BALLSTON SPA — The former Real McCoy Beer. Co. location in Ballston Spa will soon reopen as a Back Barn Brewing outpost, the company announced last Thursday.
The historic former home of Civil War General Abner Doubleday at 28 Washington Street will once again be the site of a brewery after the business’ six-year partnership with Real McCoy ended on Dec. 29.
“The connection we had when first meeting Mike and Bona Schaffer was immediate and positive with shared values, love for craft beer and history, and community relationships,” said Back Barn Brewing in its announcement. “The decision to bring Back Barn Brewing’s beer to Ballston Spa was an easy one. We are excited and look forward to becoming a part of Ballston Spa’s local community, and hopefully, you are as excited as we are! Stay tuned for opening dates and more.”
Back Barn is a farm brewery based out of a renovated barn in Delanson, a village in Schenectady County about 50 miles southwest of Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund announced recently that its Independent Advisory Committee has awarded Lend-A-Hand Grants to dozens of local nonprofits.
The Community Fund’s Autumn Giving Match Campaign raised more than $94,000, which has been matched by the Adirondack Trust Company.
The grants were presented at the Community Fund’s Annual Lend-A-Hand Grant Award Reception on Dec. 10 in Saratoga Springs.
Lend-A-Hand Grant Awards for 2026 projects were provided to 37 different organizations, including: AIM Services, Belmont Child Care Association, Bikeatoga, Camp Abilities Saratoga, Children’s Museum at Saratoga, Franklin Community Center, Operation Adopt-a-Soldier, Pitney Meadows, Saratoga Bridges, Saratoga Center for the Family, Saratoga Children’s Literacy League, Saratoga County Children’s Committee, Saratoga Pride, Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar, Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga Springs, Shelters of Saratoga, The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa’s Summer Lunch Program, The Wesley Community, and Wellspring.
“The awarded grants will support programs for a wide variety of needs, and will include the areas of the arts, education, health, and family activities,” said Joyce Ure, volunteer chair for the Independent Advisory Committee. “Thank you to the organizations, volunteers, and donors who provide support, time, and hard work throughout the year. We are honored to be a part of this process.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Clay Arts Center recently announced the participating restaurants for its 13th Annual Chili Bowl Fundraiser, taking place Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Five local restaurants will compete for the title of “Best Chili 2026,” with the winning chef receiving a handmade ceramic trophy crafted by artists from Saratoga Clay Arts Center. This year’s confirmed lineup includes: Thorn + Roots (returning 2025 Best Chili winner), 9 Miles East, Morrissey’s Restaurant, Noah’s Restaurant, and The Olde Bryan Inn.
The Chili Bowl Fundraiser typically draws more than 1,000 attendees for a day celebrating food, art, and community. Guests can enjoy chili tastings served in handmade ceramic bowls created by regional artists, as well as live music performed by CC Smokes.
Proceeds from the event will benefit three local organizations: Saratoga Clay Arts Center, supporting clay arts education and community programming; To Life!, providing education and support for those affected by breast cancer; and the Wilton Food Pantry, helping address food insecurity in the region.
Registration for the event is now open. Tickets may be purchased online at www.saratogaclayarts.org.
Photo of Paulina Hoag and Jan Murphy by Super Source Media for Saratoga TODAY.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Founded in 2024, Saratoga Floral Design has recently undergone some significant changes, joining forces with Jan’s Florist and undergoing a five-month-long renovation.
The company officially merged with Jan’s in October of last year, opening a new storefront at 3 Marion Avenue in the Spa City. The transition brought together Jan Murphy’s decades of experience with a new vision for the shop under a new name. Murphy herself remains actively involved in the operation and continues to personally design floral arrangements alongside Saratoga Floral Design’s Paulina Hoag.
Originally from Poland, Hoag has been living in the United States for 17 years, building a life and career. Her design style is influenced by European floral traditions that emphasize natural movement, thoughtful composition, and refined simplicity.
“After years of supporting and managing businesses behind the scenes, I felt inspired to create something of my own—something rooted in creativity, hard work, and community,” Hoag told Saratoga TODAY. “When the opportunity arose to continue a beloved local flower shop, it felt like a meaningful next chapter in my journey.”
In addition to custom floral arrangements, Saratoga Floral Design offers a curated selection of gifts for all occasions, including products from small businesses such as baby gifts, items for dog and cat lovers, and specialty treats. The shop also hosts flower-arranging workshops.
“Above all, our goal is to be more than a flower shop—to be a place where people feel at home and part of the community,” Hoag said.
Photos of Chelsey Lester and Susan Nixon provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lemery Greisler LLC, a Capital Region business law firm with an office in Saratoga Springs, recently announced that Susan Nixon, Esq. has become a member. The firm also announced the promotion of Chelsey Lester, Esq. to principal attorney.
Nixon focuses her practice in the areas of real estate, economic development and project development, banking and commercial finance, trust formation and administration, estate planning and administration, and succession planning.
Lester concentrates her practice in a range of business law areas, including formation and governance of business entities, labor and employment matters, contract review and drafting, mergers and acquisitions, securities, and corporate finance. Lester also has experience enforcing creditors’ rights in commercial financing transactions.
Lemery Greisler LLC is a business law firm with offices in Saratoga Springs and Albany.
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 14 to celebrate the recent opening of KOS Sauna on Saratoga Lake. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ice-cold waters surrounded the KOS floating sauna on Saratoga Lake, threatening to cool its steamy inner core. But the chilly foes were fought off by KOS’ interior temperatures, which can reach as high as a sizzling 230 degrees.
KOS (pronounced “cozy” without the y) is a Norwegian word defined as a feeling of comfort, warmth, and togetherness. It is an apt description of New York State’s first public floating sauna, which was filled with local politicos and well-wishers on Wednesday afternoon at a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the Finnish-style sauna’s recent opening.
The 15-person sauna is open year-round and offers everything from communal sessions to private rentals to annual memberships to classes and rituals.
A visit includes access to the sauna, roof terrace, and changing rooms, as well as an invigorating plunge into the lake (in winter, this experience may be for only the boldest of Saratogians). Water served at the sauna is sourced straight from the Spa City’s famed mineral springs. Saratoga’s ancient, mineral-rich agua was the primary reason KOS creator/owner Kate Butchart decided to open up shop here, she said at the ribbon cutting.
KOS is located at the marina near Lago by Druthers, at 550 Union Avenue. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday, from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., with reservation slots available at 90-minute increments.
BALLSTON SPA — All Things Gluten-Free, a Ballston Spa-based bakery, has reached the top 5 of a national “Greatest Baker” competition.
“This journey is a tribute to my late father,” said Shannon Welch, the bakeshop’s owner. “He was my biggest supporter, and I bake every batch in his memory.”
Welch is competing to win $10,000 to build a “backyard bake shed” to expand her business, while also raising money for childhood cancer research.
To learn more or to vote for All Things Gluten-Free in future rounds of the competition, visit https://greatestbaker.org//shannon-welch-ebvo.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Gaffney’s building on Caroline Street in downtown Saratoga Springs has been sold for $3.5 million, Roohan Realty announced on New Year’s Eve.
The property was purchased by an LLC controlled by Scott and Kristine Grodsky. The new owners have already begun repairs and improvements to bring the building up to code for residential tenants. Gaffney’s is expected to reopen this spring under new ownership.
With foreclosure underway, the property’s bills were “piling up” and the building needed attention, Roohan stated in a news release.
In May of 2024, Gaffney’s was initially listed for $4.6 million.
The property, built in 1967, includes commercial space and ten rental apartments.
Aerial photo of Tanner Ridge Farm provided by Saratoga PLAN.
STILLWATER — Local land trust Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) recently announced the permanent conservation of 41 acres of land known as Tanner Ridge Farm, located in the Town of Stillwater.
The property, currently owned and operated as an equine boarding and training facility by Katie Ogden and Matthew Harris, will now remain agricultural land forever through a conservation easement which will be held by the Town of Stillwater.
Tanner Ridge is located adjacent to Questroyal North Farm, which was conserved by Saratoga PLAN late last year. These two properties, along with the neighboring Saratoga Battlefield National Park, encompass more than 4,500 acres of conserved land.
The farm sits within Saratoga County’s Agricultural District No. 1, which includes the towns of Moreau, Northumberland, Saratoga, Stillwater, and Wilton. Established under New York State’s Agricultural Districts Law of 1971, these districts are designed to encourage the continuation of agriculture.
In addition to its agricultural value, the conservation easement preserves the area’s scenic views. The project protects views from Saratoga Battlefield National Park, as well as from nearby roadways. The farm’s red barns, visible along New York State Route 423, are a feature of the landscape.
“The land is beautiful here,” said landowner Katie Ogden. “I know that most of the surrounding farms leading to the battlefield are now conserved in some way. As the area grows, I have peace of mind knowing that this land will remain undeveloped. Growth is a good thing, but so is conservation. It’s a balance, really. It was very important to me that if I moved on, this place would remain farmland.”
Tanner Ridge also provides environmental benefits. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the property contains habitat with the potential to support monarch butterflies, bald and golden eagles, 19 species of migratory birds, and wetland ecosystems.
The conservation of Tanner Ridge Farm marks a major milestone for Saratoga PLAN, as it becomes the 33rd farm protected by the nonprofit conservation organization since its founding in 2003.
“Saratoga PLAN is proud to have been able to work with the town of Stillwater to help Katie and Matthew conserve their beautiful farm and ensure the land continues to provide all the environmental, economic, and community benefits for generations to come,” said Rob Davies, Saratoga PLAN’s executive director.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mouzon House—a Victorian-style home that more recently served as a farm-to-table restaurant—has been listed by Julie & Co. Realty for $1.75 million.
A year ago, the restaurant announced that it was entering into a “new chapter,” deciding to no longer have regular restaurant hours but instead focusing on its Supper Club, a reservation-only dining experience available on select dates.
“After many years of pouring our hearts into running this restaurant, we’ve made the decision to shift gears and reimagine how we connect with you, our amazing community,” the restaurant said in a statement released in Jan. 2025. “This hasn’t been an easy decision. The restaurant business is a tough one, and after much thought, we realized it was time for a change—one that allows us to continue sharing our passion for food in a way that feels special and sustainable.”
The Mouzon House property at 1 York Street is 2,968 square feet but can expand to around 4,500 square feet of usable space during warmer months.
“The building offers intimate spaces throughout, from the garden area to private dining rooms,” states the listing. “Fireplaces, murals, and unique design at every turn.”
Originally built in 1883, the Mouzon House was purchased in 1919 by Ardel Mouzon, a Cherokee woman who fought to protect the home from demolition. The property was inherited by Ardel’s daughter Mia Mouzon, who was the first American-born woman of color to graduate from Skidmore College. The building was later purchased and restored by the Pedinotti family.
