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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga-Based Floral Design Company Expands to Stuyvesant Plaza

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Artistic rendering of the forthcoming Samantha Ness Floral Design location at Stuyvesant Plaza
via the company. 

GUILDERLAND — Stuyvesant Plaza announced this week that Saratoga Springs-based, female-owned Samantha Nass Floral Design will soon open a new location at the shopping center in Guilderland.

The company joins three other Saratoga businesses (Union Hall Supply Co., Lola Saratoga, and Uncommon Grounds) that have expanded below the twin bridges.

Founded in 2014, Samantha Nass Floral Design is known for its nature-inspired floral work and its full-service approach to events, everyday flowers, and curated home goods. The Stuyvesant Plaza location will offer a curated selection of fresh florals, seasonal arrangements, and specialty items.

“This isn’t a shift in direction, it’s a natural next step,” said Samantha Nass in a press release. “A chance to grow, connect, and create in a new space while honoring the people and places that have supported us from the very beginning.”

The new location is expected to open sometime in August.

Ballston Spa Barber Club Opens Second Locationin Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Image via the 518 Barber Club.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Ballston Spa Barber Club, which celebrated its grand opening less than a year ago at the Carousel Village Plaza on Doubleday Avenue, has already expanded to a second location at 48 Henry Street in the Spa City.

The Saratoga Barber Club opened its doors on Tuesday morning, prompting the barbershop owners to rebrand their entire operation as the 518 Barber Club.

“Our barbers have almost 10 years of experience, and we welcome everyone of all ages for your barbering needs,” the company said on its new website.

The shops offer a range of services, including haircuts, beard trims, head and/or face shaves, hot towel shaves, and specialty cuts. Walk-ins are welcome and customers can also book online. For more information, visit 518barberclub.com.

Water Damage Sends Northshire Events to Public Library

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After a water leak in an upstairs apartment on July 4th caused significant water damage to the Northshire Bookstore on Broadway, the business has temporarily closed and moved all of its remaining July events to the Saratoga Springs Public Library. 

In a statement, Northshire said that news of the flood generated “an overwhelmingly generous community response, with numerous individuals, businesses, and organizations reaching out to the Northshire staff to ask how they could help.”

“As a longtime partner in promoting books and reading, we’re happy to be able to provide our friends at Northshire a venue for co-hosting several of their upcoming author visits in their hour of need,” said library director Ike Pulver.

Schedule of Northshire events at the library:

  • Thursday July 17 at 6 p.m.: Clémence Michallon – Our Last Resort – in conversation with Rachel Person
  • Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m.: Saratoga: America’s Turning Point 250th Commission and Anne Clothier – Overhearing History
  • Wednesday July 23 at 6 p.m.: Jacqueline Boulden – Lies Lost and Found
  • Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m.: Representative Chris Gibson – The Spirit of Philadelphia: A Call to Recover the Founding Principles – in conversation with Ray O’Conor

Bass Pro Shops to Open in Grand Fashion on July 30

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Rendering of the completed Bass Pro Shops in Clifton Park provided.

CLIFTON PARK — A massive new Bass Pro Shops, located alongside Interstate 87 in Clifton Park, has scheduled its grand opening for July 30. 

The ceremony, which begins at 5 p.m. and is open to the public, will include a special “Evening for Conservation” that will feature big names in the outdoor industry, such as Roland Martin (winner of 19 Bassmaster tournaments and nine B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year awards), Jimmy Houston (a fixture on ESPN’s national fishing coverage), Kevin VanDam (the all-time winningest angler in the history of professional bass fishing), and Chris Johnston (the reigning Bassmaster Angler of the Year), among others. 

The festivities will also include a performance by country music singer/songwriter Blaine Holcomb. Following the grand opening ceremony, the celebrity guests will be available for meet and greets and autographs until 8 p.m.

The new 70,000 square foot retail location on Clifton Park Center Road will be the fourth Bass Pro Shops location in New York State. The chain brands itself as the nation’s leading outdoor retailer, built on a passion for fishing.

July 18 – July 24, 2025

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.


This 3 bedroom home at 20 Northway Ct in Saratoga Springs was listed by Anny O’Neill and sold by Laura Creazzo from Roohan Realty. This home sold for $365,000

BALLSTON 

East Line Holdings LLC sold property at 11 Appleton St to Thomas O’Connell for $609,980

Katz Excavating sold property at Route 50 to RBC Ballston Spa Development LLC for $3,300,500

GREENFIELD

Kathryn Simon sold property at 24 Cohen Rd to Brooke Macisco for $355,000

MALTA

Amy Griffith sold property at 169 Thimbleberry Rd to Taniya Brandon for $375,000

Robert Hinckley sold property at 7 Settlers Ridge South to Michael Cesta for $930,000

Barbara King sold property at 20 Lupine Dr Patrick Coyne for $425,000

MILTON

B & D Properties sold property at 613 Acland Blvd to Ryan Dantonio for $125,000

SARATOGA

David Kilventon sold property at 73 Hiller Lane to Richard Vale for $320,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Erin Bennett sold property at 2 Frederick Dr to James Hofrichter for $467,500

James Bradburn sold property at 88 Monroe St to Jackson Ivey for $660,000

Patricia Stickney sold property at 61 Vista Dr to Christina Kim for $1,132,500

WILTON

Kirk Emmons sold property at 5 Sydney Hill Rd to Morgan Jones for $990,000

Forest Grove LLC sold property at 27 Angeles Ave to Brent Bevier for $854,651

State Police Make Arrest in Multi-State Scam

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

On July 10, 2025, State Police of Saratoga arrested Wei H. Li, 54, of Brooklyn, NY on a warrant for Grand Larceny in the third degree and Scheme to Defraud in the first degree.

On November 5, 2024, at about 7:00 p.m. Troopers received a complaint from an elderly Saratoga County resident who reported being the victim of a scam. The investigation determined the victim was contacted online by a pop-up advising them their computer was compromised. The individual called the number provided in the pop-up and the answering party falsely identified themselves as a representative of Microsoft. The victim was then instructed to transfer funds to a bank account for “safekeeping” while the online threat was “resolved”. They followed the instructions and transferred more than $30,000 into an account allegedly belonging to Li. An arrest warrant was issued by the Malta Town Court on March 12, 2025, for Li as a result of this investigation.

The investigation also discovered an additional victim out of state. Law Enforcement was contacted in Idaho and after contacting the potential victim it was determined they had in fact been the victim of the same scam.  

Li was arrested at his home in Brooklyn, NY, and transported to SP Saratoga for processing. He was then arraigned at the Malta Town Court where he was released on his own recognizance.

Yaddo Opens Its Doors for a Rare Public Tour of Mansion & Grounds

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Yaddo will host a public tour of its historic Mansion and grounds on Saturday, September 27. Tours will be offered at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m., each lasting approximately 90 minutes. 

Guests will explore the Mansion’s first and second floors, West House, Greenhouse Studios, and Saratoga Studio. Tours will run rain or shine, covering varied outdoor terrain and indoor spaces, including stairs. 

Tickets range from $75–$85 depending on the time selected. Yaddo merchandise will be available, with a commemorative ornament and book available for pre-order online A private VIP tour and cocktail reception will be held on Friday, September 26 at 5 p.m. Tickets for this exclusive evening are $250.

All proceeds directly support residencies for artists shaping the future of literature, visual art, music, performance, and beyond. Volunteers are welcome to help bring this special event to life.

This year, Yaddo is raffling off an overnight stay in the Mansion. Tickets are $100 and available exclusively at Yaddo Saratoga Springs events: Wine & Roses, The Nature of Art, and the Open House Tour. Three winners will be announced in December 2025.

For Yaddo Open House tickets, merch pre-orders, or to volunteer, visit: yaddo.org/event/yaddo- open-house/.

A Rare Invitation

This fall, you are invited behind-the-scenes at Yaddo on a guided tour of the historic Mansion and grounds. Normally closed to the public, this 400-acre estate—designated a National Historic Landmark for its extraordinary contributions to American arts and culture—has offered artists time, space, and community for more than a century.

The Mansion is the story-filled heart and soul of Yaddo. Built in 1893 by founders Spencer and Katrina Trask, this 29,000-square-foot residence was modeled on a medieval English manor. It features 55 rooms, 550 window sashes, and exquisite Victorian-era craftsmanship. Following a multimillion-dollar restoration in 2019, the Mansion has been renewed for another century of creative life.

Fashion Destination “The Store” Opens in Downtown Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Photo of The Store owner Sophie Deshaies provided by Roohan Realty.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Store, a new shop offering “curated fashion,” has opened its doors at 454 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs.

Founded by Sophie Deshaies and her partner Kevin, The Store offers a gender-inclusive mix of apparel, accessories, shoes, jewelry, fragrances, body care, magazines, and more. Hand-picked independent brands include Abel Objects, Silphium Studio, Soft Goat, Outland Denim, Miista, and TWIN, among others.

“We wanted a space where self-expression meets self-care—shopping should be fun, inspiring and inclusive,” Deshaies said in a news release. “The Store is exactly that.”

The Store is now open Monday to Saturday (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.).

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Amplify Horse Racing Partner on The Winner’s Circle Summer Camp

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Amplify Horse Racing are partnering to launch The Winner’s Circle Summer Camp, an immersive four-day experience introducing high school students to the thrilling world of thoroughbred racing.

Taking place Tuesday, July 22 through Friday, July 25, in Saratoga Springs, The Winner’s Circle Summer Camp will give participants access to some of the sport’s most iconic locations and career opportunities. The four-day camp combines classroom-style learning at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame with exclusive behind-the-scenes tours at Saratoga Race Course and local industry partners.

From learning how a racetrack operates and exploring veterinary science to visiting the backstretch and building their own model racetrack, students will discover how their personal skills and interests can connect to a wide variety of career paths in the thoroughbred industry.

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as a regional partner to offer this wonderful program,” said Annise Montplaisir, Executive Director of Amplify Horse Racing. “This camp will be an incredible way for youth to learn about horse racing and experience the magic of Saratoga, including those who may not come from a horse background and want to gain hands-on experience.”

The camp is open to rising 9th through 12th graders. Enrollment is limited to 30 students, with a registration fee of $50. Museum members receive a discounted rate of $40.