Weekend event in Schuylerville. This living history event celebrates Saratoga County’s revolutionary history both on and off the battlefield, including perspectives from all sides of the conflict and life in the area. The two-day, free family event takes place October 11th and 12th. 

In December, Saratoga 250 will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the daunting, courageous, and successful winter 1775 journey of Henry Knox & patriots who delivered vital artillery from Ft Ticonderoga to the high ground over Boston Harbor causing the British to leave the city. The regional collaboration between states, counties, and historic sites will include a “cannon relay,” handing off a replica Revolutionary era cannon from place to place on its path from Fort Ticonderoga to the high ground over Boston Harbor in the winter of 1775-1776. Saratoga County will receive the cannon on December 13, 2025. 

These events and the commemorative scoop are part of Saratoga County’s 250th commemoration of the Battles of Saratoga and American Revolution. Learn more at www.saratoga250.com.   

The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) and Discover Saratoga are proud to announce a new collaborative partnership aimed at bolstering the restaurant and hospitality industries in the county. This strategic initiative will offer dual membership opportunities, making it easier than ever for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow. 

As part of this partnership, NYSRA is offering special discounted membership rates for Discover Saratoga hospitality members who are not currently NYSRA members:  

• $90 Membership Rate: Available to Discover Saratoga members who join NYSRA’s Workers’ Compensation Safety Group. To qualify, businesses must allow NYSRA to provide a workers’ compensation insurance quote and, if eligible and the quote is commercially reasonable, switch their policy to NYSRA’s group plan. 

• $250 Membership Rate: For Discover Saratoga members not eligible for the Workers’ Compensation Safety Group, NYSRA is offering a discounted first-year membership rate of $250. Standard annual dues will apply in subsequent years. 

“This partnership represents a significant step toward uniting and strengthening our region’s hospitality community,” said Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association. “As long-time supporters of the Capital Region, we recognize the incredible momentum building in Saratoga’s restaurant, hospitality, and tourism sectors. By lowering the barrier to entry, we hope to provide more businesses with access to essential tools, training, and advocacy that drive long-term success for both of our organizations.” 

“Discover Saratoga is thrilled to partner with the New York State Restaurant Association to support the growth and success of our local hospitality community,” said Darryl Leggieri, President of Discover Saratoga. “Our organizations complement each other in meaningful ways—NYSRA provides statewide advocacy, training, and cost-saving programs, while Discover Saratoga drives visitation and economic impact here in Saratoga County. By offering these discounted dual memberships, we’re making it easier for restaurants and hospitality businesses to benefit from both networks, maximize their resources, and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.” 

As two organizations dedicated to the success of New York’s tourism and hospitality sectors, this partnership creates an exciting opportunity for local businesses to access expanded resources, cost-saving programs, and a statewide network of support

The Saratoga County Business Showcase is returning this fall, offering a unique opportunity to highlight the area’s diverse economic landscape.

The event is scheduled for 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Spa State Park and is open to the public. A post-event exhibitor mixer will also take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

This popular expo is the chamber’s premier event for businesses and organizations of all sizes and industries looking to grow, connect, and build their brand throughout Saratoga County’s thriving business network. From startups to seasoned corporations to B2B service providers, this event offers a platform to meet potential clients, collaborators, and fellow professionals.

“This showcase is our largest professional networking event of the year and presents a phenomenal opportunity for anyone looking to cultivate valuable relationships, explore new opportunities and establish impactful connections within our community,” Chamber President Todd Shimkus said. “We anticipate a great turnout of exhibitors and attendees eager to engage within a lively networking environment.” 

The premier sponsors of this year’s Saratoga County Business Showcase are Adirondack Trust Company, AIM Services Inc. and Arnoff Moving and Storage, which will offer convenient on-site assistance to exhibitors moving in displays on the day of the event.

Area professionals are invited to make connections amid a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. Eventgoers will have the chance to interact with exhibitors to grow their network and find potential future partners. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards.

More information about the event is available online at saratoga.org. 

Businesses and organizations interested in being an exhibitor or sponsor are encouraged to reserve booth space by emailing Andrea Mulholland at amulholland@saratoga.org. Limited spaces are available.

For dinners in Saratoga Springs, a familiar favorite has made an appearance in the downtown area. 

Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its most recent location in the Spa City, making it the third restaurant the California based chain has opened in Saratoga County. As of February 2025, the chain has over 3,700 locations with over 300 expected to open by the end of this year. 

The new location opened on Tuesday Sept. 30 and is located at 12 Ballston Ave, at the corner of Ballston Ave and Hamilton Street. It is a block off of Broadway and directly across the street from the Pizza Hut. 

The new location is open from 10:45 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. everyday. The new location is hiring and offers bonuses and education and healthcare benefits. In addition, local organizations are able to fundraise through the restaurant. 

Saratoga Springs has once again been recognized as a leader in local climate action, earning recertification as a Bronze Certified Climate Smart Community (CSC) by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). 

First certified in 2020, the City has expanded its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen community resilience. With local support from the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, Saratoga Springs completed 24 actions across seven CSC categories to earn recertification. 

Highlights include converting most streetlights to energy-efficient LEDs, adding an electric vehicle (EV) and a dedicated fleet charger, and investing in electric landscaping equipment. These projects—funded in part through the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Program—lower energy use and costs while reducing air and noise pollution. 

The city also advanced communitywide projects to reduce transportation emissions, including completing a portion of the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail Downtown Connector and beginning construction of missing sidewalk links. 

To meet growing demand for EV charging, Saratoga Springs partnered with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the City Center Authority to host NYPA Evolve NY fast chargers at the City Center garage and is installing two additional public EV chargers at the Woodlawn Avenue parking garage with NYSERDA CEC funding. 

With DEC grant support, the city recently completed a Municipal Greenhouse Gas Inventory and expects to adopt a Municipal Climate Action Plan this fall. Building on these accomplishments, Saratoga Springs plans to pursue Silver Climate Smart Community certification in the near future. 

“This recertification is a testament to our City’s commitment to sustainability and climate leadership,” said Mayor John Safford. “With the upcoming adoption of our Climate Action Plan and our goal of Silver certification, Saratoga Springs is charting a clear course toward a more sustainable and resilient future for everyone who lives, works, and visits.”