BALLSTON SPA — The old Pizza Hut on Doubleday Avenue in Ballston Spa has slowly but surely been transforming into Ted’s Fish Fry’s newest location. And now, the company is looking for employees as renovations wrap up.

Interested candidates can apply online at www.tedsfishfry.com/employment or stop into any Fish Fry location for an application. According to the company’s website, benefits include: 4% 401K match, an employee meal plan, generous PTO, an employee bonus program, flexible hours, and management opportunities.

An exact opening date for the B-Spa restaurant has not been announced, and previous estimates haven’t come to fruition (in March, it was reported that the location would open in late spring or early summer).

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Local nonprofit Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) held its fourth annual PLAN for the Future fundraising dinner on Sept. 18, drawing a sold-out crowd of supporters who raised nearly $100,000 for the organization.

Kicking off the program, Executive Director Rob Davies announced PLAN’s latest land acquisition, the “Northern Gateway,” a 20-acre property in the Town of Greenfield that will expand Graphite Range Community Forest (GRCF) to the north. Opened in late 2023, GRCF is Saratoga County’s first federally recognized community forest and has already become a recreational hub, serving as an access point to the envisioned 50-mile Sarah B. Foulke Friendship Trails Network (SBFFTN). Once completed, the SBFFTN will feature a core trail connecting the City of Saratoga Springs to the northernmost corner of Moreau Lake State Park.

The vision for Northern Gateway is to offer a second trailhead featuring more accessible walking paths with gentler grades. Saratoga County will enter into a memorandum of agreement with Saratoga PLAN for the addition and development of the Northern Gateway parcels to the Graphite Range Community Forest. Once all improvements are completed, the ownership of the land will be transferred at no cost to the County with Saratoga PLAN as the designated land manager. (Saratoga PLAN and Saratoga County routinely partner on conservation projects to permanently protect agricultural and open space lands including farmland, natural areas, wildlife habitats, preserves, and other important open spaces.)

The evening continued with Saratoga PLAN’s event honorees, who were recognized for their dedication and contributions to local conservation. This year’s honorees included:

• Conservation Hero Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, Saratoga Lake Association, and Stewart’s Shops for their contributions in the permanent protection of Snake Hill, the forested dome on the eastern side of Saratoga Lake;

• Conservation Hero Barry Ostrager, who placed 280 acres of his Stillwater horse farm, Questroyal North, under protection, connecting more than 4,500 acres of protected lands near Saratoga Battlefield;

• Conservation Heroes Jan Kropp and Chuck Rowson, who protected their 81 acres of forestland in the Town of Moreau, creating a protected wooded buffer to Moreau Lake State Park;

• Volunteers of the Year Tom Nelson and Ann Henderson, who were recognized for their commitment to caring for the lands that PLAN protects. The duo has been actively volunteering for over 14 years;

• Conservation Champion Awardee Jim Sevinsky. During Jim’s 40-year legal career with the New York Attorney General’s Office, he led the Environmental Protection Bureau in landmark cases including Love Canal cleanup, acid rain litigation in the Adirondacks, and advocacy to strengthen the Clean Air Act. A lifelong resident of the region, Jim has dedicated nine years to PLAN’s Board and continues to serve on the Emeritus Board.

Reflecting on the work ahead, Executive Director Robert Davies emphasized the ongoing challenges of land conservation in the region. “As many of you know, the work of land conservation is not easy… for every acre conserved in Saratoga County, 1.8 acres are converted and lost to development of some kind. We are losing almost twice as much as we are protecting,” he said. “We are working hard and making the changes necessary to enable PLAN to pick up the pace of land protection and trail connections for the benefit of all. But we can’t do it alone.”

Saratoga PLAN has helped conserve over 14,000 acres of land in Saratoga County.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bocage Champagne Bar’s recently unveiled menu features 11 global sparklers; still wines from far-flung locales such as Lebanon, Albania, and Slovenia; large-format bottles; and 8 all-new cocktails.

The global sparklers are from France, Italy, the U.S., Slovenia, and Australia. “Each bottle was chosen for its quality and the story it tells about its region,” said Bocage co-owner Zac Denham in a news release. “Alongside them are six Champagnes, including two from our house producer, Champagne Drappier. One of those — Trop m’en Faut! — is particularly close to our hearts. Crafted entirely from Fromenteau (Pinot Gris), it’s a rarity in Champagne and isn’t available anywhere outside France. Drappier makes sure a little arrives here exclusively for Bocage. That wine is as rare and remarkable as Bocage itself — it’s a privilege to pour it for our guests.”

Bocage’s bottle-only list now spans more than 45 selections, including vintages dating back to 1978. “This list,” Denham said, “is about popping bottles, having fun, and discovering something unforgettable along the way.”

HALFMOON — Sorrentino’s Delicatessen & Market is closing its location in Halfmoon on Oct. 5 after three decades in business. The store’s second location in South Glens Falls will remain open.

“Between myself and my staff, we have made some great friends and loyal customers over the years, for which we are grateful,” said owner Rich Sorrentino in a Facebook announcement. “This was not an easy decision to make, but it’s necessary for health reasons to start slowing down.”

Sorrentino’s is a family owned and operated deli and grocery market with a meat department, fresh produce, prepared meals, and catering. The soon-to-be-shuttered Halfmoon location is at 241 Grooms Road. The still-open second location is at 40 Main Street in South Glens Falls.

MALTA — Nanola—a restaurant, bar, and live music venue located on Route 9 in Malta—closed its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 30 after a dozen years in business.

“From the very beginning, Nanola has been more than just a business, it has been a gathering place filled with laughter, friendships, and countless memories,” the company wrote in a Facebook announcement. “None of it would have been possible without our loyal customers and staff that have become family. We are deeply grateful to every band that rocked our stage, every guest who celebrated life’s milestones with us, and every person who simply stopped in for a meal, a drink, or a good time. You’ve all been part of what made Nanola so special. While this chapter is coming to a close, the memories will live, and we are beyond thankful for the ride we’ve shared with you.”

In its announcement, the restaurant added that its volleyball program would continue and be back “bigger and better than ever.”

Community members and patrons responded to the announcement by expressing appreciation and sharing memories. One married couple said they met at Nanola. One woman thanked the restaurant for allowing her and her husband to celebrate their anniversary there during the pandemic. A GlobalFoundries employee said Nanola was one of his “all-time favorite places to go.”

Local businesses also chimed in with their farewells. The Hideaway Restaurant at the Saratoga Lake Golf Club wrote that “Nanola will always hold a special place in the hearts of everyone here at The Hideaway.” The Ballston Lakeview Tavern added: “All three owners here have worked for and learned a lot from you and your family for years. On to bigger and better things. You will be missed.”

Nanola billed itself as a casual eatery with New Orleans influences, an extensive draft and beer list, and a menu with southern favorites. It hosted many performers over the years, especially live rock bands playing everything from original compositions to time-tested classics. Recent shows included a pre- and post-Phish concert performance by Hilltop; a benefit for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; two nights of Arch3type (featuring members of Big Gigantic and Twiddle); the DJ Williams Band with Ben Atkind (formerly of Goose); and a variety of Grateful Dead cover bands.

In February, Slidin’ Dirty, a popular Capital Region slider restaurant, took over Nanola’s kitchen operations and debuted a new menu.

MALTA — Consciously Curly, a new hair salon located at 123 Dunning Street in Malta, celebrated its grand opening last Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

The business was founded by Logan Spring, a healthy hair expert, non-toxic living educator, and curly hair specialist. “At the Consciously Curly Salon, every service is rooted in clean, non-toxic beauty and deep respect for your natural texture,” the business states on its website. “For too long, people have been told to tame, fight, or hide their natural curl pattern. Here, I show you how to embrace it. You’ll leave with more than a fresh look—but also renewed confidence, radical self-love, and a deeper connection to the reflection in the mirror.”

For more information, visit consciouslycurly.com. 

BALLSTON SPA — Hundreds of revelers packed Washington Street outside Speckled Pig last Saturday for an Oktoberfest block party, which provided the first glimpse of the brewing company’s new next door distillery.

The Still at Speckled Pig, housed in the former home of Jim’s Garage, featured a modern, dark, green-and-black interior with a long white bar and plenty of seating. Two garage doors opened to an outdoor patio with Adirondack-style chairs and fire pits. Cocktails and seasonal beers were served, though a full food menu was not yet available. The party began at noon, with attendees quickly filling up nearly every inch of the distillery space. 

Oktoberfest featured free commemorative mugs for the first 150 attendees, a dunk tank, a bouncy house for kids, live music from the City of Albany Pipe Band, Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, and pizza.

ALBANY — Community Bank announced this week that Saratoga Springs resident Alyssa Mastrianni has joined as Commercial Banking Officer on the Middle Market team, managing existing clients and expanding business relationships. In her role, Mastrianni will be the primary point of contact for clients to provide strategic advice, tailored solutions, and financial products fostering business growth and profitability.

 Mastrianni worked as a commercial banker in J.P. Morgan’s Emerging Middle Market segment. She also held roles as a treasury associate in J.P. Morgan’s Investment Bank, focusing on financial institutions and insurance, as well as earlier positions as a service associate and teller. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Alyssa is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and Saratoga Leadership.