SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that Cutwater Spirits, a leader in the ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail category, will serve as the naming rights partner of The Stretch at Saratoga Race Course for the 2021 season.

 The Cutwater Stretch is a private hospitality area located at the Top of the Stretch featuring modern and upscale amenities in a casual environment with views of the final turn. As a result of its continued popularity since first being introduced three years ago, The Cutwater Stretch will expand this summer to feature an additional 15 lounge boxes.

Ticket holders to The Cutwater Stretch enjoy exclusive access to a full-service bar, kitchen and concessions, high-definition televisions and video screens, private restrooms and a relaxed dress code. Fans at The Cutwater Stretch will enjoy access to a wide variety of Cutwater Spirits’ ready-to-drink cocktails, including Lime Tequila Margarita, White Russian, Vodka Mule and Long Island Iced Tea.

 Another new beverage provider at the Spa this summer will be Cooperstown Distillery, the award-winning producer of distinguished whiskeys and other handcrafted spirits. The New York craft distiller will offer popular cocktails such as its Saratoga Revolutionary Rum Runner, Fenimore Gin Cucumber Cooler and Glimmerglass Vodka Summer Mule at the Jim Dandy Bar.

Fans will have the opportunity to sample products from Cooperstown Distillery on New York Showcase Day, Friday, August 27, as well as in conjunction with the Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on Friday, August 6 and the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy on Saturday, July 31.

Saratoga Race Course will once again feature an extensive lineup of beers produced by New York craft breweries. The New York craft brews will be available at the Fourstardave Sports Bar and at other locations on-track.

 Fans this summer will also enjoy the all-new La Crema Sonoma Coast Experience, an innovative pop-up bar designed to transport fans to California wine country, located just inside the Clubhouse gates adjacent to the paddock. The wine bar will operate all 40 days of the meet and will serve La Crema’s Sonoma Coast Sauvignon Blanc; Chardonnay; Pinot Noir; and Brut Rose.

In addition, the Woodinville Bourbon Bar will make its Saratoga debut. Located on the second floor of the Clubhouse, the Woodinville Bar will feature specialty cocktails made with Woodinville Bourbon, including the Brown Derby and Washington Lemonade. Also new on the menu and available at the Travers Bar, presented by Moët Hennessy, will be Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé and Chandon Garden Spritz supplemented by the ever-popular Moët and Chandon Brut or Rosé champagne and Chandon sparkling wine.

The Josh Cellars Wine Bar, on the second floor of the Clubhouse, will offer selections from Josh Cellars’ California collection in addition to the winery’s signature Frosé (Frozen Rosé) beverage.

The Volcan Tequila backyard gazebo bar, located near the Fourstardave Sports Bar, will feature the Volcan Margarita and Saratoga Sunset made with Volcan Blanco tequila. The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host 40 days of live music from some of the region’s favorite bands.

The Ketel One Clubhouse Bar and Ketel One Longshots on the first floor of the Grandstand will feature cocktails made from award-winning Ketel One family made vodka, including the Ketel One Botanical Spritz, as well as specialty cocktails from Tanqueray gin and Captain Morgan rum.

The Heineken Finish Line Bar, located on the first floor of the Grandstand, will serve a variety of refreshing Heineken beers.

Saratoga will also feature a comprehensive lineup of malt beverages from Molson Coors, including Miller Lite, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Blue Moon Light Sky and Peroni Italia, among other offerings.

The Miller Lite Picnic Paddock, a hospitality area overlooking the paddock, will offer picnic tables available for daily reservation. 

For more information about hospitality and dining areas at Saratoga Race Course, visit www.NYRA.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Bariatric Surgery & Weight-Loss Program, a service of Saratoga Hospital, has earned reaccreditation as a comprehensive facility by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

MBSAQIP is a joint program of the American College of Surgeons and American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. MBSAQIP reaccreditation signifies that Saratoga Hospital Bariatric Surgery & Weight-Loss Program meets rigorous national standards for bariatric care.

Saratoga Bariatric Surgery and Weight-Loss Program has been MBSAQIP-accredited since 2014. The program also is recognized as a Blue Distinction Center by BlueShield of Northeastern New York and as an Aetna Institute of Quality Bariatric Surgery Facility.

For more information about bariatric surgery at Saratoga Hospital, go to www.saratogabariatriccenter.com.

CAPITAL REGION — On July 1, Stewart’s Shops broke ground in Schodack, the first of five shops that will have NYPA (New York Power Authority) EVolve Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Stations by the of the year. Schodack will be operational in September, and construction is expected to begin any week now on the next site. The other four locations consist of Moreau, Latham, Keene, and Clifton Park. These chargers are part of NYPA’s EVolve NY charging infrastructure network that consists of key travel corridors. EVolve NY plans to install up to 150 chargers across New York State by the end of 2021.

Read the full story on Saratoga Business Report at www.saratogabusinessreport.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company announced plans to consolidate its Jones Road and Ballard Road Wilton branches this fall into a nearby office in Wilton Square shopping plaza at 3039 Route 50. The new, prominent commercial location just off Exit 15 of the Northway, is now being renovated and will provide a brighter and more modern banking environment for customers. The branch will have more than 3,000 square feet of office space and offers more parking and full banking services, including ATM, drive-in and lobby. Additional teller access, offices, and conference room space will provide an improved overall customer experience. A Nov. 1 opening date is planned with more details coming soon at saratoganational.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Julie & Co. Realty announced Melissa Shufelt as the newest member of their brokerage. 

Prior to real estate, Shufelt worked in freight importing where she managed inside sales and day-to-day operations. She also has a background in marketing, which helps her to position homes for sale for success in the marketplace.

She has lifelong roots in the Greater Capital District. 

For more information visit www.juliecorealty.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Morgan Stanley announced that Joseph K. Brady, a Financial Advisor in the firm’s Saratoga Springs office has completed the Firm’s Insurance Accreditation Program and now holds the Insurance Planning Director (IPD) designation. Recipients of the IPD designation have demonstrated a commitment to, and understanding of, holistic goals-based wealth management planning through the incorporation of insurance solutions into their practice as a foundational component of risk management. Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors who have achieved the Insurance Planning Director designation can work with clients and provide a higher standard of care around how liability management can be incorporated into their comprehensive wealth plan. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has promoted Jeffrey Casale to Associate Vice President of Support Services. He oversees engineering, construction and property management, public safety, emergency preparedness, environmental services, and food and nutritional services. Casale joined Saratoga Hospital in 1988, and most recently he was Director of Facility Operations. Under his leadership, Saratoga Hospital was the first hospital in the Capital Region to earn a Clean Facility certificate from the Association for the Healthcare Environment. Casale was also instrumental in reviving the Eastern New York Society for Healthcare Engineering and is currently the chapter president. 

GLENS FALLS — Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company announced that Leslie Barry has joined the bank as a Residential Mortgage Originator in Saratoga County and the Capital Region.

Based in the Saratoga Main Office, Barry will guide clients through the mortgage application process and help them achieve their financial goals and homeownership through residential financing. She has over 35 years of experience in banking and residential mortgage lending in the Capital Region.

Barry holds an Associates of Applied Science from Hudson Valley Community College. She grew up in the Capital Region and lives in Saratoga Springs.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Need help with your tech? Saratoga Springs native Drew Sweeney has started his own business, DS HOMETECH, to assist with all your home technology-related needs. 

Sweeney was working from home as a finance consultant when the pandemic hit in 2020. With other financial consultants now also working from home and bidding for jobs online, his own consulting jobs were getting fewer and far between and he needed to find another source of income.

He was inspired to start DS HOMETECH after having to hang a TV in his own home. A Google search yielded few options for help, and he recognized that it was a service the area was lacking. With his own business, Sweeney can install and calibrate soundbars, install and hang TVs, design and install home theaters, upgrade WiFi – you name it. He is also knowledgeable on Smart Home systems. 

Despite majoring in Business Management and concentrating in Finance at UAlbany, a field he worked in for the past seven years, Sweeney has always had an interest in technology. 

“The world we live in today revolves around technology,” said Sweeney. “I was always the kid to take stuff apart and put it back together. It snowballed into a genuine interest in technology set-ups.” 

He does all the work himself, but has developed a network of general contractors and other professionals. Sweeney admits that technology in the home can be intimidating to most people. 

“I make it a point to simplify it as much as possible, and walk with clients through what they want and what I’m doing,” said Sweeney. “At the end of the day, I’m happy if the client has a smile on their face. I take pride in the work I do, and will spend extra time to make sure the work is above and beyond the client’s expectations.”

Need someone to install a Smart TV? Frustrated with your slow WiFi? Contact Drew Sweeney at 518-859-5613 or email dshometech@gmail.com. Visit his website www.dshometechny.com, or find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dshometech. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Dawn Oesch stands behind the glass counter of the Saratoga Candy Company store as much as she has since first opening the doors of her Washington Street shop in July 1998.   

Behind her, the colors of the rainbow swirl across lollipops and enticing candies. Newspaper clips dating back to the last century cling to the shelves.  “Oprah Winfrey magazine wrote about us,” she says. “We’ve been on MSN, and all the local channels. We talked about Christmas items on the Today show.” A dark chocolate salted nut roll beckons from beneath the countertop glass. 

The area on and around Broadway has witnessed large-scale architectural changes since its development in the 19th century. The present day is no different.  A current proposal calls for a six-story project in a 200,000 square foot mixed-use building that will include 90 residential units and 31 hotel rooms at 353 Broadway/ 19 & 23 Washington St. The Broadway/ Washington Street corner café that sites Starbucks is anticipated to stay. The Saratoga Candy Co. building is targeted for demolition to make way for the new development. 

Oesch has had three different landlords during her 23 years at 5 Washington St. Each has expressed interest in building a hotel on the site that houses the store. The current proposal is making its way through the city’s Land Use Boards.     

“They’re saying late fall,” Oesch says. “If I had my druthers, I’d stay in my spot forever. It might not be the prettiest to some people but to me it’s perfect. I’ve spent more time in this space than anyplace else, even my home. It’s a part of me.” 

The good news is her current landlord has expressed confidence that Saratoga Candy Co. can relocate right around the corner. “Right on Broadway, next to Starbucks, in a space just below Salt & Char.” The spot is semi-sublevel, “but when you look at the big giant windows, it comes right up to kids’ heads where they can look right in,” she explains. 

Rent has yet to be discussed, but she is hopeful. “I do know they are very conscientious of a hometown feel store,” says Oesch, reflecting on her business as she starts her 24th year.    

“It has changed so much. It’s adapted from something that I thought may be more fancy, to something that’s nostalgic. Finding everything you grew up with. Making it very kid-friendly, but also that thing you find that adults need.” One time-honored constant that has remained is her kettle. “The fudge kettle and I have been together since I was 16 and since I worked in a store in Lake Placid. It’s my baby,” she says, with a laugh. 

Oesch is grateful to the community for helping the store survive the three-month shutdown of the pandemic.

“If we didn’t have our locals, we would have had a very tough time during COVID. We were delivering all over God’s Green Earth, and dressed like bunnies having car hops in the parking lot,” says Oesch, recalling the fulfillment of product orders while masked and gloved in themed events that featured socially distanced dance moves.

As the fall beckons, so with it comes Saratoga Candy Co.’s busiest season. There are the local specialties, like Saratoga Taffy and chocolate horse medallions, and much in-demand holiday items, like the old-fashion yuletide-inspired Peppermint Pig. That busy season may also be the time of the shop’s relocation. There is a plan. 

“If we do move around the corner, I’m hoping I’ll be able to get every friend and family member together,” she says. “We can create a little candy train.” Right onto Broadway.